sand yachting dunkirk

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Closure of the association from Saturday December 23, 2023 to Sunday January 7, 2024

SAND YACHTING SCHOOL Mer et rencontres

Everything you need to know about our sand yachting school located on Dunkirk beach.

Explore our introductory courses, training courses and group courses.

To book your sessions online, enter here!

What gear should I bring? What happens in a session? You’ll find all the answers to these questions in the FAQ section.

DUNKIRK : THE SEA, THE BEACH, AND SAND YACHTS …

Sand yachting is an outdoor activity that can be practiced all year round on the beach in Dunkirk. It’s an environmentally friendly sport.

And it’s an activity that will give you an adrenaline rush and boost your well-being while you have wonderful times with family and friends.

Still not convinced? Then take a look at the video testimonial of Jean-Michel Szlezak, one of our sand yachting instructors.

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OUR COURSES

Do you have a sudden craving for adrenaline and the great outdoors ? Mer et Rencontres provides courses to suit all levels.

Introductory Courses

Never tried sand yachting? Book a 2-hour slot and come enjoy this wonderful outdoor activity. An adrenaline rush guaranteed!

Training courses

Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned sand yachter, our beginner and improver courses will help you develop your skills no matter what your level.

Mer et Rencontres, Dunkirk’s sand yachting school, welcomes all groups from France with arms wide open from March right through to half-term in October.

OUR INSTRUCTORS

Christophe Foucher

Sports Instructor​ State Certified Sports Instructor for Sand Yachting

Dean’s List

Henri Durez

Sports Instructor State Certified Sports Instructor for Sand Yachting

Thomas Tramatzu

Sports Instructor with a Professional Qualification Certificate for Sand Yachting Level 4 French State Approved Diploma University Degree in Science and Techniques for Sports and Physical Activities

Jean-Michel Szlezak

Head Instructor Sports Instructor with a Professional Qualification Certificate for Sand Yachting

• Things to do
• Beaches, nature and water

Watersports

At low tide appears an infinite stripe of sand, which is a perfect playground for wind and watersports. sand yachts, kite surfs, windsurf, sup, kayak, sailboats… are amoung the possibilities offered by the north sea..

Longe-côte (litterally: walk along the coast) was created in Dunkirk several years ago. This aqua hiking lets you walk in the sea along the beach, and is the perfect sport to make your whole body work as your arms or a paddle help you move forward.

In a friendly atmosphere, you can practice longe-côte all year long, and chose the distance and the pace you want.

The wetsuits are of course provided, as well as everything you could need (shoes, gloves…)

Our giant beaches are the perfect spot for sand yachting, one of the easiest sports to give you that much sensations.

On a 3 wheels sail kart, after a briefing giving you every information you need, enjoy the feeling of playing with the wind! Sand yacht is safe, and quite easy even for beginners, and gives you perfect sensations.

Dunkirk has always been a town of sailors. And what better than a sail boat to discover our coast line ?

There are many ways to enjoy a ride on a sail boat. See Dunkirk from the sea on a simple tour on board, practice your sailing skills, or go for a day cruise. From Dunkirk or Gravelines, chose your kind of sailing, and come aboard for an unforgettable moment!

• Online booking

Hidden Belgium: Sand Yachting at De Panne

When the wind is right, you can ride a sand yacht along a 30-kilometre stretch of wide sandy beach between De Panne and Dunkirk.

The sport was brought to the Belgian coast in 1898 by André Dumont and his seven brothers. André launched the idea by attaching a sail to a wooden go-kart. The sport caught on. In 1927, François Dumont established the Sand Yacht Club (the name in English to add a touch of snob appeal).

The sleek land yachts can reach speeds of over 125km/h on one of the best beaches in the world for the sport.

You can sign up online ( rsyc.be ) for a private lesson run by the Royal Sand Yacht School. Or get together with some friends for a group session out on the sands.

Derek Blyth’s hidden secret of the day:  Derek Blyth is the author of the bestselling “The 500 Hidden Secrets of Belgium”. He picks out one of his favourite hidden secrets for The Brussels Times every day.

Copyright © 2024 The Brussels Times. All Rights Reserved.

Dunkerque or Dunkirk in the north of France

Visit Dunkerque or Dunkirk in english in french region Hauts-de-France in the North of France: sandy beaches steeped in wartime history and Flemish-influenced cuisine.

Feel Dunkerque with our top 5 sensory experiences…

See the stunning views from the recently re-landscaped, 27-hole Golfe de Dunkerque Grand Littoral

Hear the fascinating commentary on a boat cruise around Dunkirk’s historic port

Smell steaming bowls of moules-frites served on restaurant terraces by the water

Taste Flemish and Picard influences in the rich local stews and casseroles, and accompany them with an artisan beer or juniper liqueur

Touch the bar of a windsurf as you catch the waves, or the handlebars of a bike to explore the coastline on the Channel sea.

Dunkirk's history and the second world war

Dunkerque or Dunkirk is a town steeped in history, despite being badly damaged during the battles of 1940. One of the most memorable events in wartime history was played out on the beaches of Dunkerque: thousands died during ‘Operation Dynamo’ but, thanks to the heroism of the rescuers and the evacuees, the end result was the conservation of a much-needed fighting force that helped to turn the war.

A visit around Dunkirk

The area around Dunkerque or Dunkirk has miles of sandy beaches and vast dunes. The beach at Malo-Les-Bains is particularly popular in summer for swimming and sunbathing and when the winds are prevalent, wind surfers are in their element. Local watersports centres specialise in sailing, sand-yachting and canoeing and inexpensive tuition is available on the beaches at Gravelines and Dunkerque itself. A stunning golf course at Golfe de Dunkerque Grand Littoral has been recently re-landscaped to provide a 27-hole course inspired by Dunkerque 's 17th century fortifications – taking a swing off artillery towers and bastions and navigating water hazards make for an unforgettable golfing experience. For those who enjoy walking and trekking, there are 600 hectares of protected dunes along the sea between Dunkerque and the Belgian border. Cycling is another popular way to explore the coastline. Visitors can also hire rowing boats, electric boats and water bikes, or choose a tour with commentary onboard a passenger boat which will provides a fascinating and educational one-hour cruise around the port.

The Dunkirk cuisine and gastronomy and it's northern France and Flemish influences

A blend of Flemish and Picard influences , Dunkerque’s cuisine and gastronomy is rich and varied. Endives are a local speciality, as are carbonade flamande (a beef and onion stew made with beer), coq à la bière (chicken in a creamy beer sauce) and rabbit with prunes. Choose from the artisanal beers and local liqueurs, such as genièvre (made with juniper), to accompany your food. The cheeses of the region are full of character, especially the Vieux-Lille and the strong cow’s-milk cheese Maroilles, which is used to make the local tart known as flamiche . The famous moules-frites should be eaten with your fingers, fresh from a chip stand.

dunkerque 

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A grand performance

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Nord

Third port in France and hometown of the famous privateer Jean Bart, Dunkerque boasts a rich maritime history. The port museum, situated in a former tobacco warehouse, presents the history of the port of Dunkirk. Three boats can also be visited: the three-master Duchesse Anne, the barge Guilde and the lightship Sandettie. After visiting the museum and strolling along the quays of the Bassin du Commerce, a boat trip is a good way of exploring the port and its different installations.

Besides this port heritage, Dunkirk has two belfries that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites: on Saint-Éloi church and the town hall.

The Fine Art Museum houses painting collections of the Flemish, French, Dutch and Italian schools.

As well as these many places of interest, relaxing is also on the agenda – on the beautiful fine sand beach of Malo-les-Bains , nicknamed the "queen of the northern beaches".

Every January and February, the famous Dunkirk carnival livens up and brings colour to the streets of the city.

Additional information Dunkirk

A destination for both seaside, nautical and festive, Dunkerque welcomes you with open arms. Third port of France, the first French seaport of the North Sea, Dunkerque is a land of welcome, a tourist destination with unusual beauty. At the heart of a remarkable dune area, the sandy beaches stretch as far as the eye can see for miles, surrounded by 600 hectares of beautifully preserved dunes where flora and fauna thrive freely and where l The oyat undulates with the wind.

Carnival is the flagship tradition of the territory.

Things to see and do

Dunkerque has two belfries classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. The Belfry Saint-Eloi is open all year round.

The port museum has a rich collection of the maritime history of the territory.

The Museum of Fine Arts and the LAAC (Museum of Contemporary Art) are treasures to explore.

Visits of the port by boat, "dinners-cruises" will allow you to discover the port in the heart of its activity.

The beach is full of water activities such as kite-surfing, sand yachting, windsurfing and catamaran sailing.

Labeled "Famille plus", the destination Dunkerque Dunes de Flandre invites families to take advantage of the numerous proposals of sporting, leisure and cultural activities. Information at the Tourist Office on +33 3 28 66 79 21.

Guided tours: the walks in Dunkerque or in Malo-les-Bains at the seaside are guided but especially gourmandes to wish. Discover the secret beauties of Dunkerque.

The city center, with more than 400 shops offering a wide choice, including gourmet flavors and local specialties. It is good to stroll there.

Places of interest

Events and festivities.

Every second Sunday of Lent, all the morning, the group In de Kring (sword dancers) performs, for over 30 years, 5 times, their sword dance on the place Jean-Bart in the center of Dunkerque.

Sword dances: They once occupied an important place in the repertoire. In French Flanders and in the north of France, the presence of sword dances is attested in 12 localities: Cambrai (1529), Bethune (1530 and 1563), Hondschoote (1570), Dunkerque (1563, 1568, 1572, 1573, 1575 and 1601), Téteghem (1563), Socx (1568, 1572 and 1573), Lynck (1573), Esquelbecq (1575), Bergues (1615), Bollezeele (1660-1663), Crochte (1715) and Lille (1729)). In Dunkerque and Bollezeele, we find the dancers in the procession. Those of Socx, Lynck and Téteghem are mentioned in the procession of Dunkerque. The Hondschoote dancers came to Ostend. A hundred or so towns and villages were concerned with the dance of swords from which derive the stick dances that still survive today in Kempen.

For most scholars, string dances are considered a ritual initiation dance in which young men are admitted to the male community of the place. The specific feature is the formation in a circle by presenting the tip of the sword to the neighboring dancer. This circle is no longer interrupted and a series of "passage" figures are linked together. It is still found today in England, Spain, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Italy, Belgium and France.

"In de Kring" (In the circle): On March 11, 1990, the dancers of swords recreated, on a choreography by Renaat Van Craenenbroeck, the dance at Dunkerque. Since, they occur every year on the second Sunday after Tuesday-Gras, the sound of fifes and drums! But the dancers of "In de Kring" form their circle, on occasion, extramural: in France, in Belgium, in England....

Detailed information

Visits, leisure and activities nearby

The Palace of The Universe and Science (The MOST) in Cappelle la Grande is over 4000 square meters devoted to life sciences, Earth and Universe and Man in his environment. All brought together to make your visit a memorable one. Embark on a journey that takes you the first moments of the Big Bang to the present day, immerse yourself under the starry sky of the planetarium and enjoy the workshops of scientific practice.

Restaurants

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Related articles Dunkirk

Sand yachting, Royal Sand Yacht Club, c2005

Sand yachting on the Belgian coast between Oostduinkerke, De Panne and Dunkirk (France)

All photos are released under GFDL by the author Wim Van Caeneghem - Royal Sand Yacht Club

• Land sailing in Belgium

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Sand yachting

When the wind is right, you can ride a sand yacht along a 30-kilometre stretch of wide sandy beach between de panne (b) and dunkirk (f). the sport was brought to the belgian coast in 1898 by andré dumont and his seven brothers. andré launched the idea by attaching a sail to a wooden go-kart. the sport caught on. in 1927, françois dumont established the sand yacht club. the sleek land yachts can reach speeds of over 125km/h on one of the best beaches in the world for the sport..

A Blog About Life & Travel in France

Paris to Dunkirk Day Trip: The Perfect Itinerary (2024)

Jen ciesielski.

• Updated: 17 February 2024
• 30 January 2024

I’ve been living in France for over half a decade, with three years spent living in Paris. Since then, I’ve been on a mission to uncover this country’s hidden gems.

From the small towns in Alsace to the beautiful beaches in Marseille, I’ve traveled to a lot of places. And one of the most memorable trips I’ve had was to Dunkirk.

Located in the Hauts-de-France region, this port city is full of history. It’s known for its role in World War II and was the site of the infamous Operation Dynamo.

But beyond its historical significance, Dunkirk also has charming streets, delicious seafood, and stunning beaches.

Plus, it’s only two hours from Paris by train.

So, if you’re looking for the perfect Paris to Dunkirk day trip itinerary, this guide has you covered. I’ll help you make the most of your time and share with you the best things to do in one day.

Paris to Dunkirk Day Trip Overview

If you’re short on time, here is an overview of my helpful guide.

• Morning: Travel to Dunkirk, Musée Dunkerque 1940, Musée Portuaire, Beffroi de Saint-Éloi, Jardin des Sculptures, FRAC Grand Large – Hauts-de-France
• Afternoon: Lunch at a Seaside Restaurant, Relax on the Beach, Cycle a Section of the LaVélomaritime – EuroVelo 4, Batterie de Leffrinckoucke, Fort des Dunes, World War II Memorials, Rue Belle Rade, Église Saint-Éloi
• Evening: Return to Paris

Getting to Dunkirk from Paris

There are tons of ways to travel to Dunkirk from Paris, but, for this day trip, the best way is to take a high-speed TGV train.

Trains leave from Paris’ Gare du Nord station and take about two hours. You’ll arrive at Dunkirk’s train station, and, from there, you can start your visit.

Helpful Tip : Unlike Paris, Dunkirk’s public transport is limited. So, it’s best to explore the city on foot or by renting a bike.

I also recommend leaving early in the morning, so you’ll have enough time to do everything in this itinerary.

Helpful Tip : I’ve also driven from Paris to Dunkirk, and it takes about three hours. If you leave early enough, renting a car is an alternative to taking the train.

One Day in Dunkirk – 13 Things to Do

Now that you know how to get from Paris to Dunkirk, here’s a look at 13 amazing things you can do in one day.

1. Visit Musée Dunkerque 1940

You’ll start at one of my favorite museums in town , the Musée Dunkerque 1940 – Opération Dynamo. It’s dedicated to the events that took place in Dunkirk during World War II, specifically the evacuation of Allied soldiers.

It offers an impressive collection, including original military uniforms, weaponry, and vehicles.

But what I liked the most about this museum was the introductory film of the evacuation process. It helped me visualize the event and gave me a nice overview before touring the museum.

Then, as a bonus, the museum is housed in the former defense headquarters, which added to the authenticity of my visit.

Address : Courtines du Bastion, 32 Rue des Chantiers de France

2. Explore the Musée Portuaire

Located near the Musée Dunkerque 1940, the Musée Portuaire is another must-visit museum. It showcases Dunkirk’s maritime history and importance as a port city.

From ship models to paintings, there are tons of exhibits to explore. I loved learning about how Dunkirk changed over the years. Of course, the Second World War played an important role, but there is a lot to this little town.

From stories about transportation and fishing to the city’s economy, this museum helped bring it all to life for me.

Additionally, I toured the Risban Lighthouse and the Duchesse Anne. Both were an added fee, but worth it.

The views from the Risban Lighthouse stretched across the North Sea and the inside of the Duchesse Anne was remarkably well-preserved.

Helpful Tip : The Risban Lighthouse and the Duchesse Anne do NOT have the same hours as the museum. Make sure to check the opening times if you want to add them to your visit.

Address : 9 Quai de la Citadelle

3. Climb the Beffroi de Saint-Éloi

Not only is the Beffroi de Saint-Éloi a beautiful piece of architecture, but it also offers stunning views. It stands at 58 meters (190 feet) and has been an iconic symbol of Dunkirk since the 15th century.

In fact, it was one of 23 belfries, including the Beffroi d’Amiens , in northern France to be dubbed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.

I will admit that I was nervous to go to the top. The last set of stairs to the highest platform was very narrow, but the panoramic views were worth the few seconds of vertigo.

I could see as far as the port on one side. On the other, I had an incredible view over the Saint-Éloi Church.

Address : Rue de l’Amiral Ronarc’h

4. Check Out the Jardin des Sculptures

If you’re a fan of art , don’t miss the Jardin des Sculptures in Dunkirk. Located near the city center, this open-air sculpture park showcases works from a variety of artists.

Not only is it a great opportunity to see unique art pieces, but the park is also a beautiful spot for a walk or picnic.

This hidden gem is often overlooked, and when I visited, I had the entire park to myself.

Address : Avenue des Bains

5. Visit the FRAC Grand Large – Hauts-de-France

I was expecting to spend most of my time learning about Dunkirk’s role in the Second World War, but I was pleasantly surprised by its art scene.

My favorite museum was the FRAC Grand Large – Hauts-de-France. It features temporary exhibitions and permanent collections from some of the best modern artists.

When I was there, there was a temporary exhibit called Chaleur Humaine .

It was a thought-provoking look at the impact our actions have on the environment and what our future could look like if we don’t change.

Address : 503 Avenue des Bancs de Flandres

6. Lunch at a Seaside Restaurant

After a morning of exploring, there’s no better place to stop for lunch than a seaside restaurant.

There are tons of places along Digue de Mer, but my favorite was Comme Vous Voulez. They have incredible seafood, and their moules-frites are to die for.

I was starving so I also ordered a small goat cheese salad, which was just as tasty.

If the weather is nice, I recommend sitting outside for a gorgeous view of the sea, otherwise, they have indoor seating.

Address : 58 Digue de Mer

7. Relax on the Beach

No trip to Dunkirk would be complete without some time on the beach.

The most popular is Malo-les-Bains, which stretches for several kilometers (miles) along the coast.

It’s a perfect spot for sunbathing, swimming, or taking a leisurely walk.

You can also go surfing or try sand yachting.

The only thing I didn’t like about this beach was the jellyfish. Several had washed ashore, and I was afraid to go in the water in certain areas.

But other than that, it’s a beautiful, clean beach where you can relax and enjoy the fresh air.

Helpful Tip : If you’re looking for a more secluded beach experience, head over to Plage de Zuydcoote. This hidden gem is a bit further out from town but well worth the trip.

8. Cycle a Section of the LaVélomaritime – EuroVelo 4

If you’re an active traveler like me, I recommend biking a section of the LaVélomaritime – EuroVelo 4.

It follows the coast from Dunkirk to the Bray Dunes and finishes at the northernmost point in France by road.

Along the way, I stopped at Batterie de Leffrinckoucke and the Fort des Dunes, which are the next activities on this itinerary.

There are plenty of bike rental shops in Dunkirk, but I rented mine from Location Vélo Dunkerque .

They were very accommodating, and their bikes were excellent. They even had electric ones.

Helpful Tip : I rented a regular bike, but the wind can get very strong along the coast. So, if the weather predicts strong winds, I recommend renting an electric bike.

9. Explore the Batterie de Leffrinckoucke

The Batterie de Leffrinckoucke is a World War II military battery that has since been abandoned.

The site is free to enter, and you can follow guided paths for views over the dunes.

I visited a few bunkers and then explored the Reserve Naturelle Dune Dewulf.

I walked along Chemin de la Batterie, but there are tons to choose from.

Helpful Tip : It’s located along the LaVélomaritime – EuroVelo 4 route, making it an easy stop on your bike ride.

10. Tour Fort des Dunes

Fort des Dunes is another military site not far from the Batterie de Leffrinckoucke.

It was originally built after the Franco-Prussian War to fortify this part of France.

Later, it was used in World War II to help French and British soldiers who had been stranded.

On the 4th of June 1940, German forces overtook the fort and held on to it until the end of the war.

Today, you can tour the renovated site, including the underground tunnels and barracks.

I’ve visited tons of forts around France, including the ones in Verdun , and this one was fascinating. The exhibits were engaging, and the history was well-explained.

It was so well done that I was able to imagine what life must have been like for the soldiers during that time.

11. Pay Your Respects at a Memorial

Besides the museums and forts I mentioned above, Dunkirk is also home to several World War II memorials.

One of my favorites was Mémorial de la 12ème Division d’Infanterie Motorisée, which honors the soldiers who fought and died in Dunkirk.

It was a sobering experience to pay my respects here and reflect on the sacrifices made during the war.

Below is a list of other memorials around Dunkirk that are worth visiting:

• French War Cemetery Fort des Dunes Leffrinckoucke
• Mémorial des Alliés
• Square Marine Dunkerque 39/40

12. Admire the Rue Belle Rade

After the Second World War, much of Dunkirk was destroyed. And it took more than ten years for the city to be rebuilt.

Today, there are tons of streets full of beautiful architecture and my favorite was Rue Belle Rade.

This picturesque street is lined with colorful, quaint buildings, like those you’d find in Nancy . Most are residential, but it’s still worth stopping by.

Go for a stroll and take some photos. It’s a great place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city center.

Helpful Tip : This area is mostly residential, so I tried to be very discrete while taking photos.

13. Discover the Église Saint-Éloi

The Église Saint-Éloi dates to the 15th century, but, unlike the Reims Cathedral , much of it was destroyed during the World War II bombing raids.

So, the church you see today is from the late 20th century.

Its architectural style is Gothic and is made of stone. Then, the interior features a beautiful rose window, stunning stained-glass windows, and a modern organ.

You can tour the church, but for the best views I recommend heading up to the Beffroi de Saint-Éloi.

As shown in the photo I took above, you’ll have a bird’s-eye view of the roof and the front of the church.

Address : 2 Rue Clemenceau

Conclusion: Day Trip from Paris to Dunkirk

Dunkirk may not be a top tourist destination in France, but I can guarantee you won’t regret visiting.

From its rich history and culture to its beautiful beaches and landmarks, there are plenty of things to do and see here.

If you’re planning a trip to Paris, I can’t recommend including Dunkirk as a day trip enough.

For me, it was the perfect getaway, and the fresh air was a welcomed relief.

Now that you have your itinerary, it’s time to book your train tickets. I recommend reserving them with Trainline . And the earlier the better!

Read More Articles About France

I hope you enjoyed my post and found it helpful. Here are some other articles that I think you might find interesting.

• What to Do in Amiens on a Sunday: 15 Incredible Activities
• The Perfect Paris to Lyon Day Trip Itinerary (by a Local)

Jen Ciesielski is the creator of Dabbling in Jet Lag. She has lived abroad for over ten years, traveled to more than 50 countries, and speaks French and English fluently. Her areas of expertise include moving abroad, learning languages, and travel planning. Originally from the United States, she now lives in France, where she has been for more than six years. She has also traveled extensively around the country. She shares her experiences as an expat living in France and helps thousands of people plan their trips every month.

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Dunkirk (Dunkerque) is a commune in the Nord department, in Northern France. It is the third largest port in France (after Le Havre and Marseilles) and handles heavy industrial cargoes as well being an important ferry terminal for cross-Channel travel from England.  Forever remembered for the part it played in World War II with the evacuation of British and allied forces, Dunkirk was almost demolished in 1940 and both the town and its economy had to be rebuilt.  With rapid commercial and industrial expansion, Dunkirk today has developed into a busy town with a population of nearly 73,000 enjoying unspoilt beaches, marinas and protected conservation areas.    Located only 10 kilometres from the Belgian border, the name Dunkirk derives from the Flemish words ‘dun’ (dune) and ‘kerke’ (church) and simply means ‘the church on the dunes’.

Hotels in Dunkirk

With its strategic location at the point where the North Sea narrows to the Channel, Dunkirk’s  history has been marked by rivalry between the British, the Dutch and the Spanish ports over many centuries.   However, from the late 17th century, it has remained in French hands.

The port started out as a centre for herring fishing under the Counts of Flanders in the 11th century but by 1350, increased commercial activity with Holland and England made Dunkirk a more important proposition for trade.  By the 16th century merchant seamen took to the seas and engaged in ‘privateering’ attacking the Normans, the people of Dieppe, the fishermen of Fécamp and Tréport and the English.  The Spanish domination of Dunkirk ended in 1658 when the French and English allies retook the city but Louis XIV had another 4 years to wait until he purchased it permanently from Charles II of England.  During this time piracy was rife and huge losses were incurred leaving the city in a vulnerable position.    From the mid 18th century Dunkirk enjoyed peace and prosperity and much work was undertaken to restore the quays and docks of the harbour.

At the end of the 19th century, with railway links firmly established, Dunkirk developed its role as an important port and other new businesses started up strengthening  local industrial output.  In 1914,  the first World War saw huge losses of life and many buildings were destroyed with continuous bombardment of the city.  During World War II, Dunkirk was occupied for longer than any other city in France with a siege of five years, and 90% of it was razed to the ground with the harbour left littered with wreckage and silt.   From 1958 the port and the town itself has seen a programme of expansion and it is now a commercially sound and prosperous destination.

Attractions

The area around Dunkirk has miles of sandy beaches and some incredible dunes.  The beach at Malo-Les-Bains is particularly popular in summer for swimming and sunbathing and when the winds are prevalent, wind surfers are much in evidence.  Several water sports centres specialise in sailing, sand yachting, catamarans,  canoeing and inexpensive tuition is available on the beaches of Gravelines and Dunkirk.  A stunning golf course at Golfe de Dunkerque Grand Littoral has been recently re-landscaped to provide a 27 hole course inspired by Dunkirk’s 17th century fortifications.  Driving off artillery towers and bastions and navigating water hazards make for an unforgettable golfing experience.  For those who enjoy walking and trekking, there are 600 hectares of protected dunes along the sea between Dunkirk and the Belgian border.  Cycling is a favourite way to explore the coastline and maps and trail guides are available from the Tourist Information Centres.

At the entrance to the town, near the Porte aux Boules monument, Vauban Promenade is located by the pier and visitors can hire rowing boats, electric boats, water bikes or choose a tour with commentary onboard a passenger boat which will give you a fascinating and educational one-hour cruise around the port.

The medieval Belfry, which now houses the Tourist Office, is a unique free-standing edifice 190 ft high dating back to 1440.    It was originally built by the Bishop of Cambrai as a beacon for the community and has a peal of 48 bells.   At its base there is a cenotaph dedicated to the memory of the soldiers of the First World War.

The Musée Portuaire Dunkerque housed in a former tobacco warehouse dating from 1850, is a museum of maritime relics which depicts the past and present activities of the port and how it operates.  Miniature tall ships, boats and fishing equipment are all on display and there are also historical ships moored outside the museum including the beautiful schooner, Duchesse Anne, built in 1901.

Set in the middle of a sculpture garden, the prestigious LAAC (Lieu d’Art et D’Action Contemporaine) exhibits ceramic architecture and an impressive collection of modern art from the 1950s to the 1980s including works by Arman, César, Eugène Leroy, Andy Warhol etc.  This rich collection of Fine Arts includes paintings and sculpture from Flemish, Dutch, French and Italian masters as well as contemporary installations and visual arts.    Located in the St. Jean-Baptiste church in nearby Bourbourg, The Chapel of Light (Choeur de Lumière) is well worth a visit to see an exceptional work of art created by the English artist Sir Anthony Caro, the father of modern sculpture.

The Mémorial du Souvenir (Remembrance Memorial) relates the incredible story of the battle of Dunkirk and the evacuation of over 330,000 allied soldiers during Operation Dynamo during World War II.  A large collection of photographs, cards and military equipment including uniforms and weapons from both allied and German forces, are a lasting memorial to the sequence of events which took place in 1940.   Fort des Dunes was built in 1878-1880 and was key to the defence strategy of Dunkirk and its port at the end of the 19th century.  However during the Second World War events took place here that have led this fort to be a site for remembrance for those lost in conflict.  There is also a British Memorial garden which was erected in 1957 honouring the soldiers of the British ground forces, next to which is a cemetery were 810 soldiers are buried.

The market on Place Turenne is held on Tuesday mornings and on Sunday mornings the traditional open market is held in the centre of Rosendael.

Accommodation & Restaurants

As a coastal town, Dunkirk offers a selection of seafront brasseries and bars.  The cuisine of Dunkirk is closely related to Flemish cuisine and one of the most famous local dishes is Coq à la Bière which is chicken in a creamy sauce made with beer.  You will find superb seafood platters, freshly caught ‘fish of the day’ and, of course, the famous Dunkirk mussels which are cooked in a home-made marinière sauce.

L’Estouffade (2 quai de la Ciradelle) is close to the yacht harbour and has an excellent reputation for classic French food with local specialities including an ‘amuse bouche’ with baby crevettes and a traditional apple tart flambéed with Calvados. Good value for money and convenient for town centre shopping.  Le Petit Journal at 44 Avenue Mer offers authentic cooking and has a buzzy atmosphere for dining with friends.

Many of the hotels have a view of the sea.  Hotel Borel is located on the harbour front within easy walking distance of restaurants and the main part of town.   Hotel La Meunerie  is located in Tétégham in a former mill house.  This 4 star hotel offers a gourmet restaurant and a garden.  Only 7m from Dunkirk golf course and with the beaches of Malo les Bains just 10 minutes drive away, this is an excellent hotel offering a warm welcome with traditional French cuisine.

The town centre is 18km east of the ferry terminal which is about 15 minutes’ drive away.  Take the A16 motorway in the direction of Ostend and exit at Junction 33.  The Dover to Dunkirk crossing takes approximately two hours.

The Garde de Dunkerque railway station has connections with Calais, Lille, Arras and Paris and several regional destinations in France.

About The Author

Information france.

David Rosslyn-Smith having spent time living on the Côte d’Azur has often been labelled as ‘Mr France’ based upon his experiences in this inspirational and diverse country.His knowledge has been refined by the fact that he spent 10 years selling Chateaux, Belle Demeures and Vineyards across France. Entertaining his clients and friends also gave David the opportunity to visit personally many Michelin starred restaurants, hotels and Relais Chateaux throughout France.By designing informationfrance.com, it became clear that in order to faciliate navigation, the site should be built upon the infrastructure of France, ie by Region, Department and Town. There are now 13 Regions and 93 Departments all of which have a number which appears in the postcodes and the number plates of cars.we hope that you enjoy our website and please email us if you have any questions or suggestions about France – [email protected]

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Marsouin Beach in Dunkirk - France

Information on the marsouin beach in dunkirk (france), description and location of the marsouin beach in dunkirk (59140).

Our opinion on the Marsouin Beach

Glued to Dunkerque harbor and stretching to the casino, we find the southernmost beach of Malo les Bains . It is made up of two first-aid stations (the first is near the dam facing the rue de la Plage and the second is across from the casino, after the Palais de Congres) open in the summer and is bordered by a nice pedestrian promenade which allow access to downtown. This area is less animated than downtown but parking is easier here (several parking lots around the local swimming pool Paul Asseman).

Dogs on a leash are allowed on this beach near the dam all the way to the rue de la Plage.

Characteristics of the Marsouin Beach

Type of beach, equipment on the beach.

• Handicap accessible
• Swimming pool
• Mattress rental
• Free parking
• Payed parking
• Paddle boats
• Lifeguards in season
• Restaurants
• Beach volleyball
• Nautical Center
• Sand Yachting
• Nautical sports
• Scuba diving
• Kitesurfing
• Difficult access
• Near city center

Miscellaneous

• Barbecues permitted
• Dogs allowed
• Smoke-free beach

Photos of the Marsouin Beach

This southern beach of Dunkerque shows the grandeur of the beaches in northern France. Bordered by a nice pedestrian promenade, this zone is little frequented.

This beach starts near the harbor's entrance (East pier).

In this photo, we can see the lighthouse at the Dunkerque harbor.

Here we find the pedestrian promenade along the beach.

We find the first-aid station across from rue de la Plage; the second first-aid station is near the casino.

Near the swimming pool in Dunkeque, we find several free parking spots (we are at rue Marcel Sailly).

Interactive map of the beaches of Dunkerque

Click on the beach of your choice:.

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Beaches near the marsouin beach:, malo les bains beach.

Digue de Mer 59240 Dunkerque

Terminus Beach

Digue Nicolas II 59240 Dunkerque

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Photo Credit: In this painting by Norman Wilkinson, the land, sea, and air around the port city of Dunkirk appear to be ablaze, beneath a pall of smoke. The epic evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from the continent of Europe in June 1940 allowed thousands of Allied soldiers to fight another day.

What Happened in Dunkirk: a Royal Engineer Tells His Story

Trapped on a beach near Dunkirk, troops of the British Expeditionary Force fought the attacking Germans and looked toward home for rescue.

This article appears in: September 2006

By Norman Wickman, as told to Pauline Hayton

Pauline Hayton was 52 years old before her father, Norman Wickman, talked about his life in the British Army, and what happened in Dunkirk as he saw it. It was 1999. Wanting to write a family memoir, Pauline pumped Norman for information on his childhood; his wartime stories spilled out instead. She found them so fascinating that she put the memoir to one side and concentrated on capturing his every word. This is his experience at Dunkirk as told to Pauline, supported by her research.

In 1939, I was 20 years old, married, father of a young child, and struggling to make ends meet. To improve the family’s finances, I enlisted in the Army, figuring that when my six months of national service ended I would be 21 and entitled to earn adult wages instead of the youth’s wages I was then earning—a good plan, I thought, until foiled by Britain’s declaration of war against Germany. The bad news was that my six months of army life stretched to seven years in 62 Chemical Warfare Company. The good news was that in those seven years I was involved in only seven weeks of combat. Three of those weeks were during the devastating defeat of the British Army at Dunkirk.

On April 26, 1940, truckload after truckload of Royal Engineers filed out of the camp gates, heading for the Southampton docks, where we embarked to cross the English Channel to Le Havre, France. Our job was to clear airfields of equipment left behind after British planes had been returned to England. No one was the least bit concerned that we might end up fighting Germans. After all, the British Expeditionary Force had been in France since September 1939, with not one shot fired against the enemy. We moved across France from airfield to airfield, heading toward the Maginot Line . But we never got that far.

On May 10, Germany invaded the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, which triggered a rush into Belgium by the British Expeditionary Force and the French Army, unwittingly playing straight into the enemy’s hands. With the best British and French fighting troops diverted to the north, the way was open for the German Army to flank the Maginot Line. Achieving what was considered impossible, German Army units, with almost 2,000 tanks, made their way through the hilly, densely forested Ardennes region. Using terrifying blitzkrieg tactics, the German Army swarmed into France at Sedan on May 13, then turned northwest, heading toward Boulogne, the channel ports, and the sea.

Our 62 Chemical Warfare Company was ordered to Arras to join regiments assembling to oppose the advancing German forces. Enemy planes dropped leaflets on British troops, warning that any soldier found with poison gas would immediately be shot, as would all Royal Engineers. Despite the ominous warnings in the leaflets carried, we burst into laughter, and owing to the shortage of bathroom tissue the leaflets were put to good use.

Concerned about German threats and the deadly outcome for the men should the poisonous gases we carried be hit, our officers ordered the disposal of the lethal concoctions. At the deserted village of Lattre St. Quentin, we found deep cellars under the houses. Sappers (Royal Engineer privates) toiled for three days, burying the chemical weapons in the cellars and then imploding the buildings, safely sealing in the gases.

General Heinz Guderian’s panzers rapidly rolled west. On May 20, his army traveled 40 miles in 14 hours, taking Amiens and reaching Abbeville, cutting the Allied forces in two. Almost one million soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force, French, and Belgian armies were trapped in Belgium and northern France. Pulverized by the aggressive German advance in Belgium, our battered forces retreated toward the French border. Days were spent fighting, and under the cover of darkness we fell back behind some river or canal to prepare to fight again when daylight arrived.

My company had not yet come into contact with the enemy, nor been involved in any fighting, but this did not stop me from finding a pot of paint and decorating my water truck. “Berlin or Bust,” I advertised to the world with all the bravado and confidence of an invincible young soldier not yet baptized in battle. Before reaching Arras, 62 Chemical Warfare Company Company was ordered to Béthune. It was a slow, difficult drive along roads congested with thousands of fleeing civilians.

On May 21, Allied forces made a counterattack against General Erwin Rommel ’s panzers south of Arras. The battle continued for two and a half days, but on the night of May 23 the British were forced to withdraw. However, the counterattack had not been in vain. By delaying the German advance, four British divisions and a large part of the French First Army were able to withdraw toward the channel coast. We were in Béthune. The counterattack gave us extra time to prepare for the demolition of the many bridges spanning the La Bassée Canal in order to further delay the Germans.

While the sappers laid explosives on the bridges, I was given the job of dispatch rider, carrying messages between the various army units as commanders attempted to organize a collective withdrawal before the bridges were blown. Sergeant Wellington warned us that dispatch riders were a favorite target for German snipers who were operating in the area. He ended his briefing by wishing us, “Good luck.” But good luck had not been with me that morning. Unsuccessful in delivering my dispatches thanks to a sniper’s bullet creasing my forehead and ripping my epaulet to shreds, I lay in the dirt of a country lane, playing dead.

After 30 minutes and hoping I would be safe, I jumped onto my motorcycle and tried desperately to kick start the machine. Finally, the motorcycle roared to life, and I raced back to my unit. Having reported the sniper, my thoughts turned to Ivy, my young wife, who had almost become a widow that morning.

By May 24, the enemy had taken Boulogne. Calais was cut off. German advance units had reached the Aa Canal, a mere 12 miles west of Dunkirk, the sole port remaining in Allied hands. The Allied northern forces—comprised of the British Expeditionary Force, French, and Belgian troops—had managed to withdraw from Belgium to the French frontier. To the east, west, and south, there were German divisions. Only one way was open for withdrawal, north to Dunkirk. In a situation that was rapidly becoming desperate, we were placed on half rations.

By holding back the enemy at Arras, the British Army had given us time to prepare 22 bridges for demolition around Béthune. The hordes of refugees trying to cross the bridges made the work difficult. Seeing the problems they caused and fearing fifth columnists could be in their midst, officers ordered that refugees be stopped from crossing the bridges. Turned away from one bridge, the civilians hurried north to another and another until they found one they could use to cross to safety to the east bank of the canal—a forlorn hope. The corridor of safety between the German front lines in the west and the front line in the east was a mere 15 miles. Squeezing this small pocket of safety, the German forces surrounded the trapped Allied divisions, who by now were fighting with their backs to the sea.

I Closed My Ears and Mind to the Horrific Screams of Dying and Wounded Men by Focusing on the Tens of Thousands of British Soldiers Whose Lives Depended on Us Doing Our Job.

Orders were not to blow the bridges until the enemy was in sight or the growl of tanks moving up could be heard. It was a race to stop them storming across the rivers and canals. Once the way forward was blocked to the enemy, we would fall back to the next bridge. Was it only two weeks ago when we had been pottering about on the airfields? It all seemed totally chaotic. At one bridge we barely had time to prepare the detonator and hide around a corner before German panzers started to cross. The bridge was blown. I closed my ears and mind to the horrific screams of dying and wounded men by focusing on the tens of thousands of British soldiers whose lives depended on us doing our job.

At another bridge, an advance unit of German soldiers had arrived minutes before us. Hurtling from our trucks, we hid in doorways and behind corners. All we had were rifles, machine guns, and a desperate determination to drive back the enemy. A fierce exchange of rifle fire ensued. I was at the back of the convoy and ordered to protect the rear. As I was beginning to wonder if we would be lucky enough to make it to the far bank, the bridge was captured just long enough for charges to be set while we raced across in our trucks. Then it was blown to smithereens.

The enemy was hot on the heels of our retreating Army. At one bridge, trucks raced across while under fire from enemy rifles and machine guns. Last in line with my water tanker. I had barely left the bridge before a brave soldier, driving a truck full of explosives onto the bridge, tore past me, scraping the front of the tanker. Looking in my mirror, I saw the truck screech to a halt on the bridge. The driver leaped out and ran back toward me.

By now I was reversing toward him with the passenger door swinging open. “Get in! Get in!” I yelled. The soldier needed no encouragement. Under a hail of enemy bullets, the heroic man hung onto the front passenger seat, his legs dangling outside the cab as I whisked him away to safety while 62 Company provided cover. Enemy armored cars rushed the bridge before it was destroyed. But they were too late. With a tremendous roar, the truck exploded, demolishing the bridge and the armored cars on it.

The Royal Engineer companies were to withdraw to Dunkirk, blowing bridges at Merville, Merris, and Méteren on the way. The roads were awash with the flotsam and jetsam of war in full swing. Leaderless, defeated French soldiers trudged north away from terrifying German attacks. French villagers, panicked by the sight of the defeated soldiers, abandoned their homes to join the heaving crowds blocking the roads. British troops were held up for hours as they struggled to reach the east bank of the Aa Canal to form a front line on the western edge of the escape corridor.

At Lille, the French First Army blocked the enemy advance, holding them at bay for three days, tying down seven German divisions while 150,000 trapped Allied soldiers swarmed to Dunkirk, where the evacuation was making a slow start. As I pushed north along the crowded roads, my heart went out to mothers slogging along with their children. Bodies—men, women, children and horses—lay by the roadside, among abandoned vehicles, testimony to some Stuka dive bomber pilot’s foray along the road.

The Royal Engineers, along with other specialist units, were formed into special detachments. My unit was “Pol” Force. The others were “Mac” Force and “Petre” Force (a total of 360 men). We were sent to Mont des Cats, a 500-foot hill on the Belgian border, with orders to protect the flank of the retreating army. I felt we were scrambling around like lunatics; everything seemed complete confusion.

Fighting their way north had been a bloodbath for the Royal West Kent Regiment caught in a valley by mortar fire. Suffering heavy casualties, they needed our trucks to transport the wounded to Dunkirk. Grimly, we looked on as mutilated soldiers, eyes glazed in shock, uniforms saturated in blood, were helped into the trucks. Aware that when the time came for our withdrawal we would have to cover the 22 miles to Dunkirk on foot, a thought struck me like a bolt of lightning.

“Do they think we’re not going to need those trucks because we’re not going to make it through whatever Gerry’s got for us?” I asked my best friend, Darky.

“Nah,” said Darky, with a show of bravado. “They reckon we’ll still be fit enough to run all the way to Dunkirk after we’ve sorted Gerry out.”

Crossing the fields to Mont des Cats, we walked straight into a mortar attack. Dead and wounded men fell all around. I gagged at seeing Major Thomas’s knee blown off. Captains and lieutenants urged us forward. Soldiers and medics scrambled to drag and carry the wounded toward the hill, where they were taken to the Trappist monastery on the summit. I was still shaking as we climbed the hill and settled ourselves into hollows by the roadside. Darky and I stayed close together. We both agreed it was a bad do.

So far, we had seen little fighting. Puffing on his pipe, a young lieutenant walked among us. In a calming voice, he reassured us. “Don’t worry about the Germans when they come along. We’ll just have to take them on. That’s what we’re here for. We have to hold this position for 48 hours to allow as many of our men as possible to withdraw to Dunkirk. They’re depending on you. I know you won’t let them down. In the meantime, just settle down and have a rest and a smoke.”

Darky and I felt we were up the creek without a paddle. To cheer Darky, I rashly promised to buy him a pint of beer when we returned home. There were 80 men in my area of the hill. Transfixed, we watched the German Army’s arrival on the plain below. There before us was the enemy, flagrantly displaying its superior fighting power. It was soon brought to bear on Pol Force. That first afternoon, artillery fire pinned us in our hiding places but caused little damage. With the coming of night, the guns fell silent, and we snatched what little sleep we could.

May 28 began with a dawn attack by the Luftwaffe. Roaring planes emerged from the early morning mist, dropping bombs and strafing Pol Force’s positions. Time and again they left only to return for more menacing sorties. Earth and gravel splattered us, but the planes’ inaccuracies resulted in few casualties. Morale remained high. Derisive laughter spread contagiously from hollow to hollow. “Get your eyes tested, Gerry! Can’t you get your sights sorted out?”

Throughout the rest of the morning, a tremendous concentration of firepower was brought to bear on our positions. The lieutenant bolstered us, telling us the German commanders had no idea how many brigades were entrenched on Mont des Cats, blocking their advance into the escape corridor. “They’re trying to flush us out to assess our strength. Stay calm men. So far, you’ve come through it all without them inflicting any real damage on us.”

“They’ve shot the pipe out of my mouth!”

Then came the rumble of approaching tanks. As the tanks neared, we became jittery. We hastily prepared petrol bombs and threw them when the tanks closed in. One man, leaving his hiding place to dash out and hurl the bombs, slipped and fell to be crushed beneath the squeaking tracks of a panzer. We lobbed burning bomb after burning bomb at the massive bulk of these monsters until voracious flames licked at tracks and turrets, forcing the tanks to turn and bolt down the hill.

Late in the afternoon, the German infantry appeared. We watched as they crept up the hill then opened fire, resulting in a rapid exchange. In the confusion, the lieutenant’s pipe was shattered by a German bullet. The pipe fell from the shocked officer’s mouth followed by a bellow of rage. “They’ve shot the pipe out of my mouth! Bugger that! Fix bayonets! Up and at them men! Scatter them!”

And so I was introduced to my first experience of hand-to-hand combat. We charged down the hill, yelling like Ancient Celts. We must have looked like we meant business because the Germans fell back. I ran toward one reckless soldier still charging up the hill in a bayonet attack and shot him in the head. Running past him, I was relieved to find the German had fallen face down in the dirt. I would not have to see the face of the first man I had personally killed. After only a few minutes, the German soldiers turned and ran. Triumphantly, we congratulated ourselves then returned to our hiding places.

When German troops withdrew from that part of the hill during the night, our officers seized the opportunity to order a withdrawal. “Men, you are now relieved. It’s every man for himself. Make for Dunkirk as fast as you can. Good luck.” Crossing the dew damp fields, we ran straight into a German reception committee using box formation mortar fire. I saw the pay corporal’s head blown off. Captain Chamier went down minus a leg. And I ran. I ran for six miles before stopping, one of only 87 survivors of the 360 defenders of Monts des Cats. As I struggled to regain self control, seven more survivors arrived. No one knew if Darky or any of my other close friends had escaped.

Unsure of the way to Dunkirk, we followed refugees heading north. Later that morning, Stuka pilots flew up and down the road in an orgy of death and destruction as people dived into ditches for cover. Three hours later, we rested, ate bully beef and hard tack, then dozed on blankets spread in the shadows of a farmhouse wall. A Stuka screamed down from the clouds, spraying bullets as it passed only feet above our heads. The bullets tore a row of holes in the blanket alongside my body. Two of my companions were killed where they slept.

Covering the dead with blankets, we moved on, coming across three heavily bandaged British soldiers, who had decided they were not going to sit around and be taken prisoner. Too weak to continue on foot, they were leaning against a broken down ambulance. We took turns working on the engine and handing out chocolate to tired, bewildered children passing by in the crowds. Suddenly, the engine erupted into a shaky roar. Everyone piled into the ambulance. A feeling of optimism filled the vehicle.

Then, after we had driven for a couple of miles, Stukas appeared. The attack killed five of the group, including the wounded, and damaged the ambulance beyond repair. Those of us still alive continued the march, rendering any abandoned rifles we found useless to the enemy by removing the bolts and dumping them in the rivers. We came across fields full of vehicles, weapons and equipment, burned and destroyed by our own Army so they would not fall into enemy hands. Finally, we arrived at the bridgehead at the Burgues-Furnes Canal, from where we were directed to the beaches at Bray-Dunes rather than Dunkirk, which was a burning shambles thanks to German bombing.

With twilight approaching, our small group of four stepped onto the beach at Bray-Dunes. Tens of thousands of exhausted troops congregated on the golden sands with not a spark of fight left in them. Other soldiers formed long lines out to sea. Only their determination to reach home, a mere 22 miles across the English Channel, kept them waiting patiently for rescue boats. They stood chest deep in water, oily and slick from the shipwrecks offshore. Here and there, a body floated, a remnant of the human cargo lost to German bombs. An occasional victim of strafing and shelling littered the sand. The sickly sweet stench of death lingered in the still air.

I surveyed the beach, trying to make sense of the scenario before me. Slowly, understanding dawned. Disbelief, horror, then anger welled up, followed by intense shame. Until that moment, I had believed we were an Army in retreat. Now, I realized, I belonged to a defeated army. My pride fought against accepting this fact. I still had plenty of fight left, but looking again at the thousands of dejected men, I could see these soldiers had had it. I was filled with confusion and despair.

We settled in the sand dunes, ate some hard tack and smoked cigarettes. And we waited. We had reached the coast. Now what? We soon found out. German spotter planes flew overhead dropping illuminated parachutes to light up the area for German gunners. The muffled explosions of shells hitting the beach and all areas around us disturbed the night. Mercifully, with the sand absorbing the shock of the explosions, the shelling caused little damage apart from men losing sleep. I nestled low in the dunes wondering how we had gotten into this mess.

As I tried to sleep, the day was ending with 10 German divisions pressing on the Dunkirk perimeter, now a mere 20 miles long and six miles wide. I was right. We certainly were in a predicament. It was just as well that I did not know how bad a predicament it was.

On May 17, Winston Churchill, the new prime minister since Neville Chamberlain’s resignation on May 10, had begun to consider the possibility of evacuating the British Expeditionary Force from France. He did not believe it would come to this, but every contingency had to be faced. Although nobody realized it, some groundwork had already begun. A May 14 radio broadcast called on all small boat owners to send their particulars to the Admiralty. Boat yards were building wooden minesweepers because of the magnetic mine threat. Consequently, the Small Vessels Pool, unable to obtain the boats it needed, intended to requisition private yachts and motorboats. The War Office originally felt no sense of urgency regarding plans for the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force and assured there was ample time to organize for such an unlikely event. The Admiralty put Vice Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsey in charge of the evacuation plans, codenamed Operation Dynamo.

The speed of the German advance through France to the channel ports of Boulogne and Calais took everyone by surprise. The evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force quickly became top priority. The original 36 vessels allocated to the Admiralty would not be enough. What Ramsey needed was every seaworthy craft in the nation. The Ministry of Shipping searched for vessels capable of bringing the men home — passenger ferries, barges, drifters, trawlers, coasters, dredgers, fishing boats, lifeboats, tugs, anything. Not knowing what to expect, many crews readily volunteered to go across the channel to Dunkirk.

On the morning of May 26, up to 4,000 German bombs rained on Dunkirk and the thousands of troops pouring into the area. The British government, realizing that the troops were on the brink of a catastrophe, ordered Admiral Ramsey to commence Operation Dynamo. He had 129 vessels with which to evacuate hundreds of thousands of troops. The Admiralty expected to save only 45,000 of them during the next two days. Even this modest calculation fell short as rescue vessels encountered the enemy. Damaged ships turned back or sank, sometimes with their loads of evacuated troops. By midnight on May 27, only 37,965 men had been saved.

Receiving reports about the increasing numbers of men waiting on the beaches, Ramsey desperately called for destroyers, minesweepers, everything he could get his hands on. Captain William G. Tennant was ordered to Dunkirk to organize the loading of the rescue fleet. With him went a naval shore party of eight officers and 160 men. Arriving in Dunkirk at 5:30 pm on May 27, he explored evacuation possibilities. Evacuation from Dunkirk harbor was not feasible; continual bombing had left it a blazing ruin. He decided the beaches east of Dunkirk were the best bet. He conferred with army officers, who estimated the Royal Navy had 24-36 hours before Dunkirk was overrun.

Tennant signaled Dover to send every available craft east of Dunkirk. Naval parties rounded up soldiers and sent them to the beaches. Learning that leaderless soldiers were becoming unruly, Tennant went to speak to the men and appealed for calm and discipline, reassuring them that plenty of ships were coming to take them back to England. Responding to his authority and leadership, the men calmed down.

There Were 5,000 soldiers, Mostly Without Officers or any Leadership and Degenerating into Drunken Mobs on the Beach at Bray-Dunes

Concerned that far too few men were being lifted from the beaches, Tennant requested information from his commanders. They told him the entire stretch of beach from Dunkirk to La Panne shelved so gradually that destroyers and large vessels had to anchor a mile off shore, even at high tide. They also did not have enough small craft on the scene. Destroyers were having to use their own boats to pick up the men from the beaches and ferry them to the destroyers. When the launches arrived, the scared troops rushed to scramble in from where they stood in deep water and more often than not capsized the boats. It was taking hours to lift only a few hundred men off the beaches. Back in Dover, the operations room was awash with messages from the destroyers urging them to send more small boats.

Returning to the harbor, Tennant again studied the area. He knew he could evacuate men faster if he could use the docks, but that was out of the question. Then, he noticed that the Luftwaffe was concentrating on the docks and completely ignoring the moles, two long breakwaters that formed the entrance to the harbor. One from the western side and one from the east reached out toward one another, leaving a narrow gap with only enough room for the passage of one ship. The eastern mole, 1,400 yards long, was constructed of rock with thick concrete pilings alongside it. On top, a wooden walkway with wooden railings along the edges ran the full length. It was just wide enough for four men to walk abreast.

Tennant estimated that the tides rose and fell 15 feet around the mole, which could make transferring troops at low or high tide hazardous, and berthing could be dangerous if the swift tidal currents slammed the vessels against the wooden planking. The mole was not built to take such a battering. Would it prove sturdy enough to act as a pier? There was only one way to find out.

Tennant ordered a ship to come alongside. In no time at all, this first vessel crammed 950 men on board. At 4:15 am on May 28, it set sail for England. Sadly, a German plane sank the ship less than halfway across the channel, but Tennant had made an important discovery. The mole worked. It not only worked, it could accommodate several ships at a time.

Tennant ordered all vessels to the eastern mole, a decision that would prove to be the turning point at Dunkirk and the salvation of the British Expeditionary Force. Clouds of oily black smoke, belching from the burning oil refinery, hung low over the harbor, hiding the mole from view. That day, there should be no interference from the Luftwaffe.

Informed there were 5,000 soldiers, mostly without officers or any leadership and degenerating into drunken mobs on the beach at Bray-Dunes, Tennant sent Commanders Kerr and Richardson with 40 men to Bray-Dunes. Commander Clouston, a tall Canadian, was put in charge of the mole.

Arriving at Bray-Dunes that evening, Richardson alerted Dover that he had found not 5,000, but 25,000 men on the beach and that small boats were urgently needed. In the early hours of May 29, with a storm drawing near, the seas became too rough for evacuation from the beaches. Richardson sent the troops to the mole at Dunkirk, only seven miles away, but a marathon for men at the end of their endurance and scarcely able to walk.

After being put into use, the eastern mole proved to be a great success. Destroyers picked up between 500 and 900 men in minutes and quickly took them to Dover before returning to the mole. Towering head and shoulders above the crowds, Commander Clouston shouted instructions through his megaphone, skillfully controlling the flow of troops to the streams of arriving ships. Two thousand men an hour were leaving from the mole. On May 28, a total of 18,527 men safely left France, more than double the previous day’s number.

As news of the evacuations at the mole spread, thousands of soldiers converged on the area. On the morning of the 29th, a steady stream of ships pulled in, quickly loaded, and pulled out. No matter how many men boarded, the lines of waiting soldiers continued to grow. The line stretched the length of the mole and snaked back along the beach. Brigadier Parminter, working alongside Commander Clouston, used a hat-check system. He divided the waiting men into groups of 50, gave each group a number, and as the number was called, the group stepped out onto the mole. At times, the embarkations were going so smoothly that the men trotted along the mole at the double. It was a heartening improvement.

Around 1:30 pm, a change in wind direction sent the heavy pall of smoke inland, allowing perfect conditions for the 400 German aircraft heading for Dunkirk. As the 12 vessels at the mole lost their protective cover, German pilots saw them from overhead. Bombs poured from the skies. The mole was hit. Chunks of concrete hurtled into the air. Swooping down, Stukas machine-gunned troops caught on the crowded walkway. Defenseless and with nowhere to hide, they were easy targets.

Hundreds of lives were lost and numerous ships damaged or destroyed as they frantically tried to leave the mole. Two ships sank at their berths. At dusk, after 90 minutes of continuous bombing, the raid ended. In places, the mole was left with more holes than a rabbit warren, but only the outer side of the mole was obstructed by wreckage. The inner wall was still clear. Shipping losses on this day were three destroyers and 21 other vessels, with many others damaged. Despite everything, 47,310 men returned home safely.

Responding to a public appeal, small craft were brought to Ramsgate from all over the south and east coasts and the River Thames. They came from yachting centers, boatyards, and private moorings to join the naval vessels. Owners, many only weekend sailors, insisted on going with their boats. Members of yacht clubs volunteered. Leaving their desks and places of work, civilians came from all over the south of England. Facing grave danger, these unassuming heroes risked their lives to save men caught in a desperate plight. Some used their day off work to save hundreds of lives and then returned to their desks as usual the following day.

Most small boats were towed across the English Channel. Few of these little vessels were built for use at sea, but the channel was kind to them, remaining still and calm while they plied back and forth between the beaches and the larger vessels. The small boats provided the only means by which soldiers on the beaches could reach the rescue ships moored far off shore. Some volunteers worked continuously for 48 hours at a stretch before returning to Ramsgate when fuel ran out or they had become too exhausted to carry on.

Only eight small boats were in the first convoy that set out across the channel at 10 pm on May 29. Gradually, the numbers increased until it was impossible to tell where one convoy ended and another began. Nearly 400 small craft were involved in the rescue operation. By the time Operation Dynamo ended, they had been instrumental in saving almost 100,000 men from the beaches around Dunkirk. Newspapers and broadcasters rushed to tell the story of these heroic volunteers bringing a surge of pride in the British population. Morale soared. The “Dunkirk Spirit” developed. People were energized, hopeful, and eager to be actively involved in the war against Hitler.

“The Enemy’s Pounding at the Door, and We’re Just Sitting on Our Arses in the Sand Dunes”

As the residents of Dover listened to the thunder of guns at Dunkirk and the evacuation was making headlines in Britain, I woke to a dull, cloudy day. I was amazed to see the lines of men still standing in the sea. My friends and I wondered if any were getting away. A soldier reassured us the Navy was going to rescue everyone. Although I desperately wanted to believe him, the soldiers milling around the area seemed fearful and uncertain.

Skulking in the dunes, we could see little evacuation activity. In fact, the only activity was from German Stukas flying along the beach, dropping bombs and strafing our besieged troops. “The enemy’s pounding at the door, and we’re just sitting on our arses in the sand dunes,” growled one of my companions. With glum expressions, we watched and waited.

At mid-morning an officer from the Royal Engineers stumbled across our group. Telling us we were needed to repair bomb damage to the eastern mole at Dunkirk harbor, he put me, a corporal, in charge with orders to find more sappers and report to the commander at the eastern mole. I was relieved to have something positive to do and that someone seemed to know what needed doing. We found 16 sappers to swell our ranks, and then off we marched to Dunkirk.

Coming to the outskirts of town, we looked on in disbelief as we witnessed the scene unfolding before us. Four French officers were standing with their troops when a black Citreon screeched to a stop beside them. The officers jumped in, and the car sped off down the road. We were disgusted by this abandonment of the French soldiers who were in a sorry state. Their uniforms were ragged; some men were without boots. Gaunt faces and despairing eyes testified to the horrors they had been through. With their officers gone, they became distressed and fearful, asking each other, “What do we do?” “Where do we go?” I approached the men. One or two spoke a little English. With few words and much gesticulating, they understood my message. “Go to Bray-Dunes. Find a British unit that will take you in. They’ll look after you.”

Moving into Dunkirk, we found the harbor and the eastern mole. The day’s heavy mist offered protection from the predatory Luftwaffe. There would be no air attacks in these conditions. On the mole, the atmosphere was cheerfully relaxed. Evacuations were proceeding safely and efficiently. Reporting to Commander Clouston, we were told to find whatever we could to repair the mole’s walkway, severely damaged after the previous day’s savage air attacks.

We foraged for materials in Dunkirk. This was highly dangerous. The Luftwaffe was still delivering bombs, and German batteries in Calais were firing salvoes into the town. Miraculously, the mole lay just out of reach of the guns. Choking, black smoke filled the air as we moved off through streets filled with debris, burned trucks, and downed trolley wires. Without tools or transport, we salvaged repair materials, making trip after trip, carrying beams, floorboards and doors taken from damaged buildings. It was a good day’s work, not only for the Engineers, but also the Royal Navy. A total of 53,823 men were rescued on May 30.

We worked until dark before proceeding to the beach at Malo-les-Bains, a mile to the east. Munching on hard tack, we discussed our situation. I was pleased to be busy, which kept my mind off the dilemma we were in. Others were hopeful of getting away after seeing how many men had been evacuated. I was more realistic, believing we were doing such a useful job for the evacuation we would be there until Dunkirk was taken.

We spent another sleepless night disturbed by exploding shells as we hid in the dunes. In the morning, we found a canal to wash our faces. Seeing some men were not shaving, I told them to shave to keep up standards and morale. “What’s the point?” they argued. “We’re all going to be prisoners of war soon enough.” I thought they might well be right.

May 31 was again misty and overcast, perfect for keeping the Luftwaffe on the ground. But these weather conditions did not stop the shelling of Dunkirk. Having found their range, batteries planted east of Gravelines began damaging ships berthed at the mole. For the soldiers, the dash to the waiting vessels was unnerving. During the worst of the attacks, frightened men tried to move back off the mole, but discipline was strictly enforced by the officers. The men were made to run the gauntlet, sometimes at gunpoint, sometimes without making it to the ships.

We watched as British destroyers sailed westward past Dunkirk. They fired salvo after salvo at the German batteries at Gravelines, pounding the enemy guns until they fell silent. Then we returned to the work of repairing the mole. We were more fortunate than most of the weary men around us. We still carried our rifles and rucksacks containing a few more days’ supply of hard rations. Some of the men waiting to evacuate had not eaten for days. Before the day ended, 68,014 men arrived in England.

The sun was burning off the early morning mist, promising a clear, sunny day. June 1 also promised to be a day made in hell as German bombers took advantage of this break in the weather. At 5:30 am, German Messerschmitt Me-109 fighters swept in from the east. I nudged the men awake to wash and have more hardtack for breakfast before going to the mole. Protesting and grumbling, the men were lying flat on their stomachs, stretched over the edge of the canal, about to splash water into their faces when the planes appeared. Before they could rinse the sleep from their eyes, the beaches were awash with the slaughter of troops mowed down by machine-gun fire. We looked at the bodies strewn along the beach, sickened by the carnage, the men relieved I had forced them to move.

Arriving at the harbor, we looked on in horror. Gun flashes and columns of smoke rose over Dunkirk as planes attacked the destroyer Windsor , which was berthed at the mole.

By 5 am, the Royal Air Force had 48 Supermarine Spitfire fighters heading toward Dunkirk. Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding was trying to spare British planes from further losses, so the protection was spasmodic. British fighters flew only four short patrols a day. By the time British planes crossed the channel, they had only enough fuel to engage the enemy for 40 minutes before returning home. Pilots often made four sorties each day, but to the men on the beaches who were experiencing unrelenting Luftwaffe attacks, it felt as if the Royal Air Force had abandoned them. Few soldiers saw anything of the pilots’ heroic battles taking place high above them.

The 5 am patrol brought down 10 German planes before returning to England. It would be 9 am before another patrol was sent to the French coast. During this period between patrols, the Luftwaffe ruled the skies. As destroyers and minesweepers sailed with their troops from the beaches and the mole, they were bombed by Heinkels and Stukas. When 40 Stukas appeared in the sky, every gun in the British fleet opened fire, but by 8 am, the destroyer Keith was hit. The Stukas returned for second, third, fourth, and fifth attack on the Keith before she finally sank at 9:15 am. From the mole, we saw the French destroyer Foudroyant , full of rescued troops, turn over and sink in seconds, victim of another swarm of Stukas.

German air attacks faded away when the Spitfire patrols were in the vicinity, but there were four more periods during the day when the Royal Air Force could not provide fighter cover. The Luftwaffe made the most of them, destroying or damaging 17 ships on June 1. Hundreds of men perished in the Luftwaffe frenzy. Through it all, we went about our work repairing the mole.

So, I jumped. Immediately, I Realized I had Made a Big Mistake.

Commanders in London, Dover, and Dunkirk felt increasing trepidation at the escalating destroyer losses. The decision was made to stop using Royal Navy vessels during daylight hours. At 1:45 pm, all destroyers received orders to return to England immediately.

Commander Allison of the destroyer Worcester was entering Dunkirk harbor when the message arrived. Deciding it did not make sense to return to Dover empty, he berthed at the mole. I watched as lines of soldiers disappeared onto the destroyer. Brigadier Parminter, aware this would be the last vessel until nightfall, told me to get myself and my men onto the destroyer. “We’re going to need men like you back in England to continue the fight,” he said.

Urging the men along the mole, I took a last look around, making sure everyone had gone, and then raced down the walkway. The destroyer was pulling away from its berth. I hesitated. The gap was too wide. “Jump, you silly bugger, jump!” yelled a burly sailor at the ship’s rail.

So, I jumped. Immediately, I realized I had made a big mistake. In mid-air, I glanced down. The foaming water churned wildly where the destroyer’s sharp propeller blades were waiting to chop me to pieces. Leaning far out, the muscular sailor grabbed my shredded epaulette, flapping loosely from my uniform. With a crash, I slammed against the ship’s rail. Using brute strength, the sailor hauled me over, where I fell in a crumpled heap on the deck. Unbridled joy and relief overwhelmed me. I was on the destroyer, safe and on my way home. Then, all hell let loose.

“Get up against the bulkhead,” shouted the sailor. Stunned and winded, I stumbled across the deck. As I pressed against the gray metal, I heard the planes. Stukas, 30-40 of them, dived on the Worcester time and time again. Bombs rained down like confetti all around the ship. The destroyer, so filled with troops it was top heavy, heeled over wildly at heart-stopping, stomach-lurching angles to evade the falling bombs. Bombs to the rear lifted the stern clear of the water. The massive propellers screamed until the ship crashed down again. Colossal columns of water washed over the ship. I closed my eyes and tried to make my body disappear into the bulkhead.

By some miracle, none of the 100 bombs made a direct hit on the ship. Shrapnel killed 46 and wounded another 180 before the attacks tapered off. As sanity returned, I opened my eyes and looked round. The planes had disappeared. The Worcester , with its crowded decks, was steaming across the channel to the British coast. I may have been exhausted by the day’s events, but I felt exhilarated. I was one of 64,429 men who returned home on this horrific day.

Having failed in battle, we poured off the ships, expecting a cold reception. It may have been a defeated Army coming home, but a jubilant welcome awaited us. The local populace offered friendly smiles and joyous greetings. Better still, the Red Cross and women volunteers were ready with hot cups of tea, cocoa, sticky buns, and sandwiches. Exhausted, bleary eyed and hungry if not starving, we soaked up the warm reception. We smoked the proffered cigarettes and gulped down the hot, sweet tea and sandwiches before dragging ourselves onto the waiting trains.

I pushed forward to give my name and number to the clerks, wanting Ivy to know I had made it back. Then I pushed onto the train, collapsed into a corner seat, and closed my eyes. Darky, squeezing through the crowds into the carriage, noticed me in the corner of the compartment. He stepped inside and nudged me awake. I jumped up, and we pounded the living daylights out of each other’s backs. “Had to make it back,” said Darky. “You owe me a pint.”

As we rested after our ordeal, Winston Churchill’s rousing June 4 “We shall fight them on the beaches” speech united and galvanized the people into action. The deliverance at Dunkirk had brought the troops home, but we were not in good shape to defend the country against the expected seaborne invasion. The British Expeditionary Force had lost almost all of its heavy equipment, transport and personal weapons in France. In 62 Chemical Warfare Company Company all we had was one rifle between seven men and one machine gun per section.

Of the 850 vessels, large and small, that took part in Operation Dynamo, 243 were lost and 45 damaged. The Royal Air Force lost 106 fighter planes, and the British Expeditionary Force lost almost all of its equipment, including 682 tanks, 120,000 vehicles, 2,700 artillery pieces, and 90,000 rifles. Over 68,000 men were killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. Nevertheless, in the nine desperate days of Operation Dynamo, 338,226 men were rescued.

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3 thoughts on “ what happened in dunkirk: a royal engineer tells his story ”.

Looking at the photo of three Sappers posing triumphantly during the French campaign, I hate to tell you that that photo was almost certainly taken in Kent! The cottages in the background are definitely English, tile-hung and thus almost certainly in that part of the world.

This photo must, therefore, have been taken just before they embarked fro France, or after they were rescued from the beaches. I think the former, because they look far to chipper!

Unless, of course, it is a still from the old B&W film ‘Dunkirk’, which was all filmed in Kent rather than France (no oasthouses there!) though I doubt it, the men look far too authentic.

My grandfather, Cpl Edwin (aka Edward) Baker 1983441 was in the Royal Engineers and was in the BEF. He was evacuated from Dunkirk but, we understand, “badly knocked about”. On return to England he requested posting to a unit which would not be sent overseas. He was assigned to bomb disposal. He was killed defusing a bomb in May 1941, in Bootle, Liverpool.

This is an extraordinary memoir. I hope to draw on it a little for a book of semi-fiction I am writing, which will include Edwin’s story.

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About the Dunkirk Yacht Club When visiting, enter the harbor at the West entrance of outer break-wall near the (old) power plant, then East toward the City pier (Red-Right-Returning). Enter the inner harbor with the City

Pier to Port and navigate back West along the inner break-wall to the guest dock at Gin Pole in approximately 7′ of water, or further West to our pump-out dock. We have a self-help facility, and welcome you to prepare your meals in our shared kitchen and use our grills and picnic tables. Other provisions available are restrooms, showers, pump-out, bagged ice, telephone (716-366-9789) and WiFi. Please sign in and find additional information inside the Clubhouse.

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Neptune replica to highlight city’s Beach Bash

Artist Eric Jones of Eric Jones Studios will be the featured sand sculptor at the Dunkirk Beach Bash on Saturday, August 19. He will replicate the historical King Neptune fountain statue which originated in Dunkirk at the Brooks Locomotive Co. in 1883, moved to Washington Park in 1938 and eventually placed at his current location at SUNY Fredonia natatorium.

When Dunkirk Beach Bash organizers Ryan Hall, Dunkirk festivals coordinator and Scott Mekus, event specialist, were discussing the Saturday event and what sand sculpture design should be featured, several ideas came to the table.

“Should it be an aquatic animal, something beach-related or a Disney character?” Mekus asked.

“Heck, we could do King Neptune,” chuckled Hall.

“Actually – that’s not a bad idea!” exclaimed Mekus. “We could replicate Dunkirk’s iconic King Neptune statue that was in Washington Park’s fountain right across the street where I grew up.”

With this in mind, artist/sculptor/owner Eric Jones of Eric Jones Studios was hired to create the replica out of sand at Wright Park across from the Beach House Bar & Grille.

“The King Neptune fountain is a beautiful work of art,” Jones said. “It will be very difficult to emulate such ornate craftsmanship in sand, but I’m excited and up for the challenge. “ I am looking forward to seeing the smiles on the faces of the folks in this wonderful Western New York community. What a beautiful spot for a sculpture!”

The carving project will take four hours for four days to complete with the final bronze painting and unveiling between 2 and 3 p.m. Saturday. Spectators are welcome but reminded to be considerate of the artist’s limited time to recreate the well-known statue by not interrupting him too much.

There is a long history of the Neptune statue in Dunkirk which needs to be reiterated with special thanks to in the Dunkirk Historical Society and its museum, City Historian Diane Andrasik and volunteer Denise Griggs for their assistance with this story.

Horatio Brooks, founder of the Brooks Locomotive Co. in Dunkirk, built an office building to serve his expanding company and, in 1883, installed a fountain of King Neptune purchased from the J. W. Fiske Co. in front of the building.

It weighed 960 pounds of a zinc composite, stood 7 feet tall, and cost him $500. The company specialized in creating zinc sculpture, making fountains, garden sculpture and benches, memorial statues for fallen heroes for public and private customers.

The fountain Brooks purchased was that of King Neptune resting on rocks and a giant shell, surrounded by sea creatures, and it remained at the original location until 1937.

By that time the Brooks company had merged with other locomotive making plants to create ALCO (the American Locomotive Company), which demolished the office building. The fountain sculpture was offered to the city of Dunkirk, which accepted it.

Dunkirk’s Washington Park, bounded by Park, Washington, Fifth and Sixth streets, was the city’s premier park. It already had a spray fountain in a wide basin, but the city replaced it with the King Neptune fountain in May 1938. The new fountain was popularly received except by someone who complained that the flesh-tone paint made the statue seem risque. The city responded by painting it bronze.

In 1999, local resident and past Dunkirk Historical Society President Robert Harris recalled, “It was a beautiful center piece for many years. No matter where you were, you could see the fountain and the spray. It had a rose garden around the base and there were lights under the water.”

Nevertheless, the fountain suffered from neglect and abuse. Children climbed it. Parts of Neptune himself were broken off, including part of the trident.

Some recalled that, when playing baseball in the park, hitting the statue in the head with the ball was considered an automatic home run.

So by 1967, the 84-year old statue was showing the effects of years of wear and vandalism. The mayor ordered it removed for what some citizens thought would be repair.

As years went by, it languished in storage at the city water works building on Robin Street.

In September 1985, the city council voted unanimously to transfer ownership of the fountain statue to the Dunkirk Historical Society, which hoped to restore it.

The restoration cost proved too great at the time and the statue remained in storage until 1999.

In that year, the Dunkirk Historical Society created the “King Neptune Restoration Project” and joined with the Dunkirk Rotary Club to commence raising $20,000 to restore the statue.

Professor Robert Booth, Chair of the Visual Arts and New Media Department at SUNY Fredonia, agreed to restore King Neptune at the college’s facilities. He had recently completed restoration of the two Mark fountains in Fredonia’s Barker Commons.

Other members of the King Neptune Restoration committee were Professor Robert Booth, Diane Genung, Roger Schulenberg, Mike Sheffield, and Roy Davis. The necessary funds were raised, nearly 25% of which came from residents, social clubs, and businesses.

The statue required a great deal of work: cleaning, repairing major cracks, adding a stabilizing piece inside to support the weight, replacing of all nozzles and pipes, part of the trident and some of the sea creatures.

By August 2001, restoration was complete and King Neptune was returned to Washington Park for an afternoon’s visit.

The Historical Society searched for a permanent location that would be sheltered from the elements, secure from vandalism, highly visible to the community, and operational year-round.

An indoor location for this now historical artifact was considered essential. The search for a location proved both difficult and politically fraught for the Historical Society.

In the short term, SUNY Fredonia College President Dennis Hefner offered to display the statue in the new Steele Hall, which houses the college’s natatorium. In late 2001, Neptune, on loan from the Dunkirk Historical Society by written agreement, went on display in the lobby of that building and is still stationed there for public viewing.

The Historical Society explored placing the statue in Dunkirk’s Boardwalk Market near the city pier, but no space was available. When the public library addition was planned, a request to make space in the lobby was rejected for lack of funds.

Lack of funds also doomed placement in the never built Lake Erie Heritage Center, as well as the incubator project which SUNY Fredonia located in the city of Dunkirk. The mayor of Dunkirk wanted to install the statue outside City Hall, but it was an outdoor location.

Some suggested that it be placed near Dunkirk High School’s new pool, but that did not meet the criteria for security or community visibility.

City Historian Andrasik points out that “The King Neptune fountain represents the city’s connection with the lake and with the railroad, as the existence of both in Dunkirk insured the city’s early success. The artist (Jones) choosing to render that fountain in an artful way at the city-sponsored event, will hopefully remind our citizens of that historical connection.”

Jones is a WNY native from West Clarksville and continues to practice his profession only a few miles from his hometown today. Now a world-renowned artist, Eric started an online retail caricature and avatar illustration business in 2005, which quickly became the largest of its kind on the web. He still owns this company today, employing artists from all over the world.

Other Beach Bash events, sponsored by National Grid, DFT Communications, Chautauqua Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, include kickball, mush ball, pickleball and volleyball tournaments; live music by Kokomo Time Band, Pedro and the Smooth Cats, KISS THIS!, beach deejay Joe Gould, craft/gift and food vendors, children’s entertainer Marty Bubblegum’s Machine, inflatable bounce houses, dunk tank, chalk art/sand building/water balloon toss contests and “The Mummy” movie at dusk.

Wright Park Beach will be accessible with lifeguards from noon to 7 p.m. The splash pad, playground, basketball courts, skate park and Beach House Bar & Grille will also be open to the public.

For more information or to be an event vendor, contact Ryan Hall at City of Dunkirk at (716) 366-9886 or [email protected].

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Dunkirk Explained Simply (Plot Analysis And Ending)

Historical films are challenging to make. It will quickly become a documentary if it is just an objective representation. If adapted too much, it may be criticized for not respecting history. But Nolan has always been open-minded and has withstood the test again. Hitler, Churchill, Charles de Gaulle, and even the German army don’t show their faces in the film. There are not many dialogues, and there is no grand battle scene. It doesn’t look like a war movie. Several strangers cross paths, and their lives overlap; some survive, and some don’t. The film focuses on the cruelty and impermanence of war, especially despair. Home, at the end of the sea, you can practically see it, but the soldiers are only left with endless waves, sand, corpses, and death looming over their heads. Here’s the plot and ending of Dunkirk explained; spoilers ahead.

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Where To Watch?

To find where to stream any movie or series based on your country, use This Is Barry’s Where To Watch .

Oh, and if this article doesn’t answer all of your questions, drop me a comment or an FB chat message, and I’ll get you the answer .  You can find other film explanations using the search option on top of the site.

Here are links to the key aspects of the movie:

• – What was the evacuation all about?
• – 3 Puzzling Timelines Explained
• – Plot Explained
• – 1 Week On Land
• – 1 Day At Sea: Moonstone
• – 1 Hour In The Air
• – Why Does Farrier Land In The German Area?
• – Three or six hours for the high tide? 
• – The blind old man on the platform 

Dunkirk: What was the evacuation all about?

In the early days of World War II, the German army had an overwhelming advantage on the European battlefield. Relying on its powerful armament, the German army conquered all the way on the European battlefield. Due to the passive resistance policy of the British and French forces in the early stage, the surrounding small countries, such as Belgium and the Netherlands, were successively occupied by the German army. Then the German’s bypassed the Maginot Line of the alliance and raided from around. The alliance was forced to Dunkirk, just a sea away from England.

If the allied forces wanted to preserve their strength and achieve a military retreat when surrounded by German troops, they had to rescue themselves from the only and closest beach. Churchill’s secret military order was only to retrieve 30,000 soldiers. The official warships dispatched to support them also faced the interference of German fighter planes over the strait. The movie is set in three slices of times at Dunkirk.

The film does not describe the cause and effect of the historical military event “Dunkirk Evacuation” at all. Instead, Nolan brings the audience directly into the beach, the strait, the sea, and the sky right in the middle of the chaos.

The war was brutal. Dunkirk evacuation was successfully made by the combined operations of the navy, army, air force, and common people; 300,000 soldiers were rescued. Today, countries are still protected by the military. You can express your appreciation to the soldiers who guard us with custom military challenge coins such as Navy challenge Coins , Army challenge coins, Airforce challenge coins, etc. See more on gs-jj.com.

The Reason For Dunkirk’s 3 Puzzling Timelines Explained

The reason the three segments were shot over varying lengths of time and interspliced was to show us how the soldiers at war never have the whole story. They do what they have to do. The film’s non-linear Nolan Time  narrative ensures that the audiences feel the same lack of knowledge soldiers feel.

Dunkirk movie’s biggest asset is the cross-editing, a montage of sorts, which intersperses and displays simultaneously events from different locations (and times) and, finally, combines them into a complete storyline. This is the film’s soul, giving the power to change the length of time for each segment. Three time-shifted storylines in Dunkirk come together – a week on land ,  a day at sea , and  an hour in the air . Among them,  a week on land is compressed, focusing only on critical moments. A day at sea is relatively complete, and an hour of intense air combat is shown in more detail. While watching the movie, we believe that each of the movie segments happens one after the other, but that isn’t the case.

For example, in the sea timeline , the mentally disturbed officer is shell shock but is normal in the subsequent scene of the land timeline . This is actually a flashback. We first see him lose his mind and then see him at a time before that.

Now, let’s go through each of the segments in the film.

Dunkirk Plot Explained: Land . Sea . Air

1 week on land.

Main characters:  Tommy, Gibson, and Alex, who are soldiers. Sub-Plot:  400,000 soldiers on the beaches of Dunkirk trying to grab a rescue ship and cross back to the British mainland.

Tommy flees from the inland to Dunkirk Beach and meets Gibson, who is French but has secretly taken on the identity of a dead British soldier to escape alive to Britain. Tommy and Gibson try to flee by transporting a wounded soldier to the ambulance boat, but the Germans bomb and sink it; Tommy saves another soldier, Alex.

The trio get on another British ship which is also sunk by a German torpedo, and the three need to return to the Dunkirk beach. Here, we meet a rescue officer (Cillian Murphy) – we’re not sure what exactly happens, but he’s left all alone, is shellshocked from the attacks, and just sits on the upturned ship.

Back at the beach, the three men join the Highland Corps on the beach and find a grounded fishing boat. The soldiers hide in the cabin of the boat and wait for the tide to rise so they can escape. They are soon shot at by the enemy. Gibson is suspected of being a German spy but confesses that he’s French. The cabin is pierced, and the bullet holes cause the boat to sink as the tide rises. As the soldiers escape, Gibson drowns and dies.

The soldiers escape from the fishing boat and head to a nearby Minesweeper, which is bombed by a German dive bomber and oil leaks from the ship. The German jet gets shot and crashes into the sea, causing a sea fire in which many die. Tommy, Alex and a whole bunch of soldiers are finally rescued by Moonstone (a civilian yacht that has arrived to rescue soldiers).

1 Day At Sea: Moonstone

Main characters:  Mr Dawson, Peter (Dawson’s son), George (a helper boy) Sub-Plot: A private boat, Moonstone, sails from England to Dunkirk to bring stranded soldiers back.

The trio is one of the many civilians who respond to Churchill’s call to go retrieve soldiers from Dunkirk. They first rescue a wounded and trembling soldier on a sunken ship. This is the same rescue officer who tells Tommy to stay in the water for another boat.

The soldier gets agitated when he realizes the boat is going to Dunkirk. He forces Dawson to turn back, and in the struggle, he accidentally pushes George down the stairs. George hits his head badly and loses his vision. George succumbs to his wound and eventually dies.

Next, Moonstone rescues Collins, a pilot who lands his jet in the water but is unable to exit the aircraft.  He is part of the “Air” segment of the Dunkirk movie.

Moonstone then witnesses the Minesweeper get bombed but rescues the soldiers in the waters. Tommy and Alex, from the “Land” segment, happen to be swimming from the fishing boat and are saved too.

1 Hour In The Air

Main characters:  Farrier, Collins, and their squad leader, who are fighter pilots. Sub-Plot:  British Air Force fighter pilots flying to Dunkirk to gun down the German dive bombers.

Right in the beginning, the Fortis leader’s plane is shot down.

In the second strike, Collins’s plane is hit, and he decides to land at sea instead of parachuting. His exit door jams, and he begins to drown. Moonstone arrives and rescues him. The shell-shocked soldier is already on-board.

In the air, Farrier guns down the bomber that destroys the Minesweeper, and he sees Moonstone down below.

Farrier arrives at Dunkirk to continue air defence and eventually runs out of fuel. He takes out one last dive bomber before landing in the German area and is captured by the German army.

Dunkirk Ending: Why Does Farrier Land In The German Area?

Farrier’s plane has run out of fuel, and he glides around, providing air support to ensure the ground is evacuated. When he loses a lot of altitude, he uses the long stretch of the beach to land safely. Farrier doesn’t parachute and bail because he is an ace pilot and lands his plane gracefully because that’s who he is. Also, back in the day, there were no ejector seats, so bailing from a jet wasn’t necessarily straightforward. He destroys the plane as it is war protocol if you’re about to get caught by the enemy.

Do you have to wait three or six hours for the high tide? 

There is a scene in the movie where the army officer thought it would take three hours for the tide to rise, while the naval officer standing aside said it would take six hours. The naval officer says, “Then it’s good that  you ‘re  Army  and I’ m Navy , isn’t it?” Later, Tommy and the other soldiers hide in a fishing boat, waiting for the high tide. One of them asks how long it would take for the tide, and some soldier answers three hours. 

The answer is that if that sea is at its lowest tide, it will take 6 hours to reach its highest tide. While the tide will cover the land in 3 hours, it will not be enough to float the ship.

The blind old man on the platform 

At the end of Dunkirk, the male protagonist and his group of soldiers successfully return to the British port on a civilian ship, preparing to take the train back to the garrison. On the platform, there is an old man handing out blankets to the soldiers, but he doesn’t look up and finally touches Tommy’s face. There was this dialogue between them: 

Old man:  Well done, lads. Well done.  Soldier:  All we did was survive.  Old man:  That’s enough. 

Alex thought that the old man didn’t even want to look at them, that everyone treated them as worthless deserters, and that he had to accept everyone’s cynicism. The blind man was there to support the soldiers in their time of need.

The film ends with everybody cheering for the safe return of their soldiers. While Alex was preparing for the worst, to constantly live in embarrassment, the people are happy that their protectors are back home safe and now stand a chance in the next war.

And that’s that, what did you think about the plot and ending of the movie Dunkirk? Comment with your thoughts and open questions in the section below.

Barry is a technologist who helps start-ups build successful products. His love for movies and production has led him to write his well-received film explanation and analysis articles to help everyone appreciate the films better. He’s regularly available for a chat conversation on his website and consults on storyboarding from time to time. Click to browse all his film articles

Endangered Delhi Sands Flower-loving Fly Management

RLC is involved in the planning, acquisition and management of lands designed to enhance the viability of the Delhi Sands flower-loving fly (Rhaphiomidas terminates abdominalis). Listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1993, this subspecies is endemic to sand dune formations of San Bernardino Valley, from Colton to Ontario.

The sand dunes, which originally covered about 50 square miles, have dwindled to 2 percent of their original area. RLC holds title or conservation easement on seven properties totaling about 100 acres, which are preserved and managed as habitat for the Delhi Sands flower-loving fly.

Rivers & Lands Conservancy

6876 Indiana Avenue, Suite J2 Riverside, CA 92506 (951) 788-0670

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Sandhill Water Treatment Plant

Scope of project:.

This project involved the construction of a new 30 MGD water treatment plant. The work included the installation, assembly and connection of the new water treatment equipment, construction of concrete structures, installation of site piping, interior piping, valves, meters, vaults, conduits, wiring, power systems, control systems, pipe supports, tanks, fencing and construction of control buildings.

PROJECT TITLE:  Sandhill Water Treatment Plant

LOCATION:  Rialto, CA

The treatment process consists of a rapid mix basin, conventional flocculation basins with enhanced coagulation, sedimentation basins with inclined plate settlers, sludge holding and dewatering ponds, chemical feed facilities, dual media gravity filtration, and wash-water recovery facilities. Auxiliary facilities include operations building, wash-water supply tank, energy dissipation structure, transmission pipeline, and influent equalization reservoir.