The evacuation from Dunkirk on the French coast was hailed in Britain as an extraordinary achievement and the ‘little ships of Dunkirk’ swiftly entered the mythology of wartime brave deeds.
British soldiers wade out to a waiting destroyer off Dunkirk during the evacuation.
Troops evacuated from Dunkirk on a destroyer about to berth at Dover, 31 May 1940.
Troops evacuated from Dunkirk enjoying tea and other refreshments at Addison Road station in London, 31 May 1940.
Some of the 'little ships' used during the evacuation of Dunkirk being towed back along the River Thames past Tower Bridge, 9 June 1940.
German forces moved into Dunkirk hours after the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force. Here German officers inspect a memorial on the sea front at Dunkirk.
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The aircraft carrier HMS INDOMITABLE on the homeward journey from Sydney Harbour to the United Kingdom. On board were men of the British Pacific Fleet who were being demobilised, along with former prisoners of war and women internees from Japanese camps. The picture shows a sharp encounter in the goal mouth during a deck hockey match on the flight deck of HMS INDOMITABLE, which was used as a huge sporting facility for the men on the journey back.
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