In 1940, Ally troops (french, british and belgian) engaged in an attempt to resist the german invasion of France, known as the Blitzkrieg, fought a ferocious battle in the city of Dunkerque. However, a dangerous turnaround happened during the battle, where the troops were cut off of their rear guard by the german army. This is why, on May 26th 1940, Winston Churchill ordered the evacuation of the troops from Dunkerque. While the troops, essentially French soldiers, would stay behind to hold off the germans, fighting bravely to protect their comrades’ boarding, the rest would be transported to England. On the 1st day, only 7500 men were evacuated, but at the end of the 9th, on June 4th, 198 229 british soldiers and 139 997 french, totalling 338 226 soldiers, had been evacuated, thanks to a colossal fleet composed of 850 ships, obviously gathered in urgency. This operation, who started as a fateful turning point for the allies, ened up as a success, because 85% of the soldiers had been saved, at the expense of the 50 000 casualties. This rescue operation was codenamed Dynamo, for the naval HQ’s room housing the dynamo located under the castle of Douvres, where the british vice-amiral Bertram Ramsay planned the operation, in accordance with Churchill. On this day, we wish you a great Assumption week-end, and have a thought for the bravery of the french soldiers who stayed behind to fight
