Although the French government had been aware of Hitler’s plan to reoccupy the demilitarized Rhineland during the Spring of 1935, it took the French government nearly a year to decide how they would respond once Hitler decided to move German troops into the Rhineland. France’s indecisiveness regarding the reoccupation of the Rhineland was due to the fear of French people who thought it would provoke a war with the Germans, and the French generals’ lack of confidence in fighting a war against Germany without the help of the British or the Belgians. Meanwhile, the French government sees that German troops were moving closer, and information suggested that the Germans were planning to move into the Rhineland soon. By the Fall of 1935, the French
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Still, the French failed to agree on a plan of defense as they continue their policy of "no action". Finally, on March 7, 1936 German troops received orders to move into the Rhineland. Strategically planned for a Saturday, Hitler causes mass confusion in the French defense department because the French are unable to make contact with British government officials who traditionally leave London for the weekend to spend time in their country homes, where they cannot be contacted. Initially the French did nothing to stop the Germans while the French Ambassador to France, Flandin, frantically attempted to contact members of the British government on a Saturday afternoon, but his hopes were in vain, as the British wanted to delay involvement for as long as possible, forcing the French to make a decision by Sunday morning. The French were hesitant to fight the Germans for numerous political and military reasons. The French generals, led by Army Chief Gamelin, were not confident in fighting the Germans alone and this fear caused them to recommend that the French do nothing in the
Still, the French failed to agree on a plan of defense as they continue their policy of "no action". Finally, on March 7, 1936 German troops received orders to move into the Rhineland. Strategically planned for a Saturday, Hitler causes mass confusion in the French defense department because the French are unable to make contact with British government officials who traditionally leave London for the weekend to spend time in their country homes, where they cannot be contacted. Initially the French did nothing to stop the Germans while the French Ambassador to France, Flandin, frantically attempted to contact members of the British government on a Saturday afternoon, but his hopes were in vain, as the British wanted to delay involvement for as long as possible, forcing the French to make a decision by Sunday morning. The French were hesitant to fight the Germans for numerous political and military reasons. The French generals, led by Army Chief Gamelin, were not confident in fighting the Germans alone and this fear caused them to recommend that the French do nothing in the