In late May 1940, the English Channel was uncharacteristically calm, facilitating the perilous journey of the rescuing vessels to the beaches of Dunkirk.

The weather played a crucial role during these days. Light easterly winds carried smoke over the beaches, providing a veil that shielded the Allied soldiers from enemy aircraft. Cloud

cover between May 28th and 30th, further obscured the beaches, hindering the Luftwaffe's

bombing runs and offering a semblance of protection to the men below. The soldiers, weary and battle-worn,

formed long queues that snaked along the shoreline,

each man clutching his rifle in the remnants of his gear.

The air was thick, with acrid smoke and the scent of burning oil,

and the distant rumble of artillery.

Despite the overcast skies, the threat of enemy aircraft loomed large,

casting a pall over the already somber scene.

The, quote, little ships, a flotilla of civilian vessels,

braved the calm yet perilous waters to reach the stranded men, fishermen, pleasure boaters,

and merchant mariners. They all navigated their crafts toward the French coast, driven by a

shared sense of duty and compassion. Their arrival was met with a mixture of relief and urgency as soldiers scrambled aboard, the weight of their ordeal etched into their faces.

The rescue saw over 338,000 troops saved, and it signified the human endurance in solidarity in the face of overwhelming adversity. One man was unique

amongst the troops that stood waiting for their evacuation. He would later recruit three other men,

no less amazing. But who were these men? What forged their courage and camaraderie in the face of mortal danger?

And what tragic ends awaited them as they pushed back against the darkness?

Hey, it's Todd, and you're listening to the Park for May's stories.

We're taking a second glance at the history of motorsport.

In this episode, we're going to be talking about from legends to heroes.

The air unoccupied France was thick with tension,

...