A fleet of 66 "little ships" has set sail from Ramsgate to Dunkirk to commemorate the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo.
The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS), which organised the commemorative crossing, said the journey would "serve as a poignant tribute to the bravery and sacrifice" of those involved in the original operation.
"It also ensures the legacy of the Dunkirk little ships continues to inspire future generations," a spokesman for the organisation added.
The original evacuation took place from May 26 to June 4, 1940, when approximately 1,000 vessels braved heavy enemy fire to rescue more than 338,000 British and Allied troops from the beaches of Dunkirk.
The 'little ships' are journeying from Ramsgate to Dunkirk
PA
This year's crossing marks the first time the little ships have made the journey since 2015.
The ADLS, which was established in 1966 to preserve these historic vessels, typically organises a crossing every five years.
However, the planned 2020 expedition had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, making this 85th anniversary commemoration particularly significant.
The little ships first returned to Dunkirk in 1965, an idea conceived by former Second World War Spitfire pilot, Raymond Baxter OBE.
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The little ships departed from Ramsgate Royal Harbour at 6am on Wednesday and were expected to arrive in Dunkirk at 4pm, though this timing depends on weather and sea conditions.
During their journey across the Channel, the historic vessels were escorted by the Royal Navy and the RNLI.
Chris Bannister, who owns a boat that served as a tug during the Dunkirk evacuation, emphasised the importance of the commemoration.
He said: "If we don't carry out the commemoration like we are today, then the people who have sacrificed their lives many years ago, the memory of them, will stop.
The 'little ships' are expected to arrive in Dunkirk at 4pm
PA
"It's very important that we appreciate where we've come from and how lucky we are to be where we are today."
The evacuation, dubbed the "Miracle of Dunkirk" by wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill, is considered one of the outstanding moments of fortitude and perseverance during the Second World War.
Admiral Bertram Ramsay, who oversaw the rescue operation, also played a pivotal role in orchestrating the Normandy Landings in 1944.
The historic event has inspired numerous cultural works over the decades, including Christopher Nolan's 2017 film "Dunkirk".
