#dunkirk evacuation

[carbone14]

Canon de 75 mm servi par des soldats français pour couvrir l'évacuation de Dunkerque (Opération Dynamo) face aux allemands - Bataille de Dunkerque - 28 mai 1940

[tmarshconnors]

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill was a British statesman, soldier, and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from 1940 to 1945 during the Second World War, and again from 1951 to 1955.

[contremineur]

The Dunkirk evacuation or Operation Dynamo was the evacuation of more than 338,000 Allied soldiers from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk, in the north of France, between 26th May and 4th June 1940. The operation commenced after large numbers of Belgian, British and French troops were cut off and surrounded by German troops during the six-week Battle of France. In a speech to the British House of Commons on 4th June, Prime Minister Winston Churchill hailed their rescue as a ‘miracle of deliverance’.

text abridged from here

[adomainname]

A Legacy of Strength: Churchill’s Historic June 4th, 1940 Speech

In the annals of history, there are speeches that resonate far beyond their immediate context, echoing through the corridors of time with unwavering clarity. One such speech is Winston Churchill's address to the British House of Commons on 4th June 1940. Delivered during the dark days of World War II, it is a masterclass in rhetoric and resolve, encapsulated by the stirring words, "We shall not flag nor fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be."

This speech was not just a call to arms; it was a galvanizing force that unified a nation under siege. Let's explore some key features of this historic oration that continue to captivate and inspire.

1: A Rallying Cry

Purposeful Tone: Churchill's speech was crafted to bolster British morale during a time of great uncertainty. His deliberate choice of words and assertive tone aimed to reassure the public and military forces alike, affirming that surrender was not an option.

Emotional Resonance: The speech tapped into the collective spirit of the British people, acknowledging their fears while simultaneously igniting a fierce determination to stand strong against the looming threat of Nazi Germany.

2: Masterful Use of Repetition

Repetition for Emphasis: The repeated use of "We shall" throughout the speech is a rhetorical device that underscores the resolve and solidarity of the British people. This technique not only emphasizes commitment but also creates a rhythmic, almost musical quality that reinforces the speech's memorability.

Building Momentum: As the speech progresses, the repetition builds momentum, sweeping the audience along on a wave of national pride and unyielding strength.

3: A Vision of Collective Unity

Inclusive Language: By using inclusive language such as "our Island" and "we," Churchill fostered a sense of unity and shared responsibility. This was crucial in rallying a diverse population to a common cause.

Beyond Borders: Churchill's words extended beyond the geographical confines of Britain, symbolizing the broader fight for freedom and democracy. This vision resonated with Allied nations, cementing partnerships that were vital for the war effort.

4: Timeless Inspiration

A Legacy of Resilience: Decades later, Churchill's speech remains a symbol of resilience and courage. It serves as a reminder that in times of adversity, the human spirit is capable of remarkable perseverance.

Modern Relevance: In today's world, where challenges abound, the speech continues to inspire leaders and individuals alike to stand their ground and face difficulties head-on.

In conclusion, Winston Churchill's speech of 4th June 1940 is more than a historical artifact; it is a testament to the power of words to unite, inspire, and fortify the human spirit against overwhelming odds. Though not essential to daily life, revisiting this classic oration offers a profound reminder of the enduring strength found in collective resolve and an unwavering commitment to a just cause.

Go to Churchill's Speech on 4th June 1940

[warpedia]

The Battle of Dunkirk- Miracle of Dunkirk

#BattleeofDunkirk, #EvacuationofDunkirk, #miracleofDunkirk,

Evacuation Dunkirk May 26, 1940 The Battle of Dunkirk, which took place during World War II. Stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of humanity in the face of adversity. It was a pivotal moment that showcased the bravery, resilience, and unity of the Allied forces as they faced overwhelming odds. In this blog post, we will delve into the events leading up to The Battle of Dunkirk. The…

[quotesfrommyreading]

Sergeant George Booth, a twenty-nine-year-old observer with the RAF's No.107 Squadron, is usually credited as the first Briton to be taken prisoner in the Second World War. Booth's war ended the day after it had officially begun when his Bristol Blenheim was shot down over the German coast on 4 September 1939. The pilot was killed by the Wireless Operator, Air Gunner Larry Slattery, survived and, together with Booth, spent the next six years in captivity. They were among an estimated 170.000 to 200,000 British, Commonwealth and Empire men who were taken prisoner in Europe during the Second World War. This compares to the 90,000 Allied prisoners who were held in around a thousand camps around the Far East after Japan entered the war in late 1941.

Booth and Slattery left behind a country that was just embarking on what became known as the 'Phoney War' – when the population held its breath, waiting for a bombing onslaught that failed to appear. The first major influx of British POWs into German camps began nine months later in June 1940 when that phoniness gave way to a Blitzkrieg – or lightning war – as the Nazis swept down through the Low Countries into northern France. As the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), which had been sent to defend France, was evacuated from Dunkirk and other ports it was forced to abandon over 50,000 men who would spend the rest of the war as POWs. They entered captivity knowing that Britain faced the threat of invasion and that, if Hitler was successful, they were unlikely ever to see their homes again.

Each major Allied defeat made more men POWs. Germany's invasion of Greece and Yugoslavia in April 1941 was followed by the battle for Crete after which 11,370 Allied troops were captured in May 1941. The next big wave of POWs arrived from North Africa where Rommel was notching up significant victories. When he finally managed to break the siege of the Libyan port of Tobruk in June 1942, the garrison's 35,000 men, many of whom were South Africans, lost their freedom.

Since America did not enter the war until after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in December 1941 only 62,000 of her soldiers became POWs in Europe. Most American POWs before D-Day were airmen. Soldiers began to be taken in large numbers when the Allies landed in Italy in 1943 and Normandy in 1944 and began to claw back parts of occupied Europe. The Germans captured over 6,000 men in September 1944 as a result of Operation Market-Garden when the Allies tried to establish a bridgehead across the Rhine at Arnhem; Hitler's surprise attack on the Ardennes (also known as the Battle of the Bulge) in a bitterly cold December 1944 led to around 23,000 Americans becoming POWs.

Most prisoners were soldiers. The nature of sea battles meant that few men serving in the Royal or Merchant Navy survived to becomes prisoners or internees – about 5,500 from each category. Around 13,000 British and Commonwealth airmen and 33,000 US airmen became POWs but their experience was very different from the other services. Of the 10,000 members of Bomber Command (about eight per cent of its total) who became POWs, many started their day with a British breakfast on British soil, and ended it in a cell where the enemy was keen to extract as much information from them as possible. The RAF did not suffer anything like the military setbacks of Dunkirk or North Africa and the peak year for Bomber Command was 1943-44 when 3,596 of their members became prisoners.

Becoming a prisoner in 1944 or 1945 felt quite different from becoming a POW in the early days of the war. Although the later prisoners had a sense that the war was drawing to a conclusion and that the Allies were winning, they still faced an uncertain future. Would they become hostages or even suffer execution at the hands of an enemy who felt he had nothing to lose?

  —  The Barbed-Wire University: The Real Lives of Allied Prisoners of War in the Second World War (Midge Gillies)

[eyeballpigeon]

I do recommend going to small museums as they always have the coolest and weirdest shit

[opelman]

Warbirds by Treflyn Lloyd-Roberts Via Flickr: A matching pair of Hurricanes that had seen active service during World War II display over Sywell during the 2024 air show. V7497 is a Battle of Britain veteran, while P2902 crash landed on a beach during the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. Aircraft: Hawker Hurricane Mk.Is V7497/SD-X (G-HRLI) and P2902/R-DX (G-ROBT). Location: Sywell Aerodrome (ORM/EGBK), Northamptonshire, UK.

[releasing-my-insanity]

I am obsessed with these two unreadable auction advertisements from ACGAS filming pictures. The first one is on a noticeboard with a bunch of other fliers, the second is in the window of the pub. I want to know what they say so much.

[tmarshconnors]

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill was a British statesman, soldier, and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from 1940 to 1945 during the Second World War, and again from 1951 to 1955.

[yuneu]

this is where operation dynamo happened. it was truly gorgeous

[s-n-o-w-p-i-e-r-c-e-r]

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[uss-edsall]

Ridley Scott, regarding his new Napoleon movie, is being aggressively defensive about its inaccuracies with historians. He's gone on record saying "When I have issues with historians, I ask: ‘Excuse me, mate, were you there? No? Well, shut the fuck up then.’" This is a classic argument of people with no idea how historians do their work, how historical accuracy is determined and evaluated, and - in Ridley Scott's case in particular - how important it is to properly portray historical accuracy in other media.

The reason why Ridley Scott is being so aggressively dismissive of complaints about historical accuracy is due to past beef leading to a problem he likely has.

This is a movie that, by din of being touted as a 'nonfiction' movie about a historical figure, is basing much of its marketing on historical accuracy by default. The trailers show it's not, and reviews by historians say it is riddled with dozens if not hundreds of inaccuracies. Napoleon's portrayal is frankly a surface level depiction and nowhere near the nuance that historians were hoping for.

Scott's defensive about it. He need not be. If he had a historical consultant then he could go "I'm not an expert on the time period, but I have someone who is, ask them about it" and fob them off on his movie's historical consultant. It's a whole Thing. He doesn't have one, however, so he has to defend it personally.

You see, Ridley Scott probably didn't hire a historical consultant for Napoleon. The last time he had one - Kathleen Coleman for Gladiator - she was so upset over the inaccuracies he pushed through and how little her work affected the film, she requested her name be taken off of it.

Why this is important is because so many more people will watch a movie made by Ridley Scott than I or any other person could write. More people will watch Scott's Napoleon in the States than five hundred books about Napoleon combined worldwide.

More people watched Dunkirk than ever read a book about the Evacuation of Dunkirk. The movie Breaker Morant did so much for public perception about the execution of a genuine war criminal people in Australia still on occasion call for a pardon for Morant.

Fundamentally, mass media like movies will always have more impact of a popular perception about somebody, a time period, an event. That's why Ridley Scott making an inaccurate movie and going 'oh, you weren't there, you didn't see it with your own eyes, so how could you know, I don't have to listen to you' is a problem.

[vox-anglosphere]

Two miracles happened that night: the sea was calm enough for small boats, and Hitler held back his striking force of Panzers. But why?

Tom Glynn-Carney as Peter Dawson

[tommbennett]

Evacuate the soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk