Dunkirchen 1940: The German View of Dunkirk - Robert Kershaw

This review has been submitted to the Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research (JSAHR).

Title: Dunkirchen 1940: The German View of Dunkirk
Author: Robert Kershaw
ISBN: 978-1-4728-5437-7
Publisher: Osprey
Year: 2022
Hardcover
Pages: 352

"Dunkirk 1940: The German View of Dunkirk" by Robert Kershaw offers a unique and invaluable perspective on one of the most pivotal events of World War II. While Dunkirk is often associated with the heroic evacuation of British and Allied forces from the beaches of France, Kershaw's book delves into the German viewpoint, shedding light on their strategies, motivations, and perceptions of the Dunkirk evacuation.

Kershaw, a respected military historian, has meticulously researched primary sources, including German military records, letters, diaries, and memoirs, to construct a comprehensive and engaging narrative. By focusing on the German perspective, he enriches our understanding of this historical moment, offering readers a well-rounded view of the Dunkirk evacuation.

The book starts by providing a background of the early stages of World War II, setting the stage for the events that would unfold at Dunkirk. Kershaw explores the German military's rapid advance through France, capturing the essence of their Blitzkrieg strategy. Readers gain insight into the motivations and attitudes of the German soldiers, including their beliefs in their own invincibility and the perceived weakness of the Allied forces.

One of the book's strengths is its vivid portrayal of the chaotic and fluid situation on the ground. Kershaw skillfully describes the German troops' experiences as they faced a rapid and unexpected halt in their advance, while also having to deal with logistics and supply issues. These accounts offer a humanizing perspective on the German soldiers who often endured hardship and uncertainty.

Kershaw's narrative also delves into the German command structure and its challenges during the Dunkirk campaign. The disagreements and rivalries within the German High Command are highlighted, providing a fresh perspective on the internal dynamics that influenced the decision-making process.

A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the German perception of the Dunkirk evacuation. Kershaw explores the initial disbelief among German commanders as they witnessed the Allied retreat. The idea that the enemy could escape, let alone fight back, was shocking to many. Kershaw presents a detailed analysis of the German response, including the decision to halt the attack and the subsequent encirclement of Dunkirk.

The author's analysis of Adolf Hitler's role in the Dunkirk campaign is particularly intriguing. Kershaw delves into Hitler's personality and decision-making process, shedding light on his erratic behavior and the factors that influenced his orders. The conflicting advice given to Hitler by his generals, along with his own doubts and fears, are explored in depth. This humanizing portrayal of Hitler adds complexity to the narrative and dispels the notion of a unified and all-powerful Nazi regime. Additionally, Kershaw addresses perhaps one of the most controversial elements of the Dunkirk battle – the infamous stop/close-up order given to the German forces on 24 May. Popular opinion puts the blame on Hitler for issuing this order when in fact it was Generaloberst Von Rundstedt, Commander of Army Group A, who issued the order; Hitler confirmed it after being briefed by the General.

Throughout the book, Kershaw incorporates personal stories and anecdotes from German soldiers and commanders. These accounts provide a more intimate view of the events, allowing readers to empathize with the individuals involved and their struggles.

The author also examines the impact of Dunkirk on the German military and the Allied forces. He highlights how the German army's failure to decisively defeat the Allies at Dunkirk would have far-reaching consequences for the rest of the war. Kershaw convincingly argues that Dunkirk sowed the seeds of future German defeats and the eventual turning of the tide in favor of the Allies.

In conclusion, "Dunkirk 1940: The German View of Dunkirk" by Robert Kershaw is a compelling and well-researched account of a pivotal moment in World War II. By providing the German perspective, Kershaw adds depth and nuance to our understanding of the Dunkirk evacuation. This book is a must-read for history enthusiasts, military historians, and anyone interested in gaining a more comprehensive view of one of the most significant events of the 20th century. Kershaw's meticulous research and insightful analysis make this book an invaluable addition to the literature on World War II.

Dunkirk: German Operations in France 1940 - Hans-Adolf Jacobsen

 This review has been submitted to Strategy and Tactics magazine.

Title: Dunkirk: German Operations in France 1940
Author: Hans-Adolf Jacobsen
ISBN: 978-1-612-00659-8
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
Year: 2019
Hardcover
Pages: 234
Photos/Maps: 0/14 

The Battle for and evacuation at Dunkirk may be very accurately viewed as a tactical victory for the Germans and a strategic victory for the British. The former were able to utterly defeat their adversary on the battlefield while the latter were able to save their army (minus equipment) to fight another day. This book, one of the “Die Whermacht in Kampf” series, examines the conduct of the battle and the reasons why the German failed to close the noose around the British army before it was able to escape. While the vast majority of the book is focussed upon the German’s efforts and actions, there is enough given over to the British and French to provide context. It is important to note that this series was undertaken originally in the 1950’s by German senior commanders and academics; and while they still did not have access to all of the primary source documentation (some was still in the hands of the Allies) relating to the event, they did take full advantage of the senior level participants and the primary source material that they did have. These studies are, in effect, a post mortem lessons learned about how the Germans executed their operations from both a command as well as a tactics perspective. 

Approximately two thirds of the book is given over to the execution of the operations leading up to the end of Fall Gelb (Plan Yellow – the initial invasion of France and the Low Countries; and the commencement of Fall Rot (Plan Red – the invasion of the main body of France). While this is interesting, it is not overly unique and has been presented in many other works on Dunkirk. What is the gem of this book is the analysis of the German senior command decisions that facilitated the British evacuations. Many modern works point to Hitlers Halt Order of 22 May which enabled the Allies to establish a defensive perimeter around Dunkirk. While it is true that the order was given, it was, in fact, von Rundstedt (Commander of Army Group A) who gave the order to halt and the author clarifies how and why this came about.  Additionally, and more interestingly, Jacobsen makes the argument, drawing upon primary sources, that there was in fact, three main issues at play: 1. the failure of a unified command structure for the Dunkirk Operation resulting in a failure to develop and execute a plan to destroy the Dunkirk bridgehead, 2. An assumption by the senior command in Berlin that Fall Gelb was, for all intents, finished (prior to destroying the Allied armies)and, as a result, attention was turned towards Fall Rot and units were withdrawn from Dunkirk that may have made an operational difference; and, 3. A failure of appreciation amongst the most senior of German commanders regarding the capability and role of the ‘fast units’ involved in the Dunkirk operation. 

This book is an excellent study in some of the less appreciated elements of German operations around Dunkirk. The maps provided are somewhat difficult to follow but nevertheless provide a visual appreciation of the battlespace. It is acknowledged by the authors that they do not have access to the breadth of primary source material that they would like but, even with this being the case, this work is well worth a read.