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- Operation Dynamo - The Evacuation from Dunkirk and nearby Beaches during the Second World War -


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World War 2 Two II WW2 WWII 1939 1945

Operation Dynamo - The Evacuation from Dunkirk and nearby Beaches



   Operation Dynamo took place between the 26th of May and 4th of June 1940, with a flotilla of ships and boats of various sizes evacuating more than 330,000 British and French soldiers from Dunkirk and the nearby beaches along the northern French Coast. 170 ships were sunk including 25 major Naval vessels and 7 ships of the French Navy, and the RAF lost 930 aircraft. Almost all of the equipment of the British Expeditionary Force was left behind in France, losses of personnel were high with as many as 68,000 men killed or taken prisoner to spend the remainder of the war in captivity. More info.

 

20th May 1940 Orders

21st May 1940 Ship Sunk

22nd May 1940 Attack

24th May 1940 Aircraft Lost

24th May 1940 Rear Guard

24th May 1940 In Action

25th May 1940 Aircraft Lost

25th May 1940 HQ Established

25th May 1940 Rescue

25th May 1940 In Defence

25th May 1940 Rear Guard

26th May 1940 Pilot lost

26th May 1940 In action over Dunkirk

26th May 1940 Operation Dynamo Begins

26th May 1940 Protection Duty

26th May 1940 Surrounded

26th May 1940 Evacuation

26th May 1940 Orders

26th May 1940 Escape corridor

26th May 1940 Patrols

26th May 1940 Rear Guard

26th May 1940 Rescue

27th May 1940 Troops Evacuated

27th May 1940 First Troops Rescued

27th May 1940 Aircraft Lost

27th May 1940 Air cover

27th May 1940 Rescue

27th May 1940 Evacuation

27th May 1940 Enemy Attacks

27th May 1940 Orders

27th May 1940 On the Move

27th May 1940 On the March

27th May 1940 In Action

27th May 1940 Withdrawal

27th May 1940 Air Attack

27th May 1940 Luck Running Out

28th May 1940 Pilot lost

28th May 1940 Patrols

28th May 1940 Dunkirk

28th May 1940 Troops Evacuated

28th May 1940 Ships Lost

28th May 1940 Withdrawal

28th May 1940 Aircraft Lost but pilot returned from Dunkirk

28th May 1940 Withdrawal

28th May 1940 Troops on Board

28th May 1940 On the March

28th May 1940 Orders

28th May 1940  Troop ship sunk

28th May 1940 Rear Guard Action

28th May 1940 In Action

28th of May 1940 Aircraft lost and casualties

28th May 1940 Operation Dynamo

28th May 1940 Divisional HQ Moves

28th May 1940 Air Raids

28th May 1940 On the Move

28th May 1940 Withdrawal

28th May 1940 Prisoners

28th May 1940 In Defence

28th May 1940 Orders

28th May 1940 Under Attack

28th May 1940 Orders

29th May 1940 Relocated

29th May 1940 Confusion

29th May 1940 Wounded Evacuated

29th May 1940 Crossing the Channel

29th May 1940 Aircraft Lost

29th May 1940 On the Beach

29th May 1940 Three pilots lost

29th May 1940 Evacuation

29th May 1940 Embarkation

29th May 1940 Under Attack

29th May 1940 Shelling

29th May 1940 On the March

29th May 1940 Vehicles Destroyed

29th May 1940 Withdrawal

29th May 1940 Evacuation

29th May 1940 Withdrawal

29th May 1940 Under Fire

29th of May 1940 Dunkirk burning

29th May 1940 Three Hurricanes shot down over Dunkirk

29th May 1940 Withdrawal

29th May 1940 On the Beaches

29th May 1940 Air Raids

29th May 1940 Evacuation

29th May 1940 Evacuation

29th May 1940 In Action

29th May 1940 On the Move

29th May 1940 Evacuation

29th May 1940 On the March

29th May 1940 Rear Guard

29th May 1940 Air Raid

29th May 1940 Air Raid

29th May 1940 Troops Rescued

29th May 1940 

30th May 1940 Holding the Bridges

30th May 1940 Casualties

30th May 1940 Troops Evacuated

30th May 1940 Evacuation

30th May 1940 Aircraft Lost

30th May 1940 On the Beach

30th May 1940 On the Beach

30th May 1940 On the Beach

30th May 1940 Withdrawal

30th May 1940 Bombardment

30th May 1940 On the Beach

30th May 1940 Evacuation

30th May 1940 Moved again

30th May 1940 On the March

30th May 1940 Rear Guard

30th May 1940 Delays

30th May 1940 Withdrawal

30th May 1940 Perimeter Defence

30th May 1940 In Defence

30th May 1940 Evacuation

30th May 1940 Evacuation

30th May 1940 Slit Trenches

30th May 1940 Policy

30th May 1940 On the Beaches

30th May 1940 Air Raids

30th May 1940 Evacuation

30th May 1940 In Action

30th May 1940 Evacuation

30th May 1940 Rear Guard

30th May 1940 Withdrawal

30th May 1940 Reduced Strength

30th May 1940 Pier Constructed

30th May 1940 Guards Embark

30th May 1940 Shelling

30th May 1940 Troops Rescued

30th May 1940 Machine Guns

30th May 1940 Shelling

30th May 1940 Defensive Perimeter

31st May 1940 Return to Tangmere

31st May 1940 Under Fire

31st May 1940 In Action

31st May 1940 Evacuation

31st May 1940 Troops Evacuated

31st May 1940 Withdrawal

31st May 1940 Two aircraft lost

31st May 1940 Aircraft lost

31st May 1940 In the Dunes

31st May 1940 Evacuation

31st May 1940 Evacuation

31st May 1940 On the Beach

31st May 190 Construction Work

31st May 1940 Excellent Organisation

31st May 1940 Action over Belgium

31st May 1940 Withdrawal

31st May 1940 Shelling

31st May 1940 Improvisation

31st May 1940 Evacuation

31st May 1940 Heavy Shelling

31st May 1940 Embarkation

31st May 1940 Embarkation

31st May 1940 Evacuation

31st May 1940 Under Fire

31st May 1940 Heavy Fighting

31st May 1940 Orders

31st of May 1940 Withdrawal

31st May 1940 Embarkation

31st May 1940 Air Attacks

31st May 1940 Small Boats

31st May 1940 Guns Destroyed

31st May 1940 Orders

31st May 1940 Withdrawal

31st May 1940 Troops Rescued

31st May 1940 Guns Firing

31st May 1940 In Action

1st June 1940 Dunkirk

1st Jun 1940 Aircraft Lost

1st June 1940 First Spitfire 'Ace'

1st June 1940 Aircraft Lost

1st Jun 1940 Withdrawal

1st Jun 1940 Troops Evacuated

1st June 1940 Aircraft lost

1st June 1940 Aircraft lost

1st Jun 1940 Shelling

1st Jun 1940 Evacuation

1st Jun 1940 Evacuation

1st Jun 1940 Withdrawal

1st Jun 1940 Embarkation

1st Jun 1940 Evacuation

1st June 1940 Pilot lost

1st Jun 1940 On the Beaches

1st Jun 1940 Under Fire

1st Jun 1940 Bridges

1st Jun 1940 Instructions for Last Stand

1st June 1940 Orders

1st of June 1940 On the Move

1st June 1940 Shot down

1st Jun 1940 Air Raid

1st Jun 1940 Troops Rescued

1st Jun 1940 Heavy Shelling

2nd Jun 1940 Aircrews have lucky escapes

2nd Jun 1940 Withdrawal

2nd Jun 1940 Bombed

2nd Jun 1940 On the Move

2nd Jun 1940 On the Beach

2nd June 1940 Spitfire shot down

2nd June 1940 Dunkirk

2nd Jun 1940 Home

2nd Jun 1940 Evacuation

2nd June1940  Bailed out

2nd June 1940 At Dunkirk.

2nd June 1940 Evening patrol

2nd June 1940 Air Raids

2nd Jun 1940 Magnificent Work

3rd Jun 1940 Operation Completed

3rd Jun 1940 Rescues

3rd Jun 1940 Home

3rd Jun 1940 Evacuation

3rd Jun 1940 Training

3rd June 1940 Pilot killed

4th Jun 1940 With the Wounded

5th Jun 1940 Rescues

10th Aug 1940 Musical Instruments


If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.





Those known to have fought in

Operation Dynamo - The Evacuation from Dunkirk and nearby Beaches

during the Second World War 1939-1945.

The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List



The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website.

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Want to know more about Operation Dynamo - The Evacuation from Dunkirk and nearby Beaches?


There are:963 items tagged Operation Dynamo - The Evacuation from Dunkirk and nearby Beaches available in our Library

  These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War.


Sgt. WJ Newman MiD Gloucestershire Regiment

Sgt.WJ Newman served with the Gloucestershire Regiment British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch.

Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.

Dan



Gdmn. G Neal 1st Btn. Grenadier Guards

Gdmn.G Neal served with the 1st Btn. Grenadier Guards British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch.

Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.

Dan



NA Hazel 4/7th Dragoon Guards

NA Hazel served with the 4/7th Dragoon Guards British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch.

Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.

Dan



Cpl. N Hall 9th Lancers

Cpl.N Hall served with the 9th Lancers British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch.

Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.

Dan



Pte. W Book 1st Btn. Border Regiment

Pte.W Book served with the 1st Btn. Border Regiment British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch.

Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.

Dan



Charles Edward Haythorne Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

My father, Charles Edward Haythorne (known as Teddy) was captured at Dunkirk and was taken to the POW camp Stalag XXb. If anyone can tell me anything about him please get in touch.

Margaret Haywood



Sgt. William "Sonny" Alderton Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

My Uncle served in Dunkirk I was told it was with the REME.  His name was Sgt William "Sonny" Alderton.  I would love to know some more about his service in Dunkirk.

Janet Thorup



Francis William Cavender Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Francis Cavender died when my wife's mother was 13 years old, leaving a wife and 6 children. She has very little knowledge of her father, but did have the photo attached and that he was at Dunkirk. We believe it is a REME uniform, we are currently sourcing his death cert' so we can gain his war record from the MOD. Some folks claim the uniform was pre WW2, but he was too young to be in WW1 and looks too old in photo. Died in 1948 - after war death record period. We would be grateful for any info' and to confirm his REME connection.

Jim and Clare Higgins



Dan Fitzgerald

My father's youngest brother, Dan Fitzgerald, was one of the 350,000 plus British soldiers stranded on the beaches of Dunkirk. Thankfully he was rescued by the amazing fleet of 'little boats'. He was one of many in the hold of the rescue ship. He looked across at another weary soldier who looked at my uncle Dan and said "I know you", my Uncle Dan replied, " you should, you are married to my sister. Rosina."

What are those odds, out of the rescued, over 300,000 men that two brother-in-law, from Belfast, were on the same ship? I enclose a photo of uncle Dan's homecoming. This has just come to light and must have been in a local Belfast newspaper, I know not which paper. The photo is very blurry but I would like it to be told. My Uncle Dan is in uniform, my granny, his mother, is beside him. There are other members of the Fitzgerald family including my dad and mum, Charlie and Sadie Fitzgerald

Rosina Fitzgerald



Trpr. Robert Henry Sharp 1st Lothian Edinburgh Horse Yeomanry

Harry Sharp enlisted into the Army in 1938 at the age of 17 years. He lied about his age, joining the 15/19 Hussars in York. On the outbreak of WW2 he was transferred to the 1st Lovian Edinburgh Horse Yeomanry as a tank driver. Went to France in 1939 with the 51st Highland Division which was part of the B.E.F. Was the only survivor after his tank was destroyed by a German Tank. Was captured at St Valery after the surrender of the 51st Highland Division which was the Dunkirk rear guard unit. When taken prisoner Harry was wounded in the ankle/foot. As POW was forced to work in a Polish coal mine. Based at Stalag 8b.

Harry before he died, age 91, began to talk of the horrendous times he endured on the march from France to Poland having to cross the River Danube on many occasions. He also stated that the Germans saved his leg when they put maggots on his wound. The British Medics were going to amputate his leg prior to his capture.








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Fighting Through: From Dunkirk to Hamburg- A Green Howards Wartime Memoir

Bill Cheall & Paul Cheall


When Bill Cheall joined up in April 1939, he could not have imagined the drama, trauma, rewards and near continuous action that lay in store. First and foremost a Green Howard, as a member of the BEF he saw the sharp end of Hitler's May 1940 Blitzkrieg and was evacuated exhausted from Dunkirk. His next move was to North Africa, courtesy of the Queen Mary, to be part of Monty's 8thArmy. After eventual victory in Tunisia, the Sicily invasion followed. Along a number of other battle-hardened units, the Green Howards were ordered back to England to form the vanguard of the Normandy Invasion. In the fierce fighting that followed the D-Day landing on GOLD Beach, he was wounded and evacuated. His colleague, Sergeant Major Stan Hollis, won the only VC to be awarded on 6 June 1944.

Every cloud has a silver lining and Bill fell in love with his nurse. That did not prevent his return, once fit, to the war zone and he finished the war as a Regimental Policeman in devastated occupied Germany. For



The Little Ships: A Story of the Heroic Rescue at Dunkirk

Louise Borden


I must also mention the welcome reissue in January of Foreman's The Little Ships which has been out of print for some time and has been sorely missed. Written by Louise Borden in a poetic style, this is a moving account for children of all ages of the evacuation of Dunkirk. (Marylin Brocklehurst Bookseller ) Their dramatic and touching story is vivdly brought to life in this atmospheric picture book with poetic style writing and animated illustrations. (Primary Times ) Stunning watercolour illustrations bring this piece of history to dramatic life. (Angels and Urchins ) A fascinating book and a welcome reissue. (Carousel ) The striking and evocative text is equally matched with the distinctive and powerful illustrations from Michael Foreman. (School Librarian ) Product Description In May 1940, many countries in Europe were at war with Nazi Germany. Half a million British and French soldiers were trapped on three sides in northern France by German troops and tanks. The onl


My Uncle's Dunkirk

Mick Manning & Brita Granström


Mick Mannings moving story invites children to discover one of Britain's most tragic and heroic wartime events. (Best of British ) An evocative and moving account of a young man's experience of the events of 1940. (Books For Keeps ) Through the picture book medium this cleverly tells the story of a relative reluctant to tell of his wartime memories. (School Librarian ) Inspiring... simply told and yet shockingly moving. (Connexion ) Very interesting and colourful. (Cork Evening Echo ) Product Description A moving but accessible account of a young man's experiences on the beaches of Dunkirk in the Second World War
More information on:

My Uncle's Dunkirk



Hero at Dunkirk

Vince Cross


Joe Read was 15 years old when he was caught up in a moment in history no one will ever forget. 2010 sees the 70th anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuation. Winston Churchill called it 'a miraclef deliverance' when over 300000 British and allied soldiers were rescued from the beaches of Dunkirk by a fleet of over 800 boats. Joe and his father Wally risked their lives taking their pleasue craft, the New Britannic, across the channel. Joe's story is told here for the first time.
More information on:

Hero at Dunkirk







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    The free section of the Wartime Memories Project website is run by volunteers. We have been helping people find out more about their relatives wartime experiences since 1999 by recording and preserving recollections, documents, photographs and small items.

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