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France Actually Invaded Germany First During WWII
The Forgotten Saar Offensive
On September 1st, 1939, Germany started World War II by invading Poland after striking a secret agreement with the Soviet Union. Adolf Hitler did not expect France and the United Kingdom to honor their obligations to Poland. Up to that point, he had worked with near impunity on the European stage, seizing land left and right with little more than some harsh words from bitter politicians. Instead, Germany was slightly alarmed to learn that France and the United Kingdom were entering the war on the side of Poland.
Many people believe that the conflict between France and Germany began in 1940 with Germany’s invasion of the Low Countries. But that is not the case. France actually launched a doomed invasion of Germany in 1939. This action was the first major military move against Germany on behalf of the Allies, but it got nowhere and left France stuck mired in the Phoney War afterward.
One week after the German invasion of Poland, France mounted its own expedition against Germany. It was believed that Germany had moved the bulk of its forces away from the Western Front with France to the Eastern Front with Poland. France had a golden opportunity to strike a powerful blow against Germany but was unable to capitalize on the initiative.
