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Dunkirk
“We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender� � Winston Churchill
In the last days of May and early June 1940 the British Expeditionary Force was saved from annihilation on the beaches of Dunkirk and brought home to fight another day.
The victories won by British arms in the years which followed that great deliverance have made men forget those soldiers � the first of the many � upon whom it fell to withstand the shock of Hitler’s great attack.
It is now fitting that these men and their Commander-in-Chief, Lord Gort, should be worthily remembered, and their story fully told, from those first landings in France, in the autumn of 1939, until the climax of Dunkirk.
The authors, both professional writers, themselves served as officers with the B.E.F., and have recaptured the gallantry and comradeship of that little force. The result is a moving story of courage and devotion in the face of odds which no other British Force has ever been called upon to face.
It is chivalrous to admire a gallant enemy, and of that chivalry we have lately seen much. Justice demands that the courage and devotion of our own fighting men be no less clearly recognised. There were no medals for the B.E.F., hardly even today the laurels of memory. They were soldiers, doing a soldier’s job against odds which no British Force had ever been called upon to face, and which, it is to be hoped, no British Force will ever face again.
What were they then, the men of that small Expeditionary Force, a mere army in one of the groups of French armies? How did they spend the months of what has been called the “twilight war�, and how, when the shock of battle came at last, did they withstand the blow?
Dunkirk tells the true story of those brave men who fought to save the lives of so many. With the 2017 movie release of Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk now is the time to remember the real history of the battle in the words of those who experienced it.
Lt. Colonel Ewan Butler and Major J. Selby Bradford M.B.E., M.C. served in France as young officers during the last months of 1939 and the first five of 1940 with that small British Expeditionary force commanded by Lord Gort, which first faced the full might of Nazi Germany. Dunkirk was first published in 1950 under the title Keep The Memory Green . It was used as inspiration for the 1958 film, Dunkirk , starring Richard Attenborough.
In the last days of May and early June 1940 the British Expeditionary Force was saved from annihilation on the beaches of Dunkirk and brought home to fight another day.
The victories won by British arms in the years which followed that great deliverance have made men forget those soldiers � the first of the many � upon whom it fell to withstand the shock of Hitler’s great attack.
It is now fitting that these men and their Commander-in-Chief, Lord Gort, should be worthily remembered, and their story fully told, from those first landings in France, in the autumn of 1939, until the climax of Dunkirk.
The authors, both professional writers, themselves served as officers with the B.E.F., and have recaptured the gallantry and comradeship of that little force. The result is a moving story of courage and devotion in the face of odds which no other British Force has ever been called upon to face.
It is chivalrous to admire a gallant enemy, and of that chivalry we have lately seen much. Justice demands that the courage and devotion of our own fighting men be no less clearly recognised. There were no medals for the B.E.F., hardly even today the laurels of memory. They were soldiers, doing a soldier’s job against odds which no British Force had ever been called upon to face, and which, it is to be hoped, no British Force will ever face again.
What were they then, the men of that small Expeditionary Force, a mere army in one of the groups of French armies? How did they spend the months of what has been called the “twilight war�, and how, when the shock of battle came at last, did they withstand the blow?
Dunkirk tells the true story of those brave men who fought to save the lives of so many. With the 2017 movie release of Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk now is the time to remember the real history of the battle in the words of those who experienced it.
Lt. Colonel Ewan Butler and Major J. Selby Bradford M.B.E., M.C. served in France as young officers during the last months of 1939 and the first five of 1940 with that small British Expeditionary force commanded by Lord Gort, which first faced the full might of Nazi Germany. Dunkirk was first published in 1950 under the title Keep The Memory Green . It was used as inspiration for the 1958 film, Dunkirk , starring Richard Attenborough.
170 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 17, 2017
First and foremost, thank you to Sapere Books for providing me with a copy of this book, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Resurrecting a piece first published in 1950, this digital version allows the reader to connect with Lt. Col. Ewan Butler and Major J. Selby Bradford (M.B.E., M.C.) in their recounting of events leading up to and the hands-on activities during Dunkirk, an important military campaign in the early part of the Second World War. Told from the perspective of members of the British Expeditionary Force (B.E.F.), Butler and Bradford seek to recollect some of their memories so that the importance of Dunkirk is not lost on subsequent generations. The authors begin recounting their recollections of the B.E.F. as it traversed the French and Belgian territories, speaking less of the impeding German approach, but rather the soldier’s interactions with citizens in the various towns along the way. At times drawing parallels between the hospitality offered during the Great War and this conflict, the authors make mention of how welcoming the entire process appeared to be, though the looming defeat of the Belgian forces was never far from from narrative. The winter of 1939, which flowed into early 1940, led to a build-up of military conflict, with France becoming the new battlefield. Butler and Bradford recount the incoming Nazi armies and Air Force regiments targeting France and littering propaganda along the countryside. It seemed somewhat effective in leaving segments of the popular ill at ease about the Allied movement, even as the B.E.F. sought to support their French brethren. By the time military campaigns were in full swing, Dunkirk became the battlefield central to the Allied-Axis clash, at least as can be deciphered from the book’s narrative. An important early battle in the Second World War, Dunkirk proved a litmus test for both Nazi and B.E.F. soldiers, indicative of what would be a drawn-out war. Members of the B.E.F. offered their all (at times including their lives) to stave off the Nazi march to overtake Europe. Interesting in its approach, this is a short primer on the military morale in the region during 1939-40. The curious and attentive reader should be able to pluck out some interesting factoids and it is for those individuals that this book will surely be of greatest interest.
This is an interesting piece for the reader, on numerous levels. First, it was purposely written ten years after events to allow some time for history to settle. The authors explain this at the outset, in hopes of having a sobering view of events, rather than writing in the heat of the moment. Secondly, the book is a digitalized copy of the text from 1950, allowing yet another generation of readers to enjoy this piece with ease. On this note, I must admit that the language and delivery does not appear as dated as I might have expected for sixty-seven year gap from the original publication. The test of time has surely stood with this piece, allowing curious readers to feel completely at ease. The third area of interest is how one might label this piece of writing. It is not fictional (even though it has some dialogue at various points), and it is not entirely historical in its presentation. It is also not a journal-based storytelling of events for the reader to digest. Instead, it stands as a loose and somewhat entertaining narrative that pulls on memories, even if they are somewhat clouded by close to ten years� delay. Historians may decry this as being a jaded account and surely it is a personal perspective told by two members of the B.E.F. However, I would not call this propaganda in the least. Let me be the first to admit that I was not entirely drawn to this piece, perhaps because it was not as hardcore historical as I might have liked, but I can respect this publication for what it is. I agreed to read this for the publisher and think that many might have a great fascination with this first-hand account. It just was not for me, at least at this point in time. I am sure there will be other pieces that will pull me in, but surely the publisher, keen on reissuing a piece from 1950, cannot be held accountable for the content of this piece. Anyone who has a great deal of interest in soldier accounts of war-time battles might find this a stellar piece and for them, I recommend this piece.
Kudos, Lt. Col. Butler and Major Bradford for your frank account of the events surrounding the British Expeditionary Force in the early period of the Second World War. I will pass the title along to others, who can laud your praises even more than I have been able to in this review.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
Resurrecting a piece first published in 1950, this digital version allows the reader to connect with Lt. Col. Ewan Butler and Major J. Selby Bradford (M.B.E., M.C.) in their recounting of events leading up to and the hands-on activities during Dunkirk, an important military campaign in the early part of the Second World War. Told from the perspective of members of the British Expeditionary Force (B.E.F.), Butler and Bradford seek to recollect some of their memories so that the importance of Dunkirk is not lost on subsequent generations. The authors begin recounting their recollections of the B.E.F. as it traversed the French and Belgian territories, speaking less of the impeding German approach, but rather the soldier’s interactions with citizens in the various towns along the way. At times drawing parallels between the hospitality offered during the Great War and this conflict, the authors make mention of how welcoming the entire process appeared to be, though the looming defeat of the Belgian forces was never far from from narrative. The winter of 1939, which flowed into early 1940, led to a build-up of military conflict, with France becoming the new battlefield. Butler and Bradford recount the incoming Nazi armies and Air Force regiments targeting France and littering propaganda along the countryside. It seemed somewhat effective in leaving segments of the popular ill at ease about the Allied movement, even as the B.E.F. sought to support their French brethren. By the time military campaigns were in full swing, Dunkirk became the battlefield central to the Allied-Axis clash, at least as can be deciphered from the book’s narrative. An important early battle in the Second World War, Dunkirk proved a litmus test for both Nazi and B.E.F. soldiers, indicative of what would be a drawn-out war. Members of the B.E.F. offered their all (at times including their lives) to stave off the Nazi march to overtake Europe. Interesting in its approach, this is a short primer on the military morale in the region during 1939-40. The curious and attentive reader should be able to pluck out some interesting factoids and it is for those individuals that this book will surely be of greatest interest.
This is an interesting piece for the reader, on numerous levels. First, it was purposely written ten years after events to allow some time for history to settle. The authors explain this at the outset, in hopes of having a sobering view of events, rather than writing in the heat of the moment. Secondly, the book is a digitalized copy of the text from 1950, allowing yet another generation of readers to enjoy this piece with ease. On this note, I must admit that the language and delivery does not appear as dated as I might have expected for sixty-seven year gap from the original publication. The test of time has surely stood with this piece, allowing curious readers to feel completely at ease. The third area of interest is how one might label this piece of writing. It is not fictional (even though it has some dialogue at various points), and it is not entirely historical in its presentation. It is also not a journal-based storytelling of events for the reader to digest. Instead, it stands as a loose and somewhat entertaining narrative that pulls on memories, even if they are somewhat clouded by close to ten years� delay. Historians may decry this as being a jaded account and surely it is a personal perspective told by two members of the B.E.F. However, I would not call this propaganda in the least. Let me be the first to admit that I was not entirely drawn to this piece, perhaps because it was not as hardcore historical as I might have liked, but I can respect this publication for what it is. I agreed to read this for the publisher and think that many might have a great fascination with this first-hand account. It just was not for me, at least at this point in time. I am sure there will be other pieces that will pull me in, but surely the publisher, keen on reissuing a piece from 1950, cannot be held accountable for the content of this piece. Anyone who has a great deal of interest in soldier accounts of war-time battles might find this a stellar piece and for them, I recommend this piece.
Kudos, Lt. Col. Butler and Major Bradford for your frank account of the events surrounding the British Expeditionary Force in the early period of the Second World War. I will pass the title along to others, who can laud your praises even more than I have been able to in this review.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
July 31, 2017
First published in 1950, only 10 years after the battle of Dunkirk, this story is told through fresh memories unchanged by the passage of time. The authors, Lt. Col. Ewan Butler and Major J. Selby Bradford served in France during late 1939 and early 1940 as junior officers.
This story of Dunkirk was the original motivation behind the epic film of 1958.
The forward by Lord Vansittart is fitting and still relevant today.
“This is not a heartening book, but the gallantry which it portrays is so immensely moving, so well told, as to be almost heartening� � Lord Vansittart.
“If rulers and ruled alike will not learn from this book the lesson which it implants, we may as will give up teaching history� � Lord Vansittart.
The story of Dunkirk follows the day to day workings of the B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force). It doesn’t concentrate on certain soldiers or officers but the force as a whole. A factual account that isn’t over dramatised. Stark and concise.
The authors tell of how underequipped the B.E.F. were; the murder of civilians by German soldiers; the harrowing conditions � underfed and underarmed; the acts of heroism by both servicemen and civilians; the discovery of spies amongst the French civilians and also amongst their counterparts in Belgium.
Keep the Memory Green was the original title of Dunkirk. It was retitled after the 1958 film release, Dunkirk, which was based on this book.
Sapere Books has rereleased Dunkirk in digital form.
There are so many quotes which I loved from this book but I will just leave you with a couple of my favourites.
“They were soldiers, doing a soldier’s job against odds which no British Force had ever been called upon to face, and which, it is to be hoped, no British Force will ever face again.�
“The fact remains that the troops who landed in France were but ill-provided with the tools of modern war. Save for a few tanks, most of them already semi-obsolete, we had no armour, nor many guns, with which to stop the sadly-plentiful armour of the enemy.�
I received an ERC from Sapere Books.
This story of Dunkirk was the original motivation behind the epic film of 1958.
The forward by Lord Vansittart is fitting and still relevant today.
“This is not a heartening book, but the gallantry which it portrays is so immensely moving, so well told, as to be almost heartening� � Lord Vansittart.
“If rulers and ruled alike will not learn from this book the lesson which it implants, we may as will give up teaching history� � Lord Vansittart.
The story of Dunkirk follows the day to day workings of the B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force). It doesn’t concentrate on certain soldiers or officers but the force as a whole. A factual account that isn’t over dramatised. Stark and concise.
The authors tell of how underequipped the B.E.F. were; the murder of civilians by German soldiers; the harrowing conditions � underfed and underarmed; the acts of heroism by both servicemen and civilians; the discovery of spies amongst the French civilians and also amongst their counterparts in Belgium.
Keep the Memory Green was the original title of Dunkirk. It was retitled after the 1958 film release, Dunkirk, which was based on this book.
Sapere Books has rereleased Dunkirk in digital form.
There are so many quotes which I loved from this book but I will just leave you with a couple of my favourites.
“They were soldiers, doing a soldier’s job against odds which no British Force had ever been called upon to face, and which, it is to be hoped, no British Force will ever face again.�
“The fact remains that the troops who landed in France were but ill-provided with the tools of modern war. Save for a few tanks, most of them already semi-obsolete, we had no armour, nor many guns, with which to stop the sadly-plentiful armour of the enemy.�
I received an ERC from Sapere Books.
September 6, 2017
I'd like to thank Sapere Books for the opportunity to review this book.
This could book was heavy on emotional accounts, not so much strategic or tactical maneuvers with descriptive battle scenes. And the main thing that drove me bonkers was the constant jumping in tiime- it was like taking 2 steps forward and three steps back throughout the entire book. I never felt like I was progressing. This may appeal to people who had relatives in these areas? This was not my cup of tea.
This could book was heavy on emotional accounts, not so much strategic or tactical maneuvers with descriptive battle scenes. And the main thing that drove me bonkers was the constant jumping in tiime- it was like taking 2 steps forward and three steps back throughout the entire book. I never felt like I was progressing. This may appeal to people who had relatives in these areas? This was not my cup of tea.
August 16, 2017
The reality of Dunkirk told by those that were there
First published 10 years after the battle of Dunkirk, Lt. Col. Ewan Butler and Major J. Selby Bradford tell the story of their experiences in France & Belgium prior to and during the Dunkirk evacuation.
Presumably to protect the identities of their comrades many of whom would have still been alive when the book was written the unit name and individuals are fictional. This, however doesn’t affect the immediacy of the account and hearing how it felt for those that were there.
Being written in the 1950’s the language and views will appear somewhat odd to modern readers, but with all the fuss around the accuracy of recent film it does bring authenticity and a rare view point of the sharp end of the 1940 campaign rather than the grand strategic view of many books on the subject.
Well worth a read.
My thanks to Sapere Books for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review.
First published 10 years after the battle of Dunkirk, Lt. Col. Ewan Butler and Major J. Selby Bradford tell the story of their experiences in France & Belgium prior to and during the Dunkirk evacuation.
Presumably to protect the identities of their comrades many of whom would have still been alive when the book was written the unit name and individuals are fictional. This, however doesn’t affect the immediacy of the account and hearing how it felt for those that were there.
Being written in the 1950’s the language and views will appear somewhat odd to modern readers, but with all the fuss around the accuracy of recent film it does bring authenticity and a rare view point of the sharp end of the 1940 campaign rather than the grand strategic view of many books on the subject.
Well worth a read.
My thanks to Sapere Books for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review.
October 31, 2017
'Dunkirk' by Lieutenant Colonel Ewan Butler and Major J.S. Bradford is a first hand account that was written 10 years after the battle. It's a very readable account of men caught in a war and being pushed back off the continent.
The British Expeditionary Force (or B.E.F.) was in France in 1939 and into 1940. The book talks about life on the ground with the people of France. There is also mention of the air war and how the British tried to hold off German air power with dwindling supplies and what repairs could be made to keep planes flying. The Navy was off shore, but unable to offer much in aid. This left the army to face the impending advance of Nazi Germany. As the British got pushed out of France at Dunkirk, an amazing rescue of the troops occurred. This was still a rout, no matter how history might portray it.
This book was originally the source for a 1958 movie starring Richard Attenborough. I'm not sure how well that movie has aged, but this book reads very well. The story of men on the ground leading up to the evacuation is well told.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Sapere Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
The British Expeditionary Force (or B.E.F.) was in France in 1939 and into 1940. The book talks about life on the ground with the people of France. There is also mention of the air war and how the British tried to hold off German air power with dwindling supplies and what repairs could be made to keep planes flying. The Navy was off shore, but unable to offer much in aid. This left the army to face the impending advance of Nazi Germany. As the British got pushed out of France at Dunkirk, an amazing rescue of the troops occurred. This was still a rout, no matter how history might portray it.
This book was originally the source for a 1958 movie starring Richard Attenborough. I'm not sure how well that movie has aged, but this book reads very well. The story of men on the ground leading up to the evacuation is well told.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Sapere Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
July 14, 2017
For most students of World War II, when Dunkirk is mentioned, the image that comes to mind is the heroic rescue of the beleaguered British Expeditionary Force. Missing from most narratives is the story of the harrowing two months when the BEF, inadequately-equipped and outmanned by the German forces, bore the brunt of the first Wermacht attack against Allied forces.
In Dunkirk: Retreat from the Brink of Destruction, originally published in 1950 as Keep the Memory Green, Ewan Butler and J. Selby Bradford, junior British army officers in France from late 1939 to May 1940, tell the story of the men caught up in the middle of the action. The ground troops, facing German panzer tanks with inadequate weapons, RAF pilots and crews, vastly outnumbered by the Luftwaffe, and navy forces who evacuated troops from Dunkirk under withering German fire. The authors bring the voices of the dead to life, with humor, honor, and a bit of pathos, showing the reader what war is like up close and personal.
This book was meant as a tribute to the forgotten men of the BEF, but it is also a good reminder of the horrors of war. If you like history, this one’s for you.
In Dunkirk: Retreat from the Brink of Destruction, originally published in 1950 as Keep the Memory Green, Ewan Butler and J. Selby Bradford, junior British army officers in France from late 1939 to May 1940, tell the story of the men caught up in the middle of the action. The ground troops, facing German panzer tanks with inadequate weapons, RAF pilots and crews, vastly outnumbered by the Luftwaffe, and navy forces who evacuated troops from Dunkirk under withering German fire. The authors bring the voices of the dead to life, with humor, honor, and a bit of pathos, showing the reader what war is like up close and personal.
This book was meant as a tribute to the forgotten men of the BEF, but it is also a good reminder of the horrors of war. If you like history, this one’s for you.
August 1, 2017
‘Everybody in those strained, crazed days had his own story to tell and all those stories cannot be told here.�
This book, first published as ‘Keep the Memory Green� in 1950 and renamed ‘Dunkirk� after the release of the film ‘Dunkirk� in 1958, is being republished digitally by Sapere Books. It’s a timely republication: a new ‘Dunkirk� movie was released in 2017, and hopefully some viewers will be tempted to read more about the events of Dunkirk.
But why this book? This account was originally written by Lt. Colonel Ewan Butler and Major J. S. Bradford some years after the events portrayed. Both men were part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and sought to share their memory of events so that the importance of these events is not lost. This is an account of the BEF, as it moved through French and Belgian territories, of its interactions with citizens, all the time aware of advancing German forces. It’s an account of events leading up to, and including, the withdrawal of troops from Dunkirk.
‘It is ten years ago, now � a short time in the span of history.�
Writing ten years after the events of 1939-40 perhaps allowed the authors to provide a more detached account of their observation of events. This is an account of the BEF rather than an account of the military campaign. For me as a reader, born during the 1950s and more familiar with other theatres of World War II, this account speaks to the bravery of men and the heroism of ‘ordinary people� in extraordinary circumstances. Military histories focus on campaigns, on strategies, on ‘wins� and ‘defeats�. Accounts such as this provide a more human dimension to events, and provide some insight into morale. If you are interested in an account of Dunkirk written by soldiers who were participants, I recommend this book.
‘This is not a heartening book, but the gallantry which it portrays is so immensely moving, so well told, as to be almost heartening.�
Note: My thanks to Sapere Books for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
This book, first published as ‘Keep the Memory Green� in 1950 and renamed ‘Dunkirk� after the release of the film ‘Dunkirk� in 1958, is being republished digitally by Sapere Books. It’s a timely republication: a new ‘Dunkirk� movie was released in 2017, and hopefully some viewers will be tempted to read more about the events of Dunkirk.
But why this book? This account was originally written by Lt. Colonel Ewan Butler and Major J. S. Bradford some years after the events portrayed. Both men were part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and sought to share their memory of events so that the importance of these events is not lost. This is an account of the BEF, as it moved through French and Belgian territories, of its interactions with citizens, all the time aware of advancing German forces. It’s an account of events leading up to, and including, the withdrawal of troops from Dunkirk.
‘It is ten years ago, now � a short time in the span of history.�
Writing ten years after the events of 1939-40 perhaps allowed the authors to provide a more detached account of their observation of events. This is an account of the BEF rather than an account of the military campaign. For me as a reader, born during the 1950s and more familiar with other theatres of World War II, this account speaks to the bravery of men and the heroism of ‘ordinary people� in extraordinary circumstances. Military histories focus on campaigns, on strategies, on ‘wins� and ‘defeats�. Accounts such as this provide a more human dimension to events, and provide some insight into morale. If you are interested in an account of Dunkirk written by soldiers who were participants, I recommend this book.
‘This is not a heartening book, but the gallantry which it portrays is so immensely moving, so well told, as to be almost heartening.�
Note: My thanks to Sapere Books for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
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February 1, 2018The book is really entertaining and well written. I really recommend this book because it has lots of interesting messages in it. But I dont understand why people fight just to show their power or get their land back or even to show other countries how powerful they are. Its very violent so if you arent interested in violence dont read it.
October 6, 2017
Wonderful book
This book was written 10 years after WWII when things were still fresh in people’s minds. It was written by a military officer and has much insightful information about the small things that were going on.
This book was written 10 years after WWII when things were still fresh in people’s minds. It was written by a military officer and has much insightful information about the small things that were going on.
October 8, 2020
Dunkirk by Lieutenant Colonel Ewan Butler and Major J. S. Bradford is the factual account of the events leading up to and the evacuation at Dunkirk. Both Butler and Bradford served in France as junior officers in 1939 and the first half of 1940 as part of the British Expeditionary Force (B.E.F.)
Ask an American when was Pearl Harbor bombed and most will probably get the answer wrong. The same goes for what years were America involved in Vietnam. People also see no irony in wishing others a "happy Memorial Day." It seems reasonable that in the next ten years many will forget what year the 9/11 attacks happened. It is just not an American problem; it happens to all nations. With wars and peace and more wars, people tend to forget the details of war. The original title of this book was Keep the Memory Green. The authors wanted to keep alive the sacrifice and the events leading to Dunkirk.
Dunkirk is an odd event in history. It is remembered, even without the recent movie release, as the Miracle at Dunkirk. There is a mythology that surrounds the defeat of Western European armies and turns it into a victory. The authors mention this more than a few times. They include a quote by Churchill immediately after the evacuation of the 338,000 troops:
"We must be careful not to assign to this deliverance the attributes of a victory. Wars are not won by evacuations."
For the all the great logistical support this operation received, it must be remembered that just over two weeks later France surrendered and Britain was fighting outside of Europe. The British army would not return to France for four years.
Butler and Bradford also examine the roles and actions (real and perceived) of the three branches of the British military. The army took the brunt of the abuse from the Germans and it was quick to blame the air force for not doing enough. It was discouraging to know that the planes flying overhead were not your own, but the enemy's planes. The Navy's support was limited to the sea and support in what harbors it could reach. The army felt isolated. Belgium's surrender left the British cornered between the sea and the Germans. Supplies were limited and support was failing. The feeling of isolation was a reality.
The British army's experience in France is also covered from their arrival to the evacuation. Comparisons of the British army in 1914 and 1939 are made. In many aspects, the British were much more prepared in 1914. Shortages abounded in almost every aspect of combat support from fully functional tanks to food and ammunition. Lord Gort worked hard to gain the supplies needed and provided exceptional leadership to the B.E.F.
When evacuation was seen as the only option, it was hoped that 30 -40,000 might be rescued at Dunkirk. The authors devote a chapter to homeland support of the war. This is done with the story of Alfred Harris and his thirty-five-foot cabin cruiser the Berkshire Lass. Harris' savings and retirement were tied up in that boat. He participated in the evacuation of Dunkirk even though neither he nor his boat had been outside the Thames Estuary. There was no shortage of bravery from any of the armed services or those civilians participating in the evacuation.
The goal of the book as its original title points out is to keep the memory of Dunkirk alive. That memory is the good and the bad. A country unprepared for war must be ready to accept defeat. Bravery alone will not win a war. That being said, bravery did save the 338,000 troops. It is these actions as well as the failures that must be remembered.
August 14, 2017
Full Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.
Interesting, short (just over 200 pages) book on the lead-up to the Dunkirk evacuation. Written by Lt. Colonel Butler and Major Bradford, they authors were high enough in military rank to understand the larger picture, but close enough to the everyday soldier’s life. Completed 10 years after in 1950 its close enough in time for memories to be fresh, but long enough to have some distance and perspective.
The book focuses on mostly the lead up to the evacuation. The arrival of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in the fall of 1939 and their experiences in the “Phony War� � the period after the fall of Poland until the German invasion of the low countries in France. Much of the time was used to shore up defenses throughout areas that the Axis did not attack, and learning about the French people, culture and countryside. It’s apparent, especially in hindsight, the lack of preparation of the British and French forces. Equipment was outdated and in short supply. There was no way that the Allies could defend against the German Panzers or Luftwaffe, with light duty tanks, outdated infantry weapons and older 1930’s aircraft.
The actual fight for France is brief, as was the battle itself, and the fall-back to Dunkirk for evacuation was done much more orderly than would be imagined. The authors detail the sacrifices that were made by those covering the retreat, and the spirit of the British people, that encouraged the troops after returning to England.
If you enjoyed the movie, the book is a good compliment.
Interesting, short (just over 200 pages) book on the lead-up to the Dunkirk evacuation. Written by Lt. Colonel Butler and Major Bradford, they authors were high enough in military rank to understand the larger picture, but close enough to the everyday soldier’s life. Completed 10 years after in 1950 its close enough in time for memories to be fresh, but long enough to have some distance and perspective.
The book focuses on mostly the lead up to the evacuation. The arrival of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in the fall of 1939 and their experiences in the “Phony War� � the period after the fall of Poland until the German invasion of the low countries in France. Much of the time was used to shore up defenses throughout areas that the Axis did not attack, and learning about the French people, culture and countryside. It’s apparent, especially in hindsight, the lack of preparation of the British and French forces. Equipment was outdated and in short supply. There was no way that the Allies could defend against the German Panzers or Luftwaffe, with light duty tanks, outdated infantry weapons and older 1930’s aircraft.
The actual fight for France is brief, as was the battle itself, and the fall-back to Dunkirk for evacuation was done much more orderly than would be imagined. The authors detail the sacrifices that were made by those covering the retreat, and the spirit of the British people, that encouraged the troops after returning to England.
If you enjoyed the movie, the book is a good compliment.
September 3, 2017
A very readable history
If you like to read about how such memorable feats occur, this book shows how many large and small efforts saved a very large number of soldiers both British and French avoid capture by a large German force. Quite possibly this rescue of troops by British civilians and part of the British navy saved allies to fight another day vs very likely jeopardizing the outcome of the war. It's clear how much was sacrificed by Britain and France to fight back Germany. Something that opened my eyes between then and now was that the Allies were hurt by lack of equipment that just wasn't avail. This seemed quite the same of our most recent engagements. Why was there such a delay in providing troops what they needed to save lives? Are men and women only worthy of being cannon fodder with odds heavily against them? I don't believe to arm for arming sake. I do however we should have plans in place to gear up quickly to manufacture what is needed if it becomes apparent that there is no other alternative.
If you like to read about how such memorable feats occur, this book shows how many large and small efforts saved a very large number of soldiers both British and French avoid capture by a large German force. Quite possibly this rescue of troops by British civilians and part of the British navy saved allies to fight another day vs very likely jeopardizing the outcome of the war. It's clear how much was sacrificed by Britain and France to fight back Germany. Something that opened my eyes between then and now was that the Allies were hurt by lack of equipment that just wasn't avail. This seemed quite the same of our most recent engagements. Why was there such a delay in providing troops what they needed to save lives? Are men and women only worthy of being cannon fodder with odds heavily against them? I don't believe to arm for arming sake. I do however we should have plans in place to gear up quickly to manufacture what is needed if it becomes apparent that there is no other alternative.
August 2, 2017
Dunkirk by Lt. Col. Ewan Butler and Maj. J.S. Bradford is a free ebook offered to me by Sapere Books in late July.
In anticipation of Christopher Nolan's release of the movie, Dunkirk (shoutout to Tom Hardy), I gave an enthusiastic 'yes' to reading this - a book cowritten by two members of the B.A.F. or the British Expeditionary Forces ten years after the battle for Dunkirk (between May 21st-26th, 1940) and other regions of Belgium and northern France.
Where this book excelled was in its use of vivid description (i.e. starting a chapter with a line like "The sea lay like a sheet of silk - black, shot with grey light") and its ability to close the gap between the 77-year spanse of time with empathy and shared ideals between the French, Dutch, and UK Allied forces (I especially loved instances of generosity with rationed food and care package items, and, naturally, the full story of Alfred Norris and the Berkshire Lass).
In anticipation of Christopher Nolan's release of the movie, Dunkirk (shoutout to Tom Hardy), I gave an enthusiastic 'yes' to reading this - a book cowritten by two members of the B.A.F. or the British Expeditionary Forces ten years after the battle for Dunkirk (between May 21st-26th, 1940) and other regions of Belgium and northern France.
Where this book excelled was in its use of vivid description (i.e. starting a chapter with a line like "The sea lay like a sheet of silk - black, shot with grey light") and its ability to close the gap between the 77-year spanse of time with empathy and shared ideals between the French, Dutch, and UK Allied forces (I especially loved instances of generosity with rationed food and care package items, and, naturally, the full story of Alfred Norris and the Berkshire Lass).
August 12, 2017
This account of the early days of WW2 written by officers of the British Expeditionary Force shortly after the end of the war is a lesson for all. It's not just about the evacuation of Dunkirk by everyday citizens, but a clear perspective on the inadequacies of peacetime military forces and populations blindsided by overt aggression despite clear warning signs. At the beginning of the war, British planes were mostly obsolete, there were communication problems with the rest of Europe, and the Americans still had their heads in the sand thinking it was going to be a lark. I am an American. The writing is not the polished professional offering of a thesis or novel, but a stiff upper lip account well worth reading.
Thanks to Sapere Books for granting my request to read and review. I am very impressed with this and glad that it has been reprinted.
Thanks to Sapere Books for granting my request to read and review. I am very impressed with this and glad that it has been reprinted.
October 1, 2017
Dunkirk told without embellishment
A tale told as a only one who was there could tell. A bit reserved but complex with little emotion or embellishment as only an Englishman could write.
A tale told as a only one who was there could tell. A bit reserved but complex with little emotion or embellishment as only an Englishman could write.
October 11, 2017
Too much detail with no plotline
Written apparently to name all the British officers involved.
The best part was the smallest part - the part about the volunteer navy that saved the troops
Written apparently to name all the British officers involved.
The best part was the smallest part - the part about the volunteer navy that saved the troops
November 12, 2017
Good solid read
Gives a good, chronological history of the events prior to and through the evacuation. Some good anecdotal stories threaded in. definitely worth reading for anyone with interest in WWII .
Gives a good, chronological history of the events prior to and through the evacuation. Some good anecdotal stories threaded in. definitely worth reading for anyone with interest in WWII .
April 22, 2018
Great read from the era
It’s so easy to look back 80+ years after an incident, but to read something written 10 years after an event and only 5 years after victory, much less may be known, but the emotion is stronger. Great read!
It’s so easy to look back 80+ years after an incident, but to read something written 10 years after an event and only 5 years after victory, much less may be known, but the emotion is stronger. Great read!
September 25, 2017
Dunkirk
Slow moving for the most part but with a great ending. I'm sure the movie is more exciting. Good Read.
Slow moving for the most part but with a great ending. I'm sure the movie is more exciting. Good Read.
December 5, 2017
Excellent book!
Love reading books fiction and non-fiction about WWII. Bring on more free books about this era.
Thank you very much.
Love reading books fiction and non-fiction about WWII. Bring on more free books about this era.
Thank you very much.
January 3, 2018
I used a map to follow the geography.
May 13, 2018
This is an amazing story. War really is hell and sometimes circumstances seem to stack all against you. The heroism of man is something that can't be quelled and that shines through in this story.
March 23, 2025
Not my thing, got 50 pages in.
February 20, 2025
This book was written by someone who was actually there! After watching "Dunkirk" times, then reading Walter Lord's book on Dunkirk, I was ready for a different perspective. Sadly, Butler's book was written in 1950, a decade after the events. His memory is still sharp and he was able to get stories and memories of his fellow B.E.F. soldiers. That alone should have made the story exceptional.
Unfortunately, this book is that: a book of memories and accounts. There is an overarching theme of chronology, but Butler does not talk about what HE did. He talks a lot about what everyone else did and how the RAF was plucky, blah blah, and the BEF and French Army hopeless outclassed, blah, blah, blah. Butler was in the ARMY so his story omits personal account of the Royal NAVY and the little ships. That's fine because that's covered elsewhere. I was hoping more to learn about Colonel Butler's actions. That was the disappointing part.
But with over a million men fighting in France, everyone has a story.
Unfortunately, this book is that: a book of memories and accounts. There is an overarching theme of chronology, but Butler does not talk about what HE did. He talks a lot about what everyone else did and how the RAF was plucky, blah blah, and the BEF and French Army hopeless outclassed, blah, blah, blah. Butler was in the ARMY so his story omits personal account of the Royal NAVY and the little ships. That's fine because that's covered elsewhere. I was hoping more to learn about Colonel Butler's actions. That was the disappointing part.
But with over a million men fighting in France, everyone has a story.
November 22, 2017
None f
Very good read .v, m ode v la lbs very hard to put down. I was to young to remember. V
Very good read .v, m ode v la lbs very hard to put down. I was to young to remember. V
August 27, 2017
Really the story of the BEF, the story of the evacuation takes up less than 25% of the book. Written 10 years after the war, in a slightly romantic style delivering a political message. Interesting
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