It takes approximately 3h 5m to get from Dunkirk to England, including transfers. Pirates Island play area is a great place for children to spend time during the crossing and our onboard app, Jacks Treasure Hunt will keep them busy around the ship as they try to find Jacks treasure. Priority Boarding can make your crossing even smoother, making you one of the first to board and disembark. Terre-plein de lcluse du Jeu de Mail, 59375 Dunkerque, Canal de Jonction; Canal de lle Jeanty to Canal de Furnes For more information, please visit this page, The May Fair, A Radisson Collection Hotel, Mayfair London, Dunkirk to Paris Roissy Charles De Gaulle Airport, Entry is unrestricted for citizens and permanent residents of France. Terms and conditions apply. [32], The Belgian Army, commanded by King Leopold III, had surrendered to the Germans on 28 May. Dunkirk evacuation, (1940) in World War II, the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and other Allied troops from the French seaport of Dunkirk (Dunkerque) to England. The distance between the closest point on the island of Ireland to the nearest point of England is around 72 miles (roughly measured on google maps), thats from the headland north of Portavogle in Northern Ireland to St Bees Head in England - so its possible but it would have to be a very very good swimmer (according to google the record ocean There are differing accounts as to why Hitler allowed the evacuation of Dunkirk to take place instead of dealing what could have been a crushing defeat to British forces trapped between the armored Nazi line and the English Channel. Were mines really a concern for the evacuating vessels? The situation of the troops, who had been cut off from their advance into France by a pincer movement from the German army, was regarded by the British prime minister Winston Churchill as the greatest military defeat for centuries; it appeared likely to cost Britain the war, as the majority of the British Expeditionary Force was trapped, leaving the country vulnerable to invasion by Germany. The present locks were built between 1846 and 1855, then enlarged to the Freycinet gauge. ViaMichelin shows the exact distance between Dunkirk and Calais, based on the route selected. How far is it from Dunkirk to the South Pole? - to help you get the most out of your next trip. If you travel with an airplane (which has average speed of 560 miles per hour) between White Cliffs of Dover to Dunkirk, Terms, Conditions, Copyrightand Privacy Statement, Contact Address french-waterways.com 2 Michaels Court, Hanney Road, Southmoor, OX13 5HR, UK PortLalande, 47260 Castelmoron-sur-Lot, France. Distance To City. Dunkirk is on the Belgian France border. St Paul's Cathedral, London, is an Anglican cathedral, the seat of the Bishop of London and the mother church of the Diocese of London. Dunkirk to Brussels by car is just a 2 hour drive and you can drive to Paris in 3.4 hours. Nice ship nice trip. Currently you can not travel as a foot passenger on the Dunkirk Dover ferry, only with a vehicle with DFDS. England, United Kingdom City of Westminster, London, England, United Kingdom. Country Cities United Kingdom White Cliffs of Dover | France Dunkirk The distance line on map shows distance from White Cliffs of Dover to Dunkirk between two cities. DFDS has one of the largest ferry networks in Europe, with four routes operating to the UK. The distance line on map shows distance from White Cliffs of Dover to Dunkirk between two cities. SNCF runs the countrys extensive rail network, including the high-speed TGV network, regional TER trains and local Intercits. The Dunkirk Evacuation, or just Dunkirk for short, involved a last-minute rescue of over 300,000 Allied soldiers who were trapped by the Nazis near the beaches of Dunkirk, France, in the summer of . The terminals for Le Shuttle connect you to major motorways at both ends of the journey and the junctions are engineers to ensure that you end up driving on the correct side of the road for the country you are in. Dunkirk to England train services, operated by SNCF, depart from Dunkerque station. Operated by London Underground (Tube), Eurostar and SNCF, the England to Dunkirk service departs from Leicester Square station and arrives in Dunkerque. PK 15.2 Old line rejoins canal, l/b (access to Usine des Deux-Synthes) PK 3.1 Lift bridge (Maisonneuve), private quays In May of 1940, the Nazi army was overtaking Europe, pushing the Allied forces of Britain, France, and other European nations into retreat. It is the only one of the Trust's bridges not to connect the City of London directly to the Southwark bank, as its northern landfall is in Tower Hamlets. PK 5.9 Bridge (Leffrinckoucke) However, there are services departing from Dunkerque and arriving at Leicester Square station via Lille Europe and King's Cross St. Pancras station. PK 4.0 Lock (Bourbourg) Travelers have a good choice of options for crossing La Manche, as it's known in France. Dunkirk's location, in the north-east of France, makes it easily accessible from Germany, Holland, Belgium and further afield, such as eastern Europe or Scandinavia. However, Dunkirks beach was too shallow for Royal Navy battleships to safely approach, so the British admiralty assembled approximately 700 civilian craft that would transport troops to battleships waiting in the North Sea. Save up to 50% vs UK high street . Save money by booking well in advance because there are great deals to be had. It was launched by a group of Bretagne farmers in 1973, simultaneously with Britain's entry into the (then) Common Market. Without crew. Frances high-speed TGV train network runs at speeds of up to 320km/h connecting major cities across France and into neighbouring countries. Journey to France on the Dover to Dunkirk ferry route in your own car. To this day, the term Dunkirk Spirit, is used in reference to showing courage and unity in the face of difficulty. Queen Wilhelmina and her government left the country for England on May 13, and the next day the Dutch army surrendered to the Germans. Very few owners sailed their own vessels, apart from fishermen and one or two others.[3]. This includes an average layover time of around 2h. Over the course of the evacuation, 330,000 men were transported from Dunkirk and the surrounding beaches to the UK. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The time taken to drive this route is 17 minutes. Next is Dover to Dunkirk, which is a two-hour crossing. So, your trip will take 50 minutes from your dock to the island. ', 'How much should I expect to pay? Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Time See. PK 9.3 Junction with Liaison Dunkerque-Escaut r/b This is where the inland adventure begins, VNFs Canal de Bourbourg being straight ahead. Call up on VHF 73 to make arrangements with the harbourmaster. BEF stands for British Expeditionary Force. Dunkirk is a 2017 historical war film written, directed and produced by Christopher Nolan that depicts the Dunkirk evacuation of World War II from the perspectives of the land, sea and air. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Thirty-nine Dutch coasters had escaped the occupation of the Netherlands by the Germans on 10 May 1940 and were asked by the Dutch shipping bureau in London or by the Royal Navy to assist. PK 9.7 Zuydcoote lift bridge, village north bank Unit Auto Mi Km. Popular routes include Paris to Marseille and Paris to Strasbourg. With Belgiums surrender on May 28, an evacuation of French and British troops from the European mainland became imperative. 18+ < 18. Sailing Distance Calculating Tool with support for multiple locations. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.. The time taken to drive this route is 36 minutes. More details: Submit form. Please note, 7 Seas Restaurant is always open and Lighthouse Caf will be open during busier crossings. Go Your Own Way Cruise the canals driving your own hire boat, Sit Back and Relax captain and crew will treat you like royalty, Watch France Glide Past close-up, from the comfort of your cabin. Up to 20% discounts for private charter or book by cabin luxury cruises, Save 5% to 50% per week on boats and destinations throughout France, Up to 20% off high-quality fleet cruises on the major rivers of France. Unsurprisingly, seafood features heavily on the menus of this coastal town's restaurants. Sailing Distance Calculating Tool with support for multiple locations. It was rebuilt to European Class IV standards around 1960, but there is no high-capacity link to the port basins downstream, only a Freycinet tide-lock. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. British Naval Reserves scoured southeastern Britain in the search for any small craft that were either volunteered or requisitioned into service. As the bus subsidiary of French railway SNCF, Ouibus offers eco-friendly coaches serving 35 French cities and 10 European cities at affordable fares. After this flash in the pan the Allied armies in the north made no further effort to break out of the trap, while the belated relieving push from the south was so feeble as to be almost farcical. Flixbus is a good choice for the budget-conscious traveller; purchase tickets in advance for the cheapest fares (note: there is no option to reserve a seat in advance). Work on the Canal de Bourbourg started in 1679, the Dunkerque to the Aa river. Between 26 May and 4 June a ragtag British fleet, ranging from battleships to pleasure boats . Getting on one of the 130 daily journeys is easy - electronic travel documents include your ticket and a personalised mini-guide with handy information. By evening more reassuring reports had come from the Aisne, and Reynaud broadcast a denial of the most absurd rumours that the government is preparing to leave Paris. At the same time, he seized the opportunity to replace Gamelin and for that purpose summoned Gen. Maxime Weygand from Syria. PK 11.6 Ghyvelde lift bridge (automatic), pipeline crossing, village 1200m south, Bray-Dunes 1000m north The rescue operation turned a military disaster into a story of heroism which served to raise the morale of the British. On May 19 Gen. John Gort, commander in chief of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), began to consider the necessity of evacuating his forces by sea and the preparatory steps that such an endeavour would require. So alternatively you can take the ferry as a foot passenger from Calais to Dover. Boat type: Charter type: With crew. PK 1.1 Bridge, crossing of flood relief channel (no access), Canal de Furnes, from Dunkirk to Belgian border When the farmers were unable to tempt a ferry company to transport their produce to markets in Plymouth, they bought their own small freighter to do it themselves. We are proud to have been voted Worlds Leading Ferry Operator 2022 at this years World Travel Awards for the 12th year in a row! The most affordable way to get from Dunkirk to England is to rideshare, which costs 15 and takes 3h 26m. By straight line its about 55 miles. One theory is that Hitler allowed the British to evacuate Dunkirk as a humanitarian gesture in order to lure Britain into peace talks. Frances state-owned railway company is a fast and efficient way of travelling around the country, with over 14,000 trains operating daily. The journey time between England and Dunkirk is around 4h 4m and covers a distance of around 348 km. No, there is no direct train from Dunkirk to England station. That means you don't have to worry about expensive taxi fares to your city destination or navigating confusing public transportation when you are tired from travel and lugging baggage. We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.This information is compiled from official sources. Distance Travel. This is equivalent to 183 kilometers or 99 nautical miles. Nazi Germany invaded northern France and the Low Countries in May 1940 during the early years of World War II. It takes 0.08 hours to arrive. Dunkirk was a critical turning point in World War II. In Dunkirk you can taste original Flemish food as well as fantastic fresh local seafood. PK 0.8 Bridges Several factors were at play, one potentially being Hitlers belief that the British would more readily negotiate if he exhibited clemency. A passage north from the corner of the Bassin de la Marine leads back into the commercial basins of the port, here Darse n 1. On June 4 Prime Minister Winston Churchill roused his country by declaring: [We] shall not flag or fail. The Allied armies in Belgium wheeled back to the line of the Scheldt. [33] The Belgian fishing fleet itself transported 4,300 British and French soldiers to the English coast.[34]. PK 2.6 Bridge (Pont Neuf) Read More :) CLICK BELOW TO CENTRE THE MAP: Please note that timetables may change subject to weather conditions. Each crossing takes just 2 hours, so you can get straight back on the road and continue to your destination, perhaps after grabbing a bite to eat or a coffee. Shows the distance in kilometres between 48.73146,-118.70376 and London and displays the route on an interactive map. 2 How far is Dunkirk from Dover by boat? During the evacuation various ports were used to receive troop carriers such as Ramsgate, Margate, Dove , Folkestone so the distances to home varied. Valid for . German planners realized that if two or three armoured divisions had been available for a concentrated counterstroke, the German advance might have been dislocated. . The operation has become somewhat of a legend in Great Britain, thanks to the contribution of a large contingent of small boats (mostly pleasure cruisers, powerboats and fishing boats) crewed by civilians. Direction Lat. What was the significance of the Dunkirk evacuation? Rome2rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. Click on the map to set your start point. The Dunkirk evacuation, codenamed Operation Dynamo and also known as the Miracle of Dunkirk, or just Dunkirk, was the evacuation of more than 338,000 Allied soldiers during the Second World War from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk, in the north of France, between 26 May and 4 June 1940.The operation commenced after large numbers of Belgian, British, and French troops were cut off and . From May 26 to June 4, over 338,000 British and French troops were safely evacuated from Dunkirk. The canalisation was initiated by the Spanish, then rulers of Flanders, in 1669. Choose one of the following options for the Dunkirk to Lille route: Michelin recommended, quickest, shortest or economical. PK 2.0 Footbridge and bridge (Dunkerque express road) Lyon (Rhone-Alpes) Around 340,000 men, including 121,000 French and Belgian soldiers, retreated to the beaches of Dunkirk. 80+ waterways Key facts, km by km details, maps, navigation guides and PDF downloads. After repeated Nazi incursions, it became apparent that the only way to defend the British Isles from invasion was to evacuate remaining Allied forces across the Straits of Dover. Among the Belgian ships were Patrol vessel A5, Z25De Ruyter and Belgian ship H75. The last part of the equation is to subtract the travel time by boat from the time the party starts. Last updated: 21 Feb 2023 Distance: 187.9 miles Duration: 3h 5m What companies run services between Dunkirk, France and England? According to the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, the term "Little Ship" applies to all craft that were originally privately owned and includes commercial vessels such as barges, fishing vessels and pleasure steamers; the Association does include some ex-Service vessels, which are now privately owned, and ex-lifeboats. A bit expensive. Turn left here to approach the barge lock that leads into the Canal de lle Jeanty (photo at bottom of page). Weygand did not arrive until May 19, and thus for three critical days the Supreme Command was without direction. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. It was a dangerous venture, but it helped save the British . The local dialect and out-of-tune belfry chimes contributed to making Bergues a destination for tourists from near and far. It's also a good choice if you are traveling with a large family or group of friends because the price is quoted per car with up to nine passengers, rather than per passenger. They determined that the beach at the French seaport of Dunkirk would best serve this purpose. Premium Lounge is only available on selected crossings. By the time he resumed attacks, the evacuation had begun. Allied troops awaiting evacuation on the beaches of Dunkirk. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. Currently there is just the 1 ferry company operating this ferry service, DFDS Seaways. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. In total, 65 Belgian ships participated, including 54 fishing boats, four Corps de Marine units, four tugs and two patrol vessels. This led to the British Navy putting out a call for all shallow-draft vessels to join the British Navy in a mass evacuation of Dunkirk. When the Channel Tunnel was completed, everyone thought it would be the end of ferry crossings. . What is the national COVID-19 helpline number in England? This industrial city depends heavily on its steel industry, on food processing, oil refining, ship building and its chemical industries. Stuka dive bombers plagued the boats and they had to be constantly on the lookout for German U-boats. The castle, its secret tunnels and surrounding land are all now owned by English Heritage. Dunkirk is the preferred port of entry to French waterways for most boaters crossing the Channel from England or coming from other countries via the North Sea. Dunkirk is also well known for its new 27-hole golf course, which is located just 15km from the port. If shopping is what you're after then head to the town centre where you will find a lovely mix of boutique shops around Place Jean Bart. Dunkirk Little Ships gathered at the St Katharine Docks in London for a Classic Wooden Boat Festival in 2016. The present cathedral, dating from the late 17th century, was designed in the English Baroque style by Sir Christopher Wren. Dover to Calais is the fastest ferry crossing from England to France with a distance of approximately 30 miles between the English and French port. PK 1.7 Footbridge (Corderies) The crossings we've recently sampled were well organized, with good catering, comfortable lounges and big, clean windows for enjoying the views, even in poor weather. On 27 May, the small-craft section of the British Ministry of Shipping telephoned boat builders around the coast, asking them to collect all boats with "shallow draft" that could navigate the shallow waters. For further details see under the Liaison Dunkerque-Escaut. Some of the "little ships" collected by the Britain being towed down the Thames river on their way to Ramsgate, England. Service on board , as usual, good. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. 338,226 troops were evacuated from Dunkirk between 27th May & 4th June 1940. The first of the "little ships" made it to Dunkirk on May 28, 1940. A great option if you don't have a driver's licence or want to avoid public transport. Fares for ferry tickets to Dunkirk, for a passenger with a car, range from 80 to . The town was subsequently rebuilt on a new plan, with the . I live in Germany and using the Dunquerk crossing instead of Calais saves me almost 100Km. Once again he was too late, for the German panzer divisions outran his retreating troops and were across that barrier on May 17. From 101 2 people + car Dieppe-Newhaven Ferry Crossings I booked premium lounge which has better standard and quiet area. She reports for AfroTech, Lifewire, and The Plug. Le Shuttle, often referred to as Le Chunnel,also carries bicycles and coaches. While the governments and commanders got into a tangle of divergent views and orders, the cut-off armies in the north fell back on a slant closer to the coast under increasing pressure from Gen. Walther von Reichenaus advance through Belgium. During World War II, in May-June 1940, the British Expeditionary Force and other Allied troops, cut off by the Germans, were evacuated from Dunkirk to England by naval vessels and hundreds of civilian boats.The town was liberated by the U.S. Army in May 1945, but more than three-quarters of its houses were destroyed in the fighting. These longer crossings take about 12 hours but, if you book a cabin you can substitute the crossing for a night's hotel accommodation. By the time they arrived on May 27, the Belgian centre had cracked, and there were no reserves to fill this fresh gap. Gen. Georg-Hans Reinhardt swung south of the British rear position at Arras, headed for the same objectivethe last escape port that remained open for the British. It ends in London, United Kingdom. If you're traveling from Continental Europe to the UK, think twice before you buy a plane ticket. Rome2rios guide to travelling between London, Brussels and Paris. Distance Flight. It was navigated prior to 1634. The film has an all-star cast that includes Harry Styles, Branagh, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance, and Tom Hardy. There are also a couple of hypermarkets a short distance from the town. The Little Ships of Dunkirk were about 850 private boats [1] that sailed from Ramsgate in England to Dunkirk in northern France between 26 May and 4 June 1940 as part of Operation Dynamo, helping to rescue more than 336,000 British, French, and other Allied soldiers who were trapped on the beaches at Dunkirk during the Second World War . Dunkirk is a 2017 war film scripted, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan about British troops' evacuation from Dunkirk during World War II. Where do I get to when I dig a hole in Dunkirk through the centre of the earth? PK 4.9 Fort Vallires (historic fort) r/b Please check before travelling. Dunkirk to Dover is the second fastest ferry route from France to England, with a distance of approximately 47 miles. But ferries are still the most economical crossing choice for cyclists, pedestrians, people with oversized vehicles, people traveling with pets, and those who just like a short voyage as a kind of punctuation between countries. Which route you take will depend on which is most useful for yourdeparture point: Brittany Ferries - This company has the most crossings to France and Spain and has an interesting story of its own. Car ferry from Dover to Dunkirk Ave. By the next day motorized divisions had taken over the line of the Somme from Pronne to Abbeville, forming a strong defensive flank. From there, one can see the White Cliffs of Dover across the English Channel's Strait of Dover. Wearing a face mask on public transport in England is subject to regional advice. Association of Dunkirk Little Ships Our long-range directional WiFi provides a more reliable and enhanced browsing experience to the often slower satellite WiFi which is used by many other ferry companies. You can enjoy ride with cup of coffe and sit on comfortable sofa. No you can not travel as a foot passenger, currently you can only travel on the ferry with a vehicle. Please note, this is not available on all services. P&O Ferries operate frequent ferry services from Calais to Dover as well as longer, North Sea crossings from Zeebrugge in Belgium or Rotterdam in the Netherlands to Hull on England's northeast coast. Information about the 14.5km long Canal de Furnes, the 8km long Canal de Bergues and the 21km long Canal de Bourbourg. Once on the VNF network, navigation is straightforward. Why was the Dunkirk evacuation necessary? 2 hours. De- (or re-)masting will benefit from some preparatory work. PK 8.1 Junction with Canal de la Basse Colme (disused), Canal de Bourbourg On May 11 the Belgian front was broken, and German tanks ran on westward while Belgian, French, and British divisions fell back to a line between Antwerp and Namur. The distance between Dunkirk and England is 301 km. The boats were checked to make sure they were seaworthy, fuelled, and taken to Ramsgate to set sail for Dunkirk. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. PK 7.1 Private basin, 500m branch to the north, serving steelworks Located just a short distance from the Belgian border, moules and frites are popular as are oysters and many other Flemish dishes. This distance is equal to 112.88 miles, and 98.02 nautical miles. [43], One of the Little Ships, the Red Funnel paddle steamer PSPrincess Elizabeth, is now owned by the City of Dunkirk and is permanently moored in the harbour as a floating conference centre.[44]. The British light tanks proved to be surprisingly effective against German antitank weapons, and this small drive into the corridor momentarily shook the nerve of the German High Command. Dunkirk is located in the north of France, on the shores of the North Sea near the Belgian-French border. From this point, an expansive basin where pniches used to congregate, it is south to the Canal de Jonction. See under Dunkirk as entry port the description of the approach through the port and and its Canal de Jonction to the three Dunkirk canals. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help. The best way to get from Dunkirk to England without a car is to train which takes 3h 5m and costs 95-360. Second World War Operation Dynamo, the evacuation from Dunkirk, involved the rescue of more than 338,000 British and French soldiers from the French port of Dunkirk between 26 May and 4 June 1940. Its flag is the St George's Cross defaced with the arms of Dunkirk flown from the jack staff, known as the Dunkirk Jack. The German invasion of France hinged on Gen. Paul Ludwig von Kleists surprise advance through the hilly and dense Ardennes Forest. It was produced by Nolan and Emma Thomas.Its ensemble cast includes Fionn Whitehead, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jack Lowden, Harry Styles in his film debut, Aneurin Barnard, James D'Arcy, Barry Keoghan, Kenneth . Its name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, a British naval victory in the Napoleonic Wars with France and Spain that took place on 21 October 1805 off the coast of Cape Trafalgar, Spain. A popular tourist attraction in the town is the 12th century Dover Castle which stands guard over the town. The trapped soldiers on the Dunkirk beach were only 21 miles (33 km) away from safety, as they could almost see England across the canal. The close proximity makes Dover to Calais a great day trip ferry route for people to visit France. The English Channel, that finger of the Atlantic Ocean that separates Great Britain from Northern France, is less than 19 nautical miles wide between Dover and Calais - what the locals call the fast channel crossing. Yes. The Germans cut off various Allied escape ports along the English Channel and quickly shrunk their defensive lines. No, returning to France from United Kingdom is currently allowed. Our port in Dunkirk is the ideal starting point for a trip to the UK, with 24 daily crossings. In nine days, 192,226 British and 139,000 French soldiers more than 331,000 total were rescued by the 700 little ships and around 220 warships. The evacuation of Dunkirk is most interesting for how it turned from a humiliating British and Allied defeat into a story of heroism that boosted the spirits of Allied forces. DFDS Seaways, the ferry division of Northern Europe's largest shipping and logistics companies, operates ferries fromDunkirk and Calais to Dover (the shortest crossing), Dieppe in Normandy to Newhaven, Kent and from Newcastle to Amsterdam. Rome2rio makes travelling from Dunkirk to England easy. Thoroughly recommended. Great destinations within driving distance of ports . Ferne Arfin is a freelance travel writer who covers the U.K. and Greece for TripSavvy. 0.0 [42], At least twelve actual Little Ships were used in the 2017 film Dunkirk. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. The quickest way to make & manage your booking. Distance From City. Towpath A metalled public road replaces the former towpath on the south bank from Dunkirk through to Bourbourg lock, then on the north bank through to the Aa. If you are traveling with a pet, Le Shuttle car transport makes the most sense because your pet can travel with you in your car and, as long as your pet has a pet passport, the formalities are minimal. Duration 2h Frequency Every 3 hours Estimated price SFr 90 - SFr 160 . When, on May 15, French commander-in-chief Maurice Gamelin received an alarming report that the Germans were crossing the Aisne between Rethel and Laon, he told the government that he had no reserves between that sector and Paris and could not guarantee the security of the capital for more than a day.