55th Infantry Division

The 55th Infantry Division was a unit of the Armée de Terre (French Army) during World War II. It was a Formation-B-class reserve division mobilized on October 3rd 1939 in Orléans. It was stationed along the Franco-German border during the Phony War. It saw action in the defence of France until it was finally overrun during the German crossings of the River Meuse. It comprised the 213th, 295th and 331st Infantry Regiments and 45th Artillery Regiment.

On 13 May 1940, the 55th Division came under sustained attack from the Luftwaffe. On the night of 13/14 May, the division engaged the leading elements of the 1st Panzer Division. By the end of the day, the Germans had secured a bridgehead 3-miles wide and 6-miles deep.

The commander of the 55th Division, General Henri Jean Lafontaine at his headquarters at Fond Dagot remained determined to fight despite the losses sustained and lack of anti-aircraft defences, but the French 9th Army (under General André Georges Corap) in the north retreated, causing great confusion in the division that retreated along with the 71th Infantry Division on 14 May . General Lafontaine attempted to rally his men outside his bunker before, being authorized to withdraw to Chemery.