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Local residents supplying refreshments to soldiers evacuated from Dunkirk, World War II, 1940
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Local residents supplying refreshments to soldiers evacuated from Dunkirk, World War II, 1940
Local residents supplying refreshments to soldiers evacuated from Dunkirk, World War II, 1940. After the dramatic German advance through the Low Countries and France in May 1940, the troops of the British Expeditionary Force and their equipment were trapped on the Channel coast at Dunkirk. A gallant rearguard action, coupled with the Germans failing to press home their advantage, enabled an armada of ships, many of them small, privately-owned vessels, to evacuate some 335, 000 troops from the beaches by 4 June 1940. Almost all of their heavy equipment had to be abandoned however
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Media ID 14845158
© Ann Ronan Picture Library / Heritage-Images
Civilian Civilians Compartment Evacuation Evacuee Home Front Pouring Railway Carriage Refreshment Train 2nd World War Ann Ronan Pictures Second World War World War Two
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this photograph, taken during World War II in 1940, we witness a heartwarming scene of local residents supplying refreshments to soldiers evacuated from Dunkirk. The image captures the resilience and compassion of ordinary people amidst the chaos and uncertainty of war. After the German advance through the Low Countries and France, British troops found themselves trapped on the Channel coast at Dunkirk. However, a courageous rearguard action combined with strategic missteps by their adversaries allowed for an incredible evacuation effort. A multitude of ships, including small privately-owned vessels, came together to rescue approximately 335,000 troops from the beaches by June 4th. In this particular snapshot frozen in time, we see men and women working side by side to provide much-needed sustenance to these weary soldiers. A railway carriage serves as their temporary refuge as they pour drinks from jugs into cups held out eagerly by grateful servicemen. The expressions on their faces reveal both exhaustion and gratitude for this act of kindness. This powerful image encapsulates not only the spirit of unity but also highlights how civilians played an integral role in supporting those fighting on the front lines during World War II. It serves as a reminder that even in times of great adversity, humanity can prevail through acts of selflessness and solidarity.
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