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Warships at Dunkirk 1940 cover
Quantity
Pre-order. Available May 19 2026
$20.00

Payment for this pre-order will be taken when the item becomes available

Description

Illustrated throughout, this uncovers the hundreds of British and French warships in the Dunkirk evacuation, whose actions have been overshadowed by the fame of the 'Little Ships'.

In this book, naval historian Angus Konstam examines the backbone of the Dunkirk evacuation fleet: the warships of the Royal Navy and French Navy that were ordered into action to rescue the British Expeditionary Force. Nearly 50 destroyers, an anti-aircraft cruiser, and more than 200 MTBs, minesweepers, trawlers, and other small warships were involved, as many as could be spared without recklessly endangering naval strength. He highlights the lack of decent anti-aircraft defences available to the Allies in 1940, and shows how improvised weaponry were used to help fend off the Stukas. Dunkirk was the first naval operation of World War II to be carried out under sustained air attack, and nearly a fifth of the destroyers and a quarter of the smaller vessels were sunk, with more badly damaged.

Illustrated with archive photos, profiles illustrating the range of both British and French warships involved, and dramatic original artwork, this studies the naval side of the greatest evacuation of World War II.

Table of Contents

(Subject to confirmation)
Introduction
Background
Operation Dynamo
The British Contingent
The French Contingent
Combat
Ship Specifications
Bibliography

Product details

Published May 19 2026
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 48
ISBN 9781472872555
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations Illustrated throughout with 40 photos and 8 pages of colour illustrations
Dimensions 10 x 7 inches
Series New Vanguard
Short code NVG 349
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Angus Konstam

Angus Konstam is a Fellow of the Royal Historical…

Illustrator

Edouard A. Groult

Edouard Groult grew up inspired by watching histor…

Resources

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