75th Anniversary of Dunkirk rescue by little boats

[bushwhacker]

If you are going to be in France, you might want to check this out. We will be there, a couple we met at our son's wedding and their daughter and son-in-law are sailing with the little boat flotilla.
Bill

75th Anniversary Return to Dunkirk 21st to 25th May 2015
The Association has received an official invitation from the Mayor of Dunkirk to return to Dunkirk in May 2015 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Operation Dynamo. It is expected that over 50 Little Ships escorted by the RNLI and the Royal Navy will take part in the Return.
The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships has organised a Commemorative Return every five years since 1970. Despite the average age of the Little Ships now being close to 80 years it is anticipated that this Return may be the biggest yet. The task of taking this many elderly, traditional vessels across one of the world busiest shipping lanes is by no means insignificant. In fact the event is quite unique. With the exception of a small number of vessels that are operated by 'Trusts', all Little Ships are privately owned and receive no financial or other assistance from any public body or NGO.
The programme detailed below is subject to change and is weather dependant. Even the task of getting the Little Ships to Ramsgate can be challenging. Generally winds up to force four are considered acceptable. But a 'four' can easily become a 'five' with exciting results. Readers may wish to view the following link to understand how the Little Ships can move around in, even, moderate seas; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebT13sgtboM .
The provisional programme is shown below:
Saturday 16th to Tuesday 19th May - Little Ships gather in Ramsgate.
• Friday 15th May
Little Ships based on the Upper Thames gather at Teddington.
• Saturday 16th May
Little Ships enter King George V lock en-route to the Royal Docks, London. Dinner at a local establishment.
• Sunday 17th May
A day of events based around the Royal Docks. Around 20 Little Ships are expected to be available for viewing.
• Monday 18th May
Depart Royal Docks to Queenborough. Dinner at the Queenborough Yacht Club.
• Tuesday 19th May
Depart Queenborough for Ramsgate. Dinner at Temple Yacht Club.
• Wednesday 20th May
Ramsgate Dynamo Day celebrations to include an ADLS service at the Sailor's Church, a visit by VIPs and a parade through the town as follows:
10.30am Church Service for the crews of the Little Ship at the Sailor’s Church in Ramsgate
1130 Service for local people in a marquee at Ramsgate Royal Harbour
1130-1230 Little Ships open to the public
1230 Military Parade honouring the people connected with the event
1330 Thanet Mayors Reception for guests at Ramsgate Maritime Museum
1500 VIP Inspection of the Dunkirk Little Ships with flypasts of Spitfires and Hurricane
1530-1630 Little Ships open to the public
1900 1940s Night in the Marquee on the Harbour
Skippers briefing early evening (ADLS skippers only).
• Thursday 21st May
Passage to Dunkirk. All vessels to be slipped and away by 0730.
• Friday 22nd May
Fall back day for passage to Dunkirk if weather conditions prevent the crossing the previous day.
Service at the British Memorial at the Dunkirk Military Cemetery - late afternoon
Reception and presentation for ADLS skippers at the Dunkirk Town Hall - early evening
• Saturday 23rd May
The main commemorative event will be the official service at the Beach Memorial to be held mid-morning. Because of the tides it will not be possible to take the Little Ships off shore during the service.
Return Supper – coaches depart 1830
• Sunday 24th May
1100 - ADLS commemorative service, led by Hon Chaplin Gordon Warren, on the quay side adjacent to the Little Ships
Early afternoon - parade of military vehicles, bands and local organisations through the streets of the town
Evening reception for the crews at the Dunkirk Museum (provisional)
• Monday 25th May
Little Ships depart Dunkirk for Ramsgate. Just outside the harbour the Little Ships will ‘congregate’ to allow individual skippers and crews to lay wreaths if they so wish.
• Tuesday 26th May
Fall-back day; Little Ships depart Dunkirk for Ramsgate if weather unsuitable the previous day. Alternatively rest day in Ramsgate prior to making passage for home or Ostend at Anchor.
For further information on the 75th Anniversary Return to Dunkirk contact ADLS Commodore, Mr Ian Gilbert, commodore@adls.org.uk
For general information please contact the Events Secretary Mr Trevor Phillips, events@adls.org.uk
All press inquiries in the first instance to Hon PRO, Mr Jason Carly, pro@adls.org.uk
This page will be updated regularly.
Last updated 3 January 2015

 

[sunray]

The Dunkirk rescue by little boats is actually a Churchillian inspired myth. The lift was mostly done by RN destroyers. Not that Little Ships weren't there, just that they didn't do as much as Winston said.

 

[.325WSM]

Perhaps, but when 5-600 privately run boats make a run into a war zone under fire to evacuate an army, it certainly deserves respect of the highest order. My understanding is that the shallow draft of the boats was more critical than capacity, with runs from the beach to RN ships offshore being the norm, rather than returning the soldiers directly to GB.

The Dunkirk rescue by little boats is actually a Churchillian inspired myth. The lift was mostly done by RN destroyers. Not that Little Ships weren't there, just that they didn't do as much as Winston said.

 

[CanadianAR]

The Dunkirk rescue by little boats is actually a Churchillian inspired myth. The lift was mostly done by RN destroyers. Not that Little Ships weren't there, just that they didn't do as much as Winston said.

As always, adding sweet eff all.

Previous poster is correct. They had no harbour facilities, shallow draft boats were used to ferry the men to destroyers.....they didn't evac thousands across the channel with sailboats.

 

[Sharps '63]

Trivia question: which Brit artillery regiment was the ONLY one to bring home their guns?

 

[tommyinbc]

Perhaps, but when 5-600 privately run boats make a run into a war zone under fire to evacuate an army, it certainly deserves respect of the highest order. My understanding is that the shallow draft of the boats was more critical than capacity, with runs from the beach to RN ships offshore being the norm, rather than returning the soldiers directly to GB.

Well said....

 

[Juster]

The fact that the British evacuated one third of a million troops kept the UK in the war, so it was one of the most significant events of WW2. Certainly the first huge mistake made by Hitler.
It takes nerve to sail into that kind of conflict when you have nothing to fight with.

 

[Silfield]

I have been lucky enough to follow the restoration (and help out a little bit!) of one of the 'little ships' that ran the gauntlet 75 years ago. The goal of the restoration project was to get her back to Dunkirk on the 75th anniversary and it now looks like it is going to be possible. She will sail from her home town, hopping down the coast, meet up with others and make the crossing to France this May. The plan is to use the trip as a living history lesson for as many people as possible and invite school kids on board to take a look around and participate in lessons onboard whilst in the various harbours down the east coast.
A bit more info here....http://www.rescuewoodenboats.com/Home
http://film.britishcouncil.org/the-little-ships-of-england

 

[purple]

Trivia question: which Brit artillery regiment was the ONLY one to bring home their guns?

I don't know about the Brits at Dunkirk, but in June 1940 the stillborn "second BEF", which included a Cdn Bde, was evacuated from Brest, France without seeing any action. Virtually all of the vehicles and major equipments were abandoned due to lack of shipping, but the 1st Fd Regt RCHA managed to save all of their guns thanks to the efforts of their CO, Lt Col J.H. Roberts. Roberts went on to command the 2nd Infantry Div during the ill-fated Dieppe operation after which he became one of the sacrificial goats for the badly flawed operation.

 

[Gibbs505]

The Dunkirk rescue by little boats is actually a Churchillian inspired myth. The lift was mostly done by RN destroyers. Not that Little Ships weren't there, just that they didn't do as much as Winston said.

It was not Churchill anyway. He said "Wars are not won by evacuations."

 

[Sharps '63]

.... the 1st Fd Regt RCHA managed to save all of their guns thanks to the efforts of their CO, Lt Col J.H. Roberts. Roberts went on to command the 2nd Infantry Div during the ill-fated Dieppe operation after which he became one of the sacrificial goats for the badly flawed operation.

Perhaps that was the arty reg't I was referring to.