My most recent read is another stunning hard back publication from Pen and Sword Military Books. I had the pleasure of reviewing another book by these two authors a while ago and found it to be as equally well researched. This enlightening read discusses in detail, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) landings in Northern France from 1939 through to their timely, if not chaotic, evacuation in 1940. The authors look at the force dispersion, its supply, defensive operations and eventual retreat.

This book goes on to lay out the efforts adopted by the BEF to integrate with French forces. This included reconnaissance, frontier control and intelligence gathering. The expeditionary force also had to contend with supervising the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and several other news agencies despatched to France to cover the war. I found it interesting to learn about the separate transportation of servicemen and equipment across the channel to France and then the need to marshal them all together on arrival. This was by no means a small undertaking and a great feat of logistics. The tonnage of stores alone required to service the BEF could often reach up to 100,000 tonnes a month...

... The authors discuss the hugely impressive and now legendary ‘Miracle of Dunkirk’ - the mobilisation of vessels of all sizes sent from Great Britain to assist in the evacuation. An estimated total of 330,000 servicemen were transported from Dunkirk to the safety of English shores. The book concludes with a concise narrative of Operation Dynamo. This book should be seen as a valuable reference for anyone interested in this fundamentally decisive part of the Second World War.

I highly recommend it.

Stand-Easy - reviewed by Andy Holcombe

Warmly recommended ... a most interesting compilation.

Clash of Steel

What stands out is the decisive thinking of senior British Commanders who recognised the developing risks and were prepared to take the unwanted decisions to evacuate British and French troops from Dunkirk, leaving France to suffer occupation and partition, but save Britain as a bastion from which to eventually strike back in the liberation of France and defeat of Germany.

Firetrench

Three interesting perspectives on these significant events in the story of the BEF and a handy reference as well.

Military Modelling

Informative and useful commentary on the events and decisions taken in 1940.

British Military History

Compelling reading and give[s] a new perspective to events.

Military Archive Research