Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Why the (true) history of 'Dunkirk' matters

Via Billy

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/cd/91/e5/cd91e5bed55002576ba68a7bc6b9f549.jpg

Never has so much ignorance been rendered on such a great feat by so few.
Well said though still in a quandary why Hitler held back there.

Such is the historical record of reviewers of the new movie, "Dunkirk."

First, a brief historical primer. Dunkirk was the site of the British Army's evacuation from northern France in May-June 1940. The evacuation was made necessary after the British Army in France, deployed as the British Expeditionary Force, was encircled by a rapidly advancing German army.

Thanks to the immense courage of rearguard forces, RAF pilots, and British civilians (who lent their boats to the effort), 200,000 British soldiers and 140,000 French, Belgian and Polish soldiers were saved from capture.

Now to the reviews...

23 comments:

  1. Dunkirk was a victorious defeat for the British, similar to the withdrawal from the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. If Hitler had obliterated the British troops at Dunkirk the effect on British morale would have been incalculable. Those who lament the lack of diversity in the movie have shown their ignorance.

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  2. The other side of Dunkirk
    https://youtu.be/IcX8NvJPOFc

    Papa

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  3. Dunkirk 1940. How the French saved GB.
    https://youtu.be/w6C5P-AYGdY

    Papa

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  4. German footage of Dunkirk 1940.
    https://youtu.be/HNMsOm-yZ54

    Papa

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  5. And there is much literature about Hitler not wanting to obliterate the English who he saw as potential allies after a negotiated peace. After all, Britain should never have guaranteed the security of Poland when they had no power to enforce. Thanks to British petulance, how many people died by May 1945 as a result?

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    1. Hitler not wanting to obliterate the English who he saw as potential allies after a negotiated peace.

      Thanks and remember seeing that recently.

      Delete
  6. Another video.
    I find this particular subject fascinating.
    Why did the Germans stop?
    What would've happened different if they kept pushing with ground forces?
    One of those major historical pivots.

    The German blunder at Dunkirk.
    https://youtu.be/33xiWZT2YqM

    Papa

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    Replies
    1. Comment by Anonymous above.

      And there is much literature about Hitler not wanting to obliterate the English who he saw as potential allies after a negotiated peace. After all, Britain should never have guaranteed the security of Poland when they had no power to enforce. Thanks to British petulance, how many people died by May 1945 as a result?


      Thanks and remember seeing that recently.

      Delete
  7. Dunkirk
    BBC documentary.
    Narrator gets into the sea.
    https://youtu.be/e7MEbSgcEfA

    Papa

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  8. Last video link:

    Dunkirk - What if?
    https://youtu.be/tuXbyahh_cw

    Papa

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  9. Taking time to remember the unknown rearguard, especially the French, that bought time for the evacuation.
    What a sacrifice.
    I couldn't imagine what it would be like to be in that position.

    Papa

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    Replies
    1. I imagine that every nation has a story or two to tell about their rearguards, whether small or large.

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  10. Saw the movie Dunkirk this past weekend.
    Very good. Worth seeing on the big screen.
    Good action, well written, good attention to detail.
    Soundtrack complimented the movie. The charecter dialog seemed limited, a good application of "less is more".
    Worthy of seeing again and the DVD collection.
    Papa

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    Replies
    1. Yes, must see.
      Not a 100% accurate film, but moving, inspiring entertainment based on actual events.
      My disclaimer! :)
      Papa

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  11. The soundtrack complimented the film. An audio movie. No wonder, Hans Zimmer music.
    http://www.ucpress.edu/blog/28775/see-dunkirk-to-hear-it/

    Papa

    ReplyDelete