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Here's a Marketing / Public Relations Plan Outline titled "The Forgotten Heroes of Dunkirk: Those Who Missed the Boat", designed to gain recognition by historians, the UK government, and media for the role of British soldiers captured at Dunkirk.

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I. Executive Summary

• Purpose: To elevate public and institutional awareness of the 40,000 British soldiers left behind and captured during the Dunkirk evacuation.

• Goal: Secure historical recognition, generate national dialogue, and influence educational, governmental, and media narratives to include their contribution as critical to the success of Operation Dynamo.

II. Target Audiences

1. Historians & Academics

   • Military historians

   • War studies departments at universities

   • Historical societies and museums

2. UK Government & Institutions

   • Ministry of Defence

   • Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

   • Imperial War Museum

   • Members of Parliament (especially those on Defence and History committees)

3. Media & Public

   • National broadcasters (BBC, ITV, Channel 4)

   • Major newspapers (The Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph)

   • Documentarians and filmmakers

   • War history podcasts, blogs, and YouTube channels

III. Key Messages

• "Without their stand, the miracle may have been at risk."

• The 40,000 soldiers who were captured played a strategic role by delaying German forces.

• Their absence in the mainstream narrative is a disservice to historical accuracy and moral recognition.

• Every act of resistance—combat, demolition, logistics—contributed to the evacuation’s success.

• These soldiers' experiences, including imprisonment, hardship, and sacrifice, must be acknowledged.

IV. Strategic Objectives

1. Awareness

   • Introduce their story into public consciousness as a vital but missing part of WWII history.

2. Recognition

   • Influence the UK government to formally commemorate the captured soldiers of Dunkirk (e.g., plaques, speeches, educational material updates).

3. Engagement

   • Foster public dialogue through media, exhibitions, and grassroots campaigns.

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V. Tactical Campaign Elements

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1. Research & Partnerships

• Collaborate with historians to compile case studies and oral histories.

• Engage with descendants of captured soldiers to gather testimonies.

• Partner with historical institutions and charities (e.g., Royal British Legion, CWGC).

2. Government Advocacy

• Draft a formal proposal or open letter to the Ministry of Defence and Parliament.

• Request a commemorative event on the 85th anniversary.

• Petition for inclusion in the national curriculum and official memorials.

3. Media Campaign

• Press Kit with personal stories, photos, and the Cap Gris-Nez lighthouse narrative.

• Secure interviews and op-eds with major UK publications.

• Pitch to BBC's Panorama or Timewatch for a dedicated documentary.

• Develop a podcast miniseries or short-form YouTube series on "The Forgotten Heroes."

4. Public Engagement

• Launch a social media campaign (#ForgottenDunkirkHeroes).

• Host public exhibitions in London, Dover, and Dunkirk.

• Crowdsource personal stories to build an online memorial archive.

• Organize commemorative events on May 26–June 4, 2026 (86th anniversary), including at Cap Gris-Nez.

5. Educational Outreach

• Create downloadable lesson plans for secondary schools.

• Develop a mobile exhibit for UK schools and universities.

• Offer guest speaker sessions featuring descendants and historians.

VI. Timeline

In reality, a goal of significant change in the acknowledgement of the POW ro;e in the success of Dunkirk may take through the 90th anniversery in 2030.  However, a Year 1 plan is crucial

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Phase, Dates, Activities

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Phase 1

July–September 2025

Research, partnerships, proposal drafting

Phase 2

October–December 2025

Government outreach, media pitch, content development

Phase 3

January–May 2026

Media roll-out, public campaign launch, educational engagement

Phase 4

May–June 2026

Commemorative events, press coverage, legacy project promotion

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VII. Budget & Resources

• Low-Cost Options: Volunteer-led archival research, digital-only campaigns, crowdfunding.

• Fundraising Options: Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Council England, private sponsorship.

VIII. Measurement of Success

• Inclusion in media features and documentaries

• Parliamentary acknowledgment or debate

• Educational adoption in schools or museums

• Public engagement metrics (social media reach, petition signatures, event attendance)

 

SECTION 2

Tactical Assets

 

Below are three tailored campaign assets you can use to support your effort:

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1. Open Letter to Government Officials

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The below are templates that can be modified, or viewed merely as examples

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To:
The Rt Hon [Name], Secretary of State for Defence
The Rt Hon [Name], Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Members of Parliament
Ministry of Defence
Department for Education

Subject: Recognition of the Captured Soldiers of Dunkirk: The Forgotten Heroes of 1940

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Dear Ministers,

Eighty-five years have passed since the heroic evacuation of Dunkirk—a defining moment in British history. While Operation Dynamo is rightly remembered as a triumph of courage and resolve, it is incomplete without acknowledging the 40,000 British soldiers who were captured while defending the perimeter, buying precious time for over 338,000 others to escape.

These men, many of whom perished in captivity or endured years of imprisonment, were not merely left behind. They held the line. They delayed the German advance. Their sacrifice made the miracle possible.

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Lets break this into the three core assets for your campaign:

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✅ 1. Open Letter to Government Officials

To:
The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for Defence
The Rt Hon Lucy Frazer MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The Rt Hon Gillian Keegan MP, Secretary of State for Education
Members of Parliament

Subject: Recognition of the Captured Soldiers of Dunkirk – “The Forgotten Heroes of 1940”

Dear Ministers,

Eighty-five years after the remarkable evacuation of Dunkirk, we commemorate a chapter of British history rightly celebrated for its bravery and unity. Yet amid the triumph of Operation Dynamo lies a forgotten legacy: the 40,000 British soldiers who did not make it back across the Channel.

These men—who resisted the advancing German forces, delayed the blitzkrieg, and were ultimately taken prisoner—played a vital, strategic role. Their resistance bought critical time, enabling over 338,000 troops to escape. Their story is not one of failure or abandonment, but of sacrifice, resilience, and duty.

Among them was my father, a Royal Army Service Corps driver who attempted to impede the German advance by demolishing bridges near Boulogne. He watched the evacuation unfold from the lighthouse at Cap Gris-Nez—so near, yet forever out of reach. His story is just one of thousands that remain unspoken in our national narrative.

We urge the Government to:

• Officially recognize the contribution of the captured soldiers of Dunkirk in Parliament and national remembrance.

• Support the creation of a permanent memorial or exhibition in partnership with the Imperial War Museum.

• Promote education initiatives that include their story in the national curriculum and public programming during the 86th anniversary in 2026.

Their courage helped shape the outcome of WWII. It is time we acknowledged that fully.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[City, Constituency]
[Contact Information]

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✅ 2. Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [Your Name] – [Email/Phone]
Date: [Insert Date]

“The Forgotten Heroes of Dunkirk” Campaign Calls for Recognition of Captured British Soldiers

LONDON, UK — As the nation marks 85 years since the Dunkirk evacuation, a new campaign titled “The Forgotten Heroes of Dunkirk: Those Who Missed the Boat” is seeking formal recognition for the 40,000 British soldiers who were captured in 1940 while defending the Allied retreat.

These men, often overlooked in popular narratives, played a crucial role in delaying the German advance and enabling the evacuation of more than 338,000 troops. Among them was the campaign founder’s father, a Royal Army Service Corps driver captured near Boulogne after attempting to slow the blitzkrieg by demolishing key infrastructure.

“We all know the miracle of Dunkirk,” says [Your Name]. “But we’ve forgotten the soldiers who sacrificed their freedom to make that miracle possible. It’s time the full story is told.”

The campaign calls on the UK government to:

• Include the role of the captured soldiers in official WWII commemorations

• Establish a permanent memorial or museum exhibit

• Promote their story through educational initiatives

A petition and public awareness campaign will launch in the lead-up to the 86th anniversary in May 2026.

To learn more, visit: [Insert Website or Campaign Page]
#ForgottenDunkirkHeroes

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✅ 3. Campaign Visual (Suggested Slogan & Imagery)

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SEE IMAGE AT TOP OF THIS SECTION

 

Slogan:
“They Held the Line. So Others Could Leave.”

Suggested Visual Concept:

• A split image:

  • Left side: the iconic photo of the Dunkirk beaches, full of soldiers waiting for boats.

  • Right side: a solitary soldier watching, as ships depart in the distance.

• Overlay Text:

40,000 Were Left Behind
Not Forgotten. Not Any Longer.

 

SECTION 3

Organizations that may include and acknowledge those left behind at Dunkirk

There are many online resources that commemorate and explore the Dunkirk evacuation of World War II. There are also physical museums.

Key Online Resources:
• British Heritage sites:
Websites like English Heritage focus on the historical context, the role of Dover Castle, and the events surrounding the evacuation. 





• Association of Dunkirk Little Ships:
This private organization, the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, is dedicated to commemorating the civilian vessels involved in Operation Dynamo. 





• Historical and Educational Sites:
Britannica provides in-depth historical information, while other sites like The History Learning Site offer educational resources about the evacuation. 





• Museums and Archives:
The Imperial War Museums and Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service offer archives and exhibits related to the Dunkirk evacuation. 





• Online Forums and Communities:
Websites like The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships facilitate discussions and sharing of personal stories related to the evacuation. 





• Guided Tours:
Websites like guidedbattlefieldtours.co.uk offer virtual tours and information about visiting Dunkirk. 





• News and Media:
The Guardian and other news outlets provide historical perspectives and analysis of the Dunkirk evacuation. 


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