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Fleet marks Dunkirk anniversary Fleet marks Dunkirk anniversary
(about 1 hour later)
A fleet of "Little Ships" which rescued Allied troops from Dunkirk in 1940 has set sail from the South Coast to mark the 70th anniversary of the event. A fleet of "little ships" which rescued Allied troops from Dunkirk in 1940 has set sail from the South Coast to mark the 70th anniversary of the event.
More than 50 vessels are heading to France to commemorate Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of some 338,000 soldiers from Dunkirk's beaches.More than 50 vessels are heading to France to commemorate Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of some 338,000 soldiers from Dunkirk's beaches.
The troops had been driven back to the coast by the German army.The troops had been driven back to the coast by the German army.
The phrase "Dunkirk spirit" has become emblematic of British determination and courage in the face of adversity. The phrase "Dunkirk spirit" is seen as emblematic of British determination and courage in the face of adversity.
'Little Boats' 'Little Ships'
The flotilla in Ramsgate, in Kent was cheered by crowds as it set sail for Dunkirk, in north-east France, at 0700 BST. The flotilla in Ramsgate, in Kent, was cheered by rain-soaked crowds as it set sail for Dunkirk, in north-east France, at 0700 BST.
The ships will be escorted by the Royal Navy frigate HMS Monmouth on their eight-hour journey. BBC correspondent Jon Kay is on board the Greta, the oldest of the Little Ships that brought back hundreds of hungry and exhausted men 70 years ago.
BBC correspondent Jon Kay said he was on board the Greta, one of the "Little Boats" that brought back hundreds of hungry exhausted men 70 years ago.
Dunkirk 'disappointment' recalled Dunkirk evacuation in maps Audio slideshow: Dunkirk rescueDunkirk 'disappointment' recalled Dunkirk evacuation in maps Audio slideshow: Dunkirk rescue
He was joined by Brian de Mattos whose father Basil was one of those sent to bring the troops home. He was joined by Brian de Mattos whose father Basil commanded the Greta during its dangerous mission.
Mr de Mattos said: "It's quite an emotional day to be following in my father's footsteps 70 years after he went out there - obviously in slightly different conditions both in terms of weather and enemy action. Mr de Mattos said: "It's a great honour for me to be following in my father's footsteps 70 years later. To see all these little ships is really quite an emotional time.
"But it's a great opportunity for me to see this and the boat he commanded all those years ago." "My father made many trips in and out of Dunkirk harbour often under fire from the enemy".
The original evacuation took place between 26 May and 4 June 1940, and involved 900 naval and civilian craft which were sent across the Channel under RAF protection.The original evacuation took place between 26 May and 4 June 1940, and involved 900 naval and civilian craft which were sent across the Channel under RAF protection.
Among them were the "Little Boats" - including fishing vessels, pleasure crafts, paddle steamers and lifeboats. Among them were a number of smaller vessels including fishing boats pleasure crafts, paddle steamers and lifeboats.
During the evacuation - described by Winston Churchill as a "miracle of deliverance" - the Luftwaffe attacked whenever the weather allowed and at least 5,000 soldiers were killed.During the evacuation - described by Winston Churchill as a "miracle of deliverance" - the Luftwaffe attacked whenever the weather allowed and at least 5,000 soldiers were killed.
Ramsgate's Royal Harbour Marina was the reception centre for returning troops and after a weekend of commemorative events in France, the Little Ships are due to return there on Monday. Ramsgate's Royal Harbour Marina was the reception centre for returning troops and after a weekend of commemorative events in France, the little ships are due to return there on Monday.
Before heading off, Edwin Brown, who was among those rescued in 1940, told the BBC: "They made a hell of a difference because they got us out to the bigger boats where we could get some help from the sailors who couldn't get in because of the depth of the water." Edwin Brown, who was among those rescued in 1940, told the BBC: "They made a hell of a difference because they got us out to the bigger boats where we could get some help from the sailors who couldn't get in because of the depth of the water."
More than 300,000 Allied troops were rescued from the Dunkirk beaches
Of that famous British pluck, Mr Brown said: "There isn't a better spirit anywhere because everyone was looking after each other.Of that famous British pluck, Mr Brown said: "There isn't a better spirit anywhere because everyone was looking after each other.
More than 300,000 Allied troops were rescued from the Dunkirk beaches
"If you were in trouble and you needed help, it was there. That was the Dunkirk spirit.""If you were in trouble and you needed help, it was there. That was the Dunkirk spirit."
A commemorative ceremony will be held at the Allied memorial on Dunkirk beach on Saturday. There will be a minute's silence, followed by the national anthems of Britain, the Czech Republic, France and Belgium. The ships will be escorted by the Royal Navy frigate HMS Monmouth - the youngest ship in the flotilla - on their eight-hour journey.
The evacuation was a big boost to British morale. Rear Adm Tom Cunningham said it was important for his crew to take part.
World War II historian Nick Hewitt said it "bought time" for the Allies, allowing them to regroup and fight another day. He said: "We all have very strong bonds in the maritime community and we recognise ...what a sacrifice and what bravery it took for [the small ships] to do it."
"Without Dunkirk, Britain doesn't have an army and it's extremely questionable whether Britain could have fought the war," he said. A commemorative ceremony is due to be held at the Allied memorial on Dunkirk beach on Saturday. There will be a minute's silence, followed by the national anthems of Britain, the Czech Republic, France and Belgium.
Historians say the evacuation boosted British morale at a crucial time during the war.
World War II expert Nick Hewitt said Dunkirk "bought time" for the Allies, allowing them to regroup and fight another day.
"Without Dunkirk, Britain wouldn't have had an army and it's extremely questionable whether it could have fought the war," he said.
Are you taking part in the voyage? Will you be there to meet the fleet? If you have any information or pictures you would like to share with us, please use the form below.Are you taking part in the voyage? Will you be there to meet the fleet? If you have any information or pictures you would like to share with us, please use the form below.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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