Air battles rage over Dunkirk Saturday, June 1, 1940
www.onwar.com On the Western Front... Despite increased
Luftwaffe attacks a total of 64,429 men are evacuated from
Dunkirk. However, German planes sink four destroyers and damage
five more as well as several of the Channel ferries and other
ships, which form the backbone of the evacuation fleet. The RAF
sends eight large patrols to give cover but most of the damage
is done in the intervals between them. On the ground the Germans
increase their efforts, breaking the defensive perimeter along
the canals at Bergues and forcing retreats in other sectors as
well. During the night the British authorities decide that the
air attacks have made the evacuation too dangerous to continue
by day. In Norway... The British and French tell the Norwegians
that they are about to begin their evacuation. They have delayed
giving this information on the grounds of security but by doing
so they have encouraged the Norwegians to openly resist the
Germans, which can only be costly