The Dunkirk evacuation of 1940 was the scene of one of the most miraculous moments of World War 2. Code-named Operation Dynamo, the Allied forces evacuated the beaches of Dunkirk, France having been surrounded by advancing German troops in May 1940.

Over 6 days, more than 338,000 Allied troops were evacuated from the Dunkirk beaches, including 140,000 French soldiers. In this astonishing military feat, hundreds of ‘Little Ships’ ferried troops between the beaches and the larger passenger ships waiting out at sea. The RAF supported from the skies, while troops patiently waited to be shipped back to safety.

To commemorate the event, The Open University have produced an interactive Dunkirk evacuation map, which shows historical footage of the key events that unfolded.

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