Canal Line 1940: The Dunkirk Campaign

Fourth in the Dunkirk Campaign 1940 series of books under the Battleground Europe flag, covering a neglected part of the 1940 campaign, although in an area well known to many Battlefield tourers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 10 October 2018
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

The intricate network of canals, extending from the coastal town of Gravelines to St. Omer, B thune, and La Bass e, follows the approximate boundary between Artois and Flanders. In 1940, this canal system served as the defensive line established on the western edge of the so-called Dunkerque Corridor, a strategic evacuation route designed by Lord Gort. Despite the conclusion of events along the Escaut line with another Allied withdrawal, Lord Gort swiftly redirected units to reinforce the Canal Line defenses. This study offers a comprehensive examination of the combat along the Canal Line, which has often been overshadowed by the broader retreat towards the channel coast. The units deployed along the canal encountered some of the fiercest fighting during the entirety of the 1940 France and Flanders campaign. Whole battalions, particularly those in the 2nd Division, were sacrificially deployed to slow down the German advance.

The book delves into the improvisational nature of the Usherforce and Polforce units, as well as the independent 25 Brigade, and the intense warfare that engulfed the 2nd Division. It also sheds light on the notorious massacre of the Royal Norfolks at Louis Creton's farm near Le Paradis.

The author has sourced material from a diverse range of sources, including regimental histories, unit war diaries, and personal diaries and accounts from men serving with the independent 25 Brigade and the 2nd Division. These firsthand accounts provide valuable insights into the actions and experiences of these units during their deployment on the canal.

To enhance the reader's experience, the book is accompanied by over a hundred contemporary and modern photographs, as well as five car tours that trace the historical route of the Canal Line. These visual aids complement the text and provide a deeper understanding of the terrain and the battles that unfolded along it.

In conclusion, this book offers a detailed and insightful examination of the combat along the Canal Line in 1940. It sheds light on the sacrifices made by units and the bravery exhibited by soldiers in the face of adversity. Through the use of primary sources, contemporary photographs, and historical analysis, the author provides a comprehensive account of the events that shaped the course of the Second World War in France and Flanders.

Weight: 400g
Dimension: 211 x 144 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781473852198