Dunkirk

Veterans of World War II describe their experiences of the retreat to Dunkirk in 1940 and the evacuation. On 10 May the German Army invaded Holland and Belgium. The Blitzkrieg had begun - an entirely new way of fighting war. For the young men aged 18 and 19 who joined up to 'do their bit' it was a terrifying baptism of fire, and for the British Army a shattering blow. Within three weeks it was a crushing defeat, leading to the largest military evacuation in history. This film is the story, told in their own words, of a group of young men, now veterans, and their first experience of modern mechanised warfare.

Powerful myths and misconceptions have shaped our understanding of the moment which changed the course of WW2 - the evacuation at Dunkirk in 1940. But what really happened at Dunkirk and in the crisis before the days of the evacuation? This documentary takes a European look at the crisis and asks new questions from a French and German perspective as well as from a British point of view. Featuring interviews with veterans and historians from all three key protagonists, providing revealing insights into the events of May and June 1940.

The Allies in northern France are in retreat, but the Navy only expects to be able to pick up a few soldiers and Churchill is under pressure to make peace in order to save the rest. Alf Tombs's unit helps hold open a corridor to aid the retreat, successfully allowing thousands to escape over 48 hours; on the beaches Captain Tennant makes use of a flimsy pier to speed the evacuation. As the weather changes the pier and the beaches are bombed heavily.

The army has now made its way back to the overcrowded coast. More boats are needed and the admiralty begins to requisition a fleet of small craft including cockle fishing boats from Leigh-On-Sea. In spite of the dangers the fishermen from Leigh begin to lift men off the beaches. As the strain on the little boat begins to tell the engine fails. In England the public begin to realise the cost of the successful evacuation and are left to face the threat of invasion.

Dunkirk has become a siege town. While a large number of the army have been evacuated many tens of thousands still remain. Jimmy Langley is injured during fierce fighting trying to hold back the final German advance and taken to a casualty clearing station where Major Newman has been trying to evacuate his wounded patients. However no arrangements have been made for them and they are left behind to face the Germans who arrive on the same day as Churchill makes his famous speech vowing 'we will never surrender'.