Battle of the Alps - SpeedyLook encyclopedia

The battles of the Alps , opposed the Armée with the Alps, ordered by the General Rene Olry with the Group of Western Army Italian, directed by Prince Umberto of Piedmont, and with the XVIe Panzerkorps of the General Hoeppner.

Unfolding

June 10th, 40 when Italy declares the war, the army of the Alps of the Olry general, has approximately 185.000 men (ministry source for defense) divided into three divide of infantry of reserve of the type B, three strengthened sectors (Dauphine, Savoy, the Alps Maritimes) and two defensive sectors (the Rhone and Nice), the whole supported by strong a Artillerie of mountain (65 groups). Among these forces, there are 84 sections of scouts skiers who are troops of elites.

The alpine forts are primarily of the models of the type Sérée de Rivière, built as from 1880. From 1928, they were reinforced by the new constructions, primarily distributed in the the Alps of the South.

This army was victim of several important punctures, initially because of the countryside of Scandinavia, then defeat on the face of the North-East. With the declaration of war, it makes jump the roads, tunnels likely to be used by the Group of Western armies of Prince Umberto of Piedmont. These forces gather 22 divisions and more than 300.000 men. They are forces little trained, badly equipped and little justified.

Despite everything these forces launch some attacks between the 11 and on June 19th. They are pushed back. Italian air raids on Toulon and the aerodromes of the sector are pushed back and French aviation attacks the grounds of Genoa and Turin.

June 21st, Italian on order of Mussolini, lance a violent general attack. With Menton XVe Italian body is pushed back by the forces of the strengthened sector of the Alps Maritimes (less than one division). The 23, they will seize a small portion of the city. Everywhere else, the French forces resist, although being in numerical inferiority. Everywhere as with the Battle of Bridge Saint-Louis, the French forces fight furiously.

Moreover since June 15th Olry, has to take forces, in particular of artillery to prepare a second face, in front of the German threat. Indeed, the 15, German are in Dijon. It creates the grouping of the Général Cartier, with units of bric and pitcher, a colonial division which was used as reserve of army, the sailors, some tanks, of the infantry which was folded up since the North-East. This grouping is equipped with material with recovery. The 30.000 men who composes it, will be charged to hold on three successive lines of defense: the Rhone, Isere, the Durance.

Lyon being declared city opened, the Cartier Grouping, must be folded up after hard combat in the north of Lyon to Chasselay, on the river Isere. In the evening of the 20, Olry blows up the bridges. Unfortunately, in the north of the the Alps, the area of Seyssel and Culoz are now under the control of the 2nd group of armies, in full rout, and the same instructions are not applied. In spite of the resistance of some elements, like the old man Extremely of the Lock, the grouping has of the XVI panzerkorps of the general Erich Hoepner made up essentially of elements of the 13th motorized division, party of Borough, occupies Aix the Baths on June 23rd. The grouping B (3rd panzer), is stopped in Voreppe, during two days by the French artillery which inflicts very heavy losses to him June 24th and 25th. Italian losses: approximately 6.000 men, army of the Alps approximately 250 for the army of the Unknown Alps for the Cartier grouping.

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