Operation Dynamo/The Little Ships +85

In May 1940 retreating allied troops, including the majority of the British Expeditionary Force, found themselves trapped on the beaches at Dunkirk, they numbered more than 300,000. The shallow waters meant that it was not possible for naval vessels to get in close to rescue them. The British Ministry of shipping therefore sought out as many shallow draught boats as possible from the Thames and around the south coast and took them to Ramsgate. Many were requisitioned and manned by naval personnel and experienced sailors but some were crewed by their owners. From Ramsgate around 850 of these private 'Little Ships' headed to Dunkirk and either ferried troops to the waiting navy destroyers or picked up troops and headed back to Ramsgate, often returning to the beaches to collect further troops.The result was that over 9 days more than 330,000 soldiers were rescued and a military disaster became a story of heroism. All of this was 85 years ago but to commemorate this a goodly number of surviving Little Ships have gathered in Ramsgate again and will set sail for Dunkirk once more in a few days time. A special event is underway to mark the return of the ships and a replica Spitfire, a few renactors, and a handful of military vehicles are on hand - along with vintage music, a funfair and other attractions.