Siege of Lille (1940)

Siege of Lille
Part of the Battle of France in the Second World War
Situation, 21 May – 4 June 1940
Date 28–31 May 1940 Location Lille, France 50°38′0″N 3°4′0″E / 50.63333°N 3.06667°E / 50.63333; 3.06667 Result See Aftermath section Territorial changes German capture of Lille
Belligerents
France	Germany
Commanders and leaders
Jean-Baptiste Molinié  (POW) Alphonse Juin  (POW) Gustave Mesny (POW)	Alfred Wäger Erwin Rommel Joachim Lemelsen Max von Hartlieb-Walsporn Ludwig Ritter von Radlmeier Fritz Kühne (POW)
Strength
Elements of 6 divisions c. 40,000 men[1] 50 tanks[1]	4 infantry divisions 3 panzer divisions c. 160,000 men[2] 882 tanks[1]
Casualties and losses
c. 34,957 men captured 300 guns 100 armoured vehicles
Lille class=notpageimage| Lille, capital of Nord-Pas de Calais region and the prefecture of the Nord department

The siege of Lille or Lille pocket (28–31 May 1940) took place during the Battle of France in the Second World War. The siege of the French IV Corps and V Corps (about 40,000 men) of the First Army (General René Prioux) was conducted by four German infantry divisions supported by three panzer divisions.

The III Corps of the First Army had managed to retreat to the Lys river with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) divisions nearby. The two surrounded French corps resisted German attacks until forced to surrender at midnight on 31 May/1 June. The defence of the Lille Pocket enabled more Allied troops to retreat into the Dunkirk perimeter and take part in the Battle of Dunkirk.