Beach effort
As the new fim Dunkirk, starring Kenneth Branagh, Mark Rylance and Harry Styles, is released, visits the locations that tell the full story of the Second World War’s most dramatic rescue mission
WITH a smart red stripe down her blue hull, the Princess Elizabeth is looking really dapper for an elderly lady who’s been through so much.
She’s one of Dunkirk’s Little Ships, the famous armada of civilian boats that assisted the Navy in rescuing Allied troops trapped on the beaches in 1940.
This handsome paddle steamer is now permanently moored in Dunkirk harbour and has had a reincarnation as a restaurant.
Dining here is like stepping back in time with music from the 1940s and original brass light fittings. Taking pride of place is her war medal which simply reads, “Princess Elizabeth, Battle Honour, Dunkirk 1940”. Thankfully the menu is more up-to-date. And as it’s been created by Michelin-star chef Christophe Hagnerelle, expect beef tartare rather than bully beef.
The Princess Elizabeth makes an appearance in the movie which was largely filmed on Dunkirk’s beaches.
It tells the story of those anxious days from May 26 to June 4, 1940, as Allied troops in France were forced to retreat from the advancing German army and escape before they were captured or killed.
Surrounded, and with their backs to the sea, thousands of men were trapped on the 10-mile stretch of beach from Malo-les-Bains to Bray-Dunes. At 6.57pm on May 26, Operation Dynamo was launched.
Naval ships rushed to Dunkirk to rescue the men; it was a race against time as the German army advanced. As desperation grew the Little Ships – boats of all sizes from ferries to fishing boats – joined the rescue.
I’ve come to Dunkirk to learn more about this incredible mission and revisit the locations used in the film.
I happened to be in Dunkirk during production in May last year, which was rather surreal with soldiers in wartime uniform and Second World War vehicles (some made from cardboard) lined up along the esplanade and beach. Lined with Belle Époque buildings, cafes and bars, the beach is usually immaculately combed. During filming it was littered with props, discarded ammunition and fuel barrels.