Canal Line: France and Flanders Campaign 1940

The network of canals stretching from the coast at Gravelines, through St-Omer, Béthune and La Bassée, follows the approximate boundary between Artois and Flanders and was, in 1940, the defensive line established on the western edge of the so-called Dunkerque Corridor designed by Lord Gort to provide an evacuation route to the channel coast.

Even before events on the Escaut line had concluded with yet another Allied withdrawal, Lord Gort was diverting units to bolster the canal line defenses.

This book details the fighting along the canal line.