Along a 25 mile stretch of beach between Gravelines and Nieuport around Dunkirk, 338,226 allied troops were evacuated from France in the face of German panzer divisions and Luftwaffe bombardment. 848 ships and boats from Navy destroyers to coastal fishing vessels plucked the soldiers off the beach and carried them back to Kent. A small rearguard were left behind along with about 40,000 French troops who were left due to confusion about their positions.
Although ultimately this action saw the British Expeditionary Force along with it's French and Belgian allies pushed into the sea and the Germans confirming their control of western Europe, it was seen at the time, and continues to be seen as a miraculous evacuation of an army in the face of a skilled and determined enemy.

The French channel coastline from Gravelines to Nieuport near Dunkirk. 20 miles east of Calais, France (France)

British, French and Belgian troops

Number engaged :

320,000

Casualties :

128,000 (40.00%)

German Army Group 'A' and 'B'

Number engaged :

200,000

Casualties :

156,000 (78.00%)