What is Phony War?
The Phoney War, also known as the Sitzkrieg, was a period of relative inactivity on the Western Front during World War II, lasting from September 1939 to May 1940. The term "Phoney War" was coined by a British journalist, Henry Campbell, who described the events as a "phony war" because of the apparent lack of action on the front lines.
The Prewar Situation
The Outbreak of World War II
On September 1, 1939, Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, invaded Poland, which led to the United Kingdom and France declaring war on Germany on September 3, 1939. The immediate response to the invasion of Poland was a series of border clashes between Germany and Poland, but the British and French governments did not take immediate action to reinforce their armies on the German border.
The British and French Strategies
Both the British and French military strategies were based on the idea of a repeat of World War I. They believed that Germany would be unable to fight a long war and would eventually collapse under the strain of a prolonged conflict. As a result, the British and French armies concentrated on building up their reserves and waiting for the war to come to them. The British government also continued to implement its national mobilization plan, while the French government focused on reorganizing and reequipping its armed forces.
The German Strategy
Germans, on the other hand, had developed a different strategy. They believed that the main objective of the war should be to destroy the French and British armies through a rapid and decisive series of battles. This strategy was based on the concept of Blitzkrieg, or lightning warfare, which emphasized the use of speed, surprise, and combined arms to overwhelm the enemy.
The Phoney War
Between September 1939 and May 1940, there were few significant events on the Western Front. There were no large-scale battles, and there was little or no territorial gain. The conflict was characterized by random and isolated skirmishes between small groups of soldiers. The situation was dubbed the "Phoney War" because of the apparent lack of effort or enthusiasm from the belligerents.
The Causes of the Phoney War
- The Maginot Line: The French were confident in their defensive fortress, the Maginot Line, which they believed would protect them from German attack.
- British and French mobilization plans: Both countries were prioritizing the mobilization and reorganization of their military forces, rather than focusing on immediate action.
- German strategy: The Germans were focused on more rapid and decisive battles elsewhere, such as in Poland and Denmark.
Key Events of the Phoney War
- Air raids on British cities: Germany launched a series of air raids on British cities, including London, Plymouth, and Coventry, in an attempt to create fear and disruption.
- British and French patrols: British and French forces conducted patrols along the frontier, but these were primarily aimed at maintaining morale and preventing German crossings.
- Danish and Norwegian campaigns: Germany invaded Denmark and Norway in April 1940, which drew attention and resources away from the Western Front.
The End of the Phoney War
The Phoney War came to an end on May 10, 1940, when Germany invaded France and the Low Countries, known as the Battle of France. The German army’s rapid advances and the apparent collapse of the French defenses led to the removal of the French government and the surrender of most of France. This marked the end of the Phoney War and the beginning of a new period of intense conflict on the Western Front.
Comparison with World War I
The Phoney War bears some similarities to the trench warfare of World War I, where both sides settled into a stalemate on the Western Front. However, the Phoney War was characterized by a more rapid and mobile form of warfare, with both sides using air power, tank warfare, and combined arms to attack each other.