Battle of Dunkirk
1940 CE · France
The Battle of Dunkirk was fought in 1940 CE in France between United Kingdom, France and Belgium vs Germany; German victory on the ground, but more than 338,000 Allied soldiers were evacuated by sea.
Battle of Dunkirk: quick facts
- Date
- 1940 CE
- Location
- France
- Belligerents
- United Kingdom, France and Belgium vs Germany
- Commanders
- Lord Gort and Bertram Ramsay vs Gerd von Rundstedt
- Result
- German victory on the ground, but more than 338,000 Allied soldiers were evacuated by sea.
- Era
- 🪖 World Wars
- Quiz difficulty
- medium
What happened at the Battle of Dunkirk?
With the British Expeditionary Force and French troops trapped against the sea by the rapid German advance, Operation Dynamo launched a desperate evacuation from the beaches and harbor of Dunkirk. A remarkable armada of over 800 vessels—including hundreds of civilian fishing boats, pleasure craft, and yachts—crossed the English Channel to rescue 338,226 Allied soldiers. Though a military defeat, the 'Miracle of Dunkirk' preserved the core of the British Army to fight another day and became a defining moment of British resilience.
Did you know?
The 'Little Ships of Dunkirk,' the flotilla of civilian vessels that helped evacuate troops, included pleasure yachts, fishing boats, and even a paddle steamer. Many owners sailed their own boats across the Channel under fire.
Sources and further reading
- Battle of Dunkirk on Wikipedia for the full account, historiography and primary sources.
- How BattleGuess compiles and checks battle facts: see the About page.
Entry last reviewed 26 September 2026.