<P> The Maginot Line was impervious to most forms of attack , including aerial bombings and tank fire , and had underground railways as a backup ; it also had state - of - the - art living conditions for garrisoned troops , supplying air conditioning and eating areas for their comfort . Instead of attacking directly , the Germans invaded through the Low Countries , bypassing the Line to the north . French and British officers had anticipated this : when Germany invaded the Netherlands and Belgium , they carried out plans to form an aggressive front that cut across Belgium and connected to the Maginot Line . However , the French line was weak near the Ardennes forest . The French believed this region , with its rough terrain , would be an unlikely invasion route of German forces ; if it was traversed , it would be done at a slow rate that would allow the French time to bring up reserves and counterattack . The German Army , having reformulated their plans from a repeat of the First World War - era plan , became aware of and exploited this weak point in the French defensive front . A rapid advance through the forest and across the River Meuse encircled much of the Allied forces , resulting in a sizeable force being evacuated at Dunkirk leaving the forces to the south unable to mount an effective resistance to the German invasion of France . </P>
<P> The Maginot Line was impervious to most forms of attack , including aerial bombings and tank fire , and had underground railways as a backup ; it also had state - of - the - art living conditions for garrisoned troops , supplying air conditioning and eating areas for their comfort . Instead of attacking directly , the Germans invaded through the Low Countries , bypassing the Line to the north . French and British officers had anticipated this : when Germany invaded the Netherlands and Belgium , they carried out plans to form an aggressive front that cut across Belgium and connected to the Maginot Line . However , the French line was weak near the Ardennes forest . The French believed this region , with its rough terrain , would be an unlikely invasion route of German forces ; if it was traversed , it would be done at a slow rate that would allow the French time to bring up reserves and counterattack . The German Army , having reformulated their plans from a repeat of the First World War - era plan , became aware of and exploited this weak point in the French defensive front . A rapid advance through the forest and across the River Meuse encircled much of the Allied forces , resulting in a sizeable force being evacuated at Dunkirk leaving the forces to the south unable to mount an effective resistance to the German invasion of France . </P>
where was the virtually unprotected area where german armies avoided the maginot line
where was the virtually unprotected area where german armies avoided the maginot line
the Ardennes forest
the Ardennes forest