The Dunkirk Little Ships are ready for an 85th anniversary commemoration of Operation Dynamo.
In May 1940, at the outbreak of World War II, the British Expeditionary Force in France found itself overwhelmed by the rapid advance of Nazi troops. Pushed back to the beaches of Dunkirk, hundreds of thousands of British and Allied soldiers faced certain capture, or worse. What happened next became one of the most heroic civilian efforts in wartime history.
The British Admiralty issued an urgent call to civilian boat owners across the UK. They were asked to register their vessel and join the effort to rescue the stranded troops. The response was overwhelming. Hundreds of private craft, including fishing boats, yachts, tugs, and barges, set off for Dunkirk.
Legendary
They became known as the Little Ships. And their role in the success of the evacuation would become legendary.
This coming May, seventy-five of those original Little Ships, now restored, preserved, and cherished, will once again make the crossing to France. They will sail across the channel to mark the 85th anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuation. It too will be known as Operation Dynamo.
Organised by the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS), the commemorative voyage runs from May 17 to 26, 2025. Departing from Ramsgate, they will retrace their voyage to Dunkirk, paying tribute to the bravery of those who took part in the 1940 mission.
Against all odds
During the original Operation Dynamo, approximately 850 small civilian vessels, sailed from Ramsgate to the beaches of Dunkirk. Many were crewed by everyday civilians. Prime Minister Winston Churchill had hoped to rescue 40,000 troops. Against all odds, the operation saved more than 338,000 soldiers! All that is thanks to the coordination of the Royal Navy, the RAF, and the Little Ships.
But tragically, around 250 of those beautiful boats never made it back to Blighty.
Though a technically a defeat, the Dunkirk evacuation became a defining moment in British history. It remains a story of courage, unity, and resilience. This year’s anniversary voyage ensures that the legacy of the Little Ships, and the people who sailed them, will never be forgotten.
