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Operation Dynamo: Background
On May 26, 1940, 340,000 British and French troops stood completely surrounded by German troops on the beaches of Dunkirk, France. Faced with the total annihilation of their forces, Great Britain called upon her people to attempt one of the greatest rescue missions in modern military history. Codenamed Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of Dunkirk cemented its place in the annals of military miracles when a call when out to all available British ships capable of navigating the shallow waters of the harbor at Dunkirk. These ships ferried the stranded troops on the beach to the larger military vessels waiting in deeper waters. Hundreds of British civilians answered the call, bringing forth fishing boats, yachts, lifeboats and all variety of personal watercraft.
Over the course of 9 days, 300,000 troops were evacuated from Dunkirk and brought across the English Channel to the shores of Dover. Through the bravery of soldiers and civilians alike, the “Miracle of Dunkirk” became a rallying cry for the British people. It became a turning point in the war and inspired one of Winston Churchill’s most famous speeches.
“We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”
The planning and execution of Operation Dynamo and the successful evacuation of the soldiers stranded in Dunkirk took place deep beneath historic Dover Castle. Guided tours (included with your admission ticket) take you into a labyrinth of tunnels stretching throughout the castle grounds. First used in the Napoleonic Wars, these tunnels have played a pivotal role in Britain’s military past. Recently, they allow visitors to better understand the role of Dover Castle in Operation Dynamo and the “Miracle of Dunkirk.”
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Visiting the Secret Wartime Tunnels of Operation Dynamo
The grounds of Dover Castle are vast, encompassing over 80 acres of English countryside. The entrance to the Secret Wartime Tunnels tour can be found by following posted signs or by consulting the map provided at the site’s visitor center. Please note, photography is not permitted.
Your tour guide will lead you down a steep (and often slippery) ramp into the depths of the expansive tunnel system beneath the castle grounds. Only a portion of the 3 mile tunnel complex is explored on the tour. As our tour began, we walked through several rooms critical to the planning and execution of Operation Dynamo. Our guide provided a brief overview of the history and current state of the various rooms found within the tunnels before leading us into a vast, cavernous hall. It was here that the bulk of the planning of Operation Dynamo occurred over 9 intense days.
Through a mixture of guide provided commentary and special visual effects, the story of these 9 days is presented along the walls of the space in which these events occurred. It is easy to look back with the benefit of hindsight and celebrate the Dunkirk evacuations as one of the great stories of the Second World War. However, it is important to remember that in May of 1940 the successful evacuation of hundreds of thousands of stranded Allied troops was far from certain. Without the bravery and expertise of all involved, including those who sat in this very room, the entire outcome of the war could have been drastically altered. Take a moment to remember this as you sit within this tunnel room.
Looking for more WWII sites in Europe? Check out my Ultimate Guide.
I emerged from the dark recesses of the tunnel and allowed my eyes a moment to adjust. I felt a new sense of appreciation for an event that rallied the UK nation. The story of the Dunkirk evacuations is a great example of what soldier and civilian alike can achieve. As this thought swept over me I let my eyes wander out over the English Channel. I imagined the relief the soldiers of Dunkirk must have felt as they spied the towering White Cliffs of Dover. It was in this moment that a genuine WWII Spitfire zoomed overhead and I smiled.
If you would prefer to explore Dover by guided tour, check out these options.
Basic Information for Visiting Dover Castle
- Location: Dover, UK
- Theater/Campaign: European Theater, Operation Dynamo
- Cost: £22.70 (adult) – Includes Secret Wartime Tunnels Tour
- Watch before you go: Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk (2017)
- More Information: Dover Castle Official Website
If you want to discover more WWII sites in England, check out the Top WWII Sites in London.
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