Takeover+of+France+and+Rescue+at+Dunkirk

Takeover of France and Rescue at Dunkirk
**Who was involved? ** France and Great Britain (allied powers) vs. Germany (axis)

**Where/When did it take place? **

It took place in Northern France in May of 1940.

**What happened?** German troops plowed the Ardennes Forest and into France. It took the Germans 10 days to back the French troops all the way to Lille, France. They eventually ended up in Dunkirk, France which is where Great Britain began their rescue mission, Operation Dynamo. They sent 850 ships and many bombers and soldiers so that they may help the French troops flee across the English Channel and into Britain. That day, they saved 338,000 people but couldn't stop the upcoming troubles. On June 14, the German army took Paris, France and 8 days later, France surrendered and became part of Nazi Germany.



**Significance / Impact on WWII ** The British saved 338,000 people and it is significant because if they hadn't then it would have broken down the allied powers. June 4th is also significant because it is the day that the French surrendered to Germany. Germany forced France to sign proper papers at Compiegne, which is the same rail car that they made Germans sign Armistice to end WWI. Because of the Germans occupation and control of France, it made the balance of power between Europe uneven. And after France was taken over by the Nazis, that left the British alone to fight them.

**Sources Used? ** **www.militaryhistory.about.com ** **<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">www.BBC.co.uk **

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/flags/large/fr-lgflag.gif http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/infopays/flagsmax/GBR_lgflag.gif http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/Flag_of_Nazi_Germany_(1933-1945).svg/800px-Flag_of_Nazi_Germany_(1933-1945).svg.png Text book