4 June 1940. Operation Dynamo: the evacuation of Dunkirk was completed with 338,226 Allied troops brought back to the UK. Prime Minister Winston Churchill said: "Wars are not won by evacuations. But there was a victory inside deliverance, which should be noted. It was gained by the Air Force." In the fierce air-to-air fighting during the evacuation, the RAF lost 177 aircraft over Dunkirk, including 106 fighters: the Luftwaffe lost 132 aircraft of all types.