Operation Dynamo 85th Anniversary

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Commemoration of the 85th Anniversary of Operation Dynamo, Ramsgate takes place with a series of events from Friday 16 to Monday 26 May 2025.

In May 1940, a rescue operation was implemented by the Royal Navy to evacuate British, French and Belgian troops from the beaches at Dunkirk, codenamed Operation Dynamo. It was anticipated that 20-30,000 troops would be rescued, though the actual figure was more than 338,000. Many hundreds of civilian vessels sailed to Dunkirk to help ferry troops from the beaches out to larger ships, or even back across the channel. These included fishing smacks, cockle boats, lifeboats and sailing barges, and are now known as the ‘Little Ships’. Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour witnessed 850 of these civilian vessels set sail.

Ramsgate will be commemorating this momentous event, in partnership with the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS). More than 60 Little Ships plan to cross the channel to Dunkirk from Ramsgate on Wednesday 21 May 2025. The flotilla will take Royal Navy ratings and be accompanied by Royal Navy vessels. Many of the Little Ships will return to Ramsgate on Monday 26 May.

Both crossings will depend on the weather. Other events and activities will take place throughout Ramsgate and around the Royal Harbour. These include a parade with the Marching Band and Corp of Drums of the Royal Marines; the opportunity to board the Medway Queen, a paddle steamer and heroine of Dunkirk; discover evacuee stories and see model displays at Ramsgate Tunnels; and WWII era transport around the Royal Harbour.

For further information go to www.visitthanet.co.uk/operationdynamo