The orders Allied troops received in May 1940 had been confusing. Many contradicted one another, and things got to the point that the soldiers had no clue whether they were meant to defend Calais or not.
But then, the orders came, and so did the Germans. There were to defend Calais and buy time for soldiers back at Dunkirk to evacuate.
Supply Issues
The problem now was to get supplies off the ships in the harbor. There were no tanks in the field, every single one of them being in the bellies of the ships.
As they unpacked the crates, soldiers discovered that the rifles were coated in mineral jelly. It would take them hours to render these weapons operable.
Then soldiers discovered they were missing vital components to radios, weapons, and vehicles. Many fighters were away at training courses elsewhere.
In short, they were missing everything and probably doomed from the start.
Germans Arrive
The shells began to fall not long afterward, indicating the Germans had arrived.
By May 23, 1940, Allied troops were gradually driven back to Calais proper. Lieutenant Colonel RM Goldney and his men were pushed out of the Orphanage Farm as the Luftwaffe’s bombs fell like rain. But the soldiers still fought.
Brigadier Nicholson knew they didn’t have the manpower to secure the entire perimeter, so he ordered troops to block every entrance into the town while a few remained as a skeleton force along the edges.
The next day, Allied troops found themselves surrounded, with German soldiers everywhere.
No Retreat
Churchill went on the air on the 25th with a message encouraging troops to stand and fight. Retreat wasn’t an option.
With no tanks, no anti-tank weaponry, and no aircraft support – Allied forces still fought, buying time for Dunkirk.
The Germans continued to move in.
Calais was lost, with most Allied troops killed in action. A scattered remnant survived, only to be taken prisoner for the next five years.
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