Discover the story behind the Dunkirk evacuation of May 1940, masterminded from Dover Castle by using our interactive timeline.
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Preparation for the Second World War
In anticipation of the outbreak of war, the Army and the Royal Navy took up occupation in the underground tunnels beneath Dover Castle.
1938
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Austria came under German rule
12 March 1938
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The British and French governments appeased Hitler at Munich
30 September 1938
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The Night of Broken Glass (Kristallnacht)
9 November 1938 - 10 November 1938
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Germany signed the 'Pact of Steel' with Italy
22 May 1939
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Britain and Poland signed a mutual assistance treaty
25 August 1939
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The Second World War Begins
The Second World War begins in Western Europe. Listen to the recording above of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announcing the outbreak of war to the nation in 1939.
1 September 1939
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MP3 Audio
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Germany invaded Poland
1 September 1939
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A Vital Command Centre
From the declaration of war with Germany, the Cliff Casemates located in the underground tunnels beneath Dover Castle became the naval headquarters of Vice-Admiral Bertram Ramsay and his Dover command.
3 September 1939
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Britain and France declared war on Germany
3 September 1939
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Assassination attempt on Hitler failed
8 November 1939
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Rationing began in Britain
8 January 1940
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The Battle of France
German forces invade Holland, Belgium and northern France, starting the 'Battle of France', which the Germans called 'Operation Yellow'. This was followed by an attack to take the rest of France known as 'Operation Red'.
10 May 1940
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A New Prime Minister
In Britain, Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister.
10 May 1940
MP4 Video
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Winston Churchill became Prime Minister of Britain
10 May 1940
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Germany invaded France, Belgium and Holland
10 May 1940
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German Forces Close In
Main German force crosses the River Meuse near Sedan in northern France, a surprise attack aimed at encircling Allied troops from the south. As a result, French defences were broken.
14 May 1940
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Holland surrendered to Germany
15 May 1940
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Talks of Evacuation
The possibility of evacuating the British Expeditionary Force discussed in London and at Dover. Vice-Admiral Ramsay was named as the naval commander in the event of evacuation.
19 May 1940
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Allied Forces Trapped
Main German force reaches the Channel coast near Abbéville, effectively trapping British, French and Belgian troops between two German forces, in northern France and Belgium.
20 May 1940
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‘Operation Dynamo’
The decision was made to evacuate as many of the British Expeditionary Force as possible from Dunkirk. In the tunnels at Dover, Vice-Admiral Ramsay receives the order to begin evacuation know as 'Operation Dynamo'.
26 May 1940
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Bleak Estimations
At the start of 'Operation Dynamo' it was estimated that most of the British Expeditionary Force would not make it home, the best hope being that around 45,000 men might be saved.
26 May 1940
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A Brave Rescue Effort
Initial efforts to evacuate British troops from Dunkirk resulted in just a few thousand men being rescued out of tens of thousands waiting. The task of getting men onto boats to safety was organised by Captain Tennant.
27 May 1940
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Vital Link Between Dunkirk and Dover
Captain William Tennant is sent to Dunkirk with 12 officers and 160 men. Tennant and his men became the vital link between the British Expeditionary Force, the waiting ships and boats, and Ramsay back in Dover.
27 May 1940
MP4 Video
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Belgium surrendered to Germany
27 May 1940
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Extra Support at Dunkirk
Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker was sent to Dunkirk, to take charge of organising the ships offshore.
30 May 1940
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The ‘Little Ships’
Arrival of hundreds of 'little ships' from England - small civilian vessels, crewed by the navy, naval reservists and civilian volunteers. Under intense air attack, they ferried soldiers to the waiting larger ships.
31 May 1940
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Arrival in Dover
As they landed back in England, troops were fed, given medical treatment, and despatched quickly by train all over England to rest and re-group.
2 June 1940
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The High Cost of Dunkirk
Against all expectations, by early evening the British Expeditionary Force had been evacuated from Dunkirk to England. But the cost was high. Out of 933 vessels, 236 were lost and a further 61 put out of action.
2 June 1940
MP4 Video
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Rescue of French Troops
Vice-Admiral Ramsay sends ships to rescue many thousands of French troops until 4 June.
3 June 1940
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"We Shall Fight on the Beaches"
By early morning, around 338,226 men were rescued. Churchill delivers "We Shall Fight on the Beaches" speech in House of Commons. He had described it as a "miracle", but warned that "wars are not won by evacuations".
4 June 1940
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The German army entered Paris
14 June 1940
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France signed armistice with Germany
22 June 1940
