Hello all I am a researcher for documentary on WW2 poetry. Some of our poets were involved in the evacuation at Dunkirk. Does anyone know of any sites that might be worth filming ? I was thinking East Mole, and the Crested Eagle or Devonia wreck (both at low tide I assume!). I'm looking for Dunkirk era buildings but no later than June 1940. Hope that helps Thank you so much George
There's loads left in and around Dunkirk if you know where to look Have a look at my Walking in the footsteps of the BEF thread for a fair few 'Then and Now' pictures
In "Atonement" which features Dunkirk heavily, the scenes of the evacuation were shot in Redcar including the tracking shot of the seafront as a war-torn Dunkirk - don't know what that says about Redcar? Another location used for the streets of Dunkirk was the Grimsby ice factory on Grimsby docks. It's a tough one really - do you want the actual location, in which case you're going to have to accept that most places have been absolutely altered beyond recognition, although some war torn cities like Caen were rebuilt exactly - or authenticity, which is going to cost more money than I suspect you have? Some locations may survive, I believe the site of Keith Douglas' death is well known and his grave isn't far away in Tilly sur Seules. David Raikes' body was only found last year and he's buried near Padua. Alun Lewis will be difficult as he died in Burma. Vernon Scannell wrote his best work while in Northfield Military mental hospital, of which some is still standing, but not wards. Sidney Keyes fought and died in Tunisia -but hey, I'm doing your job, sorry, just being enthusiastic.
http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/12633-walking-in-the-footsteps-of-the-british-expeditionary-force-2008-to-2009/
I did a quick Google image search, and discovered that some of the beach at Zuydcoote still looks relatively unspoiled. The Hopital Maritime, a major landmark seen in WWII photos, is still there.
And so are the scars of fighting with plenty of bullet and large calibre weapon holes in the out buildings.
Dear All Thank you all for the advice. Drew5233 - I have been reading your thread, but some of the pictures aren't loading. My computer must be at fault ! Staffy - thank you for the advice on the mole Brian - I won't have a job left if you continue ! I was also hoping to know whether the wrecks of Devonia and Crested Eagle can be viewed at low tide, or is it an especially low one I need to be aware of ? Does anyone know the location of a Gun emplacement from 1940 that has survived ? Thank you so much G
You can view the wrecks at low tide - I did a thread on those two ships as well. I put crosses on them on the 70th anniversary. Search the forum for the thread. The best emplacement IMO is just north of Cassel where Lt Cresswell defended it - Yes you guessed it, I've done a thread on that. Look through the 1940 section, you'll be spoilt for choice Ps the pics have gone for some reason, the host I use is crap basically. Cheers Andy
When are you filming? I'm hoping to get over next month with my son, it's about time he saw Dunkirk Cemetery. So if you need a guide .....
Go to Google earth and type in Zuydcoote, Fr, you get a good overhead view but also click on the photo icons and you can see the Crested Eagle wreck, the hospital; and a number of fortifications on the dunes, they being later, the Atlantic Wall. even if you travel there the Google Earth images are helpful . Gaines
A tad off the original subject but was Graveslines iin any way involved with the evacuation of 1940 or was it damaged. It sits right in the area and would have provided cover but I have never heard that it was in any way at part of WW11. It seems like some activity would have happened there. If so it may be of interest to the OP. Gaines
