The Dunkirk Campaign unfolds as a defining crisis, revealing how the 1st Guards Brigade held the line and earned early Victoria Crosses.
When Britain mobilised for war in September 1939, large numbers of reservists were re-called to the colours. One of these men was the author's grandfather, Guardsman H.H. Smith, who re-joined the 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. The 3rd Grenadiers were part of 1st Guards Brigade and among the first troops to go to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force.
When Hitler's forces struck on 10 May 1940, the BEF was forced to pivot into Belgium, intending to stop the Germans at the River Dyle. By the evening of Monday, 20 May 1940, five British and two Belgian infantry divisions were aligned along a thirty-two-mile front on the west bank of the River Escaut. It was there that General Gort intended to stand and fight. It was the following day that all hell broke loose.
Following a devastating and protracted barrage, the five opposing German divisions attempted assault river crossings, but only managed to achieve temporary footholds on the west bank of the Escaut near Tournai and Pecq. At the former, the Germans were repelled by the Royal Norfolks, Sergeant Major George Gristock later receiving the Victoria Cross for his 'signal act of valour' that day. Similarly, near Pecq, Lance-Corporal Harry Nicholls of the 3rd Grenadiers also displayed gallantry that would be recognised with the award of the VC. In both cases, the Germans were repulsed.
Despite the gallant stand by his men, Gort had no option but to withdrew once again. To have held the line along the thirty-two-mile front in some of the heaviest fighting of the Blitzkrieg was a stunning achievement - but, incredibly, it is not mentioned in the campaign's Official History.
In this book, researched over thirty years with the cooperation of survivors and the families of casualties, as well as the Grenadier Guards themselves, the author tells the full story of the 1st Guards Brigade during the Dunkirk Campaign and some of the of the earliest Victoria Crosses awarded in the Second World War.
Sarkar Mbe Frhists Fraes, Dilip: - Having studied the Battle of Britain for a lifetime, DILIP SARKAR is a globally recognised subject expert and prolific author. Dedicated to recording and sharing history on a personal level, he enjoyed a privileged relationship with The Few and innumerable other wartime survivors. Made an MBE for services to aviation history in 2003, in 2006 he was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Historical Society, and in 2024 to that of the Royal Aeronautical Society, becoming a member of the prestigious RAF Club the same year. In 2025, in recognition of his achievement in completing this one-million word, eight volume, official history, Dilip was made Honorary Vice-President of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust CIO. For more information, please see www.dilipsarkarauthor.com
Sarkar, Dilip: - Dilip Sarkar MBE FRHistS FRAeS is a prolific historian and author of more than sixty books, widely recognised for his work on the Second World War, particularly the Battle of Britain. A former police detective, his research is firmly evidence-based, often uncovering new material and challenging long-held assumptions. He has worked closely with veterans of The Few and is currently preparing an eight-volume official history for the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust.
His previous works include authorised biographies of Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader and Air Vice-Marshal "Johnnie" Johnson, as well as The Few and the best-selling Spitfire Manual. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Royal Aeronautical Society, he holds a First Class Honours degree in Modern History. Sarkar has lectured widely, contributed to television documentaries, and presented at institutions including Oxford University, the Imperial War Museum, and the RAF Museum.
