Dünkirchen 1940 The German View of Dunkirk

In his newest work, author, military analyst, and veteran, Robert Kershaw, writes of the infamous Battle of Dunkirk during WWII, shedding light from a novel point of view. He outlines the battle itself and touches on the German troops’ unjust invasion of both Belgian and Holland. He describes the massive propaganda machine that influences those at home and the enormous pressure from the top to continue fighting relentlessly, despite the odds. Hubris miscalculations by Hitler and other top leaders of the Third Reich are analyzed and exposed to highlight the factors that contribute to the German loss of Dunkirk and the eventual end of the war.

This is an extremely well-researched, thorough account of the events surrounding and during the Battle of Dunkirk in 1940. Kershaw presents readers with a day-by-day, detailed narrative. His illumination of the disparate viewpoints of those serving within Hitler’s Felsennest headquarters and the effect these incongruities have on the overall war effort is interesting, and while this is clearly a contribution to literature, it’s best suited for military scholars and war historians. It’s, at times, exceedingly dry and requires dedicated effort to follow. With only a few illustrations to break up the monotony and enhance comprehension, it’s unquestionably a laborious read.