WW2 10: Dunkirk

In May 1940, the British and French armies were in full retreat, as the Germans advanced towards the Channel coast.

Very soon the British were surrounded in a small area around the French port of Dunkirk. It looked as though they would have to surrender. This was Britain’s ‘Darkest Hour.’

A desperate appeal was made for ships large and small to rescue British troops from the Dunkirk beaches. The crews of hundreds of ‘little ships’ answered the call - from fishing boats and yachts, to sailing barges and pleasure steamers. They came from ports all around the UK, including many boats from Folkestone, where the harbour emptied overnight.

Braving attack by German Stuka dive bombers, many boats went back time and again to rescue the troops.  Some lost their lives when their boats were attacked and sunk.

This was the ‘Miracle of Dunkirk’, which plucked over 330,000 soldiers from under the noses of the Germans and allowed them to fight another day.

Did you know?
Nearly 50 of these vessels came into Folkestone Harbour, landing almost 30,000 exhausted and injured soldiers, who were taken away on 64 special trains for treatment and rest.

As the trains crawled out of Folkestone, many local people went down to Tram Road, to hand the soldiers sandwiches, sweets, chocolate and cigarettes through the open carriage windows to sustain them on their journey.