Battle of Saumur
German offensive of june 1940, which led to defeat of France in WWII
Historical Overview
The Battle of Saumur occurred during the last stages of the Battle of France during World War II, when officer cadets from the Cavalry School at Saumur, led by superintendent Colonel Charles Michon, made a defensive stand along the Loire River at Saumur, Gennes, and Montsoreau. For two days the Cavalry School, and other assorted units which had fallen back before the German Wehrmacht advance, held off a German attack. Since the battle occurred after the message by Marshal Pétain which called for an end to fighting, the event is often considered one of the first acts of the French Resistance.
Quick Facts
German Army
- Commander: Kurt Feldt
- Strength: ca. 10.000
- Casualties: gering
France (Cadets)
- Commander: Charles Michon
- Strength: ca. 2.500
- Casualties: ca. 250
Strategic Context
Last symbolic engagements before the armistice.
Related Literature
Der Gulag
Die Schlacht um Berlin und das Ende des Dritten Reichs 1945
Hunde, wollt ihr ewig leben: ein Stalingrad-Roman
Roter Hunger: Stalins Krieg gegen die Ukraine
So weit die Füße tragen
Söldner ohne Sold: Die deutschen Freikorps 1918–1923
Vom Massensturm zur Stoßtrupptaktik: Die deutsche Landkriegtaktik im Spiegel von Dienstvorschriften und Publizistik 1906 bis 1918
Wir Wehr-Wölfe: Erinnerungen eines Freikorps-Führers
Zweiter Weltkrieg Erlebnisbericht Apokalypse Stalingrad: Untergang der 6. Armee 1942-1943
Walter Mönch
Rise And Fall Of The Third Reich
William Shirer
Historical Locations
Interactive map requires third-party cookie consent.