In May 1940, during World War II, the German army pushed British and French soldiers back to the beaches of Dunkirk, France. Over 300,000 soldiers were trapped with their backs to the sea. The situation looked hopeless. Starting on May 26, 1940, the British military began evacuating soldiers across the English Channel to England. But they did not have enough large ships. So the government called on ordinary people for help. Hundreds of fishing boats, sailboats, and pleasure craft crossed the treacherous Channel. Many boat owners volunteered their vessels and even drove them across themselves. Some boats were only big enough to carry a dozen soldiers at a time. They made trip after trip through rough seas and enemy fire. The rescue, called Operation Dynamo, lasted nine days. By June 4, over 338,000 soldiers had been saved. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill called it a 'miracle of deliverance.' Though the soldiers had lost their equipment, they were alive to fight another day. The spirit of Dunkirk became a symbol of hope and teamwork in Britain's darkest hour.