Dunkirk: The History Behind the Major Motion Picture

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If one does not have basic military knowledge, or existing knowledge of the events at Dunkirk (which I did not have), nor the use of the internet to google terms and maps of the retreat/army lay outs, then I would say this book may rank lower than the 4 stars I have given it. Read this book either before or after seeing the movie and you will see how different the reality of this retreat was from what was portrayed on screen. Fernald wondered at the incredible change in his life that had snatched him from a humdrum existence in London and put him in an open boat racing through the dark. Longden’s book sheds light on their harrowing experiences, their capture, and their subsequent struggles as prisoners of war. The anti-French bias is such that whatever they do is wrong: "The French seemed to know a thousand ways to slow down the embarkation.

Perhaps Lord’s best chapter, “Operation Dynamo” deals with how the Admiralty bureaucracy organized the diversified types of ships and crafts that would take part in the rescue of the BEF. There may be books with more updated statistical data about the Miracle of Dunkirk but for pure readability I would highly recommend this one.Now Fazal is forced to question why he is even there and why he is expected to be loyal to a king whose people don’t a

The book delves into the military strategies, the heroism of individuals, and the challenges faced during this critical operation.He describes the individual acts of bravery and sacrifice and analyses the decisions of the commanders who made the choice to evacuate. Further, the French felt they were not being treated equally once the evacuation began to gather steam. Whether you’ve seen the film or not, Levine’s book is a captivating exploration of the true story behind Dunkirk. On the beaches and sand dunes, besides the roads and amidst the ruins lay the corpses of hundreds who had not reached the boats.

Born in Bedford in 1965, Sean Longden first became interested in history as a child listening to his grandfather’s tales of Gallipoli.

Historians have subsequently identified other factors which contributed to the success of Operation DYNAMO. As Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Lancers and the daughter of a 12th Royal Lancer, I am enormously proud of the Regiment’s long and illustrious history. The book also describes the heroic delaying actions at strongpoints such as Cassel, the tragic massacre of Wormhoult/Eschelbeck, the perimeter battles, the role of the RAF and the importance of the Dunkirk Mole, from whence the majority embarked. Moreover, because his focus is on individuals, it’s easy to lose sight of where the story is taking place.

The book creates a vivid picture of how the myth of the ‘victory’ at Dunkirk means so little to those soldiers who did not escape – men who continue to feel embittered that their sacrifices went unnoticed and unrewarded. History is full of occasions when armies have rushed to the aid of an embattled people; here was a case where the people rushed to the aid of an embattled army. Additionally, the ending didn't just END after the final hours of the evacuation, rather Lord concisely wrapped up and analysed what the evacuation meant for the Allies and the future of the war. Gelb masterfully explores the military and political complexities surrounding this critical operation, offering a thorough analysis of its strategic implications. Based on real life experiences, this book is one of a series bringing to light hidden histories for young readers.Norman Gelb provides a comprehensive account of the Dunkirk evacuation, examining the military and political aspects of the operation. Other than Churchill and several of the truly significant participants I completely lost track of who was who and lost interest in trying to keep up. These books for teenagers take a variety of different approaches to representing the events of World War II. As German forces rapidly advanced through France, the BEF, along with French and Belgian troops, found themselves cut off and pushed back towards the English Channel.