Flotilla of boats honour 'little Dunkirk' rescue operation

Credit: BAM Perspectives

Nearly 100 boats gathered in Jersey’s St Aubin’s Bay this weekend to honour islanders who rescued soldiers from St Malo 80 years ago.

The anniversary is usually marked with a boat race to France, but the pandemic has caused the event to be held locally instead.

St Malo in 1945. The city was surrounded by German soldiers five years before this picture was taken. Credit: Stan Gilley

Referred to as the ‘little Dunkirk’, 20 boats were sent to get soldiers and civilians trapped by advancing German soldiers.

The 20 small boats ferried soldiers to the large ships waiting in deeper water.