Dunkirk 1940 - Operation Dynamo

77 years ago, on the beaches of Dunkirk, the British, French and Belgian soldiers made an unexpected re-embarkation enabling them to escape captivity. The British Expeditionary Force (BEF), with its 10 motorized divisions, arrived in France in September 1939, was able to evacuate most of its soldiers to Great Britain, but had to abandon most of its vehicles and tons of equipment. 

Johann Tytgat, an inhabitant of the region, has traveled relentlessly for more than 30 years on the beaches and the surrounding countryside in search of the relics of Operation Dynamo, which took place in May-June 1940. We present these pieces saved from oblivion and sometimes presenting a surprising state for objects having spent decades buried in the sand on the beaches. 

This is a highly illustrated book which showcases the collection of objects found on the beaches and environs by the authors. I picked up a copy in France from a tourist information centre, and while the text is far from exhaustive, it is the pictures of the relics which are the main focus and this makes it worthwhile. And yes, the cover image is taken from the 1950s film! 

Some example pages below

Available from:
I can't find this for sale online anywhere! So it might be a purchase if you visit Dunkirk or De Panne tourist offices.