40’ BEF Infantryman Marching No.1

In May 1940, when Germany launched its invasion through the Ardennes, the BEF quickly found itself on the defensive. Using the rapid “Blitzkrieg” tactic, German forces combined tanks, artillery, and air support to advance swiftly and in coordination, breaking through Allied lines and encircling Franco-British forces in northern France and Belgium. The BEF became isolated from the main French forces and was effectively trapped in the Dunkirk region, where the situation became critical.

Faced with imminent encirclement and relentless German attacks, British command made the decision to retreat towards Dunkirk’s beaches to organize an emergency evacuation known as Operation Dynamo. From May 26 to June 4, 1940, a fleet composed of military ships and hundreds of civilian boats requisitioned for the operation succeeded in evacuating more than 338,000 British and Allied soldiers across the English Channel—far surpassing initial expectations.

Operation Dynamo was a remarkable success, though at great material cost. The BEF was forced to abandon the majority of its heavy equipment, including tanks, vehicles, and artillery, on the beaches of Dunkirk. However, rescuing the core of the BEF preserved a substantial fighting force for Britain, strengthening defenses at home and ensuring the continuity of British wartime efforts. Though tactically a retreat, the evacuation at Dunkirk became a symbol of resilience and hope for the British public and an iconic moment for the Allies.

The BEF’s 1940 campaign is a story of an army that, despite being outpaced by German tactical and technological superiority, managed to save most of its men, preparing Britain to resist and continue the fight against Nazi Germany. The safe return of the BEF laid the groundwork for future Allied operations, including the Normandy landings, and allowed Britain to remain a key military power in the conflict.