4 June 1940 Dunkirk falls to Germans

Early in the morning the Germans enter Dunkirk and capture all the remaining French soldiers. The official figure for those evacuated is 338,226 of which 112,000 are French. Almost all heavy equipment has been lost and many of the troops are without rifles and basic kit. Against the original expectation that a maximum of perhaps 50,000 men might be taken off it has been something of a triumph, but at some cost.



The British and French navies have lost at least 80 merchant ships and warships as well as many small vessels. Nine destroyers have been sunk. From a force of 180 in September 1939 the Royal Navy now has only 74 destroyers not in dock for essential repairs. The Home Fleet has three capital ships and eight cruisers under repair also, although this is not because of Dunkirk. The credit for the unexpected success of the operation must lie in part with the British land and naval commanders but the Germans must also be included.

Despite the brilliance of their campaign, many of the most senior commanders have not fully realized the potential of their armor and have handled it hesitantly, granting vital time for Gort and his subordinates to re-dispose their force. The RAF has also suffered heavily, with 80 pilots being killed in the operation. The German losses in the air have been a little heavier but German reserves are, of course, much larger.

In Britain... Churchill delivers perhaps the most famous of his wartime speeches. His message is, "We shall fight on the beaches... We shall never surrender." Already he is talking of the time when "...The New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and liberation of the Old." This message seems to suggest that France will be beaten, leaving Britain to fight alone. This is not perhaps the best way to encourage the French.

In Norway... The Allied evacuation gets under way. During the next four days the Harstad force is taken off. The total number evacuated is 24,500. The considerable base organization which has been built up has to be dismantled.