starter activity How is this image of Dunkirk similar or different from the film clip? Click on the image to play the clip.

starter activity

How is this image of Dunkirk similar or different from the film clip? Click on the image to play the clip.

Was Dunkirk a Was Dunkirk a ‘miracle’?‘miracle’?

To explain the key events of DunkirkTo explain the key events of DunkirkTo evaluate whether Dunkirk was a To evaluate whether Dunkirk was a victory or a disaster for the Britishvictory or a disaster for the British

LOsLOs

Key words: Blitzkrieg, BEF, Luftwaffe

Your taskYour task Read p. 158 of ‘Peace & War’ and answer Read p. 158 of ‘Peace & War’ and answer

the following:the following: Describe how warfare was different in Describe how warfare was different in

WWII compared with WWIWWII compared with WWI Explain how the BEF became trappedExplain how the BEF became trapped Write a ‘Twitter’ definition of ‘Operation Write a ‘Twitter’ definition of ‘Operation

Dynamo’Dynamo’ Extension. Hitler ordered his troops to Extension. Hitler ordered his troops to

stop advancing at the end of May 1940. stop advancing at the end of May 1940. Why do you think he did this?Why do you think he did this?

How did Dunkirk come How did Dunkirk come about?about?

War of movement & War of movement & ‘‘blitzkriegblitzkrieg’’

German troops by-German troops by-passed ‘passed ‘Maginot lineMaginot line’ ’ & invaded N. France, & invaded N. France, Belgium & HollandBelgium & Holland

BEF taken by BEF taken by surprisesurprise

Operation Dynamo Operation Dynamo launched 27 May- 4 launched 27 May- 4 June to rescue June to rescue 300,000 troops300,000 troops

Your taskYour task Read p.158-161 of ‘Peace & War’ and sort the sources into two Read p.158-161 of ‘Peace & War’ and sort the sources into two

groups: those which suggest it was a success and those a groups: those which suggest it was a success and those a failure.failure.

Choose the best 3 pieces of evidence and record these in your Choose the best 3 pieces of evidence and record these in your notes.notes.

Extension. How and why did Churchill exploit Dunkirk as a Extension. How and why did Churchill exploit Dunkirk as a great victory?great victory?

SuccessSuccess DisasterDisaster

Your taskYour task You are going to write a newspaper account of You are going to write a newspaper account of

Dunkirk from differing perspectivesDunkirk from differing perspectives First, read sources 2-14First, read sources 2-14 Then, complete a table similar to the one below:Then, complete a table similar to the one below:

Source No. & Type

Triumph Disaster Possible reason for this view

2, 2, newspapnewspap

er er headlineheadline

Jubilant Jubilant headline, headline, ‘Bloody ‘Bloody

marvellous’marvellous’

Supporter of Supporter of war, didn’t want war, didn’t want

to demoralise to demoralise troops, wanted to troops, wanted to

sell paperssell papers

To what extent was Dunkirk To what extent was Dunkirk a victory?a victory?

27 May – 4 June 338,000 British 27 May – 4 June 338,000 British (BEF) & French troops (BEF) & French troops evacuated from Dunkirk (incl. evacuated from Dunkirk (incl. 139,000 Fr.)139,000 Fr.)

Original target 50,000Original target 50,000 860 Naval & privately owned 860 Naval & privately owned

vessels carried troops to Dover vessels carried troops to Dover & south coast& south coast

Fine weatherFine weather RAF provided air cover against RAF provided air cover against

Goering’s LuftwaffeGoering’s Luftwaffe LuftwaffeLuftwaffe & & artilleryartillery

bombarded troopsbombarded troops

To what extent was Dunkirk To what extent was Dunkirk a disaster?a disaster?

68,000 BEF 68,000 BEF casualtiescasualties

1,200 field guns, 1,200 field guns, 1,250 anti-aircraft 1,250 anti-aircraft guns, 11,000 machine guns, 11,000 machine guns, 75,000 vehicles guns, 75,000 vehicles abandoned (incl.475 abandoned (incl.475 tanks)tanks)

Germans fully Germans fully expected GB to make expected GB to make peacepeace

A rare moment captured on camera. Hitler dances with delight at the success of Blitzkrieg in Europe. Why would have he been so pleased with the outcome at Dunkirk?

How did Churchill exploit How did Churchill exploit Dunkirk?Dunkirk?

‘‘Miracle of Dunkirk’Miracle of Dunkirk’ Morale boosterMorale booster Heroism of troops - Heroism of troops -

rearguardrearguard force of force of BEF troops who BEF troops who protected evacueesprotected evacuees

Importance of civilian Importance of civilian contribution to war contribution to war efforteffort

PropagandaPropaganda posters & posters & paintingspaintings

Charles Cundall, Dunkirk

Was Churchill correct in describing Dunkirk as a ‘miracle’?

PlenaryPlenary

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

Churchill, PM from 1940-45

Your task - Your task - a newspaper account from either a newspaper account from either a British or German perspectivea British or German perspective

Write Include the following features:Write Include the following features: A suitable headline & sub headingA suitable headline & sub heading In your first paragraph answer the 5 ‘wh’ In your first paragraph answer the 5 ‘wh’

questionsquestions In the development use bias to describe In the development use bias to describe

the build up to Dunkirk and the the build up to Dunkirk and the evacuation itselfevacuation itself

Add any other features, e.g. contemporary Add any other features, e.g. contemporary ads, references to other articles, prices to ads, references to other articles, prices to give the front page and authentic lookgive the front page and authentic look

Extension taskExtension task

Write an imaginary interview with a Write an imaginary interview with a veteranveteran of Dunkirk of Dunkirk

Write a short article explaining why it is Write a short article explaining why it is difficult to find out the ‘truth’ about difficult to find out the ‘truth’ about DunkirkDunkirk