On June 17th 1940, as the Germans were advancing towards Rennes , there was a terrible coincidence which led to over 2000 dead after a Luftwaffe straffing. Firstly, there was a train with civilian refugees from Normandy , secondly a train with French Narvik survivors and thirdly a train with British troops trying to evacuate via the port of Lorient. They happened to cross each other nearby an amnunition depot at the exact moment that three Luftwaffe aircraft flew over. The depot exploded and the three trains were caught in a terrible explosion with mingled flesh and twisted metal. The consequence of this tragedy was immense and probably accelerated the decision of an Armistice.
1) Does anyone know with Luftwaffe unit was involved
2) which French units were in one of the trains
3) which British units were in the other train
4) Is it true that the British attempted a second Dunkirk at Lorient but did not have time to evacuate these troops on time?
5) Do you think that De Gaulle's idea of creating a pocket front in Britanny going from St malo to Nantes was unrealistic ?

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