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DUNKIRK EVACUATION ENDS:
June 4, 1940


On June 4, 1940, the evacuation of Allied forces from Dunkirk on the Belgian coast ends as German forces capture the beach port. The nine-day evacuation, the largest of its kind in history and an unexpected success, saved 338,000 Allied troops from capture by the Nazis.

Still a fantastic feat which is almost impossible to believe. I hadn't realised this before but I understand the D-Day invasion was originally planned for June 4th. This was delayed by bad weather & took place 2 days later. I now wonder if the date had any significance. A return to France on the anniversary of the evacuation. It seems a strange idea if the date was obviously a closely guarded secret. I've come across many similar instances in my WWII research. It always surprised me that this didn't give the game away & that so much was in fact kept secret.

I was always under the belief that the D-Day landings were planned for June 5th and delayed 24 hours at the last minute in the hope for better weather. And Hagar, the landing dates were planned as such so that the allies could have suitable tides for the landing. The fact it was so close to the dates of Dunkirk could only really have been coincidence.

Thanks for reminding me Woody. On thinking about it I'm sure you're correct. Strange coincidence though don't you think?

Still a truely amazing feat of logistics. Just about every boat capable of floating in the UK seemed to be involved, and many still make the annual pilgrimage