The War in France and Flanders
1953
First Published
4.00
Average Rating
524
Number of Pages
Part of Series
Covering the 1939-40 ‘Phoney War’ in a single chapter, the focus of Major L.F. Ellis’s official history of the campaign in France and Flanders falls on the role of the British Expeditionary Force in attempting to defend Belgium and France from the fury of the German Blitzkrieg in May-June 1940. He describes the BEF’s advance into Belgium in response to the German attack in accordance with the pre-arranged Anglo-French ‘Dyle Plan’, and its rapid retreat as the Germans broke through on the River Meuse. Despite an attempted counter-attack around Arras, Ellis shows how the BEF and their French allies were forced back on the Channel Ports by the swift advance of the German armoured columns. The history culminates in the confusion caused by Belgium’s sudden surrender, the failed British stand on the Somme, and the momentous decision to evacuate the BEF from Dunkirk. Illustrated by 7 general maps, 14 situation maps and 17 sketch maps, the book has eleven photographs, and additional appendices detailing the German planning of their spectacularly successful campaign, and listing the British and German forces engaged.
Avg Rating
4.00
Number of Ratings
8
5 STARS
38%
4 STARS
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3 STARS
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2 STARS
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Author
Lionel Frederic Ellis
Author · 1 book
A veteran of the First World War, Lionel Frederic Ellis served as General Secretary of the National Council of Social Service from 1919 until 1937 and then Secretary of the National Fitness Council from 1937 until 1939. Returning to the Welsh Guards at the start of the Second World War, Ellis was subsequently appointed to write three volumes on the history of the conflict.
