'Every hour you continue to exist is of the greatest help to the BEF. Government has therefore decided that you must continue to fight. Have greatest possible admiration for your splendid stand. Evacuation will not, (repeat not) take place and craft required for the above purpose are to return to Dover…………'

This message was sent by Churchill on 25th May 1940, a fortnight after he formed his coalition government, to Brigadier Claude Nicholson, commanding the Rifle Brigade in and around Calais. Boulogne had fallen, the evacuation from Dunkirk was about to begin. Churchill and Nicholson were men able to make hard decisions and they were, fortunately for Britain, supported by troops who fought on, making a stand until overwhelmed or killed. These are some of the stories of the men whose 'sacrifice' contributed enormously to the success of the evacuation.

We begin at Boulogne. The importance of the Channel ports had been key to British strategy for centuries and as the panzers advanced more swiftly than had been thought possible, the 20th Guards Brigade was sent out on 22nd May to join the French. The story of the confusion in sending out equipment for this small force contrasts painfully with the determination of the Welsh and Irish Guards who fought fiercely with their French comrades until only a nucleus remained.

The 51st Highland Division had been in France since January 1940 waiting near the Belgian border. With the Panzer breakthrough they were moved to join the French IX corps. We will look at their actions along the line of the Somme, follow the withdrawal and find out what happened when the decision was made to evacuate from St Valery.

With our guide, Colonel Simon Doughty, we will look at the defence of Calais using personal and regimental records to recall the actions of some of the men fighting to the last. And we will follow the perimeter around Dunkirk where units were designated to hold off the German advance and enable their comrades' evacuation.

This complements the wide sweep of the Blitzkrieg tour. It tells stories of small units and individuals who made a difference in the early summer of 1940.

ITINERARY
Day 1 (Thursday): Depart London Victoria Coach Station 0900. Dover – Calais ferry. The Battle of Boulogne; the actions of the Welsh and Irish Guards, the withdrawal and evacuation. Dinner and overnight in Abbeville (3 nights).
Day 2: We follow the 51st Highland Division from the Somme to St. Valery en Caux ending with a visit to the CWGC cemetery on the cliffs above the town.
Day 3: The defence of Calais – the Rifle Brigade, the 1st Armoured division, attempted breakout and determined small actions by men like Lt. Airey Neave and his gunners. Visit the Musee de la Guerre and CWGC cemetery.
Day 4: A battalion's story; the 2/5th Leicesters . Visit Malo les Bains CWGC cemetery and the Dunkirk memorial to the missing. Find lunch in one of the many beach front restaurants. Calais – Dover ferry. Arrive approx 1830 Dover and 2030 London.