May 1940: Destination Dunkirk
Formats: E-Book, Audio, Paperback
Ages: 18+
It was a routine day for the crew of the motor barge. They were unloading a consignment of steel sheets in Portsmouth Dockyard. When they had finished, the ship would sail for their home port on the Isle of Wight. They were surprised when a man in Royal Naval officer uniform climbed aboard. He said to the captain:
“I have an urgent message for you from the Admiralty. I am ordered to commandeer this vessel immediately, for use by the navy and to take command of it.
However, I am instructed to say that it would be of great value to the navy and to the war effort if you and any of your crew would agree to serve on the vessel.”
This is the brutal story of a “Little Ship”, based on the diary of one of the crew.
Reviews
5 out of 5 starsA most enjoyable WWII historical novel Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 February 2026 Format: Kindle Edition Michael Wills is an author who possesses the skill to cleverly mix fiction with historical fact. There is much that has been said, and written, about the magnificent role the little ships played in the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940. In this book the author has introduced fiction into known facts about the little ship 'Bee' and the significant role she played in the dangerous waters of Dunkirk during the evacuation. This book combines true fact and fiction in great reality and if you enjoy reading historical novels, particularly relating to WWII, then this book is for you. I highly recommend it. BA Constable
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2026 Format: Kindle I picked this up on a whim and was surprised by how much it pulled me in. Since it is based on a real engineer's diary, the details about the ship felt incredibly genuine and grounded. The plot kicks off with a simple job in Portsmouth but shifts into a tense rescue mission where the crew has to make a huge life-or-death choice. I really appreciated that the story focused on regular people like Ben and the young deckhand Pearson rather than just typical military strategy. It was moving to see them choose to head into the chaos instead of just going home for dinner. It is a quick read you can finish in one sitting, but the vivid descriptions of the Channel stayed with me long after I finished. It gave me a real sense of what those Little Ships went through at Dunkirk.
