 In 1940, during the Second World War, he was given command of the 1st Guards Brigade, part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) sent to France in 1939/1940.When Lord Gort was ordered home and was replaced by Harold Alexander, Beckwith-Smith succeeded him in command of the 1st Division.He took part in the defence of the Dunkirk Perimeter, telling his officers,

During the battle he also spoke to his men about how to deal with the Luftwaffe Stuka dive bombers, ‘Stand up to them.