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Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, and Evacuation
In the Spring of 1940 the Germans advanced along the Somme. This was the year of the British retreat to Dunkirk. In the skies over Britain, the Battle of Britain took place between July and October and the Blitz on London started in September.
Neville Chamberlain lost a vote of confidence in the House of Commons. A coalition government was called for but Labour leaders refused to serve under Chamberlain. He resigned and Churchill became Prime Minister.
Douglas Bader |
Sir Douglas Robert Stuart Bader (1910-1982)- Born in London
- Joined the RAF
- Lost both legs and was invalided out in 1931
- Returned to the RAF, commanding the first RAF Canadian Fighter Squadron during the Battle of Britain
- Became a prisoner of war in 1941
- Won the George Cross
- Retired in 1946 but continued to work for the disabled
- Awarded a CBE in 1956 and a knighthood in 1976
The River Thames froze in 1940 for the first time in more than half a century.
Letter From Clementine Churchill To Her Husband Trying To Warn Him About Talk In The Commons (quoted in Speaking for Themselves, edited by Mary Soames)
"My Darling, I hope you will forgive me if I tell you something that I feel you ought to know. One of the men in your entourage (a devoted friend) has been to me and told me that there is a danger of your being generally disliked by your colleagues and subordinates because of your rough, sarcastic & overbearing manner. It seems your Private Secretaries have agreed to behave like school boys and 'take what's coming to them' and then escape out of your presence shrugging their shoulders. Higher up if an idea is suggested (say at a conference) you are supposed to be so contemptuous that presently no ideas, good or bad, will be forthcoming. I was astonished and upset because in all these years I have been accustomed to all those who have worked with and under you, loving you. I said this and I was told, 'No doubt it's the strain'. My Darling, Winston - I must confess that I have noticed a deterioration in your manner; and you are not so kind as you used to be. "It is for you to give the Orders and if they are bungled - except for the King, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Speaker, you can sack anyone and everyone. Therefore with this terrific power you must combine urbanity, kindness and if possible Olympic calm. You used to quote: 'On ne regne sur les ames que par le calme'. I cannot bear that those who serve the Country and yourself should not love as well as admire and respect you - besides you won't get the best results by irascibility and rudeness. They will breed either dislike or a slave mentality - (Rebellion in war time being out of the question!). Please forgive your loving devoted and watchful
Clemie"
 
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| 1935 | Baldwin becomes Prime Minister
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| 1936 | George V dies
Edward VIII becomes King
Edward VIII abdicates
George VI becomes King
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| 1937 | Chamberlain becomes Prime Minister
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| 1938 | The Munich Agreement is signed
Germany annexes Austria
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| 1939 | World War II begins
Conscription is introduced
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| 1940 | Churchill becomes Prime Minister
Rationing is introduced
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| 1941 | The Atlantic Charter is formed
Anglo-Soviet Treaty is signed
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| 1942 | The Beveridge Report is published
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| 1944 | Butler's Education Act
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| 1945 | Attlee becomes Prime Minister
World War II ends
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| WAR DIARY 1940 | | • | January 1 2 million called up |
| • | March 12 Finns surrender |
| • | April 9 Germans invade Norway and Denmark |
| • | April1 4 Allies retake Narvik |
| • | May 10 Churchill becomes Prime Minister, German troops invade Low Countries, Britain starts internment |
| • | May 14 Dutch surrender |
| • | May 26 Belgians surrender |
| • | May 28 Dunkirk evacuation begins |
| • | June 3 Allies start withdrawal from Norway |
| • | June 4 Dunkirk evacuation completed |
| • | June 7 Norwegian withdrawal complete |
| • | June 10 Italy declares war on Britain and France |
| • | June 14 Germans march into Paris |
| • | June 18 Churchill makes "Their finest hour" speech, De Gaule broadcasts to France from London |
| • | June 20 Australian and New Zealander troops arrive in UK |
| • | June 22 French declare armistice with Germany |
| • | July 1 Germans invade Channel Islands |
| • | July 3 Royal Navy sinks French fleet in Algeria. 1000 French sailors perish. |
| • | July 9 Vichy government set up |
| • | July 23 ±«Óãtv Guard established |
| • | August 25 First bombing raid on London |
| • | September 4 Battle of Britain (check dates for first engagement) |
| • | September 7 Blitz begins |
| • | September 27 Japan joins German-Italian axis |
| • | October 8 Germany invades Romania |
| • | October 31 Battle of Britain ends |
| • | November Hungarian-Romanian-Japanese-Italian- German Pact |
| • | December 9 British forces take Sidi Birani |
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