Crews on board the little ships that traveled to Dunkirk this week have had to abandon their ceremonial return to the UK due to adverse weather conditions.
Nearly 70 boats, all original civilian ships that helped with the miraculous World War Two evacuation of about 330,000 troops, sailed back to northern France for the 85th anniversary. However, two ships from Essex will remain moored at Dunkirk for longer than expected.
The Leigh-on-Sea Endeavour Trust stated that it could not take a risk with its crew and passengers after hearing reports of a navy boat being spun around by a wave during bad weather on Thursday night.
"We cannot take a risk with our crew and passengers," said the trust in a statement.
Historical Context
The six cockle boats from Leigh-on-Sea played a crucial role in Operation Dynamo in May-June 1940. They helped taxi soldiers from the beach to larger ships, credited with saving about 180 troops during this time.
- Operation Dynamo began late afternoon on May 26, 1940, three weeks after Germany invaded Poland, starting World War II.
- The British Expeditionary Force lost more than half its men killed or captured between April and May while fighting alongside French army divisions against advancing German panzer corps led by General Heinz Guderian through Belgium into France.
One of these cockle boats is now run as a charter boat in Maldon.
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