The early hours of 10th May 1940. The Second World War is eight months old. In France, the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards look forward to another day of digging endless trenches. In Norway, the Germans are gaining the upper hand against the Allied forces. At sea, German U-Boats are taking a heavy toll of Allied shipping, whilst in London, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain is fighting for political survival. In North-West Europe, hundreds of thousands of men endure the boredom of the 'Phoney War'. Before the end of the month however, some of these men will become heroes. Others will become villains.

Many will be dead.As dawn approaches, the ominous roll of thunder sounds far off to the east along the German border. But this is May, and it never thunders in May. does it?.