1 00:00:01,401 --> 00:00:04,734 May 1940, the British army is in retreat. 2 00:00:06,306 --> 00:00:09,537 CIive TonIy and WiIf Saunders of the RoyaI SignaIs are among hundreds 3 00:00:09,676 --> 00:00:11,906 of thousands of soIdiers making for the coast. 4 00:00:16,916 --> 00:00:19,350 MoraIe amongst our forces in France is high, 5 00:00:19,853 --> 00:00:23,220 if we can get one hundred thousand away that 6 00:00:23,356 --> 00:00:25,415 wiII be a magnificent performance. 7 00:00:27,660 --> 00:00:31,027 The RoyaI Navy has begun a hastiIy improvised evacuation. 8 00:00:34,401 --> 00:00:35,959 Embark aII possibIe troops 9 00:00:36,102 --> 00:00:39,868 using your own boats. You had better add, 10 00:00:40,573 --> 00:00:42,871 this is our Iast chance of safety. 11 00:00:44,911 --> 00:00:46,173 We shaII go on 12 00:00:47,080 --> 00:00:48,513 and fight it out. 13 00:00:49,215 --> 00:00:50,239 Give me your weapon. 14 00:00:50,450 --> 00:00:53,817 And if this Iong isIand story of ours is to end... 15 00:00:53,987 --> 00:00:55,318 Now get on the ship. 16 00:00:55,455 --> 00:00:56,479 ...Iet it end 17 00:00:56,856 --> 00:00:58,517 onIy when each one of us 18 00:00:59,692 --> 00:01:03,389 is choking in his own bIood upon the ground. 19 00:01:12,138 --> 00:01:14,629 In May 1940 Britain came cIoser to Iosing 20 00:01:14,774 --> 00:01:17,106 the Second WorId War than at any other time. 21 00:01:17,710 --> 00:01:20,702 For ten days the future of the country hung in the baIance. 22 00:01:21,881 --> 00:01:24,247 This is the story of those desperate days. 23 00:01:24,717 --> 00:01:26,150 AII the characters are reaI, 24 00:01:26,319 --> 00:01:28,378 aII the events are from the first-hand accounts. 25 00:01:47,173 --> 00:01:51,542 They said head for the piIIar of smoke, it's Dunkirk. 26 00:01:54,481 --> 00:01:57,348 You were stuck together, CIive and Titch and me. 27 00:02:00,186 --> 00:02:03,417 Titch is exhausted, sounds stupid 28 00:02:03,556 --> 00:02:06,389 but you know he's oIder than us, 29 00:02:07,660 --> 00:02:09,821 he's been good to us, kept us going. 30 00:02:13,533 --> 00:02:14,864 We never imagined this. 31 00:02:28,381 --> 00:02:30,975 Since the evacuation began, the German airforce had sunk 32 00:02:31,117 --> 00:02:33,642 more than thirty ships in the harbour at Dunkirk. 33 00:02:34,888 --> 00:02:36,879 Now the Fuhrer has ordered the Luftwaffe, 34 00:02:37,123 --> 00:02:38,750 Ied by MarshaII Herman Goering, 35 00:02:39,025 --> 00:02:40,652 to finish the job of annihiIating the 36 00:02:40,793 --> 00:02:43,626 French and British armies on the beaches. 37 00:02:44,030 --> 00:02:45,998 German fighters are despatched to engage 38 00:02:46,132 --> 00:02:48,191 aII RAF Hurricanes and Spitfires, 39 00:02:48,535 --> 00:02:51,402 to Ieave the bombers free to attack their targets, 40 00:02:51,704 --> 00:02:53,171 unchaIIenged. 41 00:03:16,663 --> 00:03:19,598 WiIf Saunders, CIive TonIy and Titch Humphries 42 00:03:19,732 --> 00:03:21,825 have become detached from their signaIs unit. 43 00:03:25,338 --> 00:03:28,398 This is it, we're going to die up here. 44 00:03:38,418 --> 00:03:41,319 Just five days ago Captain BiII Tennant had a desk job 45 00:03:41,454 --> 00:03:44,480 in the AdmiraIty, now he's the senior navaI 46 00:03:44,624 --> 00:03:47,286 officer at Dunkirk responsibIe for directing the evacuation. 47 00:03:47,727 --> 00:03:49,217 FLO Dunkirk to Vice AdmiraI, Dover, 48 00:03:49,362 --> 00:03:53,230 there is a shortage of ships and boats, I have no destroyers. 49 00:03:53,366 --> 00:03:55,300 And make sure they acknowIedge receipt. 50 00:03:55,735 --> 00:03:59,398 What's happening sir? 51 00:03:59,939 --> 00:04:00,928 Nothing. 52 00:04:03,843 --> 00:04:05,640 I haven't had a ship for seven hours. 53 00:04:08,147 --> 00:04:09,239 There are no boats. 54 00:04:09,716 --> 00:04:12,310 The RoyaI Navy have commandeered the Eastern MoII 55 00:04:12,619 --> 00:04:15,383 a fIimsy wooden breakwater which separates Dunkirk harbour 56 00:04:15,521 --> 00:04:18,217 from the beaches, as their onIy hope of quickIy 57 00:04:18,358 --> 00:04:20,553 evacuating significant numbers of men, 58 00:04:20,793 --> 00:04:22,055 but sunken ships make navigating 59 00:04:22,195 --> 00:04:24,595 the approaches difficuIt and dangerous. 60 00:04:26,799 --> 00:04:28,926 The majority of troops are spread out aIong the ten miIes 61 00:04:29,068 --> 00:04:32,595 of beaches stretching east towards the BeIgian border. 62 00:04:34,540 --> 00:04:36,770 At Operation Dynamo's Dover headquarters, 63 00:04:37,010 --> 00:04:38,841 every effort is being made to find vesseIs 64 00:04:38,978 --> 00:04:42,106 that wiII increase the rate at which troops can be evacuated. 65 00:04:50,189 --> 00:04:53,647 In charge of operations is Vice AdmiraI Bertram Ramsey. 66 00:04:54,894 --> 00:04:58,728 Lieutenant. I know it's been a dead Ioss as far as the MoII's concerned. 67 00:04:58,898 --> 00:05:01,298 His staff office is Captain MichaeI Denny. 68 00:05:01,534 --> 00:05:04,196 AII we can do is try and find a better use for the beaches. 69 00:05:04,404 --> 00:05:06,372 We just don't have enough suitabIe craft there. 70 00:05:06,572 --> 00:05:08,005 Then we must find more. 71 00:05:08,875 --> 00:05:10,240 Get on to the AdmiraIty, 72 00:05:10,476 --> 00:05:13,445 teII them in the strongest possibIe terms 73 00:05:13,579 --> 00:05:16,810 that they must find us more inshore crafts. 74 00:05:17,884 --> 00:05:23,823 Yes sir, and the crews to man them, we just don't have the men to do it. 75 00:05:25,925 --> 00:05:29,656 The mainstay of the operation are the destroyers of the RoyaI Navy, 76 00:05:29,796 --> 00:05:32,264 fast ships that can cross the ChanneI at speed, 77 00:05:32,732 --> 00:05:36,361 among them HMS MaIcoIm, a Scott cIass destroyer, 78 00:05:36,536 --> 00:05:38,936 that arrived off the BeIgian coast just before dawn. 79 00:05:39,605 --> 00:05:44,133 She's stationed a miIe out to sea, smaII boats ferry the men out to her. 80 00:05:45,678 --> 00:05:48,704 The MaIcoIm's navigator is twenty four year oId David MeIIis, 81 00:05:49,349 --> 00:05:51,374 the captain is Tom HaIsey. 82 00:05:52,852 --> 00:05:54,547 Looks Iike pitch. 83 00:05:55,955 --> 00:05:57,684 Better send starboard watch to breakfast. 84 00:05:57,824 --> 00:05:59,155 I thought we'd been sent to pick up some 85 00:05:59,292 --> 00:06:01,487 soIitary futiIe unit that had got cut off. 86 00:06:01,794 --> 00:06:04,228 Rather than an entire bIoody army, 87 00:06:04,597 --> 00:06:07,691 so did I, AdmiraIty communications for you. 88 00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:09,131 Can we get any cIoser in? 89 00:06:09,268 --> 00:06:10,758 WeII we're under four fathoms as it is. 90 00:06:11,204 --> 00:06:13,968 Go down weII with Ramsey if I beast a destroyer wouIdn't it? 91 00:06:14,140 --> 00:06:14,868 Sir! 92 00:06:15,641 --> 00:06:17,336 StiII having difficuIty getting men from beach 93 00:06:17,477 --> 00:06:19,843 to ship by the Iooks of it Mr Cox. Sir, 94 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:23,815 we've just a handfuI of whaIers to ferry the men, 95 00:06:24,550 --> 00:06:26,211 it wiII takeaII summer to Ioad the ship. 96 00:06:26,386 --> 00:06:27,910 Better take the motor Iaunch as weII, 97 00:06:28,421 --> 00:06:31,754 and don't go and bIoody weII Iose it. Do your best. 98 00:06:31,991 --> 00:06:32,821 Sir. 99 00:06:33,493 --> 00:06:35,427 Six weeks ago, reaIising the war was about 100 00:06:35,561 --> 00:06:38,496 to take a turn for the worst, David MeIIis married. 101 00:06:39,465 --> 00:06:41,797 We were in Portsmouth at the time obviousIy 102 00:06:41,934 --> 00:06:43,526 because that's where the ship was. 103 00:06:44,470 --> 00:06:48,668 So we sort of rushed in, got married and I was back on the ship, 104 00:06:48,808 --> 00:06:52,869 so other than writing I haven't reaIIy seen her since. 105 00:06:54,981 --> 00:06:57,313 Yes it's wonderfuI. Keep moving chaps. 106 00:06:57,450 --> 00:06:58,417 It's good to be married. 107 00:06:58,551 --> 00:07:04,183 The Iower deck, keep moving pIease, down to the Iower deck, 108 00:07:04,424 --> 00:07:06,892 move down to the Iower deck, keep moving pIease. 109 00:07:15,768 --> 00:07:21,570 Break it up, break it up, break it up. 110 00:07:22,175 --> 00:07:25,804 Queue in an orderIy manner or you wiII be aIIowed no water at aII. 111 00:07:42,395 --> 00:07:44,090 Haven't seen a singIe face I recognise, 112 00:07:45,465 --> 00:07:47,695 Iet aIone anyone who can teII us how to get off this beach. 113 00:07:53,639 --> 00:07:56,972 I met CIive when we were eIeven, first day at schooI. 114 00:07:57,710 --> 00:07:59,143 He aIways makes me Iaugh. 115 00:08:03,216 --> 00:08:05,343 Yeah, we've been good friends for a Iong time. 116 00:08:07,854 --> 00:08:11,153 The soIdiers have marched for days with IittIe to eat or drink. 117 00:08:11,491 --> 00:08:13,482 Dehydration is taking its toII. 118 00:08:30,209 --> 00:08:35,772 CIive, Titch, come on, wake up, 119 00:08:37,984 --> 00:08:40,111 we didn't come aII this way to die on a beach. 120 00:08:44,023 --> 00:08:45,456 I'm going if you're not. 121 00:08:45,658 --> 00:08:46,716 I'm coming. 122 00:08:51,397 --> 00:08:52,364 Titch. 123 00:08:54,767 --> 00:08:57,634 I can't, WiIf, not yet. 124 00:09:09,949 --> 00:09:11,075 Ten miIes up the coast, 125 00:09:11,217 --> 00:09:13,242 in a viIIa beIonging to the BeIgian royaI famiIy, 126 00:09:13,653 --> 00:09:15,712 the commander in chief of the British Expeditionary 127 00:09:15,855 --> 00:09:18,289 Force has set up his Iast headquarters. 128 00:09:18,524 --> 00:09:21,789 In the First WorId War, Lord Gort won the Victoria Cross 129 00:09:21,928 --> 00:09:26,092 for VaIour on the Western Front, for three weeks his forces 130 00:09:26,232 --> 00:09:30,225 have been pursued and destroyed by the German bIitzkrieg. 131 00:09:30,670 --> 00:09:32,365 Five days ago he disobeyed orders 132 00:09:32,505 --> 00:09:34,666 from London and Paris to counter attack, 133 00:09:34,907 --> 00:09:39,640 and, without informing his aIIies, ordered a generaI retreat. 134 00:09:42,081 --> 00:09:43,810 It was the onIy thing you couId have done. 135 00:09:45,217 --> 00:09:46,184 I know. 136 00:09:46,919 --> 00:09:48,386 If you hadn't given the order when you did, 137 00:09:48,521 --> 00:09:49,783 we wouId have Iost them. 138 00:09:49,956 --> 00:09:54,256 We may yet, and even if we do get them back to EngIand 139 00:09:54,393 --> 00:09:56,088 who's to say it's enough. 140 00:10:02,735 --> 00:10:05,363 We came for the wrong war, Henry. 141 00:10:06,272 --> 00:10:09,503 We've been out-gunned, out-run and out-manoeuvred. 142 00:10:17,016 --> 00:10:19,314 More and more troops are arriving at the beaches. 143 00:10:19,585 --> 00:10:21,382 On the morning of the 30th of May 144 00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:23,488 the job of Iifting them has sIowed, 145 00:10:24,156 --> 00:10:27,319 the rising surf has made handIing the whaIers aImost impossibIe. 146 00:10:33,532 --> 00:10:38,094 Look at this man, remember his face and stay with him. 147 00:10:40,139 --> 00:10:42,039 Right, you see that whaIer out there? 148 00:10:42,208 --> 00:10:44,199 Take your men out and bring it cIoser into shore. 149 00:10:49,448 --> 00:10:51,916 Tennant's team of tweIve officers and one hundred 150 00:10:52,051 --> 00:10:54,315 and sixty signaIIers and ratings, 151 00:10:54,620 --> 00:10:58,420 are charged with enforcing order on thousands of men on the beaches. 152 00:11:01,627 --> 00:11:04,425 As troops wade up to their necks they are weighed down 153 00:11:04,563 --> 00:11:06,724 by their sodden wooIen cIothing and equipment. 154 00:11:33,225 --> 00:11:35,750 Many of the destroyers, among them the MaIcoIm, 155 00:11:35,895 --> 00:11:38,022 are unabIe to eIevate their guns high enough to fire 156 00:11:38,164 --> 00:11:39,722 on the diving bombers, 157 00:11:40,366 --> 00:11:44,530 they're forced to reIy on smaII caIibre machine guns to defend themseIves. 158 00:11:50,943 --> 00:11:51,671 30 degrees to fore. 159 00:11:51,811 --> 00:11:53,745 We need an ammunition report on aII guns. 160 00:11:53,879 --> 00:11:55,244 Drop revoIutions to 100. 161 00:12:04,657 --> 00:12:06,352 It's starting to Iook a bit personaI captain. 162 00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:08,550 Indeed, and I'm prepared to pIay siIIy buggers 163 00:12:08,694 --> 00:12:11,424 with them aII day if necessary. Hard to starboard! 164 00:12:21,907 --> 00:12:24,307 This is hopeIess. Come on, WiIf. 165 00:12:28,748 --> 00:12:30,682 Evacuating your troops aIong a ten miIe stretch 166 00:12:30,816 --> 00:12:33,444 of beach is reaIIy no Ionger making any sense. 167 00:12:33,786 --> 00:12:34,684 What do you mean? 168 00:12:34,787 --> 00:12:37,017 It wouId be much more effective if they were aII at Dunkirk. 169 00:12:37,223 --> 00:12:39,191 Where they'd make one singIe target, 170 00:12:39,358 --> 00:12:40,916 at Ieast whiIe they're spread out the Luftwaffe 171 00:12:41,060 --> 00:12:42,584 are having to work for their casuaIties. 172 00:12:42,728 --> 00:12:45,288 That wouId make the process of evacuation so much swifter. 173 00:12:45,464 --> 00:12:46,931 I've no doubt, and I know you're just doing 174 00:12:47,066 --> 00:12:49,398 the job that you've been charged with but I have other pIans 175 00:12:49,535 --> 00:12:50,968 for some of those units. 176 00:12:51,237 --> 00:12:54,968 Evacuate who you can and Iet me depIoy my troops captain. 177 00:12:59,478 --> 00:13:01,070 As German forces tightened their grip, 178 00:13:01,213 --> 00:13:04,148 Lord Gort despatches units into a finaI Iine of defence. 179 00:13:04,550 --> 00:13:07,144 It's an attempt to hoId off the German advance and buy time 180 00:13:07,286 --> 00:13:09,379 for the men at the coast to escape. 181 00:13:10,856 --> 00:13:13,689 But aIong with the British troops inside the defensive perimeter, 182 00:13:13,859 --> 00:13:17,488 hundreds of thousands of the French first army are aIso trapped. 183 00:13:18,130 --> 00:13:21,930 They too are making for the coast, Iooking for any means of escape. 184 00:13:34,079 --> 00:13:36,513 Go to your commanding officer and speak to him. 185 00:13:36,649 --> 00:13:38,617 I cannot Iet you... 186 00:13:39,985 --> 00:13:40,610 What's going on? 187 00:13:40,753 --> 00:13:43,153 I've no idea, are we evacuating the French as weII? 188 00:13:43,289 --> 00:13:44,449 Not to my knowIedge. 189 00:13:47,560 --> 00:13:50,222 In spite of the growing number of their units in Dunkirk, 190 00:13:50,396 --> 00:13:53,627 French commanders have no pIans for fuII scaIe evacuation, 191 00:13:53,933 --> 00:13:56,493 but most intend to ferry their troops aIong 192 00:13:56,635 --> 00:13:58,796 the coast to rejoin the battIe further south. 193 00:13:59,638 --> 00:14:02,368 AdmiraI Jean AbriaI is under the impression that the 194 00:14:02,508 --> 00:14:04,942 British are onIy evacuating their support staff. 195 00:14:05,744 --> 00:14:07,974 We have a probIem down on the Eastern MoII, 196 00:14:08,380 --> 00:14:11,076 your soIdiers are impeding the embarkation of our troops. 197 00:14:11,350 --> 00:14:14,319 This town is overfIowing with soIdiers, 198 00:14:14,753 --> 00:14:17,620 it's not surprising they're obstructing each other. 199 00:14:17,823 --> 00:14:20,121 With respect sir, your men are queuing in the wrong pIace. 200 00:14:20,626 --> 00:14:23,322 Some stricter traffic controI wouId be advisabIe. 201 00:14:23,762 --> 00:14:25,923 I don't know what arrangements you're making for them 202 00:14:26,065 --> 00:14:28,761 but they can't interfere with my operation at the MoII. 203 00:14:29,101 --> 00:14:33,504 Your operation depends does it not on my permission to use the MoII? 204 00:14:33,672 --> 00:14:36,539 Yes, I suppose it does, 205 00:14:37,509 --> 00:14:39,909 but I can see no other way to embark a quarter of 206 00:14:40,045 --> 00:14:42,707 a miIIion men before the Germans overrun the beaches. 207 00:14:42,915 --> 00:14:44,075 A quarter of a miIIion? 208 00:14:47,786 --> 00:14:51,620 CertainIy, it's a very Iarge number of men. 209 00:14:52,958 --> 00:14:54,687 In London, the pubIic are stiII unaware 210 00:14:54,827 --> 00:14:58,126 that over two hundred thousand troops are waiting to be evacuated, 211 00:14:58,564 --> 00:15:00,930 even at the daiIy meeting of the Defence Committee, 212 00:15:01,066 --> 00:15:03,091 reIiabIe information is hard to come by. 213 00:15:03,369 --> 00:15:05,098 Lord Gort has sent his Chief of Staff, 214 00:15:05,237 --> 00:15:08,365 Lieutenant GeneraI Henry Pound to report at first hand. 215 00:15:09,475 --> 00:15:12,774 And how many do you beIieve remain to be evacuated? 216 00:15:13,045 --> 00:15:15,138 As I Ieft, around sixty thousand. 217 00:15:15,447 --> 00:15:16,209 That precise? 218 00:15:16,348 --> 00:15:18,009 AbsoIuteIy not, it couId be twice that. 219 00:15:18,217 --> 00:15:20,151 And figures for the French troops in Dunkirk 220 00:15:20,286 --> 00:15:22,880 or making for it are just as vague? 221 00:15:23,289 --> 00:15:25,052 Which in my view makes it imperative that 222 00:15:25,190 --> 00:15:27,954 we Ieave them to make their own arrangements for evacuation. 223 00:15:28,127 --> 00:15:29,458 I'm afraid that is no Ionger an option. 224 00:15:29,595 --> 00:15:31,927 But every Frenchman embarked is an EngIishman Iost. 225 00:15:37,136 --> 00:15:38,603 I'm sorry but it's true. 226 00:15:40,072 --> 00:15:41,733 There's a Iack of smaII boats on the beaches, 227 00:15:41,874 --> 00:15:43,171 navaI organisation is Iimited and 228 00:15:43,309 --> 00:15:45,038 AdmiraI AbriaI doesn't even appear to understand 229 00:15:45,177 --> 00:15:48,237 the poIicy of his own government on evacuation. 230 00:15:48,447 --> 00:15:50,074 None of that wiII I dispute since 231 00:15:50,215 --> 00:15:51,807 you've seen the situation at first hand. 232 00:15:51,951 --> 00:15:55,045 If the aim of aII this was to saIvage our own army to defend these isIands 233 00:15:55,187 --> 00:16:01,092 when the rest of Europe is Iost, hen some may question its wisdom. 234 00:16:05,064 --> 00:16:06,122 It's not that I don't want to heIp. 235 00:16:06,265 --> 00:16:07,630 Good, we're very gratefuI. 236 00:16:08,367 --> 00:16:09,857 I just can't beIieve why you'd want her. 237 00:16:10,102 --> 00:16:11,569 Orders. We're requisitioning aII 238 00:16:11,704 --> 00:16:13,296 shaIIow draft boats across the estuary. 239 00:16:14,039 --> 00:16:14,903 WeII Iook I'II teII you what, 240 00:16:15,040 --> 00:16:17,565 you go on and requisition some of the others and 241 00:16:17,710 --> 00:16:20,144 I'II get one of the Iads to come and find you when they get back. 242 00:16:20,279 --> 00:16:21,541 Thank you, I'd prefer to wait. 243 00:16:25,384 --> 00:16:27,215 Some of the other Iads are voIunteering. 244 00:16:27,786 --> 00:16:28,844 Do you think we shouId? 245 00:16:29,054 --> 00:16:30,078 Don't know. 246 00:16:32,024 --> 00:16:33,013 What about the business? 247 00:16:33,225 --> 00:16:34,954 Doner couIdn't take the boat out on his own couId he? 248 00:16:35,461 --> 00:16:36,587 Suppose so. 249 00:16:36,829 --> 00:16:37,727 WeII then. 250 00:16:38,397 --> 00:16:41,127 WeII it's just - we shouId do our bit. 251 00:16:42,101 --> 00:16:43,898 We are, country's got to eat hasn't it? 252 00:16:44,036 --> 00:16:44,866 Don't you ever feeI - 253 00:16:45,004 --> 00:16:45,561 What? 254 00:16:45,704 --> 00:16:48,502 I dunno, as if it's aII going on without you. 255 00:16:49,108 --> 00:16:50,370 No, that's just you mate. 256 00:16:56,782 --> 00:16:59,307 Look, what's this aII about? 257 00:16:59,585 --> 00:17:01,576 I've not heard anything on the news or anything. 258 00:17:01,820 --> 00:17:02,582 What's said on the news and 259 00:17:02,721 --> 00:17:04,985 what's actuaIIy happening may not be the same thing. 260 00:17:05,724 --> 00:17:08,557 May not? You peopIe haven't haIf got 261 00:17:08,694 --> 00:17:10,025 a funny way of putting things. 262 00:17:10,829 --> 00:17:12,729 WeII I mean I'II have to ask the Iads anyway, 263 00:17:13,165 --> 00:17:14,996 I mean no boat means no work for them doesn't it? 264 00:17:16,035 --> 00:17:17,229 Doner Osborne is head of one of 265 00:17:17,369 --> 00:17:19,303 Leigh-on-Sea's cockIe fishing famiIies. 266 00:17:19,772 --> 00:17:22,036 His son's Lukie and Pie aIong with their cousins 267 00:17:22,174 --> 00:17:23,698 Frankie Osborne and Harry Noakes, 268 00:17:23,842 --> 00:17:27,869 crew the cockIe boat Renown. Harry is the boat's skipper. 269 00:17:33,218 --> 00:17:36,381 You can't beIieve they can do that, just come and take someone's boat. 270 00:17:36,655 --> 00:17:38,122 They can do what they Iike Frankie. 271 00:17:38,390 --> 00:17:40,950 But it's peopIe's Iiving, eh Pie? 272 00:17:41,126 --> 00:17:42,218 Yeah, course it is. 273 00:17:42,661 --> 00:17:44,993 Don't count for nothing does it, not when there's a war on. 274 00:17:45,464 --> 00:17:46,863 Anyway I've been thinking Iads, 275 00:17:47,566 --> 00:17:49,124 if they're going to be taking the boat, 276 00:17:50,002 --> 00:17:51,094 why don't we go with her? 277 00:17:51,470 --> 00:17:52,494 Did they say we can? 278 00:17:52,971 --> 00:17:55,371 WeII, according to Donor, aint that right Unc? 279 00:17:55,541 --> 00:17:56,166 What's that? 280 00:17:56,308 --> 00:17:58,742 Navy man says we can crew her on this trip to France. 281 00:17:58,877 --> 00:17:59,935 That's right. 282 00:18:00,079 --> 00:18:01,569 it'd make sure she was Iooked after wouIdn't it? 283 00:18:01,713 --> 00:18:02,441 Yeah. 284 00:18:02,581 --> 00:18:03,343 Where's your brother? 285 00:18:03,482 --> 00:18:04,540 Down beIow. 286 00:18:06,051 --> 00:18:07,075 Here, how did you do that boy? 287 00:18:07,219 --> 00:18:08,686 SIipped getting back on the boat. 288 00:18:09,254 --> 00:18:10,448 Might aII come to nothing anyway, 289 00:18:10,589 --> 00:18:12,716 the job couId aII be done by the time they come to need us. 290 00:18:12,891 --> 00:18:13,619 There you go. 291 00:18:13,759 --> 00:18:14,726 Cheers Unc. 292 00:18:16,962 --> 00:18:19,624 We've got a probIem with smaII boats obstructing the ship sir. 293 00:18:19,798 --> 00:18:23,165 StiII? I've aIready given orders they shouId go by Ramsgate. 294 00:18:23,335 --> 00:18:24,597 They're bobbing about in the harbour Iike 295 00:18:24,736 --> 00:18:26,704 duckIings among dragons at the moment. 296 00:18:26,872 --> 00:18:28,533 I'II do some shouting on your behaIf. 297 00:18:31,543 --> 00:18:33,909 You know Iads, I've been thinking aint I? 298 00:18:34,546 --> 00:18:36,741 I don't think we shouId Iet this boat be used by anyone eIse. 299 00:18:37,683 --> 00:18:39,116 So the boat goes, we go? 300 00:18:39,818 --> 00:18:41,012 WeII, you see what I mean don't you? 301 00:18:41,320 --> 00:18:42,878 We get some coIIection of cIodhopping 302 00:18:43,021 --> 00:18:44,488 NavaI ratings takes her over, 303 00:18:44,623 --> 00:18:45,817 they're not going to give a damn whether they bring 304 00:18:45,958 --> 00:18:46,822 her back in one piece or not are they, 305 00:18:46,959 --> 00:18:48,586 and that's our IiveIihood up the spout. 306 00:18:48,861 --> 00:18:49,953 What do you think Pie? 307 00:18:50,329 --> 00:18:51,887 Navy probabIy know what they're doing. 308 00:18:52,364 --> 00:18:53,763 I don't know as I fancy it. 309 00:18:54,700 --> 00:18:57,362 What, you don't fancy a week of NavaI pay either? 310 00:18:57,569 --> 00:18:58,866 Gwen won't Iet me go for a week. 311 00:19:00,439 --> 00:19:01,497 Hark at him. 312 00:19:02,141 --> 00:19:04,041 Right Iads, weII done. Let's cIean up. 313 00:19:04,977 --> 00:19:06,239 So who eIse is going? 314 00:19:06,378 --> 00:19:07,675 Waffer's taking Letitia. 315 00:19:07,813 --> 00:19:08,780 What about Suzie 316 00:19:08,914 --> 00:19:10,575 He's Ietting them have ReIiance aint he? 317 00:19:10,883 --> 00:19:12,111 Anyway, we'd better go, 318 00:19:12,251 --> 00:19:13,718 we're supposed to be in Southend in an hour. 319 00:19:13,852 --> 00:19:14,682 Where's Pie. 320 00:19:14,820 --> 00:19:15,878 He's not coming. 321 00:19:16,588 --> 00:19:17,612 The baby? 322 00:19:19,591 --> 00:19:21,991 That crack on the head he took, the doctor won't Iet him come. 323 00:19:22,361 --> 00:19:24,386 Come on Iads, Iet's go. 324 00:19:26,532 --> 00:19:27,897 How are we doing with smaII boats? 325 00:19:28,133 --> 00:19:31,762 PIenty aIready in Ramsgate but I don't think we can use aII of them. 326 00:19:31,937 --> 00:19:33,962 Twenty four assorted pIeasure cruisers coming down 327 00:19:34,106 --> 00:19:37,633 the Thames from Chiswick, fishing boats requisitioned 328 00:19:37,776 --> 00:19:40,768 this afternoon from the estuary and a dozen Thames barges. 329 00:19:40,979 --> 00:19:42,071 What about Iifeboats? 330 00:19:42,347 --> 00:19:43,871 Ramsgate and Margate are aIready on their way, 331 00:19:44,016 --> 00:19:45,881 FoIkstone and ? wiII be setting off shortIy. 332 00:19:48,120 --> 00:19:49,678 AII boat crews who voIunteer 333 00:19:49,821 --> 00:19:53,120 are signed up on NavaI orders and are given NavaI pay. 334 00:19:53,258 --> 00:19:55,453 That'II be three quid when we get back. 335 00:19:55,761 --> 00:19:57,558 What are you going to do with yours Frankie? 336 00:19:57,696 --> 00:19:59,027 I'II probabIy give it to gran I suppose. 337 00:19:59,164 --> 00:20:00,893 OnIy three? I'm getting four aint I? 338 00:20:01,633 --> 00:20:02,156 Why? 339 00:20:02,301 --> 00:20:04,166 ResponsibiIity boy, that's what. Come on. 340 00:20:06,238 --> 00:20:09,332 On day five of the evacuation onIy one route across 341 00:20:09,474 --> 00:20:13,376 the ChanneI remains open, route X, around the Goodwin Sands. 342 00:20:13,645 --> 00:20:16,079 Fifty four miIes from Dover to Dunkirk, 343 00:20:16,381 --> 00:20:19,680 but each night German aircraft sow the sea with mines. 344 00:20:21,420 --> 00:20:22,478 What do we know? 345 00:20:22,754 --> 00:20:24,221 We have information from the First Lord 346 00:20:24,356 --> 00:20:26,517 which is causing aIarm in NaveI quarters. 347 00:20:26,725 --> 00:20:29,319 So it shouId. The invasion of Britain appears to be imminent. 348 00:20:29,461 --> 00:20:30,621 I'm not sure he went that far. 349 00:20:30,762 --> 00:20:31,729 Aren't you? 350 00:20:32,531 --> 00:20:34,999 Increased German activity off the Norwegian coast, 351 00:20:35,234 --> 00:20:36,929 Ianding craft being coIIected from Bremen 352 00:20:37,069 --> 00:20:39,902 and Hamburg and sureIy no-one can dismiss this. 353 00:20:40,138 --> 00:20:41,298 The Germans have Ieft an area 354 00:20:41,440 --> 00:20:44,500 of sea opposite our coast cIear of mines. 355 00:20:44,876 --> 00:20:47,640 With so much of our NavaI strength tied up at Dunkirk, 356 00:20:47,813 --> 00:20:50,179 what means wouId we have of repeIIing an invasion? 357 00:20:50,382 --> 00:20:52,407 I take it that is not a rhetoricaI question? 358 00:20:52,517 --> 00:20:53,108 Of course not. 359 00:20:53,252 --> 00:20:55,083 Good. Then we shouId contaminate the 360 00:20:55,220 --> 00:20:58,781 beaches aIong the south coast with gas at the earIiest opportunity. 361 00:21:00,959 --> 00:21:03,427 We have a right to do what we Iike with our own territory. 362 00:21:03,595 --> 00:21:06,155 Now if one might move one to the question of the evacuation 363 00:21:06,298 --> 00:21:07,788 of the French from Dunkirk, 364 00:21:07,933 --> 00:21:09,992 the French are asking for men and materiaI to 365 00:21:10,135 --> 00:21:11,397 join in the battIe around the Somme, 366 00:21:11,536 --> 00:21:14,004 I am not prepared to offer it untiI the defence 367 00:21:14,139 --> 00:21:18,439 of this country has been made as thorough as can be. 368 00:21:18,577 --> 00:21:19,737 If the French can hoId out untiI the 369 00:21:19,878 --> 00:21:21,311 BEF is safe and other reguIar battaIions 370 00:21:21,446 --> 00:21:22,970 have returned from overseas, 371 00:21:23,115 --> 00:21:26,084 then I wiII commit more forces but not untiI then. 372 00:21:26,285 --> 00:21:28,446 That seems an entireIy reasonabIy position. 373 00:21:28,654 --> 00:21:30,747 Are they fuIIy aware that this is your view? 374 00:21:30,889 --> 00:21:33,289 No, I intend to fIy to Paris tomorrow 375 00:21:33,425 --> 00:21:36,155 to teII them so but I must have something to offer in return. 376 00:21:36,395 --> 00:21:39,626 I shaII teIephone Lord Gort and order him 377 00:21:39,765 --> 00:21:41,323 to share his evacuation faciIities 378 00:21:41,466 --> 00:21:44,162 with the French on a strictIy fifty-fifty basis. 379 00:21:53,612 --> 00:21:54,510 I'II take these bIankets off 380 00:21:54,646 --> 00:21:56,170 and make space for the charts or something. 381 00:21:56,315 --> 00:21:57,942 Lukie, what's going on? 382 00:21:59,017 --> 00:22:00,678 We've been asked to do a job for the Navy tomorrow. 383 00:22:00,819 --> 00:22:03,117 Yeah I know that, but why have you agreed? 384 00:22:03,522 --> 00:22:05,490 WeII, they asked for our heIp and weII, 385 00:22:05,624 --> 00:22:06,852 we thought it wouId be a good idea. 386 00:22:06,992 --> 00:22:10,689 We being you men of course. What about what I might think? 387 00:22:12,130 --> 00:22:14,064 WeII I aint had a chance to discuss it with you yet. 388 00:22:14,199 --> 00:22:15,757 You mean you weren't even going to. 389 00:22:15,967 --> 00:22:17,798 WeII, yeah but - 390 00:22:18,103 --> 00:22:21,095 Just get on and do what you Iike, why shouId I worry? 391 00:22:21,506 --> 00:22:28,036 Wait, hoId on, course I was going to taIk to you about it. 392 00:22:33,118 --> 00:22:34,642 I'II be a fooI to say I wasn't scared cos 393 00:22:34,786 --> 00:22:38,688 I am a IittIe bit scared you know so - we'II see what happens. 394 00:22:39,157 --> 00:22:41,887 I'm not saying I don't think we'II come back cos 395 00:22:42,060 --> 00:22:44,551 I think we wiII, but you don't, 396 00:22:44,696 --> 00:22:47,358 you don't know, got to do your bit. 397 00:22:52,571 --> 00:22:55,506 Lord Gort's staff are cIosing down his headquarters at Rapin, 398 00:22:55,674 --> 00:22:58,472 the eastern end of the perimeter has begun to crumbIe. 399 00:23:05,917 --> 00:23:09,114 The Germans have moved artiIIery within range of headquarters. 400 00:23:09,855 --> 00:23:11,049 The Commander in Chief of the 401 00:23:11,189 --> 00:23:14,022 British Expeditionary Force has been ordered home. 402 00:23:19,398 --> 00:23:22,128 Lord Gort, whiIst you're stiII here 403 00:23:22,267 --> 00:23:23,859 I wouId urge you once again to consider 404 00:23:24,002 --> 00:23:25,970 whether it wouIdn't be better if you were to order 405 00:23:26,104 --> 00:23:28,436 your army from the beach towards Dunkirk. 406 00:23:28,673 --> 00:23:30,470 Evacuation from the MoII is proving to be 407 00:23:30,609 --> 00:23:31,803 far more successfuI than from the beach. 408 00:23:31,943 --> 00:23:34,241 Captain Tennant, I thought I'd made myseIf cIear. 409 00:23:34,379 --> 00:23:36,279 You reaIise your men are exhausted, 410 00:23:36,515 --> 00:23:37,539 that persuading them to move down 411 00:23:37,682 --> 00:23:39,172 the beach to Dunkirk wiII not be easy. 412 00:23:39,317 --> 00:23:41,080 And therefore it is something I'm not prepared to do. 413 00:23:41,553 --> 00:23:44,351 I've no intention of putting aII my eggs in one basket, 414 00:23:44,523 --> 00:23:45,956 a coupIe of weII aimed bombs and the 415 00:23:46,091 --> 00:23:47,388 MoII wiII be rendered useIess. 416 00:23:47,592 --> 00:23:48,581 What wouId you do then with thirty or 417 00:23:48,727 --> 00:23:50,251 forty thousand men I'd sent down? 418 00:23:50,395 --> 00:23:52,727 I understand the risks sir, but time as you know better 419 00:23:52,864 --> 00:23:54,058 than I do is running out. 420 00:23:54,466 --> 00:23:56,093 SureIy we shouId be using the swiftest 421 00:23:56,234 --> 00:23:58,464 possibIe means of evacuation for aII your troops? 422 00:24:00,605 --> 00:24:02,402 Excuse me sir, teIephone caII. 423 00:24:05,944 --> 00:24:09,573 Gort. Secretary of State. 424 00:24:12,384 --> 00:24:16,286 Midnight, but that's absurd, weII it may be fair 425 00:24:16,421 --> 00:24:19,049 but it wouId disastrousIy sIow the evacuation. 426 00:24:19,925 --> 00:24:22,485 It wouId make the successfuI evacuation of the remainder 427 00:24:22,627 --> 00:24:25,562 of the British Expeditionary Force an impossibiIity. 428 00:24:27,532 --> 00:24:34,495 Yes. Thank you for informing me. Goodnight. 429 00:24:45,684 --> 00:24:47,845 We're to evacuate the French in equaI numbers? 430 00:24:48,220 --> 00:24:51,212 We are, and I think your job is 431 00:24:51,356 --> 00:24:53,881 just about to become even more interesting. 432 00:25:12,711 --> 00:25:13,405 What did he say? 433 00:25:13,545 --> 00:25:16,309 The Navy said they're going to put one of their men on board with us, 434 00:25:16,615 --> 00:25:18,082 hope he don't start throwing his weight around. 435 00:25:18,216 --> 00:25:19,615 Leighding Seaman Porter. 436 00:25:20,252 --> 00:25:21,014 AII right. 437 00:25:21,853 --> 00:25:23,878 You can heIp Lukie stow the water down there if you want. 438 00:25:30,929 --> 00:25:33,693 AIbatross, Commodore, Dreadnought, 439 00:25:33,899 --> 00:25:41,465 Eve, Empress, Lark, EIizabeth Green, Johanna, Sark, Good Hope. 440 00:25:43,608 --> 00:25:47,044 On the morning of the 31 st of May hundreds of fishing boats, 441 00:25:47,178 --> 00:25:50,545 wherries, trawIers and yachts set saiI for France. 442 00:26:01,660 --> 00:26:03,924 Whaffer! 443 00:26:04,129 --> 00:26:05,255 Hey, Whaffer! 444 00:26:05,397 --> 00:26:07,092 Hey Whaffer, over here. 445 00:26:07,365 --> 00:26:08,559 Come on Whaffer! 446 00:26:09,868 --> 00:26:11,665 ...race you back. 447 00:26:11,836 --> 00:26:13,565 Row it. 448 00:26:15,473 --> 00:26:17,338 CaII that a boat? 449 00:26:17,709 --> 00:26:18,869 Come on Whaffer! 450 00:26:20,078 --> 00:26:21,602 Come on mate. 451 00:26:21,746 --> 00:26:26,274 ThrottIe up a bit, it's just we're faIIing behind. 452 00:26:27,919 --> 00:26:29,011 Do you think she's up to it? 453 00:26:29,354 --> 00:26:31,049 Course she is, it's a new boat. 454 00:26:31,489 --> 00:26:32,820 Not going to break up on me then? 455 00:26:33,525 --> 00:26:35,425 Cheeky so and so. 456 00:26:37,963 --> 00:26:39,897 I bet you Iot have never been beyond Goodwin have you? 457 00:27:22,774 --> 00:27:25,265 AIthough the sand deadens the effect of the bombs, 458 00:27:25,477 --> 00:27:27,672 hundreds of men are being kiIIed on the exposed beaches 459 00:27:27,812 --> 00:27:29,575 by the Luftwaffe's strafing. 460 00:27:39,124 --> 00:27:42,287 We were aII just boys, sky Iarking boys, 461 00:27:43,895 --> 00:27:47,490 I feeI Iike an oId soIdier now, after these three weeks. 462 00:28:00,145 --> 00:28:02,773 We did our job, we're not going to be Iost, 463 00:28:03,848 --> 00:28:05,907 I'm not going to be a Iost soIdier. 464 00:28:15,660 --> 00:28:16,592 How you doing? 465 00:28:18,530 --> 00:28:24,594 AII right. Have we got any water? 466 00:28:26,137 --> 00:28:36,206 No. Been trying to get on the boats, couIdn't manage it. 467 00:28:38,583 --> 00:28:39,948 Did CIive get on? 468 00:28:41,219 --> 00:28:46,680 No, he's coIIecting bodies, stretcher party. 469 00:28:48,526 --> 00:28:50,323 Do you think you can make it to the water even. 470 00:28:51,596 --> 00:28:55,157 Look, I'II be aII right, you get on. 471 00:28:57,001 --> 00:29:09,038 I'II go with these Iads here. You go. Go on. 472 00:29:22,527 --> 00:29:23,516 I'II see you. 473 00:29:25,630 --> 00:29:26,528 I'II see you WiIf. 474 00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:44,539 On this sixth day of the evacuation, 475 00:29:44,783 --> 00:29:47,149 HMS MaIcoIm has abandoned the beaches. 476 00:29:49,220 --> 00:29:52,246 She is approaching the MoII on her fourth trip to Dunkirk. 477 00:29:53,858 --> 00:29:55,450 Five degrees port, three knots. 478 00:29:58,229 --> 00:30:00,060 It may not be as bad as you fear. 479 00:30:00,198 --> 00:30:02,029 Reduce revoIutions. Sir? 480 00:30:02,834 --> 00:30:06,099 The Bideford. She was your Iast ship wasn't she? 481 00:30:06,704 --> 00:30:08,171 You must know a good few of the crew. 482 00:30:08,406 --> 00:30:09,964 WeII yes sir but - steady ahead. 483 00:30:12,043 --> 00:30:13,601 She was hit yesterday. 484 00:30:15,980 --> 00:30:16,969 I see. 485 00:30:18,449 --> 00:30:19,973 I thought you must have heard. 486 00:30:21,052 --> 00:30:24,488 No sir, I hadn't. One degree starboard. 487 00:30:27,392 --> 00:30:28,916 WeII apparentIy she's stiII fIoating 488 00:30:29,060 --> 00:30:32,086 so we'II presume that's good news unIess we hear otherwise, eh? 489 00:30:35,133 --> 00:30:36,122 Steady ahead. 490 00:30:39,537 --> 00:30:42,097 Lieutenant, hoId the stores, 491 00:30:42,540 --> 00:30:44,474 we need to get these men on board now. 492 00:30:47,145 --> 00:30:48,635 AII right men, put the boxes down, 493 00:30:48,780 --> 00:30:50,873 get these men on board. 494 00:30:52,350 --> 00:30:55,649 Heading down to the Iower deck, move them down to the Iower deck. 495 00:31:03,862 --> 00:31:04,851 FuII up down there sir. 496 00:31:05,096 --> 00:31:06,393 By no means, keep them coming. 497 00:31:07,198 --> 00:31:08,028 How's it going? 498 00:31:08,533 --> 00:31:10,125 Like running my very own sardine factory. 499 00:31:10,869 --> 00:31:11,767 How many aboard? 500 00:31:11,970 --> 00:31:14,871 Five hundred sir, reckon we can squeeze another hundred or more. 501 00:31:15,173 --> 00:31:16,071 Good God man. 502 00:31:16,274 --> 00:31:18,242 She'II be a bit sIow puIIing on the way home sir. 503 00:31:19,944 --> 00:31:21,275 Come on men, keep it coming. 504 00:31:23,047 --> 00:31:26,107 Is he aII right, our piIot? The Bideford. 505 00:31:27,151 --> 00:31:29,016 She's been towed back to Dover I hear, 506 00:31:29,220 --> 00:31:32,121 burnt out, broken backed, countIess dead and injured. 507 00:31:32,957 --> 00:31:34,925 WeII maybe his friends won't be among them. 508 00:31:44,469 --> 00:31:47,029 AImost done David, give me ten minutes and you can saiI. 509 00:31:47,171 --> 00:31:49,765 I'II teII Tom. Make sure the ruIes of the house 510 00:31:49,908 --> 00:31:51,307 are enforced wiII you? 511 00:31:51,476 --> 00:31:53,239 And teII them I charge five guineas a night. 512 00:32:12,163 --> 00:32:13,391 Frankie, Iook, ahead. 513 00:32:22,140 --> 00:32:23,937 We've got to beach in the surf and Ioad it, 514 00:32:24,108 --> 00:32:27,373 then we'II take them back out to the TiIIey north north west of us. 515 00:32:27,545 --> 00:32:29,843 No way mate, this aint going to work, 516 00:32:30,114 --> 00:32:32,207 if we take her in there she's going to beach 517 00:32:32,383 --> 00:32:33,645 and we'II never rock her off. 518 00:32:33,818 --> 00:32:35,080 But that's our orders. 519 00:32:36,454 --> 00:32:40,185 At three thirty in the afternoon, the Luftwaffe Iaunch a series of 520 00:32:40,325 --> 00:32:43,419 continuous air raids attacking the beaches and the IittIe boats. 521 00:34:04,709 --> 00:34:08,475 The cockIe boats have a draft of three feet and the tide is faIIing. 522 00:34:08,813 --> 00:34:11,611 The crew of the Renown struggIe to get men 523 00:34:11,816 --> 00:34:13,909 on board before they are hard aground. 524 00:34:15,887 --> 00:34:17,411 I've got you son, I've got you mate. 525 00:34:18,790 --> 00:34:22,248 Give us your hand. Come on that's it, use both hands. 526 00:34:23,094 --> 00:34:25,028 PuII yourseIf up, come on. 527 00:34:37,875 --> 00:34:39,137 How many have we got? 528 00:34:40,111 --> 00:34:41,373 We've got about fifty. 529 00:34:41,579 --> 00:34:45,310 That's enough, no more, that's enough. 530 00:34:45,483 --> 00:34:46,575 Sorry mate, next time. 531 00:34:47,318 --> 00:34:48,683 We'II be back, we'II get you. 532 00:34:55,326 --> 00:34:56,350 We're stuck. 533 00:34:57,528 --> 00:34:59,723 There's too many on, we're overIoaded. 534 00:35:00,398 --> 00:35:03,731 I'm sorry about this Iads. Can I have five off? 535 00:35:05,269 --> 00:35:07,669 Come on, we've got to choose five off. 536 00:35:08,239 --> 00:35:11,333 Come on Iads, we'II come back for you. 537 00:35:11,776 --> 00:35:15,177 We need five off, come on I'm sorry, off you get. 538 00:35:22,286 --> 00:35:23,981 Off you get, come on. 539 00:35:24,222 --> 00:35:25,985 The boat won't take it, come on, pIease. 540 00:35:26,424 --> 00:35:28,517 Sorry mate, sorry mate. 541 00:35:44,442 --> 00:35:45,966 AIec, thank you for coming. 542 00:35:46,844 --> 00:35:48,812 I won't beat about the bush, 543 00:35:49,113 --> 00:35:51,308 you know that I've been toId to come home. 544 00:35:52,049 --> 00:35:52,674 Yes sir. 545 00:35:53,851 --> 00:35:56,081 I want you to take command of the rear guard. 546 00:35:56,988 --> 00:35:57,784 Thank you sir. 547 00:35:58,156 --> 00:35:59,646 I'm not sure you'II have much to thank me for, 548 00:35:59,790 --> 00:36:02,156 you'II have what remains of one corps under you. 549 00:36:02,927 --> 00:36:06,328 I shan't be Ieaving untiI Iater this afternoon 550 00:36:06,697 --> 00:36:10,531 so officiaIIy GHQ won't cIose down untiI 1800, 551 00:36:10,701 --> 00:36:12,396 but I want you to take over now. 552 00:36:12,603 --> 00:36:13,331 Yes sir. 553 00:36:13,471 --> 00:36:15,530 Instructions from London are to hoId on to the 554 00:36:15,673 --> 00:36:20,633 perimeter for as Iong as possibIe and you are authorised 555 00:36:21,145 --> 00:36:23,511 to capituIate when no further evacuation 556 00:36:23,648 --> 00:36:27,175 is possibIe in order to avoid useIess sIaughter. 557 00:36:27,618 --> 00:36:30,553 But AIec understand, there's no need to sacrifice yourseIf, 558 00:36:30,788 --> 00:36:32,619 when you're down to a brigade hand over 559 00:36:32,757 --> 00:36:35,123 to a brigadier and join the evacuation. 560 00:36:35,960 --> 00:36:36,722 Sir. 561 00:36:37,862 --> 00:36:40,092 This is Captain Tennant, 562 00:36:40,364 --> 00:36:43,060 he's organising the evacuation for Ramsay. 563 00:36:43,701 --> 00:36:45,498 I suggest the two of you Iiase 564 00:36:45,636 --> 00:36:48,628 with AdmiraI AbriaI as soon as possibIe, 565 00:36:49,140 --> 00:36:51,438 you'II be under his command. 566 00:36:52,843 --> 00:36:59,214 If you feeI the safety of the BEF is imperiIIed, refer to London. 567 00:37:00,218 --> 00:37:01,207 I understand sir. 568 00:37:21,172 --> 00:37:22,264 You aII right mate? 569 00:37:24,909 --> 00:37:29,539 He's in shock. Get him a bIanket. 570 00:37:35,686 --> 00:37:36,914 We chucked aII the bIankets off. 571 00:38:15,426 --> 00:38:21,456 It can't end here, I'm not going to be a Iost soIdier. 572 00:38:27,605 --> 00:38:28,765 Come on, heIp me. 573 00:38:36,747 --> 00:38:37,714 Come on boy. 574 00:38:42,153 --> 00:38:43,120 We've got you. 575 00:38:48,459 --> 00:38:49,448 Come on son. 576 00:38:54,498 --> 00:38:56,728 You aIright, mate? We'II have you home soon. 577 00:39:13,184 --> 00:39:14,446 Mind how you go boy. 578 00:39:14,719 --> 00:39:16,619 Offshore at the merchant vesseI TiIIey, 579 00:39:16,821 --> 00:39:18,948 the cockIe boat Renown is unIoading her cargo 580 00:39:19,090 --> 00:39:20,819 of troops before making another trip. 581 00:39:25,730 --> 00:39:29,291 We can't do that again, cos next time we go into that beach, 582 00:39:29,867 --> 00:39:30,959 she's going to get stuck. 583 00:39:31,102 --> 00:39:32,535 This isn't going to do much good, 584 00:39:32,803 --> 00:39:34,703 these boats were meant to be ideaI for the job. 585 00:39:34,905 --> 00:39:38,033 On an incoming tide they wouId be, this one's running out Iike mad. 586 00:39:38,209 --> 00:39:42,646 Yeah. ShaII we take her into the harbour next time? 587 00:39:43,347 --> 00:39:44,245 Harry? 588 00:39:44,415 --> 00:39:45,177 What? 589 00:39:45,349 --> 00:39:46,577 I think this one's dead. 590 00:39:47,385 --> 00:39:48,409 Are you sure? 591 00:39:49,687 --> 00:39:51,211 No, no. 592 00:39:57,795 --> 00:40:01,788 Yeah, he's gone. what are we going to do Harry? 593 00:40:02,800 --> 00:40:04,233 ShaII we put him over the side? 594 00:40:05,136 --> 00:40:06,364 We can't do that. 595 00:40:07,371 --> 00:40:08,736 What eIse can we do with him? 596 00:40:11,308 --> 00:40:13,208 Why don't they take him home to bury him. 597 00:40:16,747 --> 00:40:18,146 What do you think Harry? 598 00:40:18,349 --> 00:40:19,577 He's right. 599 00:40:27,491 --> 00:40:29,925 Yes, thank you, thank you good bye. 600 00:40:31,162 --> 00:40:33,653 I need a reserve crew for a Iifeboat. 601 00:40:35,533 --> 00:40:36,795 BIoody coxswain won't go, 602 00:40:36,967 --> 00:40:39,231 says it takes a winch to get his boat off the sand as it is, 603 00:40:39,637 --> 00:40:41,002 doesn't stop the rest of them sir. 604 00:40:41,105 --> 00:40:42,265 Some of these boats are working to the 605 00:40:42,406 --> 00:40:46,103 very Iimit of their capabiIity, he may weII be right. 606 00:40:53,150 --> 00:40:54,242 Yes Ramsgate pIease. 607 00:41:03,093 --> 00:41:04,685 We're just cockIe fishermen you know, 608 00:41:05,463 --> 00:41:06,657 that's what we do, that's our IiveIihood, 609 00:41:06,797 --> 00:41:07,855 that's our job. 610 00:41:08,499 --> 00:41:09,830 I'm not Ietting on to the Iads reaIIy 611 00:41:09,967 --> 00:41:14,427 what's going on through my head because - weII, 612 00:41:14,572 --> 00:41:16,563 they've got enough to worry about reaIIy, 613 00:41:17,208 --> 00:41:22,202 we've got to try and keep the moraIe up but I am seriousIy concerned. 614 00:41:33,224 --> 00:41:37,058 Senior NavaI Officer at Dunkirk to Vice AdmiraI, Dover. 615 00:41:37,495 --> 00:41:40,726 We have been continuousIy and heaviIy bombed. 616 00:41:42,566 --> 00:41:46,002 They are graduaIIy finding the range of our Ioading berth. 617 00:41:46,904 --> 00:41:48,769 I wouId rather onIy enter ships 618 00:41:48,906 --> 00:41:51,602 which are necessary for the fIow of troops. 619 00:42:06,790 --> 00:42:09,486 Is there anyone out there? 620 00:42:11,495 --> 00:42:15,659 We're coming to get you boys, we're coming. 621 00:42:17,401 --> 00:42:18,959 It's not Iong now boys. 622 00:42:21,238 --> 00:42:23,172 There's Ioads of them up there Frankie, Iook. 623 00:42:23,874 --> 00:42:25,205 We aint the onIy one. 624 00:42:25,910 --> 00:42:27,207 There's pIenty more come on boys. 625 00:42:27,344 --> 00:42:28,902 Jump. 626 00:42:29,179 --> 00:42:32,307 Come on we'II catch you. 627 00:42:32,449 --> 00:42:35,748 It's onIy about twenty feet Iads, come on. 628 00:42:36,086 --> 00:42:37,451 Come on. 629 00:42:38,088 --> 00:42:43,390 it's your Iives boys, come on, it aint that far, come on, come on. 630 00:42:43,527 --> 00:42:48,021 Come on mate, you can do it, come on mate. 631 00:42:53,137 --> 00:42:55,264 You can do it. Come on mate, come on. 632 00:42:55,406 --> 00:42:56,270 Frankie, grab his arm. 633 00:42:56,407 --> 00:42:58,170 Quick Harry, get a rope. 634 00:43:11,555 --> 00:43:17,755 Come on, next one, come on, next one. 635 00:43:19,263 --> 00:43:21,697 Come on, we aint got aII night. 636 00:43:35,713 --> 00:43:38,511 HMS MaIcoIm, 1 st June 1940. 637 00:43:40,017 --> 00:43:43,145 Your Iast Ietters were and are the greatest encouragement. 638 00:43:44,521 --> 00:43:46,216 We aren't finished with this business yet, 639 00:43:46,590 --> 00:43:48,353 but whatever happens we in this IittIe 640 00:43:48,492 --> 00:43:51,825 ship have saved five thousand Iives since Tuesday 641 00:43:52,663 --> 00:43:54,358 and it is a great comfort to know that 642 00:43:54,498 --> 00:43:57,524 we won't have made any usefuI sacrifice if we aren't so Iucky now. 643 00:44:01,705 --> 00:44:04,003 Here, no reason why you shouIdn't get your 644 00:44:04,141 --> 00:44:05,540 head down for an hour or two. 645 00:44:05,676 --> 00:44:06,199 You think so? 646 00:44:06,343 --> 00:44:08,470 AbsoIuteIy, onIy wish the same were true for me. 647 00:44:13,784 --> 00:44:18,881 One reaIises what a grain of sand one is in the gigantic mountain of the war. 648 00:44:21,325 --> 00:44:25,853 If I don't survive this show I'II onIy be one of thousands of my betters. 649 00:44:27,631 --> 00:44:29,155 I'II finish this in the morning. 650 00:44:37,074 --> 00:44:38,063 Oh heII. 651 00:44:38,809 --> 00:44:40,276 Do I hear Harry Noakes swearing? 652 00:44:40,411 --> 00:44:42,402 Too right you do, here, take the tiIIer Frankie wiII you? 653 00:44:42,546 --> 00:44:43,911 That's aII we bIoody need. 654 00:44:56,493 --> 00:45:01,430 Oh for God's sake, that's aII we need. Water in the fueI? 655 00:45:01,565 --> 00:45:04,500 Take the tiIIer wiII you. I'II just have a Iook. 656 00:45:06,170 --> 00:45:08,536 There's something fouIing the propeIIer. 657 00:45:10,474 --> 00:45:11,498 Hang on a moment. 658 00:45:16,113 --> 00:45:17,205 See anything? 659 00:45:17,414 --> 00:45:18,244 No. 660 00:45:21,985 --> 00:45:23,043 Who's for a swim? 661 00:45:52,149 --> 00:45:52,979 What is it? 662 00:45:57,888 --> 00:45:59,082 Oh Jesus. 663 00:46:02,192 --> 00:46:03,216 Chuck it back. 664 00:46:12,636 --> 00:46:15,730 OK, Iet's give it one more go shaII we? 665 00:46:23,514 --> 00:46:24,845 I think we're going to need a tow. 666 00:46:25,816 --> 00:46:27,681 I'd better signaI sub Iieutenant SoIomon. 667 00:46:27,985 --> 00:46:30,886 I think this just about wraps it up for tonight. 668 00:46:35,692 --> 00:46:36,659 Harry. 669 00:46:37,294 --> 00:46:38,556 It's Whaffer. 670 00:46:38,695 --> 00:46:39,787 Is that you Whaffer? 671 00:46:41,632 --> 00:46:42,929 You aII right boy? 672 00:46:43,200 --> 00:46:45,100 No mate, the engine's packed up. 673 00:46:45,235 --> 00:46:46,099 Any chance of a tow? 674 00:46:46,236 --> 00:46:48,727 Come on. 675 00:46:49,506 --> 00:46:52,373 Cheers mate. Am I gIad to see you. 676 00:46:55,979 --> 00:46:56,638 That's it. 677 00:46:56,780 --> 00:46:57,439 Ready. 678 00:46:57,581 --> 00:46:58,479 AII right. 679 00:46:58,615 --> 00:46:59,604 Nice one Son. 680 00:47:14,565 --> 00:47:16,430 By midnight on the 31 st of May, 681 00:47:17,034 --> 00:47:19,901 Piermaster Commander Jack CIouston has embarked forty five 682 00:47:20,037 --> 00:47:22,471 thousand and seventy two men from the MoII. 683 00:47:23,974 --> 00:47:26,943 Twenty three thousand have been Iifted from the beaches, 684 00:47:27,077 --> 00:47:30,911 incIuding for the first time many thousands of French troops, 685 00:47:32,182 --> 00:47:35,413 it's been the most successfuI day of the operation so far. 686 00:47:44,928 --> 00:47:47,089 At Ieast the MoII's stiII in one piece sir. 687 00:47:47,564 --> 00:47:48,360 Just. 688 00:48:03,947 --> 00:48:05,073 Is this the Iast of them? 689 00:48:05,215 --> 00:48:06,204 Good. 690 00:48:07,618 --> 00:48:10,644 Shower and sIeep for me, and not necessariIy in that order. 691 00:48:10,787 --> 00:48:11,811 And for me sir. 692 00:48:12,089 --> 00:48:13,317 Where's our piIot? 693 00:48:14,324 --> 00:48:17,782 Gone on board the Bideford sir, they Iaid her up here apparentIy. 694 00:50:02,966 --> 00:50:05,093 I reckon we've got thousands in them Leigh boats. 695 00:50:06,203 --> 00:50:09,229 What do you think Frankie? Frankie? 696 00:50:11,708 --> 00:50:16,168 Oh what a day, eh? Do you remember those stukkas on the way over? 697 00:50:19,750 --> 00:50:21,115 Are we going back tomorrow. 698 00:50:22,352 --> 00:50:24,252 I want to go back tomorrow won't you Frankie, eh? 699 00:50:24,755 --> 00:50:25,915 We won't be going back 700 00:50:26,890 --> 00:50:30,189 Why not? What about the rest of them? 701 00:50:30,594 --> 00:50:32,494 WeII the boat won't take it for one thing. 702 00:50:34,331 --> 00:50:40,429 What are we going to teII Dad about the engine? 703 00:50:42,506 --> 00:50:45,236 Going to teII him an arm stuck in the propeIIer. 704 00:50:45,442 --> 00:50:47,910 Luke, Luke, caIm down son. 705 00:50:48,111 --> 00:50:49,078 I'm aII right. 706 00:50:50,514 --> 00:50:52,607 What's Pie going to say about aII this? 707 00:50:53,683 --> 00:50:55,412 ShouId have got up on the pier though, 708 00:50:55,819 --> 00:50:57,446 at Ieast then I can say I've been to France. 709 00:50:59,456 --> 00:51:03,756 Did you see Eric? He shot down that Iadder Iike greased Iightening. 710 00:51:04,361 --> 00:51:07,660 Hey Luke, why don't you give Frankie a break, 711 00:51:07,798 --> 00:51:09,857 take the tiIIer for a whiIe eh son? Frankie, 712 00:51:10,367 --> 00:51:11,732 give Lukie the tiIIer boy. 713 00:51:12,536 --> 00:51:14,128 Here you are, Lukie'II give you a break. 714 00:52:56,339 --> 00:52:57,101 Dad 715 00:52:57,240 --> 00:53:01,472 What's the probIem now? That'II be the battIeship. 716 00:53:15,025 --> 00:53:16,652 At noon on the 1 st of June, 717 00:53:16,927 --> 00:53:19,987 five cockIe boats returned to harbour at Leigh on Sea. 718 00:53:40,417 --> 00:53:43,318 Whaffer, is it true? 719 00:53:43,887 --> 00:53:44,876 It's true boy. 720 00:54:06,042 --> 00:54:07,976 When the AdmiraIty made their caII for heIp, 721 00:54:08,345 --> 00:54:11,007 the response of the fishermen of Leigh was instant, 722 00:54:11,481 --> 00:54:13,847 they voIunteered to man the six cockIe boats, 723 00:54:13,984 --> 00:54:18,853 Renown, ReIiance, Defender, Letitia, Endeavour and ResoIute. 724 00:54:19,389 --> 00:54:21,789 In the forenoon of that Friday this IittIe fIeet Ieft 725 00:54:21,925 --> 00:54:23,449 their moorings to engage in one of the 726 00:54:23,593 --> 00:54:25,993 most forIorn hopes of history. 727 00:54:26,796 --> 00:54:29,162 They Ieft in high spirits as if they 728 00:54:29,299 --> 00:54:31,062 were going to a footbaII match, 729 00:54:31,735 --> 00:54:33,669 but they knew they were going and the terribIe 730 00:54:33,803 --> 00:54:35,998 hazards to which they were giving themseIves. 731 00:54:36,439 --> 00:54:39,602 Three of those men, Frank and Lukie Osborne 732 00:54:39,743 --> 00:54:41,768 and Harry Noakes, whose Iives we have 733 00:54:41,911 --> 00:54:45,176 gathered today to remember, did not return. 734 00:54:45,882 --> 00:54:49,978 Frank, Lukie and Harry were Leigh men 735 00:54:50,186 --> 00:54:52,017 through and through, better Iiving 736 00:54:52,155 --> 00:54:54,623 boys you couId not wish to meet. 737 00:54:55,158 --> 00:54:59,652 They knew nothing of war, they went to save Iives, not to fight. 738 00:55:00,630 --> 00:55:02,495 They had done their work and then suddenIy 739 00:55:02,632 --> 00:55:06,090 on their way home there came annihiIation. 740 00:55:10,440 --> 00:55:13,034 But they went because they understood that there's something 741 00:55:13,176 --> 00:55:15,872 which matters more than Iife itseIf, 742 00:55:17,213 --> 00:55:18,646 they understood that onIy the man 743 00:55:18,782 --> 00:55:21,683 who is ready to Iay down his Iife for other peopIe 744 00:55:22,118 --> 00:55:26,452 or a hoIy cause has the Iife worth caIIing Iife at aII. 745 00:55:31,695 --> 00:55:33,356 Got the pIace to yourseIf again eh? 746 00:55:34,831 --> 00:55:35,798 Indeed. 747 00:55:37,000 --> 00:55:37,989 Make the most. 748 00:55:38,968 --> 00:55:41,766 Tom says we saiI again for Dunkirk at 1300. 749 00:55:43,907 --> 00:55:45,397 Bad Iuck about the Bideford. 750 00:55:46,042 --> 00:55:47,031 My Iast ship. 751 00:55:47,344 --> 00:55:48,242 I know. 752 00:55:49,412 --> 00:55:51,846 The captain was an even worse ship handIer than Tom HaIsey, 753 00:55:52,482 --> 00:55:53,847 which is saying something. 754 00:55:55,552 --> 00:55:57,315 SuccessfuIIy chaIIenged his judgement and saved 755 00:55:57,454 --> 00:55:59,012 the ship on more than one occasion. 756 00:56:00,290 --> 00:56:01,587 You must have Iost some good friends. 757 00:56:02,792 --> 00:56:07,286 CoIIins, Stuart, numerous others. 758 00:56:09,866 --> 00:56:10,958 I'm sorry David. 759 00:56:33,623 --> 00:56:35,818 By the end of the week, two thirds of the 760 00:56:35,959 --> 00:56:38,291 British Expeditionary Force have been evacuated, 761 00:56:39,629 --> 00:56:43,861 and two hundred thousand aIIied troops remain in France 762 00:56:44,000 --> 00:56:47,868 surrounded by a German army who couId sense a famous victory. 763 00:57:01,785 --> 00:57:04,276 The German generaIship is extremeIy good 764 00:57:04,487 --> 00:57:08,048 and their junior Ieadership first rate. 765 00:57:08,658 --> 00:57:12,992 It is their tactic to feeI for the soft spot 766 00:57:13,196 --> 00:57:15,630 and when they've found it, to press hard. 767 00:57:16,399 --> 00:57:17,798 Thank you Lord Gort. 768 00:57:19,469 --> 00:57:21,164 Your report has been most iIIuminating. 769 00:57:23,273 --> 00:57:25,468 What is your forecast for the next few days? 770 00:57:26,676 --> 00:57:28,473 That we must waste no time. 771 00:57:29,212 --> 00:57:33,171 There are no Ionger any French troops of any reaI vaIue. 772 00:57:33,817 --> 00:57:39,847 When our men withdraw from the perimeter it wiII be a cIose run thing. 773 00:57:40,523 --> 00:57:43,856 Can they hoId the bridge head whiIe our rear guard withdraws? 774 00:57:44,494 --> 00:57:46,359 I beIieve you have untiI dawn. 775 00:57:51,868 --> 00:57:53,597 CIive TonIy was awarded the Croix de Guerre 776 00:57:53,736 --> 00:57:55,897 for gaIIantry during the Normandy Iandings, 777 00:57:56,172 --> 00:57:59,801 he retired from the army with rank of Brigadier in 1972. 778 00:58:00,977 --> 00:58:03,502 WiIf Saunders fought in Africa and ItaIy, 779 00:58:03,947 --> 00:58:07,178 after the war he was awarded a schoIarship to Cambridge, 780 00:58:07,317 --> 00:58:08,682 he went on to become Professor of 781 00:58:08,818 --> 00:58:11,252 Information TechnoIogy at SheffieId University. 782 00:58:12,288 --> 00:58:14,813 CIive and WiIf remain friends. 783 00:58:17,126 --> 00:58:18,184 The wounded are not our priority. 784 00:58:18,328 --> 00:58:20,228 They take up twice as much space as a foot soIdier. 785 00:58:24,334 --> 00:58:25,733 Give us more pressure. 786 00:58:25,869 --> 00:58:27,803 My orders are from His Majesty's government. 787 00:58:28,238 --> 00:58:29,603 The moment you or any of your men go back 788 00:58:29,739 --> 00:58:31,172 beyond that tree we wiII shoot you. 789 00:58:31,307 --> 00:58:32,672 Oh don't be so bIoody stupid. 790 00:58:33,109 --> 00:58:34,440 capituIate. 791 00:58:35,044 --> 00:58:36,409 It's something I've never been asked to do.