Dunkirk 1940: The Making of the Miracle
In 2020, we marked 80 years since the incredible rescue of the British Army from Dunkirk, coordinated from Royal Navy headquarters deep under Dover Castle in May 1940. The mission, Operation Dynamo, saved more than 330,000 soldiers and returned them to home shores. Discover the role Dover Castle played, and find out how we commemorated the 80th anniversary from home.
Discover the commemorations
From 19 May - 4 June 2020, we brought the drama of Operation Dynamo to life through digital storytelling across our social media channels. We transported viewers into the wartime tunnels of Dover Castle to experience the rescue effort through stories inspired by eyewitness accounts. Read on to find out more, and enjoy these stories for yourselves.
English Heritage on Twitter
What was Operation Dynamo?
By the last week of May 1940, most of the British Expeditionary Force, along with French and Belgian soldiers, were trapped by the German army in a pocket around Dunkirk. Their only hope of escape was by sea, across the English Channel.
On the evening of 26 May, the British Government authorised an amphibious rescue mission, codenamed Operation Dynamo. In command was Vice Admiral Bertram Ramsay of the Royal Navy, who directed the operation from his headquarters at Dover Castle.
Over the next nine days, the men and women of Ramsay’s staff worked tirelessly from tunnels beneath the castle, coordinating a host of Royal Navy warships, merchant vessels of every sort and small civilian boats. Despite many ships being sunk and many lives lost, by the end of the operation on 4 June, Ramsay, his ships and staff had rescued 338,226 British and Allied troops and landed them in England. The rescue came to be regarded as a ‘miracle’, and remains the largest amphibious evacuation undertaken in wartime. It enabled Britain’s soldiers to regroup and fight again.
Discover Dover CastleStand Where it Happened
Today at Dover Castle you can still visit the very tunnels where Ramsay’s team worked tirelessly during those tense days. What’s more, you can also learn about the other roles the castle played during the rest of the Second World War. From the underground hospital to the Port War Signal Station on the edge of the White Cliffs, a visit to Dover Castle is a must for anyone interested in this dramatic period of history.
Learn More-
Dover Castle and the Second World War
Uncover Dover Castle's Second World War story on our page, and find out what you can see in the present day.
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Operation Dynamo: Rescue from Dunkirk
Discover tours of the Secret Wartime Tunnels that you can enjoy on a visit to Dover Castle.
Learn along from Home
Explore this defining moment in history with your family and students. During the ten days marking 80 years since Operation Dynamo, our education channel @EHEducation joined in the conversation on Twitter to share games, quizzes, puzzles and learning resources to help home learners and educators discover the story of Dunkirk.
Learn with us-
Your Secret Mission
Crack the Clues with Our Codebreaker
Codebreaking was vital during the Second World War, so we've created a special codebreaking quiz for you to take. Your mission is to decode the clues, crack the codes and test your knowledge. Successful code breakers will be rewarded for their efforts with a special commemorative digital print!
Explore the story of Dunkirk
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Interview with Benjamin Richard Sheen, Dunkirk War Veteran
Meet former Army Signalman Richard Sheen for an eyewitness account of the events of May and June 1940.
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Dover Castle: Rescue from Dunkirk
Join James Blincow and Rowena Willard-Wright as they discuss how Vice Admiral Bertram Ramsey coordinated the rescue from the tunnels below Dover Castle.
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What was life Like? Operation Dynamo
Join young English Heritage members Tom and Will as they head into Dover's tunnels to learn more about Operation Dynamo.
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The Fall of France
Discover more about the German invasion of France that led to the evacuation at Dunkirk.
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Operation Dynamo: Things you Need to Know
Find out the Key facts about the rescue operation.
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Dunkirk on the Home Front
Read ordinary people’s accounts of life in Dover during the long, gruelling days of May and June 1940.
Operation Dynamo in Pictures
Follow the stories of the Fall of France and Operation Dynamo through iconic, dramatic and remarkable historic photographs.
Explore the Collection
