Dunkirk- A reflection.


Dunkirk explores the historical, social, societal and political context behind the award winning movie Dunkirk. Joshua Levine explores the plight and efforts from those who fought in the land, sea and air. The story from the sides of Britain, America and Germany were explored in depth, as well as the economic and political systems sustained in the build up to one of the biggest evacuation’s known to history. Throughout reading Dunkirk, many historical elements became apparent. Firstly the book humanised the men and women who so bravely fought for liberation of Europe from Nazi occupation. Case studies, exploring the life of a British and German soldier were explored. There was a realisation that many were not ready to fight and sacrifice their lives, but yet the persistence and resilience which endured was sure to be recognised. Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of Britain, gave his famous speech in 1940.

‘We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, and we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender’

The use of the term ‘fight in the streets’ can be argued that Churchill believed it be necessary should a Nazi invasion onto British shores be successful. The social and political context gave an insight into societal attitudes during the war period. The economic sanctions from the Treaty of Versailles led to hyperinflation and economic decline, meanwhile Britain was vastly moving its industry from the coal-mines to the factories in the aims of producing weapons and supplies for the soldiers fighting on the front line. With the help of Government orientated propaganda and a change in social constructions and policy, the spirit of the home front was of course remaining high, however the language used in Churchill’s speech arguably can portray insecurity and a belief that a Nazi invasion could have taken place, and so the British public and their Allies would have to prepare for such an eventuality.

The next stage within the book explores the lived experiences of those who fought in Dunkirk. The evolvement of military and political strategy was made apparent. The international relations between states and alliance blocks was observed at length. One nation which really stood out as one who suffered greatly as a result of the war was Belgium. Belgium has a short and problematic history. Established in 1830 through colonization between France and the Netherlands, Geographically, Belgium is situated as the block or divider between the hegemonic Allies and Axis. Consequently, Belgium was essentially the host country for all the fighting and conflict. Farmland and rural regions were destroyed and made uninhabitable in the immediate years after the war. King Leopold of Belgium initiated a stage of armed neutrality. This neutrality was partly imposed simply because the threat of Nazi invasion and occupation remained high, and tensions mounted as the Allies began to retreat in 1940 for a period of time, whilst at the same time, the Axis were aggressively advancing throughout Western Europe.

One notion which has rarely been accredited throughout the war effort and indeed in post war Britain was the efforts displayed by Princess Elizabeth at the time. She played a crucial role in Operation Dynamo. This operation oversaw the Allie’s efforts to perform a mass evacuation of their soldiers. Princess Elizabeth at the time worked as a mine sweeper. This role involved looking for mines and infiltrating them. This I believe is highly symbolic. The Princess Elizabeth of course being a major national figurehead, worked as a mechanic and mine sweeper. This was the emergence of women in Britain undertaking roles and tasks which in a deeply rooted patriarchal society, is something defined as a male orientated job. Personally I believe Princess Elizabeth working these jobs broke these barriers and provided women with a visible platform to smash these patriarchal values, even decades into post war Britain.

Overall, Dunkirk has allowed me to contextualize the heroic efforts made by the Allied forces to establish peace and securitization. When we hear the famous speeches and poems dedicated to the fallen such as Flanders field, and Ode of Remembrance the events which took place in Dunkirk can be re-lived through these poems. Every individual experience of the soldiers who fought. Reading Dunkirk also allows me to draw upon the memories of my own family who had fought during the Second World War both on the home front and the front lines.

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