ial for casualties that may have resulted from air raids. In addition, 'The Phoney War' allowed time for the construction of air raid shelters to smaller 'Anderson' shelters constructed in people's gardens. This factor, coupled with the early warning capability provided by newly developed radar technology, meant the risk of casualties involving civilians was further reduced.
In May 1940, German forces began their advance through Western Europe. Hitler masterminded the plan codenamed 'Operation Yellow'. Its purpose was to annihilate the French army and in conquering France force Britain to surrender without a single shot being fired. Hitler's invasion of France was to utilize a similar overall strategy to that employed by Germany in World War I. German forces would avoid the heavily fortified 'Maginot Line' (which stretched along the Franco-German boarder), by first advancing through Holland,
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