Dunkirk 'Little Ships' to make historic journey to mark 85th anniversary of World War Two evacuation
The Little Ships are all gathered together in Ramsgate Harbour
On this day 85 years ago, Britain began the rescue of hundreds of thousands of troops stranded on the beaches of Northern France during the Second World War.
The operation - co-ordinated from Dover Castle, became known as 'The Miracle of Dunkirk' and allowed Britain to fight on when all had seemed lost.
Today for the first time in 10 years, more than 70 of those ships will set off from Ramsgate in Kent and return to France - to mark a mission that changed the course of history.
The flotilla of Little Ships will begin the long journey across The Channel at 6am local time, with the journey expected to take around 10 hours.
Twenty-one personnel from Victory Squadron at HMS Collingwood are also involved, embarked in the Little Ships for the crossing.There are four Royal Navy veterans who are part of crews of the Little Ships.
Squadron Commanding Officer, Commander Carla Higgins, said: 'It is hugely important to continue to commemorate such events in our history and highlighting the role such 'little ships' had to play in Operation Dynamo.
'Coastal Forces Squadron is very proud to be a part of this event, particularly since it has been 10 years since the last commemoration of this scale.
'It will be quite a spectacle to see so many paying their respects across the channel. We wish for fair winds for all.'
Kevin Finn, Commodore of The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, said: 'Ramsgate is my hometown, it will be great to have a fleet of the Little Ships here again for our five-yearly crossing to Dunkirk. 'Ramsgate and Dunkirk are pulling out all the stops to commemorate, celebrate and educate throughout our stay in the very centre of these two excellent ports.'
Kevin Finn, Commodore of The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships
Ian Gilbert, Honorary Vice Admiral of The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships added: 'The fleet will soon gather in Ramsgate for this return to Dunkirk, which is made all the more special by the number of Little Ships involved, more than has been seen previously. 'A vast amount of work is going on at present to make sure the Little Ships look their very best and are fully prepared for the channel crossing.'
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