The Battle of Britain Five Months That Changed History, May—October 1940 by James Holland (z-lib.org).epub

slopes of Hill 301. But Balck had been right. His second battalion took the
strongpoint on the summit by storm, and by 10.40 p.m. the hill was theirs.
Below, Sedan continued to burn as the gunfire at last died down.
Behind, in the rolling hills and farmland to the south of that historic town,
the French were panicking. A rumour had started that the panzers were
already across and heading towards them. Soon it had spread like wildfire.
First the artillery retreated, then so too did Général Lafontaine, commander
of the 55th Infantry Division that held the Sedan sector. Before long, waves
of troops were falling back in disarray. By the time it was realized that the
rumour was false, it was too late: the damage had been done.
As darkness fell, General Guderian, a proud and relieved man, returned
to his command post and there he finally spoke to General Loerzer,
thanking him for keeping the air plan they had discussed. ‘The order from
Luftflotte 3, which turned everything upside down,’ replied Loerzer, ‘came,
let us say, too late. It would only have caused confusion among the air