british forces queuing display team

[druid8172]

British troops queuing on the beaches of Dunkirk ‎26 May to 4 June 1940 awaiting rescue during Operation Dynamo

[bob48]

I walked along that beach with my dad when we went on one of the annual pilgrimages with the Dunkirk Veteran's Association'. It was a very emotive experience. At one point, everyone stood in silence and looked out to sea where the RN had some ships, and watched as the BoB flight went over; the Lancaster dropped poppy leaves into the sea. I doubt is there are many, if any, veterans left now. My dad was 19 years old in 1940.

[bayonetbrant]

I've been to Normandy, but never to Dunkirk.  Might put it on the itinerary if/when I get back to Europe some time.

[Cyrano]

I can't even imagine how those men must have felt...

[mirth]

I can't even imagine how those men must have felt...

Wondering if any ships were going to show

[judgedredd]

And the British really don't like queuing! 

Normandy and Dunkirk are on my hit list.

First though are the Son, Veghel, Grave, Nijmegen and Arnhem bridges by way of a week long cycle staring at Hook of Holland and finishing in Amsterdam.

[bob48]

I can't even imagine how those men must have felt...

After a long wait on the beaches, dad was eventually embarked straight onto a destroyer from the mole at Dunkirk. It was being heavily bombed and the holes had been filled in by driving trucks into them and then engineers laying planks on top. One on board, he remembers a sailor giving him a mug of tea and a bully-beef sandwich and then falling asleep.

He was also quite adamant that he witnessed no panic, that the units officers stayed with them, and that he and the men he saw all came off with their personal equipment, including rifles. Obviously, for men who had to wade out to boats, this was not always possible.

He also vividly recalled everyone firing rifles and Bren Guns at attacking bombers (likely Stuka's).

[thecommandtent]

I can't even imagine how those men must have felt...

After a long wait on the beaches, dad was eventually embarked straight onto a destroyer from the mole at Dunkirk. It was beeing heavily bombed and the holes had been filled in by driving trucks into them and then engineers laying planks on top. One on board, he remembers a sailor giving him a mug of tea and a bully-beef sandwich and then falling asleep.

He was also quite adamant there he witnessed no panic, that the units officers stayed with them, and that he and the men he saw all came off with their personal equipment, including rifles. Obviously, for men who had to wade out to boats, this was not always possible.

He also vividly recalled everyone firing rifles and bren Guns at attacking bombers (likely Stuka's).

Thanks for sharing that. A great look at a piece of personal history.

[ojsdad]

I can't even imagine how those men must have felt...

After a long wait on the beaches, dad was eventually embarked straight onto a destroyer from the mole at Dunkirk. It was beeing heavily bombed and the holes had been filled in by driving trucks into them and then engineers laying planks on top. One on board, he remembers a sailor giving him a mug of tea and a bully-beef sandwich and then falling asleep.

He was also quite adamant there he witnessed no panic, that the units officers stayed with them, and that he and the men he saw all came off with their personal equipment, including rifles. Obviously, for men who had to wade out to boats, this was not always possible.

He also vividly recalled everyone firing rifles and bren Guns at attacking bombers (likely Stuka's).

Thanks for sharing that. A great look at a piece of personal history.

 

[BanzaiCat]

  +1