Letter: Let us never forget the key role of the 'miracle of Dunkirk'

At that time over 350,000 Allied troops were trapped across the Channel by the German Army and if they couldn’t be rescued, the UK would have been invaded.Britain was on the verge of defeat.

What happened next may seem strange to today’s generation, but to the people of wartime Britain it was perfectly natural.King George VI broadcast an urgent message to the Nation, declaring May 26 to be a special Day of National Prayer and urged everyone to pray for Divine Intervention.In response to his call, millions of people attended special church services, pleading for deliverance.At one point, the response was so great that the queue of people trying to get into Westminster Abbey stretched for a quarter of a mile.

Two events occurred straight after this National Day of Prayer. Firstly, a violent storm arose over the Dunkirk region grounding the Luftwaffe, who were killing our soldiers on the beach.Secondly, a great calm descended on the Channel, the like of which hadn’t been seen for a generation.It was in fact this Channel calm, coming at that precise time, which permitted hundreds of tiny boats to sail across and help rescue 335,000 soldiers.

These two events happening when they did were so dramatic, that people named it “the miracle of Dunkirk” and Sunday, June 9, was officially appointed as a Day of National Thanksgiving.

D Day took place on June 6, 1944, exactly four years after Dunkirk.Allied Forces were once again in France, this time with the aim of liberating Europe from Nazism.As we commemorate this special 80th anniversary and reflect on lives lost to bring freedom, let us remember that it wouldn’t have happened without “the miracle of Dunkirk”.

Rev J Willans

By email

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.