dunkirk-evacuation
The historical evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk in 1940 serves as the pivotal event around which the chapter's tension revolves.
2 chapters across 1 book
Blackout (2011)Connie Willis
In this chapter, Mike finds himself aboard the Lady Jane, a small craft piloted by a determined Commander and his grandson Jonathan, heading toward Dunkirk during the 1940 evacuation despite lacking official clearance, charts, and adequate safety measures. Mike grapples with the paradoxes of time travel and the dangers of altering history at a divergence point, realizing that their presence itself could impact the outcome of the evacuation. As they approach the burning harbor of Dunkirk, Mike confronts the reality that the Lady Jane may never have safely reached its destination, highlighting the precariousness of their mission and the risks involved.
In this chapter set during the Dunkirk evacuation of May 1940, Mike is rescued from the water after being knocked unconscious by a bomb blast. Despite hypothermia and exhaustion, he helps manage the overcrowded rescue boat, the Lady Jane, as it flees the harbor under attack. The chapter ends with their arrival in England, highlighting Mike's unexpected survival and the soldiers' desperate hope amid chaos.