The Forgotten Sacrifice of the 51st Highland Division: The Men Left Behind After Dunkirk
- Mike Smith
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
When people speak about the events of June 1940, history usually remembers one story above all others — the evacuation of British troops from Dunkirk evacuation.
The image is familiar: hundreds of small civilian boats crossing the Channel, rescuing more than 330,000 Allied troops in what would become one of Britain’s most celebrated wartime moments.
Yet while Britain celebrated Dunkirk as a miracle of survival, thousands of British soldiers were facing a very different fate. Among them were the men of the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division.
Fighting a Different Battle
What happened to the 51st Highland Division at Dunkirk?
Under the command of Major-General Victor Fortune, the division had been attached to French forces defending positions further south along the Somme. As the main British Expeditionary Force withdrew towards Dunkirk, the Highland Division remained committed to supporting the French Army. Their position soon became increasingly dangerous.
German forces advanced rapidly, cutting Allied formations apart and preventing any realistic route north towards Dunkirk. Instead of evacuation, the 51st found themselves retreating west towards the small coastal town of Saint-Valery-en-Caux.
Waiting for Rescue That Never Came
British naval forces attempted to organise evacuation from Saint-Valery.
But conditions turned against them. and heavy fog covered the coastline.
German artillery had moved into commanding positions overlooking the harbour then communication with naval forces deteriorated. German armoured units completed the encirclement and by the morning of 12 June 1940, the situation had become impossible.
With ammunition exhausted and no realistic chance of escape, Major-General Fortune was forced to surrender. Nearly 10,000 British soldiers entered captivity. Many would remain prisoners of war for almost five years.
Scotland Paid a Heavy Price
The loss was felt particularly hard across Scotland.
The division drew heavily from famous Highland regiments, including:
Entire communities saw fathers, brothers and sons disappear into German prison camps.
Following the Saint Valery surrender of June 1940, for many families, there would be no homecoming for years.
Why Their Story Still Matters
Military history rightly remembers Dunkirk as a triumph of courage and determination.
But remembrance must also include those whose sacrifice was overshadowed by larger events.
The men of the 51st Highland Division were not defeated through lack of courage.
They stood and fought while others escaped.
Their story reminds us that history often remembers victories more easily than sacrifice.
At Oaths of Allegiance, we believe remembrance matters not simply because of history itself, but because every name, every regiment and every act of service deserves to be remembered with equal respect.
Sometimes the most important stories are the ones history forgot.
Lest We Forget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the 51st Highland Division after Dunkirk?
The 51st Highland Division was not evacuated with the main British Expeditionary Force at Dunkirk. Attached to French forces further south, the division was cut off and eventually forced back to Saint-Valery-en-Caux, where many men were captured in June 1940.
Why was the 51st Highland Division captured at Saint Valery?
The division was surrounded by German forces at Saint-Valery-en-Caux. A planned evacuation was prevented by fog, German artillery overlooking the harbour, and the worsening military situation. With ammunition running low and no realistic escape route, surrender became unavoidable.
Why is the story of the 51st Highland Division important?
The story matters because it reminds us that Dunkirk was not the same experience for every British soldier. While many were evacuated, thousands of men from the 51st Highland Division were left behind, captured, and spent years as prisoners of war.
Comments