Dunkirk

=__**The Battle of Dunkirk** __= **(Michael Golf) revised by Abbey and Ben**



Background
 **The night of May 9 & 10 of 1940, German forces attacked the Low Countries of Europe. Moving to their aid, French troops and the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) were unable to prevent their fall. On May 14, German panzers tore through the Ardennes and began driving to the English Channel. Despite their best efforts, the BEF, Belgian, and French forces were unable to halt the German advance. Six days later, German forces reached the coast, effectively cutting off the BEF as well as a large number of Allied troops. Turning north, German forces sought to capture the Channel ports before the Allies could evacuate the area.** **Traveling to Army Group A's headquarters at Charleville on May 24, Hitler urged its commander, General Gerd von Rundstedt, to press the attack. Assessing the situation, von Rundstedt advocated holding his armor west and south of Dunkirk, while utilizing the infantry of Army Group B to finish off the BEF. This approach was agreed upon and it was decided that Army Group B would attack with strong aerial support from the Luftwaffe. The following day, the commander of the BEF, General Lord Gort, with the situation continuing to deteriorate, made the decision to evacuate from Northern France.** = T**he History of The Battle of Dunkirk** =
 * The Battle of Dunkirk was fought between the Britain and France. At this time the British were trying to halt the Germans from conquering France. The battle was also a part of the battle of France. The Battle of France began May 10, 1940. The Germans started their march on France moving westward, invading the Netherlands on their way to Belgium. As the Germans continued through Belgium, the allies responded by initiating "Plan D." But this plan relied on the Maginot line to hold them. The Germans easily passed by and made their way through France, and on May 20, 1940 the Germans were able to reach the coast and the channel. On May 28, 1940 the Belgian army surrendered. This left a hole in the allies defences around the eastern flank between the British and the sea. It toke 9 days to evacuate from May 27 to June 4. The British army left on June 3, the signal read "Operation completed. Returning to Dover." But this did not mean the British were done. Winston Churchill had insisted on coming back for the French, and so the Royal Navy returned on June 4 to rescue any of the remaining French. Over 26 000 French troops were saved on the last day, but sadly 30 000 to 40 000 had to be left behind. These soldiers were either killed or forced to surrender to the Germans.**

 **During the operation, the British losses included 68,111 killed, wounded, and captured, as well as 243 ships (including 6 destroyers), 106 aircraft, 2,472 field guns, 63,879 vehicles, and 500,000 tons of supplies. Despite the heavy losses, the evacuation preserved the core of the British Army and made it available for the immediate defense of Britain. In addition, significant numbers of French, Dutch, Belgian, and Polish troops were rescued. The British needed many months to replace everything that had to be left behind. As well as man y Allies left in France were ordered to destroy or burn any material that could be used to help the Germans. The British recognized Dunkirk as a successful mission, and evacuation. **
 * The Aftermath **
 * The aftermath of this tragedy was that they were able to save many many lives. This also meant the remaining French were left to defend France. So on June 14 the Germans assaulted Paris, and on June 22, France surrendered to Germany. The material left behind in France was massive. Over 880 field guns, 310 guns of large calibre, 500 anti-aircraft guns, 850 anti-tank guns, and 11 000 machine guns, 700 tanks, 20 000 motorcycles, and 45 000 motor cars and lorries.**

media type="youtube" key="HdAaZFpxdLM" height="377" width="504" Footage from the actual footage of The Battle of Dunkirk.

media type="youtube" key="_AZO0YfEOQw" height="315" width="420"

= Fast Facts about The Battle of Dunkirk =


 * The Halt Order was passed by Hitler on May 24th. This stopped the German army for three days and allowed the allies to regroup and organise their forces for an evacuation to Britain. It was estimated that over 330, 000 allies troop were able to escape. About 215 000 were British and 102 000 or so French.
 * The British, French and Belgiums lost 11, 000 men, and had 40,000 more captured.
 * The Germans army strength doubled the Belgium's, French and British with a total of 400, 000 men compared to Germanys 800, 000.
 * As part of the Battle of France on the Western Front, the Battle of Dunkirk was the defence and evacuation of British and allied forces in Europe from 26 May to 4 June 1940.
 * On the first day of the evacuation, there were only 7,011 soldiers evacuated. By the 9th day of the operation, there would be 338,226 soldiers evacuated by the 850 boats that took part in the operation.
 * As part of the Battle of France on the Western Front, the Battle of Dunkirk was the defence and evacuation of British and allied forces in Europe from 26 May to 4 June 1940.
 * On the first day of the evacuation, there were only 7,011 soldiers evacuated. By the 9th day of the operation, there would be 338,226 soldiers evacuated by the 850 boats that took part in the operation.
 * On the first day of the evacuation, there were only 7,011 soldiers evacuated. By the 9th day of the operation, there would be 338,226 soldiers evacuated by the 850 boats that took part in the operation.
 * On the first day of the evacuation, there were only 7,011 soldiers evacuated. By the 9th day of the operation, there would be 338,226 soldiers evacuated by the 850 boats that took part in the operation.



A memerorial to the battle stands at Dunkirk, translation "To the glorious memory of the pilots, mariners and soldiers of the French and Aliied armies who sacrificed themselves in the Battle of Dunkirk, May- June 1940."

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