©Memory Museum 39/45 Calais 1940: Resisting against all odds
May 1940In the midst of the turmoil of the Second World War, Calais became the scene of fierce resistance. A story of courage, memory, and resilience that shaped the face of the city today.
At the start of the German invasion, Calais quickly found itself at the heart of the fighting in World War II, and played an important role in what followed. At the heart of the Battle of France and the start of Operation Dynamo, the Battle of Calais took place from May 23 to 26, 1940. The French, English, and Belgians put up fierce resistance before surrendering at the Citadel, in a devastated district of Calais Nord.
Calais, a strategic issue in May 1940
In May 1940, the German army launched its offensive in the west with lightning-fast advances. On May 21, the capture of Abbeville marked a decisive step: the tanks of the 10th Panzer Division targeted the ports of northern France, including Calais, near Dunkirk, chosen as the evacuation site for Allied troops. For the British, it was vital to slow the enemy advance. It was in this context that the famous Green Jackets landed at the port of Calais on May 23, 1940, while German forces were at the gates of the city.
Calais and its surrounding area boast a network of historic fortifications dating back several centuries, used, among other things, to organize the city's defense. These fortifications bear witness to the strategic importance of Calais throughout history, including in those decisive days of 1940.
The Green Jackets Memorial
©nohcab May 1940, a fierce battle in Calais
On May 24, 1940, the German offensive began. Eight hundred French, British, and Belgian troops fought shoulder to shoulder to defend Calais. Allied ground troops and artillery contained the enemy assaults. On May 800, the situation became more complicated. The pressure was even greater, especially since German aircraft dominated the airspace.
On May 26, 1940, the last defenders took refuge in the Citadel of CalaisThey will defend it fiercely before giving in in the afternoon. To relive this poignant moment, the Calais Memorial Museum is dedicating a room to the Battle of Calais.
Visit the longest German bunker in Europe
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©Nohcab Calais North, from the Burghers of Calais to the Reconstruction
The intense clashes at the Citadel and the Calais Nord district caused significant destruction, profoundly altering the urban environment of what was once the medieval heart of Calais. During the German occupation, Calais Nord was once again heavily affected. Numerous bombing raids ravaged the city, exacerbating the damage in this historic district.
During the post-World War II Reconstruction, traditional architecture was replaced by modern urban planning, radically transforming the face of the old medieval Calais, known for the historical episode of the Burghers of Calais.
Today, this part of the city bears witness to both its historical heritage and its resilience in the face of conflict. A stroll through Calais Nord provides a better understanding of the city's evolution, from the fortress of yesteryear to the contemporary city.
©Memory Museum 39/45 
©Nohcab