#Dunkirk80 - ‘Hold to the last round, to the last man.’ Like the Norfolk’s at Le Paradis only 24 hours earlier the 2/Royal Warwicks & gunners of the Royal Cheshire’s had offered fierce resistance and held up the SS Liebstandarte Adolf Hitler Regt. advance for several hours...#OTD 
even giving its OC Sepp Dietrich a very happy 48th birthday, having his car shot-up and forced to take cover under fire in a ditch for most the day.
Eventually overwhelmed by sheer weight of numbers and German tanks, the SS rounded up many of the survivors...
Eventually overwhelmed by sheer weight of numbers and German tanks, the SS rounded up many of the survivors...
One group of 90-100 British POWs was marched across the fields and herded into a barn by 12 SS guards.
The only officer present, Captain Lynn-Allen - complained to the SS Guards about the conditions and lack of space for the wounded to lie down. One of Guard’s replied...
The only officer present, Captain Lynn-Allen - complained to the SS Guards about the conditions and lack of space for the wounded to lie down. One of Guard’s replied...
with an American accent: ‘Yellow Englishman, there will be plenty of room where you are going.’ Before reaching down and pulling a stick Grenade from his boot.
Pte Albert Evans right arm was wounded by the blast. When the Germans ran for cover - Lynn-Allen dragged Evans clear..
Pte Albert Evans right arm was wounded by the blast. When the Germans ran for cover - Lynn-Allen dragged Evans clear..
of the barn. They ran and reached a stagnant pond when one of guards appeared armed with revolver. Lynn-Allen was hit in the head and Evans in the neck. Remarkably Bert survived the shot. Regaining consciousness he could not find his CO and eventually was taken prisoner by a...
different German unit where his shattered arm was amputated in Boulogne hospital.
Another grenade was thrown in the direction of CSM Jennings & Sgt Moore who dived on it using their bodies to shield the others. I am still staggered that neither of these men was posthumously...
Another grenade was thrown in the direction of CSM Jennings & Sgt Moore who dived on it using their bodies to shield the others. I am still staggered that neither of these men was posthumously...
awarded the VC for this selfless sacrificial act of trying to protect their comrades. Around 15 men were fortunate to survive this despicable act, sadly it is estimated between 80-90 men of the Royal Warwickshire Regt, Cheshire Regt and Royal Artillery were killed.
Today some of these men are commemorated at the CWGC Esquelbecq.
(📷: Birmingham Mail, Daily Mirror, WW2gallery Flickr)
(📷: Birmingham Mail, Daily Mirror, WW2gallery Flickr)
