Dunkirk Timeline Explained
In May 1940, during World War II, Nazi Germany launched a fast-moving invasion through Belgium and France, trapping hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops on the beaches near Dunkirk. What seemed like a total defeat turned into a stunning rescue called Operation Dynamo, saving over 338,000 soldiers from capture or death. This timeline breaks down the key days step by step, showing how weather, decisions, and bravery made it possible.
May 10, 1940: Germany invades the Low Countries, including Belgium, the Netherlands, and France, using a blitzkrieg attack with tanks and planes. British Expeditionary Force (BEF) troops rush north to help stop the advance, but German forces break through quickly.https://www.britannica.com/event/Dunkirk-evacuation/The-miracle-of-Dunkirkhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1940
May 14, 1940: Rotterdam in the Netherlands suffers heavy bombing by German planes, killing nearly 1,000 people. The Dutch army surrenders soon after, clearing the way for Germans to push toward France.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1940
May 23, 1940: German tank units reach the canal lines near Dunkirk, just as British troops are still far from the port. They are in position to crush the Allies.https://www.britannica.com/event/Dunkirk-evacuation/The-miracle-of-Dunkirk
May 24, 1940: Adolf Hitler orders his panzer tanks to halt and pull back from Dunkirk. This gives the trapped Allies a vital window to organize an escape, even though German generals like Guderian wanted to attack right away.https://www.britannica.com/event/Dunkirk-evacuation/The-miracle-of-Dunkirk
May 26, 1940: Operation Dynamo begins. Admiral Bertram Ramsay takes charge from Dover, England, directing ships to rescue troops. Captain William Tennant arrives at Dunkirk as beachmaster but finds the port wrecked by Luftwaffe bombs. Troops must be loaded straight from the beaches, a slow job using the harbor breakwaters. Light winds and cloud cover start hiding the beaches from German planes.https://www.britannica.com/event/Dunkirk-evacuation/The-miracle-of-Dunkirkhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1940https://lastdaysdecoded.com/protected-by-weather/
May 27-30, 1940: Evacuation ramps up amid chaos. Winston Churchill, new Prime Minister, calls for every private boat to help the Royal Navy. Hundreds of little ships ferry soldiers from shallow beaches to bigger vessels offshore. Thick smoke from burning oil and low clouds block German bombers between May 28 and 30, while RAF fighters battle the Luftwaffe above. French and Belgian troops hold back Germans to protect the perimeter.https://www.britannica.com/event/Dunkirk-evacuation/The-miracle-of-Dunkirkhttps://lastdaysdecoded.com/protected-by-weather/https://destinationwwii.com/wwii-things-to-do-in-dunkirk-france/
June 2, 1940: Tennant sends a key radio message to Ramsay: BEF evacuated. He and General Harold Alexander check the beaches by motor launch, calling out to make sure no one is left behind.https://www.britannica.com/event/Dunkirk-evacuation/The-miracle-of-Dunkirk
June 4, 1940: Operation Dynamo ends after nine days. About 198,000 British and 140,000 French and other Allied troops reach England, though most guns and gear are abandoned. Churchill speaks to Parliament, vowing to fight on.https://www.britannica.com/event/Dunkirk-evacuation/The-miracle-of-Dunkirkhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1940
June 5, 1940: Germany attacks the French Weygand Line south of Dunkirk, aiming to smash remaining forces. The 51st Highland Division surrenders at Saint-Valery-en-Caux, unable to reach safety.https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-France-World-War-II/The-fall-of-France-June-5-25-1940
June 10, 1940: Italy declares war on France and Britain. French government flees Paris.
