Dunkirk 70 years on

Discussion in 'WW2 Battlefields Today' started by Drew5233, May 31, 2010.

  1. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    With nearly 2,500 pictures !

    I thought I'd post a bit of an update on here has to how it all went.

    First day was at Ramsgate. A bit disorganised as seemed to be the theme in France too but we saw a bit of a march past with some military vehicles. The highlight was blagging my way down onto the quay where the 'Little Ships' were moored and speaking to the skipper of MTB 102.

    The following day we sailed for Dunkirk. On arrival we headed straight to th eEast Mole with our picnic to watch the 'Little Ships' arrive. The Skipper of MTB 102 told me that where they were sailing into Dunkirk. On arrival our progress was halted short of the German Bunker near the harbour entrance just before the Mole starts due to construction work.

    We opted to park up near the Lighthouse and met several people (Around 7) who started asking me Q's thanks to Rob's WW2Talk.com on tour sign in the car window. Remarkably they had all heard or used the forum in one way or another. After waiting a few hours and no ships I went for a walk and asked a French chap working in the docks what was happening. It appears Norfolkline was funding everything this year and felt it appropriate to amend history slightly and all the 'Little Ships' should enter the other part used by the ferries due to their ferry being to big to enter via the East and West Moles.

    On the plus side we relocated twice rather rapidly and I was so close I could have touched them as they sailed past into the harbour. We were stood near a Vet from the Buffs who was asking if the Lady Jane had arrived. When she came by she heaved too and picked him up. Apparently he was evacuated on the same ship 70 years ago.

    After the last ship arrived - HMS Monmouth we left for the hotel in Belgium.

    At Breakfast on Friday I was approached by another chap who turned out to be Suffolk Boy aka Stuart and his partner Tracey. After breakfast we left for Hondeghem, St Sylvestre, Teteghem and Cassel to photograph 5 RHA's battle and then onto Wormhout for the commemorations which were rather disappointing to say the least - as an example the minutes silence only lasted 35 seconds and was a coomon theme throughout the commemorations. On a plus note I plucked up the courage to talk to two veterans one of them being Royal Signals.

    From Wormhout we went to Bray Dunes where we visited the Devonia and Crested Eagle.

    On Saturday morning we met up with Stuart and Tracey and they followed us into Dunkirk for the main event at the BEF memorial. We were quite close to where the Vet sadly died but much has to be said for the medical cover. Later that day we also met up with Rich Payne and Jan from the forum too for lunch. Cheers for the beer Rich.....

    After a late lunch we said chow to Rich and Jan and headed into town for the parade with the DR's being the highlight-I so want a WW2 m/bike now ! Another nice touch was the massive contingent from 'Help for Heroes' when the BEF vets reached them there was an almighty cheer from them which was far louder than the french appreciation for the their vets.

    After the parade we took Stuart and Tracey to the Dunkirk Memorial and Cemetery. We met up with them again later that night for dinner and said our good byes the following morning after breakfast. We spent the rest of the day visiting cemeteries before getting the ferry back to Dover.
     
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  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Ramsgate Harbour-The red building is where the church service took place. I believe its a small Seaman's Mission and there was a PA system allowed the crowd outside to hear the service.
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    Vintage drive past. Don't have a clue what they are mind.
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    General shot of some of the 'Little Ships'
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    The associations flag. The lion and fish feature on the Dunkirk Vets medal too.
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  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Looking at the East Mole some of the Little Ships got 'lost' and had to sail about a bit to find the group.
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    More of these later in a seperate thread.
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    Everyone had to follow the ferry and wait until it moored up so they could then sail past.
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    Some of the vets, band etc on the ferry.
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    The 'Little Ships' arrive.
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  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  5. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    [​IMG]
     
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  7. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Andy

    Keep em coming. Looks a lot warmer than when we were there in February. Did you notice if the damaged items had been repaired?

    Cheers - Rob
     
  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Cheers Rob,

    Yes the site had under gone a massive transformation. New picture frames, all the up rooted tree's had been replaced. Everything was clean and new.

    I'll post some more later tonight :)
     
  9. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    Come on now Andy .... come on ....where are the other 2,434 photos :p
    :D

    Excellent , Andy look forward to seeing more of your trip when time allows.
     
  10. AussieBrit

    AussieBrit Junior Member

    In 2007 my partner & I travelled to Dunkirk so I could pay my respects to my father at the Memorial on the waterfront, it was a rainy day but I was so moved as to be able to travel from Australia to the spot my father got off in 1940 and got back to England.
    He was a sapper in the Royal Engineers in the 3rd Div under General Montgomery.
    I also was able to visit Bastion 32 the HQ for operation Dynamo, it was great to be able see the models and artifacts on display and to chat to the vets manning the front door.
     
  11. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Andy - why not start a new thread for your photos?


    EDIT: Sorted.
    D
     
  12. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    The French
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    The Belgians
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    The Royal Navy
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    The French Air Force
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    More French-There was a lot.
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  13. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    They were well represented.
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    And had been cycling around Northern France for charity visiting all the battlefields.
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    UP THE RIFLES !
     
  14. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    The most important people arrive ...
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  15. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  16. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Just east of the mole the ships anchor is recovered to be transported back to the Isle of Man.
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    Not sure about this-I assumed she would be a War Grave?
     
  17. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Great stuff!
     
  18. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    and circle off shore.
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    One broke away and headed for the beach
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    And stopped short of the beach.
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    You couldn't help but wonder what she was doing 70 years ago to the day.
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  19. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  20. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

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