For a long time, and very often until today, there is the accusation that the RAF had abandoned the troops in Dunkirk ... also in order to spare for the upcoming air battle over England.
This accusation often comes from the fact that the British soldiers on the beaches rarely saw Hurricans and Spitfires, while the aircraft of the Luftwaffe bombarded them. There have also been reports of soldiers cursing members of the RAF in a pub and worse ... while members of the Royal Navy were given a beer.

However, this perception did not correspond to the reality, because the RAF fighter had attacked the German aircraft further inland and thereby also suffered great losses, as also caused by the Germans. The soldiers on the beach did not get that ... and somehow they might also expect the Hurricans and Spitfire to circle overhead to protect them.