Approximately 338,226 Allied soldiers were evacuated from Dunkirk during the operation that took place from May 27 to June 4, 1940. This total included about 139,997 French, Polish, Belgian, and a small number of Dutch troops alongside the British soldiers. The evacuation involved a large fleet of over 861 vessels, including the famous "little ships," and was considered a significant rescue effort despite heavy casualties and loss of equipment.