Dunkirk: A Success or Failure?

• Evacuation of Dunkirk

On your whiteboard, please write:• One thing you’ve

learned• One question

A British News Report, 1940There were no

journalists at Dunkirk and it was five days

before the government allowed any reports to be made. Even then, journalists had to rely

on what they were told by the government for

information.

However, more information emerged

later on.

Dunkirk: A Success or Failure?

All should be able to describe what happened in Dunkirk (Level 4)

Most should be able to explain reasons that Dunkirk can be seen as a success and reasons it can be seen as a failure (Level 5)

Some could come to a sustained judgement about whether events at Dunkirk should be remembered as a success or a failure (Level 6+)

Key TermsPlease write the following terms in your book, leaving 2-3 spaces between for the definitions.

• Blitzkrieg

• Dunkirk

• Evacuate

• Operation Dynamo

Dunkirk: Success or Failure?In April 1940, the Germans invaded France. The Germans were so quick that the French and the British armies were pushed back to the beaches of Dunkirk. This style of attack is called a Blitzkrieg which translates to lightening war.

On 27th May 1940 – the British government, led by Winston Churchill, put a plan called ‘Operation Dynamo’ into action. The aim was to evacuate the troops to Britain by ship.

Your Mission.

You need to decide if Dunkirk was a success or failure by the end of the lesson.• In groups, at your tables, you will be given

primary resources about Dunkirk• You need to analyse the resources and put

together your evidence on the form attached

Extension of Learning

• How do you think Churchill (the British PM) and the government wanted people to view Dunkirk – as a victory or a disaster? How could they achieve their aims?

Churchill, PM from 1940-45

Dunkirk: A Success or Failure?

All should be able to describe what happened in Dunkirk (Level 4)

Most should be able to explain reasons that Dunkirk can be seen as a success and reasons it can be seen as a failure (Level 5)

Some could come to a sustained judgement about whether events at Dunkirk should be remembered as a success or a failure (Level 6+)