Latest news with #ADLS
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Weather concerns pause Ramsgate return for Dunkirk Little Ships
Just a handful of the Little Ships which sailed from Kent to Dunkirk for the 85th anniversary celebrations will return today as planned due to weather of ships which took part in Operation Dynamo will not sail on Monday, 26 May after organisers warned that conditions in the English Channel were "pretty much on the limit".As few as seven ships could make the return journey to Ramsgate due to the conditions, with the rest expected to sail on Saturday, 31 May, a spokesperson for the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS) have been taking part in celebrations to commemorate the voyage to save allied soldiers from the French coast between 26 May and 4 June 1940. Mick Gentry, of the ADLS, said: "It will be touch and go."The crossing on Wednesday was pretty much on the limit of where we like to be weather-wise."We are hoping for some divine intervention. It's paramount that we look after the old girls."A total of 66 boats from across Europe set off from Ramsgate on Wednesday, 21 May for Dunkirk as part of the commemorations of Operation than 338,000 soldiers were rescued, with almost 100,000 troops picked up off from the beaches by the little ships and ferried to larger commemorative voyage was the first which did not include any Dunkirk veterans, the ADLS of the ships last made the journey in 2015, to mark the 75th anniversary of Operation Dynamo.
The National
21-05-2025
- General
- The National
Best photos of May 21: Animal refuge in Mexico to Dunkirk anniversary
A flotilla of Little Ships sail out of Ramsgate, Kent, during the start of 'Dunkirk 85', the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS) commemorative cruise to Dunkirk, to mark the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo. PA
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
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. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. The little ship crews returning to the miracle of Dunkirk 'These little ships are our last link to the war' Fees waived for boats heading to WW2 memorial event Historic Dunkirk tugboat desperately needs repairs The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Little ships set to sail for Dunkirk commemoration from Ramsgate
A fleet of 66 'little ships' is set to sail from Ramsgate to the French port to commemorate the 85th anniversary of Operation 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 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 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 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.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Little ships gather ahead of Dunkirk commemoration
Dozens of little ships have gathered in a Kent harbour for an event marking the 85th anniversary of one of the most important episodes of World War Two. A total of 66 boats from across Europe will set off from Ramsgate on Wednesday morning for Dunkirk as part of the commemorations of Operation Dynamo. More than 338,000 soldiers were rescued from the French coast between 26 May and 4 June 1940 with almost 100,000 troops picked up off from the beaches by the little ships and ferried to larger vessels. A spokesperson for the organiser, The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, (ADLS), said the Ramsgate gathering was "a chance for the public to view the fleet, speak to the owners and learn about their vessels". In May 1940 the call went out for the owners of pleasure craft to join the effort led by the Royal Navy to help bring soldiers back to Kent by donating their ships. The allied forces had been driven into a small pocket around Dunkirk by the advancing German army. Without a swift evacuation they faced capture or death. Matt Cain now owns Lady of Mann, one of the little ships that was part of the operation that rescued his grandfather, George. He said: "My grandfather used to talk to me about Dunkirk a lot. "It was always a huge ambition to be able to do this." The journey to Dunkirk is expected to take around 10 hours. Bryan Cox will be sailing in Bou Saada, which is now owned by the ice skater Jayne Torvill. He said: "For me it's about the sacrifice which a lot of people made. "Even with the little ships, 200 of the 800 that went across didn't survive. "It's like a pilgrimage, really." Ramsgate Lifeboat will also be part of Wednesday's fleet. Ian Cannon, its coxswain, has family links to the events of 1940. "My great, great, great uncle Alf was second coxon when the call came in for Dunkirk," he said. "My father, brother, myself and now my children have all been involved with the Ramsgate crew." Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. The little ship crews returning to the miracle of Dunkirk 'These little ships are our last link to the war' Association of Dunkirk Little Ships
