Last hero of Dunkirk dies 105 years old: WWII Sailor helped save troops from French beaches, while his ship was bombed by Nazi aircraft during ‘Miracle of Deliverance’ 85 years ago

The evacuation of Dunkirk was one of the greatest activities of the Second World War and was one of the most important factors to make the Allies to continue to fight.

It was the greatest military evacuation in history, which took place between 27 May and 4 June 1940 after Nazi Blitzkreig – ‘Lightning War’ – saw German troops weeping through Europe.

The evacuation, known as Operation Dynamo, saw an estimated 338,000 Allied forces saved from North France. But 11,000 British were killed during the operation – and another 40,000 were taken prisoner and imprisoned.

Described as a ‘miracle of liberation’ through wartime -prime minister Winston Churchill, is seen as one of the various events in 1940 that determined the ultimate outcome of the war.

The Second World War started after Germany invaded Poland in 1939, but there was little further action on the land for a few months.

But at the beginning of 1940, Germany invaded Denmark and Norway and then launched an offensive against Belgium and France in Western Europe.

The troops of Hitler quickly moved up and used Paris – which they never reached in the First World War – and went to the channel.

It was the greatest military evacuation in history, which took place between 27 May and 4 June 1940. The evacuation, known as Operation Dynamo, saw an estimated 338,000 Allied forces saved from North France. But 11,000 British were killed during the operation – and another 40,000 were taken prisoner and imprisoned

They reached the coast towards the end of May 1940 and returned the Allied troops, including a few hundred thousand troops from British expedition power. Military leaders soon realized that there was no way to stay on mainland Europe.

Operational Command fell on Bertram Ramsay, a retired vice-admiral that was recalled in 1939. From a room deep in the cliffs in Dover, Ramsay and his staff have operation Dynamo, a daring rescue mission of the Royal Navy, to return troops around Dunkirk and troops around Dunkirk and troops.

The call went out on May 14, 1940. The BBC has made the announcement: “The Admiralty has given an order in which all owners of self -driving pleasure craft between 30FT and 100 FT long to send all details to Admiralty within 14 days from today if they have not yet been offered or requested.”

All types of boats were claimed – from those for rent on the Thames to pleasure yachts – and staffed by naval personnel, although in some cases boats were taken over by the owners to Dunkirk.

They sailed from Dover, the nearest point, to give them the shortest intersection. Operation Dynamo was put into action on 29 May.

When they arrived at Dunkirk, they stood opposite Chaos. Soldiers hid in sand dunes in front of the air raid, a large part of the city of Dunkirk had been reduced to ruins by the bombing and the German troops fulfilled.

Above them, Raf Spitfire and Hurricane Fighters entered the interior to attack the German fighter aircraft to get rid of them and protect the men on the beaches.

While the small ships arrived, they were led to different sectors. Many had no radios, so the only communication methods were shouting against those on the beaches or by Semaphore.

The space was so tight, with full decks full that soldiers could only wear their guns. An enormous amount of equipment, including planes, tanks and heavy guns, had to be left behind.

The small ships were meant to bring soldiers to the larger ships, but some finally returned people to England. The evacuation lasted a few days.

Prime Minister Churchill and his advisers had expected that it would be possible to save only 20,000 to 30,000 people, but more than 300,000 were saved by 4 June.

The exact number was impossible to gauge – although 338,000 is an accepted estimate – but it is thought that during the week to 400,000 British, French and Belgian troops were saved – men who would return to fight in Europe and eventually help win the war.

But there were also heavy losses, with around 90,000 deaths, injured or captured. A number of ships were also lost, through enemy action, aground and breaking down. Nevertheless, the evacuation itself was considered a success and a big boost for moral.

In a famous speech to the Lower House, Churchill praised the ‘Wonder of Dunkirk’ and decided that Great -Britain would fight: ‘We will fight on the beaches, we will fight on the landing grounds, we will fight in the fields and in the streets, we will fight in the hills. We will never surrender! ‘