Wartime rescue boat returns for Liberation Day

A boat which helped rescue Allied troops from France during World War Two is visiting Jersey for Liberation Day celebrations.

RFC 113 crossed from the island to St Malo as part of Operation Ariel in June 1940 when 20 boats answered a call to help rescue troops trapped in Brittany as the Nazi German forces advanced.

The operation, which happened about two weeks after the Dunkirk evacuation, helped rescue thousands of Allied personnel.

The wooden vessel has been restored in England and will feature during Liberation Day on Saturday, which part-time skipper Guy Riviere said was "important" to be part of.

"There's so much history with this boat," Riviere said.

"It is a piece of history and while not quite a museum piece, it has that kind of status,"

"We're very proud to have brought it over here and be part of it all."

He said the plan was to keep the boat in Jersey until Sunday and as part of the celebrations, relatives of its wartime crew would be shown around the vessel.

"Last year, we didn't make it [to Liberation Day] because of the weather," Riviere added.

"But this year, it's been fantastic, so we're looking forward to being part of the celebrations."

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