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 soldiers on the beaches near Dunkirk. What followed was Operation Dynamo, a massive rescue effort that saved over 338,000 troops from capture or death. This timeline breaks down the key days and decisions that turned a potential disaster into one of history’s most famous escapes, drawing from accounts like those at https://www.britannica.com/event/Dunkirk-evacuation/The-miracle-of-Dunkirk and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1940.
By May 23, German panzer tanks had pushed close to Dunkirk and crossed nearby canal defenses, surrounding the British Expeditionary Force, or BEF. General Heinz Guderian was ready to attack, but on May 24, Adolf Hitler ordered the tanks to halt and pull back. This unexpected stop gave the Allies breathing room, as detailed in Britannica’s coverage of the evacuation.https://www.britannica.com/event/Dunkirk-evacuation/The-miracle-of-Dunkirk
On May 26, Operation Dynamo officially began. Admiral Bertram Ramsay took charge from Dover, England, while Captain William Tennant became beachmaster at Dunkirk. Luftwaffe bombs had destroyed the port, so troops had to board ships straight from the beaches or the harbor’s breakwaters, a slow process that relied on smaller boats.https://www.britannica.com/event/Dunkirk-evacuation/The-miracle-of-Dunkirk Winston Churchill, newly appointed prime minister, called for civilian boats to help the Royal Navy, creating the famous little ships fleet.https://destinationwwii.com/wwii-things-to-do-in-dunkirk-france/
From May 27 to May 30, weather played a key role. Light winds carried smoke over the beaches for cover, and thick clouds hid the troops and rescuers from German planes. The Royal Air Force fought above the clouds to protect the operation, allowing about 338,000 soldiers to be ferried across the Channel.https://lastdaysdecoded.com/protected-by-weather/
By June 2, most of the BEF had escaped. At 10:50 pm that day, Tennant sent a message to Ramsay: BEF evacuated. General Harold Alexander and Tennant checked the beaches by motor launch, calling out to make sure no one was left behind. In total, around 198,000 British and 140,000 French and other Allied troops were saved, though they left behind nearly all their equipment like tanks and guns.https://www.britannica.com/event/Dunkirk-evacuation/The-miracle-of-Dunkirk
Operation Dynamo wrapped up on June 4. Churchill addressed Parliament that day with his famous speech about fighting on the beaches and never surrendering. Meanwhile, the wider Battle of France continued, with Germans capturing Paris on June 14 and France surrendering later that month.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1940 https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-France-World-War-II/The-fall-of-France-June-5-25-1940
The evacuation succeeded thanks to Hitler’s halt order, brave pilots, civilian boat crews, and disciplined soldiers waiting on the beaches.
Sources
https://www.britannica.com/event/Dunkirk-evacuation/The-miracle-of-Dunkirk
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1940
https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-France-World-War-II/The-fall-of-France-June-5-25-1940
https://lastdaysdecoded.com/protected-by-weather/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omPFs7ScX14
https://destinationwwii.com/wwii-things-to-do-in-dunkirk-france/
https://www.normandy1944.info/home/timeline
