NavHist - A Forgotten Campaign: The British Armed Forces in France 1940, From Dunkirk to the Armistice

Reviewed by Nicholas M. Anthony Jr., Ph.D., USA (Ret.)

The Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher, and academic skeptic Marcus Tullius Cicero stated that “Poor is the nation that has no heroes, but poorer still is the nation that having heroes, fails to remember and honor them.” In his first book, A Forgotten Campaign: The British Armed Forces in France 1940, From Dunkirk to the Armistice, British military historian and civil-military relations specialist Paul Fantom magnificently sets the record straight regarding the proverbial “rest of the story” concerning what happened after the much appreciated and highly publicized “Miracle of Dunkirk.” A plethora of books and movies immortalize the heroic actions of those involved in the evacuation of Allied forces from Dunkirk, but these accounts often end with the successful departure of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), French, and Belgian troops from the European continent in 1940 and pick back up at the Allied forces’ landing on the beaches of Normandy in 1944. Filling that gap in scholarly examination, this book assures that the gallant exploits of the “Second BEF,” the only British forces operating on the European continent following the evacuation of Dunkirk, are not forgotten.

Fantom begins by providing a contextual background detailing the deployment of the BEF in September 1939 to participate in the defense of France. He continues by describing how the German invasion of France cut the BEF in two and led to the evacuation of Dunkirk. He also highlights a less publicized or otherwise overlooked understanding that due to the lack of available military resources and a heavy reliance on civilian support, the Dunkirk evacuation required the unavoidable abandonment of a large amount of Allied materiel and personnel.

With the evacuation of Dunkirk complete, the few remaining BEF elements continued to fight alongside their French and Belgian partner forces. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill ordered the deployment of two additional divisions to reinforce the Second BEF. Lieutenant General Alan Brooke, II Corps Commander and future commander of the Second BEF, advised that reenforcing the Second BEF was futile and amounted to nothing more than a political gesture. The actions of the Second BEF were herculean, considering this lack of support by senior military leaders. 

Fantom’s book is the only published work that celebrates the Second BEF, bringing to life their heroism, many brave deeds, and acts of self-sacrifice. He includes the brutal mistreatment of the unfortunate British prisoners of war and the significant operational strains often associated with navigating a complex and highly politicized coalition command and control structure. Highlighting the warrior spirit, Fantom painstakingly outlays the actions of the 1940 British Army campaign in France despite not having the requisite doctrine, equipment, tactics, and training to oppose, halt, or defeat the rapid advance of the German Wehrmacht. His description of the otherwise unknown British successes emphasizes the uneven odds facing the undermanned, under-resourced, and overmatched Second BEF.

The story of the Second BEF underscores the strength, dedication, and warrior ethos of those who serve or have served in the profession of arms. Such ethos is evidenced by the exploits of the 4^th Provisional (Syme’s) Battalion, a unit that had been hastily improvised from various drafts of reinforcement units. Syme’s Battalion fought a determined rear-guard action against an overwhelming German enemy force, inflicting a considerable number of casualties on the enemy’s infantry, 12 tanks, and an airplane. In this endeavor and despite the blitzkrieg advance of German forces, the Syme’s Battalion effectively delayed the city of Rouen’s capture by twelve hours, thereby allowing the escape of thousands of other Allied troops.

Mindful of what many refer to as a current age of endless wars, where democratic and freedom-loving nations face the daily threat and impacts of terrorism, the selfless service of those who operate within the profession of arms will continue to take on greater significance even if they do not receive acclaim. By reading this book, the warriors of today may be further encouraged to maintain the ethos characterized as cedat emptor, “let the taker believe in us”, in the spirit of those who selflessly served as part of the Second BEF. At a minimum, this book serves as a reminder or call to action for all members of the profession of arms to remain steadfast in the execution of all duties tasked and the upholding of high ethical standards and exemplary performance, following the example of those who served in this forgotten campaign.

Dr. Nicholas Anthony Jr. is an Assistant Professor at the Joint Forces Staff College.

A Forgotten Campaign: The British Armed Forces in France 1940, From Dunkirk to the Armistice (Paul Fantom, Helion & Company, Warwick, Great Britain, 2021).

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