European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 23, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                File photo German horse drawn artillery passes under the Arch of Triumph after the fall of Paris in june 1940. The German Blitzkrieg ripped through France in five  of France 1940blitzkrieg humbles a grand nation by Don Tat staff writer in a famous old newsreel a tear Rolls Down a Frenchman Scheek. It was the time of sadness and humiliation. Fifty years ago this month the germans Goose stepped victoriously through the Arch of Triumph and Down the champs Elysee. Paris and the glory of France had fallen. And Napoleons Bones rattled in his Tomb. It was the time of the a Mph Onyx War and the mighty Maginot line that the French believed with almost mystical Faith would protect them against the growling Hun. It was the Story of a country so bloodied by Victory in the last terrible War it could scarcely Muster the spirit to stand up to its vengeful victim in another one. France had its Chance. In the Early hours of sept. 1,1939, the nazis had begun world War ii with a Surprise attack into Poland. Two Days later France and Britain technically honouring their agreement to Back up Poland declared War on Germany. With the main might of the German military machine All its tanks and most of its planes assaulting eastward against Poland Germany a Western Border was More military Shadow than substance. Indeed wrote Winston Churchill in their finest hour along the Quot whole of the Western front from Aix la Chapelle to the Swiss Frontier there had stood but 42 German divisions without  but for various reasons that seemed Good at the time and not so Good later the French riddled except for a few Token thrusts into the Saar Region that went nowhere. Here was the French army a the strongest in the world Quot by the estimate of one Over generous British general Quot still sitting and sheltering behind steel and Concrete while valiant ally was being  the Concrete and steel of the Maginot line comprised the most expensive and elaborate fortifications Ever constructed veritable wonders of defense but even German commanders found it hard to fathom Why their old enemy did not venture to the attack. Quot if the French had attacked Early in september Quot a German commander admitted Quot our forces in the West could have stood no More than two  Adolf Hitler had gambled on the mentality of his enemies. He had a sensed that both England and France would go to any length to avoid War a wrote William l. Shirer in the Rise and fall of the third Reich. Quot our enemies Are Little Worms Quot he told his generals As he bullied through Europe. Though the French went through the motions of mobilizing millions of men something at their Center was missing. It was As if the French were staring into the looking Glass of the last horror trying to visualize this one. Peace through passivity seemed their main Hope. In place of the spirit of the attack and the All conquering will that sent Waves of frenchmen continued on Page 14 saturday june 23. 1990 the stars and stripes a a a Page 13