The BEF and the issue of surrender on the Western Front in 1940

Connelly, Mark L. and Miller, Walter (2004) The BEF and the issue of surrender on the Western Front in 1940. War in History, 11 (4). pp. 424-441. ISSN 0968-3445. (doi:https://doi.org/10.1191/0968344504wh308oa) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided)

Abstract

This article explores the reasons behind the surrenders of large numbers of British troops in the 1940 battle for France and Flanders. The article contends that the surrenders do not indicate poor morale but merely a pragmatic reaction to the situation. British troops fought gallantly and with some skill for as long as the situation appeared reasonable, and surrendered only when resistance no longer seemed to offer any valuable service. The reasons behind this approach to battle are identified in British military training and the structure and philosophy of the entire British army.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain
Divisions:	Faculties > Humanities > School of History
Depositing User:	Mark Connelly
Date Deposited:	11 Sep 2008 13:29 UTC
Last Modified:	13 Oct 2015 15:06 UTC
Resource URI:	https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/7722 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)
Connelly, Mark L.:	https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3828-7599