Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain and the Blitz
Study note
The year 1940 was a critical one for Britain in the Second World War. Early that year, more than 300,000 Allied soldiers were trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk in France. They were rescued and brought back to Britain, helped by many small civilian boats as well as naval ships. This great rescue took place at Dunkirk, not Calais, Normandy or Paris.
That same summer, the Royal Air Force, the RAF, won the Battle of Britain against the German air force, defending the country from invasion. Later, the Germans turned to bombing British cities at night, a campaign known as the Blitz. The Blitz was the German bombing of British cities, not a British invasion of France, a naval battle against Japan or the evacuation of Dunkirk. Remember the order in 1940: the Dunkirk rescue, then the Battle of Britain, with the Blitz being the bombing of cities.
Memory tip: 1940: Dunkirk rescue, then the RAF wins the Battle of Britain; the Blitz = bombing of cities.
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Question 1 of 2
What was the Blitz?
Show all questions and answers for Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain and the Blitz(2 questions with explanations)
Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain and the Blitz: questions, answers and explanations
1. What was the Blitz?
- The German bombing of British cities during the Second World War
- The British invasion of France
- A naval battle against Japan
- The evacuation of Dunkirk
Correct answer: The German bombing of British cities during the Second World War
The Blitz was the German bombing campaign against British cities in the Second World War.
2. From which French port were over 300,000 Allied troops rescued in 1940?
- Paris
- Dunkirk
- Calais
- Normandy
Correct answer: Dunkirk
More than 300,000 troops were evacuated from Dunkirk in 1940.
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