Dunkirk 2010 Commemorative March (clip 3 - arrival at Fort des Dunes)

A group of 25 re-enactors from various UK and US based re-enactment groups march from Béthune to the beaches of Dunkirk in full BEF kit, a total of about 50 miles to mark the 70th Anniversary of the retreat to Dunkirk.

The route followed one that was used in May 1940, leading through Le Paradis, Merville, Hazebrouck, Cassel, Wormhout, Herzeele, Wylder, Warhem, Téteghem/Uxem, Leffrinckoucke. The march started in the afternoon of Thursday 27 May and the group arrived at the beach on Sunday 30 May. Along the way two massacre sites and several Commonwealth War Graves cemeteries were visited to pay respect to the fallen and lay wreaths.

Nights were spent in a disused factory building, bunker, barn and sports hall using only a greatcoat and blanket each.

On Monday 31 May the group arrived in Dover for a parade & inspection by the Lady Mayor of Dover and a short (private) commemorative service at the original Railway Station where in May and June 1940 thousands of troops disembarked.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Dunkirk
• 2010
• Commemorative
• March
• BEF
• British
• Expeditionary
• Forces
• retreat
• evacuation
• re-enactment
• reenactment
• re-enactors
• reenactors
• Dover
• 70th
• anniversary

[steveulsterrifles]

Nice to hear some Irish tunes being played

[mikedyse]

@steveulsterrifles

Courtesy of one of the American participants, he was a great morale booster!

[verdunen16]

cool!!!!

[BEF40]

Mick was indeed a fantastic morale booster... I can't believe it was a year ago... My feet hurt just thinking about it. One of the best things I've ever done.

[dance62tiger]

looks exhausting!

[BOT101st]

True dunkirk spirit!

It's annoying that I missed this, I was going to go to it, but I was short on cash due to already going to france in the earlier part of may, (But was for Dunkirk!)

Great videos!