Hubby and I saw the movie The Darkest Hour. It was nice to see all but a few seats hadn't been sold for our viewing. Surprising, since the movie released back in November. I was also happy to see the range of ages in the audience, from children to silver haired patrons.
This is not a review of the movie. I understand there are some historical accuracies. In my research for this post, I found discrepancies between sites for the actual numbers. For this discussion, I am using numbers cited in the movie with the caveat these only represent the actual number.
The time is May, 1940.
Newly elected prime minister, Winston Churchill's back was against the wall, as was the British army trapped on French shores with no transportation to return safely home. He couldn't rally help to save the men or obtain a supply of weapons to fight the war. The fleet had been destroyed.
He tried everything he could think of.
The king and other influential people begged him to negotiate with Germany. Churchill adamantly opposed. (Eventually, King George agreed with Churchill)
600,000 men had about two days before Germans would reach their position.
A temporary idea came to light. Churchill ordered British soldiers stationed in Calais to distract the Germans away from Dunkirk, France.
Both Calais and Dunkirk are sea towns. Calais is south of Dunkirk. Both are across the English Channel from the UK. 4,000 men were trapped in Calais. 600,000 men trapped in Dunkirk. Germans swarmed both cities, leaving British soldiers backs against the channel.
Even with the Calais distraction, Churchill had no means to transport soldiers trapped in Dunkirk.
...until a very simple solution presented itself.
He summoned the general to ask British citizens owning boats with a capacity to transport any number of soldiers to cross the channel and bring their boys home. The mission was given the name Dynamo.
The result: thousands of small crafts crossed the English channel and rescued not only stranded British soldiers, but also stranded French soldiers.
Sometimes a problem seems so very overwhelming. We try every solution we can think of, poo pooing simple solutions as futile. Or we forget to consider those around us who could lend a hand.
But when that bizarre solution works, we sit back amazed. Happy. Surprised. Perhaps a bit stunned.
So, this is a new year.
Are you ready to fight the impossible situations that may come your way?
Are you ready to press forward, even if it means using the simple solution or humbling yourself to ask for help?
Here is a quote from Winston Churchill that may help you:
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts." Winston Churchill
May your 2018 prove to be one that counts.
This post has been brought to you by the one word: SimplestSolutionsThatCount
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