French reputation is bad as we all know. I am guilty of saying this from time to time also but one must give credit where credit is due. Frances problem along with he British and other countries was that they were trying to fight a defensive war! If WWII was played out as a repeat of WWI the French and probably Czechoslovakia had a HIGH chance of stopping and defeating the Germans at the very begining. The French tactics layed in the Maginot Line and all other forces were defensive in nature supporting each other in that role: Infantry supporting the Maginot Line, Tanks supporting the infantry with trenches and fortifications in mind, Aircraft and artiliary firing at and behind the front line (WWI) In this scenario the French were unbeatable! The Czech's had the same French designed defense fortifications and excellent armor and armies being also almost unbeatable, or at a heavy price to the enemy, in a defensive war. During this time the British were just as guilty of useing the incorrect defensive tactics. When the BEF arrived they built pill-boxes and dug trenches along the Franco-Belgian border and prepared for a defensive war. This was the main reason BLITZKRIEG was invented, to bypass heavy defense positions. So as a whole, the world was at fault with the exception of the Germans of this defense war strategy.
Giving the French credit! You have to! When the bulk of the allied forces fell back to Dunkirk it was primarly the French infantry and armored forces that fought furiously in the rear guard actions thus holding back powerful German forces which would have otherwise have been free to attack Dunkirk. These German forces never reached the sea! Unfortunately most of these French forces were captured after the evacuation of Dunkirk and killed or put into prison camps. Thier efforts played a huge part in "Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of Dunkirk" and can be largly credited with saving the BEF and other forces from destruction and eliminating the British from the war.
JC welcome to the GB! Nice to have you and your input! Thanks for all of the great information you have provided.