During the night the British 4th Division reaches Nieuport. It is incorporated in a combined Franco-British corps that has orders to defend the sector stretching from Bergues to Les Moères, to the southeast of the entrenched camp.

The dramatic situation of the troops encircled in Dunkirk arouses the keenest apprehension of the heart of the British Cabinet. Most ministers fear the BEF might be lost in its entirety. In the early hours of the morning Mr Anthony Eden sends secret instructions to Lord Gort authorizing him to capitulate 'when in his judgment... no further proportionate damage could be inflicted on the enemy'.

The evacuation of British troops continues throughout the day, thanks to the joint efforts of the French and British navies. The latter has mobilized all available ships and small craft. The RAF plays a vigorous part in the battle, striving ceaselessly to drive off the waves of German bombers attacking the moles and beaches.

Gen Lelong, head of the French military mission in London, informs Gen Georges that 2 British divisions are to remain in France and will be reinforced as soon as possible. The same goes for the RAF.

In reply to this message, Gen Weygand sends Gen Lelong the following telegram:

No. 1272/3, F.T. May 30th, 1940

The Commander-in-Chief thanks the British Command for this display of solidarity, but thinks he should draw the attention of the Chiefs of Staff to the situation of the British air force remaining in France.

At the present time only three fighter squadrons are left on our soil: all the others have returned to Britain. Now, once the Battle of Flanders is over the latter will be unable to play a profitable part in the new battle, which may open along the Somme, Champagne or the Meuse front.

The whole weight of the battle will be borne by the French army, which will suffer terribly.

The Commander-in-Chief earnestly requests the British High Command to be so good as to consider the gravity of this situation and to take measures to ensure that, from now on, a large portion of the RAF, especially fighters, should be based in France in anticipation of the coming battle.

The British government, however, does not share these views.

In the Abbeville sector the French 4th Armored Division renews its effort of the previous day. The target prescibed by de Gaulle is Caubert, to enfilade the ridge and the Camp de César. The Germans, however, have received reinforcements during the night, and despite the magnificent persistence of the French troops, this third day of the attack is marked by a series of heavy set-backs.