Maybe Sir Nick needs to go to the cinema this month and watch this:
It always amazes me whenever it starts going wrong for LAND that they start exclaiming "Where's bloody Air Force". Dunkirk is a classic example of this. The RAF were taking the Germans on well inside the German lines to try and stop the Luftwaffe from getting to our lines. Just because the RAF weren't visible overhead Dunkirk then their tiny minds told them that they didn't turn up. Indeed, some of those unfortunate to get shot down and survive were excluded by the Navy and Army from being allowed from getting on a boat back to Blighty. It's reported that fighter ace Al Deere, a RAF Boxing Champ, had to chin the boarding officer to get on a boat as they were not letting the RAF board (w-anchors). Deere became a fighter ace in ONE day at Dunkirk and went on to command during the Battle of Britain. As an indicator of the quality of his character he was one RAF Halton's most popular commandants, inspiring young men who went on to serve in the 50s, 60s and 70s. If it wasn't for the RAF then the rescue of so many at Dunkirk just would not have been possible - maybe Sir Nick and his subordinates should remember that...
LJ