The Eerie Calm: Life During the 1940 Phony War | ATW 1940

Episode 288

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This nice footage from the spring of 1940 shows German field maneuvers near the West Wall during what came to be known as the Phony War. After this reel I’ve added private footage showing the Wehrmacht evacuating the Alsass region from the same period.

The "Phony War" (or "Sitzkrieg" in German) refers to the period of relatively little fighting on the Western Front in Europe between September 1939 and April 1940, following the invasion of Poland and the declaration of war by Britain and France, but before the major offensives began.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

The Context:

World War II officially began on September 1, 1939, with Germany's invasion of Poland. Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3rd, but for several months, there was a lull in major military operations on the Western Front.

The "Phony" Nature:

This period of inactivity, where both sides were essentially preparing for war but not engaging in large-scale combat, earned the nickname "Phony War" or "Sitzkrieg" (German for "sitting war").

What Happened:

Naval Actions: The British Royal Navy began a naval blockade of Germany and implemented a convoy system to protect against submarine attacks.

Limited Land Operations: The British and French armies remained largely on the defensive, with the French troops positioned behind the Maginot Line.

Air Raids: The British Royal Air Force dropped propaganda leaflets over Germany, and there were some initial air raids, though these were not major offensives.

The End of the Phony War: The "Phony War" ended abruptly in April 1940 when Germany invaded Denmark and Norway, followed by a major offensive in May against Belgium, the Netherlands, and

France.

Why it was called "Phony":

The lack of major fighting on the Western Front, despite the formal declaration of war, led to the perception that the war was not "real" or "serious" at the time, hence the term "phony".