Armistice

Abstract

With the signature of the Armistice, France entered a period of partial eclipse. The terms were harsh; since France had sustained a heavy defeat they could hardly have been otherwise. But Hitler had not been in a position to make excessive demands and he realised that no more could be achieved without prolonging the conflict indefinitely. There seemed little point in forcing matters to a final conclusion. France had been eliminated as a military power and her remaining resources would be of little significance once the conflict with Britain was over. In short, Hitler's handling of the French accorded well with the smash and grab tactics which he had always found so effective. Ciano likened him to a gambler who had made a big scoop and wished to get up from the table risking nothing more.¹ It seemed unthinkable that the game was not yet over.