When the German attack began on May 10, 1940, the 8th Dragoons were made up of 4 squadrons, with the capacity of 900 men, and 1,200 horses in total. Half of the men would become prisoners of War while a small contingent was withdrawn. Nevertheless, the 8th Dragoons fought with the British Expeditionary Force in Belgium and France, delaying the Germans while the main group made its escape. By the time the remaining Allied units at the Dunkirk Pocket surrendered, the 8th Dragoons virtually ceased to exist.