Let’s take a look at some historical photos from the Dunkirk evacuation, code-named Operation Dynamo and also known as the “Miracle of Dunkirk.”

The Dunkirk evacuation was one of the biggest battles of World War II in which ground, naval, and air forces were fully involved. Within the space of a few days—from late May into early June 1940—more than 330,000 British and French troops were evacuated from northern France. To save them from being captured or killed, the Allied forces had to sacrifice all their equipment and most of their armament. In the proximity of Dunkirk, 2,472 guns and nearly 65,000 vehicles of the British Expeditionary Force and French Army were left abandoned. For the evacuation, the British Admiralty called upon over 800 British, French, Dutch, and Belgian warships, as well as a flotilla of civilian vessels.

French destroyer Bourrasque sinking off Dunkirk after she had collided with a mine, her deck still loaded with troops, 30 May, 1940.

Crew members of French destroyer Bourrasque, sunk by mine at Dunkirk, are hauled aboard a British vessel from their sinking life raft, May 30, 1940.

British troops on the deck of a ship watch stores burning ashore during the evacuation of Cherbourg, June 13, 1940.

Royal Engineers disembarking from a destroyer at Dover, May 31, 1940. One soldier is carrying a ceremonial sword, presumably a 'souvenir' of the campaign.

Battle damage inflicted during the Battle of Dunkirk to ships and the land—notice the sunken ship in the foreground. Dunkirk, France.

British rifles on the quayside, following the return home of the British Expeditionary Force from the Battle of Dunkirk. England.

A destroyer's deck loaded with men of the British Expeditionary Force. England.

General view on board a transport ship loaded with men of the British Expeditionary Force returning home to England from Dunkirk.

British and French soldiers arriving together at a British port.

Ships evacuating the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk, France, en route to England.

Allied troops wade towards evacuation ships off the beach at Dunkirk, France.

All photos are courtesy of the US Naval Institute Photo Archive. Looking for more thrilling shots related to Navy History? Check Photo Archive online here.