MAURIENNE 1940

On 3 September 1939, following Hitler's invasion of Poland, France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany. Italy, an ally of that country, announced its non-belligerence. Autumn and winter passed in reinforcing the defensive dispositions amid a certain torpor.

In spring, the snowmelt revived the transalpine threat. From 10 May onwards, with the German offensive in the west, it took shape once more, materialising on 10 June — the date of Mussolini's declaration of war on France and the United Kingdom.

But was Italy ready to mount a large-scale offensive in the Alps against a weakened yet undefeated France?

On 21 June, despite total unpreparedness, Mussolini launched his troops in an assault on the Alpine passes, firmly held by French forces entrenched in the works of the Maginot Line and supported by powerful artillery.

In the Maurienne, fighting raged at the Col du Mont-Cenis, in the Val d'Ambin, around Modane and on Valmeinier. For 4 days, 40,000 Italians faced 18,000 French troops. The transalpine forces would display incredible courage, in appalling weather conditions, in their attempts to break through the French defences.

On 25 June, when hostilities ceased, the territorial gains were very limited and the losses very heavy.

The Army of the Alps emerged victorious from this confrontation, sparing the border departments from occupation. It demonstrated that the French army of 1940 was capable of winning battles, as at Narvik, Gembloux, Stonne and on the Maginot Line. It was the crucible of the future Alpine resistance, which would culminate in the autumn of 1944 with the creation of the 27th Alpine Division, engaged in the second battle in the Alps.