Siege of Lille (1940)

The Siege of Lille, also known as the Battle of Lille, was a battle fought during the Battle of France in May 1940. A substantial French force, consisting primarily of the 4th Division d'Infanterie (4th Infantry Division), several smaller formations, and elements of the 5th Division d'Infanterie Motorisée (5th Motorized Infantry Division), under the command of General Molinié, defended the city of Lille against a much larger German force from the German 1st Army and the 4th Army.

The French forces were largely surrounded and outnumbered, but put up a determined defense, significantly delaying the German advance. The siege began on May 26, 1940, and ended on May 31, 1940, with the surrender of the French garrison.

The strategic importance of the Siege of Lille lies in its impact on the Battle of Dunkirk. By holding up a significant portion of the German forces, the French defense of Lille allowed more time for the Allied evacuation from Dunkirk to proceed. The delay caused by the fighting at Lille gave the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and other Allied units a crucial window to withdraw to the coast and escape capture.

Despite the eventual German victory and the destruction of Lille, the French defenders were lauded for their bravery and their crucial contribution to the success of Operation Dynamo, the Dunkirk evacuation. The German commander, General Kurt Waeger, granted the French soldiers the honors of war, a rare gesture of respect in wartime. The defense of Lille is considered a point of pride in French military history.