Entertainment

What really happened at Dunkirk? The incredible survival story on which the Christopher Nolan drama is based

In the Operation Dynamo, which continued till June 4th 1940, a total of 3,38,226 troops, cornered by German forces on all sides were rescued from the French beach Dunkirk and taken across the English channel to Dover in 900 ships.
Christopher Nolan's 'Dunkirk' tells the story of over 3,38,000 British troops stranded on the beach of Dunkirk in France. The retreat movement is what is known as Operation Dynamo. (Melissa Sue Gordon/Warner Bros. Pictures/AP)
Christopher Nolan's 'Dunkirk' tells the story of over 3,38,000 British troops stranded on the beach of Dunkirk in France. The retreat movement is what is known as Operation Dynamo. (Melissa Sue Gordon/Warner Bros. Pictures/AP)
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The film, starring Tom Hardy, Kenneth Branagh, Harry Styles and Cillian Murphy is already being touted as one of the greatest war movies of recent times. (Warner Bros Pictures via AP)
The film, starring Tom Hardy, Kenneth Branagh, Harry Styles and Cillian Murphy is already being touted as one of the greatest war movies of recent times. (Warner Bros Pictures via AP)
The movie shows the view of three narratives - The Royal Air Force pilots, the group of soldiers on Dunkirk beach and the crew of a civilian yacht. The three narratives are interwoven leading up to a thrilling climax. (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
The movie shows the view of three narratives - The Royal Air Force pilots, the group of soldiers on Dunkirk beach and the crew of a civilian yacht. The three narratives are interwoven leading up to a thrilling climax. (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
Here is what happened on the beaches of Dunkirk which became the premise for the Christopher Nolan thriller-drama. (Photo | Youtube)
Here is what happened on the beaches of Dunkirk which became the premise for the Christopher Nolan thriller-drama. (Photo | Youtube)
During 26th May and 4th June 1940, Allied soldiers were being evacuated from the beaches of Dunkirk. (File | Associated Press)
During 26th May and 4th June 1940, Allied soldiers were being evacuated from the beaches of Dunkirk. (File | Associated Press)
The famous evacuation happened when the forces which included French, Belgian, Canadian and British troops were surrounded by Germans during the battle of France. (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
The famous evacuation happened when the forces which included French, Belgian, Canadian and British troops were surrounded by Germans during the battle of France. (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
Winston Churchill, who was the then Prime Minister of Britain, called the events a 'colossal military disaster' and lauded the rescue operation as a miracle. (File | Associated Press)
Winston Churchill, who was the then Prime Minister of Britain, called the events a 'colossal military disaster' and lauded the rescue operation as a miracle. (File | Associated Press)
The story begins when the German forces invaded Denmark and Norway in April 1940 and subsequently Netherlands, Belgium and France the 10th of May 1940. (File | Associated Press)
The story begins when the German forces invaded Denmark and Norway in April 1940 and subsequently Netherlands, Belgium and France the 10th of May 1940. (File | Associated Press)
German forces trapped British troops by 21st of May and the remaining Belgian and French troops were stranded along the northern coast of France. (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
German forces trapped British troops by 21st of May and the remaining Belgian and French troops were stranded along the northern coast of France. (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
The British, realising the disaster awaiting for them, made a plan to evacuate their troops via the English channel with the help of Royal Air Force. (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
The British, realising the disaster awaiting for them, made a plan to evacuate their troops via the English channel with the help of Royal Air Force. (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
The Operation was expected to have stiff resistance from the German air wing, Luftwaffe. (File | Associated Press)
The Operation was expected to have stiff resistance from the German air wing, Luftwaffe. (File | Associated Press)
On May 28th, 16,000 men were rescued but at the cost of several vessels, nine destroyers and the RAF lost 177 of its fighter planes while the Germans lost 132 at Dunkirk. (Photo | Imax Poster of 'Dunkirk' courtesy - Warner Bros. Pictures)
On May 28th, 16,000 men were rescued but at the cost of several vessels, nine destroyers and the RAF lost 177 of its fighter planes while the Germans lost 132 at Dunkirk. (Photo | Imax Poster of 'Dunkirk' courtesy - Warner Bros. Pictures)
The fearsome battle made Adolf Hitler think that Dunkirk could be captured and reduced troops in the area. (Photo | Imax Poster of 'Dunkirk' courtesy - Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
The fearsome battle made Adolf Hitler think that Dunkirk could be captured and reduced troops in the area. (Photo | Imax Poster of 'Dunkirk' courtesy - Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
The German army also recalled the Panzer tank divisions. (File | Associated Press)
The German army also recalled the Panzer tank divisions. (File | Associated Press)
Vessels bringing evacuated British Expeditionary Troops forces from Dunkirk crossing the channel while mine-sweeping ships are seen in the foreground, June 24 1940. (File | Associated Press)
Vessels bringing evacuated British Expeditionary Troops forces from Dunkirk crossing the channel while mine-sweeping ships are seen in the foreground, June 24 1940. (File | Associated Press)
Germany's recalling of troops helped the Allied forces to evacuated 30,000 more men, 68,000 on the next day and 10,000 overnight. (File | Associated Press)
Germany's recalling of troops helped the Allied forces to evacuated 30,000 more men, 68,000 on the next day and 10,000 overnight. (File | Associated Press)
In the Operation Dynamo, which continued till June 4th 1940, a total of 3,38,226 troops were rescued from Dunkirk and taken across the English channel to Dover in 900 ships. (File | Associated Press)
In the Operation Dynamo, which continued till June 4th 1940, a total of 3,38,226 troops were rescued from Dunkirk and taken across the English channel to Dover in 900 ships. (File | Associated Press)
Christopher Nolan's $150 million take on the historical event gives tribute to the survival struggle of thousands of soldiers who were trapped on three sides on land and the sea on the other side, on a foreign land, with the Luftwaffe fighters above their heads, spitting fire. (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
Christopher Nolan's $150 million take on the historical event gives tribute to the survival struggle of thousands of soldiers who were trapped on three sides on land and the sea on the other side, on a foreign land, with the Luftwaffe fighters above their heads, spitting fire. (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
Hollywood
World War II
Christopher Nolan
Dunkirk
Winston Churchill
Allied Forces

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