Subtitled ‘Railways to the Rescue’ this comprehensive and highly detailed book covers the railways’ key involvement in Operation Dynamo - the rescue of 338,226 men, including a quarter of a million men of the British Expeditionary Force and 139,997 French, Polish and Belgian troops, from Dunkirk in May and June 1940.
The book looks at the background and the Battle of Flanders, which was a significant defeat for the Allies. But it could have been a great deal worse. For every seven soldiers who escaped through Dunkirk, one man was left behind as a prisoner of war.
Over the nine days of the operation, the disembarking men needed to be moved, and this was a massive operation for the Southern Railway, which was also assisted by the GWR, LNER and LMS. A General was heard to remark that he wished that ‘the Army could operate with as few written instructions as the Southern Railway does in an emergency’.
Few stones are left unturned, and every aspect of the story is covered; from the evacuation, to reception areas, provision of sustenance and ambulance trains. There is also a list of trains operated.
The detailed text is accompanied 91 relevant pictures (most showing the evacuation and trains) and there is also an excellent, large (20in x 12.5in) fold-out map showing the harbours, docks and railway lines at Dover. This book must surely be the definitive work on the railway’s contribution to Operation Dynamo. It’s also excellent value for money.