Little ships set to sail for Dunkirk commemoration
A fleet of 66 'little ships' is set to sail from Ramsgate to the French port to commemorate the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo.
From 26 May to 4 June 1940, about 1,000 vessels sailed through heavy enemy fire to rescue more than 338,000 British and Allied troops from the beaches of Dunkirk.
A spokesperson for the organiser, The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, (ADLS), said: "This commemorative journey will serve as a poignant tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who took part in Operation Dynamo.
"It also ensures the legacy of the Dunkirk little ships continues to inspire future generations."
The little ships are due to sail from Ramsgate Royal Harbour at 06:00 BST on Wednesday and arrive at Dunkirk at 16:00 BST, depending on weather and sea conditions.
The organisation, set up in 1966 to preserve the vessels, added this was the first time they have made the crossing since 2015.
The ADLS organises a crossing every five years, but the expedition was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic.
The ships will be escorted by the Royal Navy and the RNLI, with a spectator fleet of modern craft present in Ramsgate and Dunkirk.
The little ships made their first return to the French port in 1965. The idea came from former Second World War Spitfire pilot, Raymond Baxter OBE, who later became a presenter for BBC's Tomorrow's World programme.
Dubbed the "Miracle of Dunkirk" by wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the evacuation is seen as one of the outstanding moments of fortitude and perseverance during the Second World War.
The rescue was overseen by Admiral Bertram Ramsay, who also played a pivotal role in masterminding the Normandy Landings in 1944.
The operation has also inspired films, and Christopher Nolan's 2017 Dunkirk featured several original little ships, and their owners and crew members made guest appearances.
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The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships
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