Edward Smalley - The British Expeditionary Force, 1939-40

University of Kent, UK

Edward Smalley 2015

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First published 2015 by

PALGRAVE MACMILLAN

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ISBN 9781137494191

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A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Smalley, Edward, 1985

The British Expeditionary Force, 193940 / Edward Smalley,

University of Kent, UK.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 9781137494191

1. Great Britain. Army. British Expeditionary ForceHistoryWorld War, 19391945. 2. Dunkirk, Battle of, Dunkerque, France, 1940. 3. World War, 19391945CampaignsFrance. I. Title.

D756.5.D8S48 2015

940.54'21428dc23 2015002667

Typeset by MPS Limited, Chennai, India.

In memory of my grandfather Horace Cook

This book is the fulfilment of a lifetimes ambition; however, it could not have been achieved without considerable support. Professor Mark Connelly and Dr Timothy Bowman selflessly provided continual encouragement during my time at the University of Kent. Their patient guidance will forever be appreciated. My thanks also go to Dr Niall Barr and Dr Peter Donaldson for offering constructive comments, in terms of content and the process of creating a book suitable for publication. I alone am responsible for any errors of fact or interpretation. For assisting my research, I would like to thank the staff of the British Library, the Imperial War Museum, the Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives, the National Archive and the National Army Museum. Extracts from LHCMA material is reproduced with the permission of the Trustees of the Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives. Crown copyright material in the National Archive and elsewhere is reproduced under the Open Government Licence. Palgrave Macmillans willingness to guide and support a first-time author is greatly appreciated. This book is testament to the power of the NHS which has frequently preserved the quality of my life and, on occasions, life itself; many individuals are worthy of inclusion within these acknowledgements, but Dr K.S. Hills deserves special mention for her exceptional care, kindness and wisdom. My grandparents have provided ceaseless encouragement throughout my life, but my grandfather, Horace Cook, sparked my interest in this subject thanks to his recollections of service with the BEF, and his subsequent time as a prisoner of war. Most important of all has been the love, time and advice of my parents Robert and Patricia, and also my sister Catherine; without them this book could never have been started, let alone finished.