Today in World War II History—May 21, 1940 & 1945
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 by Sarah Sundin
Map noting German advances in France and the Low Countries between 16 and 21 May 1940 (US Military Academy map)
85 Years Ago—May 21, 1940: British driving south from Belgium and French troops driving north attempt to link at Arras, France, but fail.
Gen. Gaston Billotte, commander of French First Group of Armies, is injured in a car crash returning from a war conference in Ypres; dies May 23.
French 9th Army surrenders to the Germans.
80 Years Ago—May 21, 1945: Heinrich Himmler is arrested by the British in Bremervörde, Germany, disguised as a businessman.
Demanding full independence, Syria and Lebanon break off negotiations with France.
Humphrey Bogart marries Lauren Bacall.
