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Because the evacuation from Dunkirk saved 338,226 soldiers [British & French]. Although a massive amount of equipment was lost, Dunkirk was probably Hitler's greatest mistake next to attacking Russia because if he had pressed home his attack he would have as good as wiped-out the army and destroyed moral. The saving of so many soldiers, against all the odds, gave a massive boost to moral in Britain - a boost that was never to be lowered, even during the blitz.
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MaxineThe 'Miracle' of Dunkirk, while not a victory, did return many of the BEF to Britain along with a significant number of French soldiers. Op Dynamo abandoned all heavy equipment in France, but it did show that the German Blitzkreig could be opposed. Indeed the counter attack by British Armour around Arras had been very effective, Rommel reported being attacked by 'hundreds' of tanks, and had the French defence been more flexible & dynamic the story of the war may have been different, easy said in hindsight I accept. In the dire days of the summer of 1940 Dunkirk was a great boost to flagging morale in Britain & the armada of the little ships was seen as a great saviour in the cause of the defence of Britain.
Germany allowed the bulk of the British Expeditionary Force to escape and remain in the war for future operations. England received a major morale boost when over 300,000 troops returned home safe. Their numbers would contribute to future actions in the war in the east and later the invasion of France in 1944.
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Why did allies in World War 2 retreat to the beaches of Dunkirk?
They were beaten and retreating to save themselves
Why were allied forces in Dunkirk?
Between 27 May and 4 June 1940, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) was forced to retreat to Dunkirk by German forces. The Dunkirk evacuation, code-named Operation Dynamo, was the evacuation back to Britain from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk, France,
Where did English troops retreat to when french surrendered?
They were rescued from Dunkirk (France). It was in May-June 1940. It was general Gort who organised the withrawal to the port and beaches of Dunkirk. Ships, boats and warships carried about 330,000 men to Great Britain.
Why were the British in Dunkirk?
Dunkirk helped get about half a million allied soldiers to safety and off Dunkirk beach. These soldiers were prisoners, and these could then help in the war on land.Let's explain what Dunkirk was first. Dunkirk is a port town in France on the English Channel. After France and Great Britain went to war with Germany they were great defeated by Germanies Bltizkreig or Lightning war. They were pushed back to Dunkirk and forced to retreat back to England. Thousands of British and some French troops crossed the Channel on Civilian and Military warships. This retreat/battle was important beacause it meant Germany had complete control over Europe until they invaded Russia in 1941. After Dunkirk Germany started Operation Sealion (The invasion of England). So it was not so important for the United Kingdom but Germany since the United Kingdom really just lost thousands of men and was forced from direct land combat. Hope this helped.
Is Dunkirk in Normandy?
No, Dunkirk is about 160 miles north east, in the province of Nord.
