Page 55 - All About History - Issue 54-17

Little Ships, Great Escape

The little ships, navy, army and RAF all
worked amid great chaos and danger,
with a constant multitude of threats
Map
03
06 Guarding the skies
The RAF played an important
role in protecting soldiers and vessels from
further attack from the air. The navy played a Perils of
similar part at sea with its destroyers. 07 the routes
Of the three routes, Route X was
the safest in terms of avoiding
surface attacks – but minefields and
sandbanks meant vessels could not
travel this way at night.
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07

Tons of
08equipment
ditched
It was not just soldiers who were
left behind. Much equipment had
to be shed, including just over
76,000 tons of ammunition and
more than 63,000 vehicles.

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09 A safe return
Dover was one site to welcome troops
and little ships home. Civilians and soldiers were able
to rest, with the latter then travelling inland to make
room for those following.

02 Action behind
10 the beaches
While the little ships were playing their part, others
were, too. Thousands of soldiers battled to hold
off the Germans to help as many of their comrades
escape as possible.

Massey Shaw Sundowner Bluebird of Chelsea Marchioness Resolute
The fireboat had only been to sea The yacht belonged to Charles Originally owned by record- The vessel survived Dunkirk, but A cockle boat, Resolute’s crew
once before, but it served well Herbert Lightoller. He rescued 130 breaking racing driver Malcolm its story still had a sad end. In had a narrow escape when the
at Dunkirk and went on to play a soldiers who are said to have been Campbell, Bluebird got to Dunkirk 1989, it collided with a dredger Germans began firing as they were
major role during the Blitz. packed in like sardines. after two false starts. and sank. Many passengers died. getting soldiers aboard.

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