On May 10th 1940 Neville Chamberlain decides to remain in office as prime minister. Over the following weeks France and the Low Countries fall to Nazi troops. Chamberlain attempts to sign a negotiated peace with Germany with the Italian Government acting as mediator, however he is unable to secure guarantees for British control of Gibraltar and Malta. After the abortive evacuation at Dunkirk, where only 50,000 troops are evacuated, and the vast majority of British soldiers and equipment fall into German hands, many Britons prepare for invasion. Throughout June and July Hitler makes his invasion plans, and in the first two weeks in August the Luftwaffe destroys many RAF bases on the south coast. Nazi terror raids on Dover, Hastings, Portsmouth and other settlements on the south coast furthe