More than 50 of the ships that took part in the Dunkirk evacuation returned to France today on the 70th anniversary
Maev Kennedy
The Little Ships are heading back to Dunkirk again today, a celebratory jaunt marking the 70th anniversary of the desperate nights when coal boats and barges, luxury private launches and paddle steamers built for holiday trips around the lighthouse joined naval and military craft in an eccentric fleet of 900 vessels which repeatedly crossed the Channel to evacuate more than 338,000 troops from the beaches around the French port.
Operation Dynamo, carried out between 27 May and 4 June 1940, under continuous German bombardment, was described by Winston Churchill as "a miracle of deliverance" and put the phrase Dunkirk spirit into the language. At least 5,000 died in the operation.
This morning more than 50 of the original little ships, many with children of the original crew members on board, were seen off from Dover in style, escorted by HMS Monmouth, and with a flypast by the Royal Navy Historic Flight of planes from the period.
The Monmouth is the youngest frigate in the navy, commissioned in 1993. Rear Admiral Tom Cunningham said it was important for his crew to take part: "We all have very strong bonds in the maritime community and we recognise what a sacrifice and what bravery it took to do it".
The ceremony at Ramsgate, where the harbour was lined with cheering members of the public despite the rain, was attended by government and military officials, and music from the Parachute Regiment band and a 200 voice choir from the Royal Choral Society, who are also crossing the Channel to join in the French ceremonies.
