The Allies in northern France are in retreat, but the Navy only expects to be able to pick up a few soldiers and Churchill is under pressure to make peace in order to save the rest. Alf Tombs's unit helps hold open a corridor to aid the retreat, successfully allowing thousands to escape over 48 hours; on the beaches Captain Tennant makes use of a flimsy pier to speed the evacuation. As the weather changes the pier and the beaches are bombed heavily.