In May 1940, Germany invaded the Netherlands, Luxemburg and Belgium in a blitzkrieg attack. Their coordinated strategy, superior fire power and mobile ground forces overwhelmed the Allied defences. The German Army occupied Luxemburg on 10th May 1940, and they launched an attack on the Netherlands. The country surrendered on 14th May 1940.
The German tanks broke through the Belgian front on 11th May, forcing the French, Belgian and British divisions to fall back to a line between Antwerp and Namur. On 13th May, the Germans crossed the Meuse and broke through the French defences on 15th May 1940. The French troops were forced to withdraw to the line of the Oise a day later. They had failed to stop the fast advancing German army and were unable to launch a counterattack. The Germans reached Amiens on 19th May and Abbeville the next day. On 22nd May, they turned north up the coast in a drive for Calais and Dunkirk and south down to Arras, the British rear position. Belgium capitulated on 28th May 1940. The Germans successfully cut off all communication and transport between the northern and southern branches of the Allied forces, pushing hundred of thousands Allied troops in the north of France.
By 19th May 1940, General John Gort, commander of the British Expeditionary Force, had begun to contemplate a possible evacuation of his entire force by sea. The Admiralty started to requisition small crafts and between 800 and 1,200 leisure and fishing craft, the “Little Ships”, sailed to the French coast to save the soldiers stranded on the beaches. Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his advisers expected to rescue only 20,000 to 30,000 men.
Admiral Bertram Ramsay was in command of the Operation Dynamo, from a room deep in the Dover cliffs. He tasked Captain William Tenant with tactical oversight of the evacuation. Captain Tennant, the “beachmaster”, arrived at Dunkirk on 27th May 1940. In the evening of 26th May 1940, the evacuation began. The Luftwaffe launched relentless bombing attacks on the beaches, even as the RAF planes tried to stop the enemy planes, losing many aircraft and men in the process. In one full day, 7,500 men were evacuated; 10,000 were saved on the second day. The “Little ships” started to arrive on 28th May 1940. The last British troops were evacuated on 3rd June 1940, with the French forces covering their escape. Overall, 198,000 British and 140,000 French and Belgian troops were saved. Most of the equipment was left behind, including tanks, jeeps, ammunitions and machine guns, and 90,000 Allied forces were left behind and most were taken prisoners by the Germans. The Germans occupied Dunkirk on 4th June 1940.
The “Miracle of Dunkirk” was a turning point in the Allied war effort. In Britain, it became an iconic symbol of the British spirit. In France however, Paris fell on 14th June 1940 and Marshal Pétain signed an armistice with Germany at Compiègne eight days later. Germany annexed half of the country.
John was the son of John E. and Annie Emerton of Wymondham, Leicestershire.
John attended Oakham School between 1931 and 1937. He was in the Day Boys. His school achievements are listed below:
After school, John worked as a local government officer. He joined 2/5th Battalion, The Leicestershire Regiment and became Second Lieutenant.
The Leicestershire Regiment badge.
John was killed during the evacuation at Dunkirk in 1940. He was 20.
Roll of honour in the Oakhamian Magazine, Summer term 1940, Vol.55.
He is remembered on column 48 of Dunkirk Memorial.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Royal_Leicestershire_Regiment_Cap_Badge.jpg
Robert was the son of Dr Robert E. and Mary Hodgson of Burley-in-Wharfedale, Yorkshire.
Robert attended Oakham School between 1931 and 1935. He was in Wharflands. His school achievements are listed below:
Oakham School Rugby 1st XV, 1934 - Robert is standing third from right.
Oakham School Cricket 1st XI, 1935 - Robert is standing second from right.
The Oakhamian Magazine made comments upon his rugby and cricketing prowess.
Winter 1934 Rugby review: ‘Fair kick with right foot, but should try to kick higher; tackling only moderate; very good hands but rather slow.’
Summer 1935 Cricket review: ‘Took some time to find his form, but then batted well after the first few overs; his bowling proved ineffective; a fair field.’
After Oakham and the War
After school, Robert enlisted in the Royal Air Force. He was Acting Pilot Officer on probation and was graded as Pilot Officer on probation on 14th October 1939.
The Royal Air Force badge.
He was in Dunkirk on 17th June 1940 and he and Commonwealth soldiers were trying to escape by train. Robert died in the German bombing of the train. He was 21.
Roll of honour in the Oakhamian Magazine, Summer term 1940, Vol.55.
He is buried in grave 18.1.A.107 at Rennes Eastern Communal Cemetery, France.
Richard was the son of Charles and Mary Olive of Kettering.
Richard attended Oakham School between 1919 and 1924. He was in Miss Daniells’ House, then moved to School House. His school achievements are listed below:
After school, Richard obtained a BA at Queen’s College, Cambridge. He worked in Insurance. He married Mabel K. of Willaston, Cheshire. He served as Lieutenant with 2nd Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment.
The Gloucestershire Regiment badge.
His battalion fought in the Battle of France and suffered immense casualties at the Battle of Dunkirk. Richard was killed in the retreat to and evacuation of Dunkirk on 31st May 1941. He was 32.
Roll of honour in the Oakhamian Magazine, Winter term 1941, Vol.56.
He is remembered on column 56 of the Dunkirk Memorial, France.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Glosters_front_badge_circa_1957_trspt.png
Hugh was the son of Arthur Cecil and Mary Bradley Pope of Oakham.
Hugh attended Oakham School between 1927 and 1936. He was in the Day Boys and then moved to School House. His school achievements are listed below:
C.C.F. Camp in 1934 in Tweseldown - Hugh is on the far left.
Oakham School Cricket 1st XI, 1934 - Hugh is standing on the far left.
Oakham School Cricket 1st XI, 1935 - Hugh is sat on the far right.
Oakham School Cricket 1st XI, 1936 - Hugh is the captain, sat in the centre.
The Oakhamian Magazine commented upon his cricketing prowess.
Summer 1934 Cricket review: ‘A steady opening bat who at present is lacking attacking strokes and does not use his feet; he has patience and played two invaluable innings; slow in the field.’
Summer 1935 Cricket review: ‘Once again proved a useful opening batsman; needs to be more aggressive; a good field close in.’
Summer 1936 Cricket review: ‘A useful bat, he showed more enterprise than last year and played some good innings; a sound field close in; captained the side well under considerable difficulties.’
After school, Hugh studied at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge and obtained a BA. He then went to study Theology at Lincoln. He joined 2/5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment in January 1940 from RMC Sandhurst. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant.
The Leicestershire Regiment badge.
He was killed on 27th May 1940 at Dunkirk after being hit by sustained machine-gun and mortar fire. He was 22.
Roll of honour in the Oakhamian Magazine, Summer term 1940, Vol.55.
He is buried in grave 2.H.2 at Carvin Communal Cemetery, France. He is also remembered on Oakham War Memorial, All Saints’ Church.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Royal_Leicestershire_Regiment_Cap_Badge.jpg
