War’s dark days brought to life

SILVER screen scenes of soldiers evacuating across the English Channel at Dunkirk are more than a ripping yarn for Peter Davison.

The retired British soldier grew up in World War II and has a family connection to the largest military evacuation in history.

Mr Davison has plenty of praise for the new blockbuster film Dunkirk, starring Kenneth Branagh and Harry Styles, but said there were a few historical inaccuracies thrown into the mix.

The Point Lonsdale resident saw the film recently fol- lowing its release this month and said he was pleased the issue was being rediscovered by a new generation of movie goers.

“I have a lot of praise for the filmmakers, it was important that this story was retold to younger people because much of World War II isn’t properly understood by those who weren’t around at the time,” Mr Davison said.

“There are two elements of the film that I don’t believe were properly examined.

“One matter is why the Germans decided to halt their advance, enabling the Allied forces enough time to escape. Some believe it was due to (Adolf) Hitler saving his resources for Operation Barbarossa (the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941). It’s one of those mysteries that we’ll never have a complete answer.

“The other matter is the role the weather played during the evacuation. It was an almost miraculous turn of events of the day. I hope the film leads people to read more about what was an extraordinary event.”

Originally from South Shields in northeast England, Mr Davison’s guardian Thomas Coakley, who was his aunt’s partner, was on the beaches in 1940 during the Dunkirk evacuation.

“He was an exceptional man, he’s the reason behind my lifelong interest in Dunkirk,” he said. “He was a great athlete and swam quite a distance to make it to (one of the Allied ships) just offshore.”

Mr Davison and his family emigrated to Australia in 1972 and originally called Adelaide home before moving to the Bellarine Peninsula.

Dunkirk has taken more than $6 million at the Australian box office since its release earlier this month with several five star reviews from critics.