Miracle of Dunkirk
The “Miracle of Dunkirk,” officially known as “Operation Dynamo,” was the evacuation of 238,000 British, French and other Allied soldiers from Dunkerque, France, during World War II. This World War II military operation took place between May 26-June 4, 1940. Most of the British army was trapped in Dunkerque. The evacuation prevented a disaster that could have meant a Nazi invasion of Britain or a surrender with the Nazis in control of Europe. We can thank Winston Churchill, British leader during World War II, for the term, “Miracle of Dunkirk.” Churchill called the rescue a miracle in a famous speech on June 4, 1940, and the description caught on. “Miracle” was no exaggeration for what happened in Dunkerque. Allied soldiers had retreated through France to Dunkerque’s harbor and beaches. They were encircled, absolutely surrounded on all sides on land by a powerful Nazi army. Nazi war planes bombed and shot them from overhead.
Only One Hope
And time was running out before the Nazi’s moved in for the kill. Only one route offered hope of escaping death or capture: Rescue on ships sent from Britain across the English Channel. That narrow body of water separates Britain from northern France on the North Sea. The distance was only about 50 miles. But it seemed possible to rescue only about 45,000 troops. The Royal Navy did not have enough ships, especially small boats that could sail into the shallow water of Dunkerque’s beaches. That’s where many of the soldiers were stranded. Instead, it turned out to be the largest and most successful rescue operation in history.
Doing the Impossible
The miracle happened partly because the British government enlisted small private boats in the rescue. More than 850 pleasure boats, private yachts, fishing boats, lifeboats, and other watercraft set sail for Dunkerque. Owners volunteered some of them, with Royal Navy personnel doing the sailing. Despite the impression that may result from the popular 2017 film, “Dunkirk,” only a few owners personally sailed their boats. The British government did not have time to ask all the owners for permission. So Royal Navy personnel simply requisitioned, or took, many small boats without asking the owners for permission. Some stranded soldiers waded out from the beaches through the surf, sometimes neck-deep, and got onboard. Many of the small boats acted only as shuttles. They ferried soldiers between the beaches and large Royal Navy warships and other private vessels waiting in deep water.
Attacking the “Mole”
Many other soldiers were evacuated from “the Mole,” which was a long rock jetty, or pier, that extended out to the harbor entrance. It connected to a wooden jetty in deep water where soldiers boarded large ships that sailed back to Britain. All the time, Nazi Luftwaffe warplanes attacked from overhead. It was very much like the scenes in the film, “Dunkirk.” Warplanes from the Royal Airforce saved many lives by fighting back. Another “miracle” made the rescue was possible. For reasons still debated today, Adolph Hitler ordered the Nazi army to halt its advance, rather than move in for the kill on the surrounded Allies. The pause lasted for 3 days, providing precious time to save the Allied army.
One Miracle, One Disaster
Despite the success and news headlines about a “miracle,” nothing could change one fact: Britain had suffered a terrible defeat. It left the country vulnerable to invasion by a powerful Nazi army only a few hours away. Yes, soldiers stranded at Dunkerque had, indeed, been saved. The evacuation gave Britain time to rebuild its army. However, almost all of its most important weapons had to be left behind in France. The British army lost tons of rifles, ammunition, and bombs. It lost machine guns, tanks, artillery, and other heavy equipment. Tragically, 50,000 other British troops were still in Europe. Almost 11,000 were killed, and others became prisoners of war. With the Allied army gone, the Nazi army swept through northern France. The Nazis took over Paris on June 14, 1940. Eight days later, France signed a peace agreement. It gave the Nazis half of France, and control over the rest of the country.