The Operation to Capture British Troops at Dunkirk was a significant event during World War II, but Hitler and the German forces never executed this plan. This essay will explore the reasons why Hitler failed to capture the British forces there and further discuss the broader context of invading Britain.
Why Didn't Hitler Destroy the British at Dunkirk?
The Geographical and Naval Barrier
Dunkirk, a municipality on the English Channel in northern France, was not a strategic target for an invasion aimed at the United Kingdom. The primary reason for this is the vast expanse of the English Channel, which separates Western Europe from Britain. The distance of about 20 miles created a significant barrier.
Furthermore, the German navy, while formidable, was not equipped to undertake a cross-channel invasion. German naval forces, including submarines, played a critical role in the war but lacked the capability to effectively combat the British Royal Navy in a traditional invasion scenario. This difference is akin to the distinction between using a knife to cut through a loaf of bread and trying to debone a chicken with it.
British Military Capability and Preparedness
The British forces stationed in France were not as defenseless as they appeared. The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) had withdrawn to Dunkirk and was composed of about 210,000 troops. However, there were numerous other British and Allied forces available to resist an invasion. By June 1940, the British Army had over 1.65 million men ready for deployment within the UK, and other forces like the Canadian troops were also prepared for action.
The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force (RAF) demonstrated their effectiveness against the German invasion plans. The RAF, for instance, was actively bombing German harbors and even those used for amphibious operations, severely hampering German logistics and plans.
The Failure of Air Superiority and the Lack of Operable Plans
The Battle of Britain, a critical air campaign, aimed to achieve air superiority over southern England, which is where any invasion effort would have been focused. However, Germany failed to gain this air superiority, effectively tying their hands for ground operations.
Moreover, the German army and navy were not prepared for an invasion. German military resources, including destroyers, had been depleted in their campaign against Norway. This left the German navy with insufficient ships to protect any invasion fleet. Hitler’s invasion plans lacked concrete and operable logistics and troop management that would be essential for a successful cross-channel invasion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the failure to capture the British forces at Dunkirk can be attributed to the geographical and logistical challenges posed by the English Channel, the preparedness and capability of the British forces, and the lack of a feasible invasion plan by Hitler and the German high command. These factors collectively made a large-scale cross-channel invasion of Britain unfeasible during World War II.
{{link: Return to top}}