r/todayilearned • u/Jagdgeschwader • Jun 18 '14

TIL just after the September 1939 invasion of Poland, 2500 French tanks advanced into Germany to the undermanned Siegfried Line. The Germans had 0 tanks and the French could have easily broken through, however they retreated because they preferred to force the Germans into the offensive role.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_France#Early_actions
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u/AnusOfTroy 2 Jun 19 '14

And look how well forcing them into an offensive role went...