All the information I have found on the Liberator pistol says that while the intent was to drop them to resistance groups in France, etc., it was never done. Or if done, was only done with a relative handful of them.
Liberators were given to resistance groups (I don't think they were airdropped) in the Philippines, but not in Europe.
I would like to point out that "holding off the German Army" or "holding off two divisions" while technically accurate, does not give a true picture of what actually took place.
What I mean by this is an action where units, or parts of units of two divisions were involved often happens, and becomes "holding off two divisions" when the historians get done writing about it.
The only reference I can find at this time to the German unit(s) involved at Samur is a reference to the German 1st Cavalry Division. In 1940, this was not a Panzer unit. It is quite possible that light elements (motorcycle recce companies) or unsupported infantry from one or more German division were involved, and quite likely merely performed a holding action against French breakout until heavier forces arrived.
This would also be reported as the French having "held off" the Germans for X days/weeks.
Without going into the details of the engagement, you just never know if what the historians report is fully accurate, generally accurate, or simply inaccurate.
Somehow, I think it quite likely that a couple companies of German infantry encircling a few hundred French soldiers & cadets for a few days, or even a couple weeks until higher command decides to actually reduce the strongpoint with heavy weapons (tanks, artillery & air power) would be recorded in non German histories as the French having "held off the entire German army"....
Liberators were given to resistance groups (I don't think they were airdropped) in the Philippines, but not in Europe.
I would like to point out that "holding off the German Army" or "holding off two divisions" while technically accurate, does not give a true picture of what actually took place.
What I mean by this is an action where units, or parts of units of two divisions were involved often happens, and becomes "holding off two divisions" when the historians get done writing about it.
The only reference I can find at this time to the German unit(s) involved at Samur is a reference to the German 1st Cavalry Division. In 1940, this was not a Panzer unit. It is quite possible that light elements (motorcycle recce companies) or unsupported infantry from one or more German division were involved, and quite likely merely performed a holding action against French breakout until heavier forces arrived.
This would also be reported as the French having "held off" the Germans for X days/weeks.
Without going into the details of the engagement, you just never know if what the historians report is fully accurate, generally accurate, or simply inaccurate.
Somehow, I think it quite likely that a couple companies of German infantry encircling a few hundred French soldiers & cadets for a few days, or even a couple weeks until higher command decides to actually reduce the strongpoint with heavy weapons (tanks, artillery & air power) would be recorded in non German histories as the French having "held off the entire German army"....
.
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