Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain
In the early days of the WW2 the Nazis looked almost unstoppable. The British Expeditionary Force was forced back to Dunkirk but managed to turn defeat into something positive with the successful evacuation of more than 300,000 troops. Within months the RAF had repelled the Germans in the Battle of Britain to stop the seemingly inexorable advance of the Germans.
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Battle of Britain begins
How important was the Battle of Britain?
The Battle of Britain was fought - primarily - over the skies of the south of England in the summer and autumn of 1940. How did the British win this battle, and did victory really prevent a German invasion? Click here to read more in 'Battle of Britain begins'. -
Dunkirk
How could the British army escape from Dunkirk?
Churchill called the successful evacuation of more than 300,000 Allied troops from Dunkirk a ‘miracle of deliverance’. But how was this ‘miracle’ possible? Click here to read more in 'Dunkirk'. -
Nazis invade France
Why was the British army trapped at Dunkirk?
This video reveals the secrets behind the Nazis' success in May/June 1940. Click here to read more in 'Nazis invade France'. -
Battle of Britain pilot
William Walker
As one of the famous ‘Few’, William Walker confronted German warplanes in the fierce aerial battles over Britain in 1940. Click here to read more in 'Battle of Britain pilot'. -
British soldier, Dunkirk
Edward Oates
He was part of the British Expeditionary Force which fought in France and then escaped from Dunkirk. Click here to read more in 'British soldier, Dunkirk'.
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Britain and France declare war
At 11.15 in the morning of 3 September, the British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, announced that after the Nazi invasion of Poland two days before, ‘this country is at war with Germany’. A few hours later the French also declared war on Germany. Click here to read more in 'Britain and France declare war'.
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RAF wins Battle of Britain
By the end of September it was obvious to the Germans that they were losing too many planes, relative to the loses inflicted on the RAF, to ever win the Battle of Britain. Click here to read more in 'RAF wins Battle of Britain'.