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50/-
SECRET.
480
Use of Landing Craft during the evacuation
of the B.E.F.
Report by the Inter-Services Training and
Development Centre.
Orders were received at about 3100 hrs
on 26th May to load all available landing craft
in the CLAN MACALISTER at Southampton for immed-
late despatch to Dover. Eight Action, being all
that were available, were duly loaded together
with their crews, 2500 gallons of petrol and 300
gallons of lubricating oil.
Commander R.A. Cassidi R.N. was in
charge of the party and with him were Sub. Lieut
Wilcoxon R.N.V.R. and Sub. Lieut Eyres R.N.V.R.
The crews comprised 45 ratings,
The CLAN MACALISTER sailed at about
1800 hrs 27th May. Subsequent action of A.L.C.
is described in appendix "A" attached.
Two jet propulsion type M.L.C. (12 and 17),
2.
arrived at Portsmouth from the clyde on 39th May.
They were put into commission forthwith, but were
found to be in very bad condition, and a consider-
able amount of work had to be carried out on the
engines and hulls before they could be used.
Two new pattern H.L.C., (21 and 22,) and
A.L.C. 10 were delivered by "hornycrofts on 30th May.
These were also put into commission forthwith.

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481
3.
Orders were received on 30th May to
despatch to Dover, the pontoon pier which had
just been sent off to Narvik in the EMPIRE
ABI ITY. A working party was detailed for
the pier under Lt. Commander Layard R.N. and
Sub. Lieut Murray R.N., and embarked about
1900 hrs 31st May when Empire Ability arrived,
having been recalled from the Clyde, She
sailed for Dover at about 2100 hrs the same day
This pier was not used, and EMPIRE ABILITY returned,
to PORTSMOUTH on the 2nd June,
4.
At about midnight 30/31 May orders sere
received to embark and A.L.C. referred to
in para 2 above, together with their crews in the
City of Christchurch for despatch to Dover; this
was completed by about 1130 hrs 31st day, and the
City of Christchurch sailed at noon, This party
was under Sub. Lieut ensonby R.N.V.R. It is
believed that of these craft only A.L.C. 10 was
unloaded and used, but it is not certain at
present whether the CITY OR is on
her way back to ortsmouth or not. Purther definite
information will be forwarded as soon as it can be
obtained. A.L.C. 10 left Dover for Portsmouth under
her own power at midday, 4th June.
Commander Cassidi reported to this Centre
5. at about 2000 hrs on 1st June, having landed at
SHEERNESS with A.L.C. 5 which had been considerably
damaged. His report is attached in appendix
Part I, and a summary of the action of the various
A.L.C. is given in art II.

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506
482
6.
As far as can be ascertained, up to the
present the following casualties were sustained
by crews of A.L.C. :-
Killed - one officer (Sub. Lieut R.
Wilcoxon, R.N.V.R.)
Wounded - Two ratings.
Injured - Two ratings,
Five craft were lost out of the nine employed;
two of these were never hoisted out of the Clan
Macalister owing to an accident to the derricks,
and it appears that A.L.C. 8 and 15 need not have
been lost, although the deliberate destruction of
A.L.C. 10 was perhaps justified on the grounds
that she was disabled and might fall into the hands
of the enemy.
of the 4 A.L.C. which returned, A.L.C. 5
7.
is in SHEERNESS Dockyard in a damaged condition.
It is suggested that she should be repaired there
without delay, and that she should return to orts-
mouth under her own power or in tow. An officer
and a crew can be sent to fetch her.
I would point out that these craft were
8. subjected to very abnormal use; they were invariably
overloaded; a great strain was thrown on the engines the
clutches owing to the fact that the sea off
and at DUNKIRK was full of every form of floating etc.,
obstacle beaches including clothing, equipment, etc.,
which continually fouled the propellors,

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523
499
APPENDIX "A" PART II
A.L.C. 16.
Sub. Lieut. Wilcoxon R.N.V.R. was originally
detailed to work in A.L.C. 4, but owing to an accident
to this craft when hoisting out, he embarked in A.L.C.
16 on her next coming alongside Clan Macalister with
troops.
is
A.L.C. 16 WILB the first boat to be hoisted out, and
proceeded straight inshore to the beach near Old Dunkirk
where she evacuated British troops. After setting scee
seven trips successfully, she was boarded by a nob of
French soldiers, who overwhelmed the boat to such an extent
that she became partially swamped, the starboard lattery
was flooded and both engines failed.
Eventually sufficient French were evicted to erable
A.L.C. 16 to be floated off, and the port engine started.
Unfortunately in going astern off the beach she rode over
the anchor, and did such damage to the part shafting that
the port stern tube was loosened in the Presework of the
hull, and water poured into the boat.
Continually pumping and baling, A.L.C. 10 continued
running for a further hour and a half avacuating troops,
However, the damage to the boat was such that Sub. Lieut.
Wilooxon thought it advisable to arrange for the boat to
be towed back to England for repairs.
With this in view they went alongaide and put troops
aboard H.M.S. Bideford, Sub Ident. Wilmoxon at the -
time going inboard to arrange for a tow.
While lying alongaids Bideford a heavy attack was made
by enemy dive bombers, and Bideford was struck aft. A
terrific explosion resulted within a few feet of A.L.C. 16

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504
SECRET.
Use of Landing Craft during the
Evacuation of the B.R.F.
APPENDIX "A"
PART III
Dynam 286
Biuld
INTER Survices TRAINING - DEVELOPMENT Center
Form CUMMERLAND EASTHER Burneos
PORTSMOUTH
FROM :- Commandant, Inter Services Training and Development Centre.
TO :- The Vice Admiral,
H.M. Ships & Vessels,
DOVER.
DATE :- 12th. June 1940.
coc/resc/se/40
USE OF LANDING CRAFT DURING THE EVACUATION OF THE 3.3.7.
Two copies of Appendix "A" Part III, to 15 report
on the above subject enclosed with by COC/PM/17/8/40
are forwarded herewith.
2.
Part III deals with the novements of A.L.C. 10
and M.L.C. 12, 17, 21, and 22, which were sent in the
"City of Christchurch" on Stat. May 1940.
Abbilby major RM
for
LISUTENANT COLONEL
10
VICE ADMIRAL
14 JUN 1940
*
DOVER
R
Difference

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504
SECRET.
Use of Landing Craft during the
Evacuation of the B.R.F.
APPENDIX "A"
PART III
Report by Sub. Lieut. S.R. Ponsonby R.N.V.R.
The City of Christchurch with A,L,C. 10
and H.L.C. Nos. 12, 17, 21, and 22 onboard arrived off
Dover at midnight 31st May 1940,
At 0900 on 1st June orders sere received
to place A.L.C. 10 and W.L.C. 31 and 82 in the water
and to embark sufficient fuel and water for 48 hrs
running over and above that which was already in them,
(sufficient for 120 miles), using the street despatch,
This was completed by 1130,
2.
At 1430 orders were received for the City
of Christeburch to drop all the Landing Craft off Buoy
in These were then to proceed to the beach, and to
return to Dover, undertheir am power, the following
morning. M.I.C. 17 was unfit for service owing to
a hole in her water pump, and was therefore left behind,
The craft left Buoy * at 3130 and proceeded
3. in line shead I, myself being in A.L.C. 10.
On arrival at the beach 1 found it impassible
all the craft under my personal control therefore owing
to keep of boats that were there, and I
gave to the orders number for each coxswain to carry on independantly.

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4.
At dawn 2nd June, having embarked 70 soldiers
and finding every ship had left, I proceeded towards
Dover. Halfway across the Straits I sighted a paddle
steamer, and put the soldiers onboard her, A.L.C. 10
arrived at Dover about 1000 where I reported to the
Captain in charge of Auxiliary Services, asking for
a
mechanic to repair my starboard engine,
I received orders to leave Ash.C. 10 at
Dover and to take charge of the Royal National
Lifeboat Jane Holland.
5.
I proceeded in this vessel under tax, at
1600 2nd June with orders to pick up Prench troops
at the Eastern Breakwater. I as employed on this sork
until dawn 3rd June, when I received orders to 80 to
B. and C beaches and take off the Beach lasters there,
On arrival at these beacher which were being heavily
shelled, I was unable to find any trace of there officers.
I was informed however by some troops who were enharking
in a destroyer, that the Reach Master had been taken
off by another destroyer. Having obtained confirmation
of this, I returned to Dunkirk, but found all the ships
had left.
6.
It was now daylight and 1 set course for
Dover. Shortly afterwards my engine broke down and the
lifeboat was taken in tow by a motor host, 1 Sorroued
a mechanic from this hoat who succeded in getting the
engine running again, when we cast off.
A little laten the engine caught fire, and
became completely useless. The crew WGTV taken aff by
a C.M.B. from Dover and an the lifeboat var of very

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505
4.
At dawn 2nd June, having embarked 70 soldiers
and finding every ship had left, I proceeded towards
Dover. Halfway across the Straits I sighted a paddle
steamer, and put the soldiers onboard her, A.L.C. 10
arrived at Dover about 1000 where I reported to the
Captain in charge of Auxiliary Services, asking for
a mechanic to repair my starboard engine,
I received orders to leave A.L.C. 10 at
Dover and to take charge of the Royal National
Lifeboat Jane Holland.
5.
I proceeded in this vessel under tax, at
1600 2nd June with orders to pick up French troops
at the Eastern Breakwater. 1 was employed on this 2018
until dawn 3rd June, when I received orders to go to
B. and C beaches and take off the Reach Masters there.
On arrival at these beacher which were being heavily
shelled, I was unable to find any trace of there officers.
I was informed however by some troops who were emhariting
in a destroyer, that the Reach Master had been taken
off by another destroyer. Having obtained confirmation
of this, I returned to Dunkirk, but found all the ships
had left.
It was now daylight and I set course for
6. Shortly afterwards my engine broke down and the
Dover. taken in tox by a motor host, 1 horrowed the
lifeboat a mechanic was from this heat who succeded in getting
engine running again, when we cast off.
little later the engine daught fire, aff and
completely A useless. The crew 1674 taken very by
became a C.M.B. from Dover and as the lifeboat var of

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Dynam 286.
193
SECRET.
Use of Landing Craft during the
Evacuation of the B.R.F.
APPENDIX "A"
PART III
Report by Sub. Lieut. E.R. Ponsonby R.N.V.R.
The City of Christchurch with A.L.C. 10
and M.L.C. Nos. 12, 17, 21, and 22 anboard arrived off
Dover at midnight 31st May 1940,
At 0900 an 1st June orders were received
to place A.L.C. 10 and M.L.C. 31 and 82 in the water
and to embark sufficient fuel and water for 48 hrs
running over and above that which was already in them,
(sufficient for 130 miles), using the utmost despatch,
This was completed by 1130,
2.
At 1430 orders were received for the City
of Christchurch to drop all the Landing Craft off Buoy
The These were then to proceed to the beach, and to
return to Dover, under their own power, the following
morning. M.C.C. 17 was unfit for service owing to
a hole in her water pump, and was therefore left behind,
3.
The craft left Buoy W at 2130 and proceeded
in line ahead I, myself being in A.L.C. 10.
On arrival at the beach I found it impossible
to keep all the craft under my personal control owing
to the number of boats that were there, and I therefore
gave orders for each coxswain to carry on independantly.

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4.
At dawn and June, having embarked 70 soldiers
and finding every ship had left, I proceeded towards
Dover, Halfway across the Straits I sighted a paddle
steamer, and put the soldiers onboard her, A.L.C. 10
arrived at Dover about 1000 where I reported to the
Captain in charge of Auxiliary Services, asking for
a mechanic to repair my starboard engine.
I received orders to leave A.L.C. 10 at
Dover and to take charge of the Royal National
Lifeboat Jane Holland.
5.
I proceeded in this vessel under tow, at
1600 2nd June with orders to sick up French troons
at the Eastern Breakwater. 1 was employed on this work
until dawn 3rd June, when 1 received orders to 80 to
B, and C beacher and take off the Beach Basters there.
on arrival at there beacher which were being heavily
shelled, I was unable to find any trace of there officers
I was informed however by some troops who were embarking
in a destroyer, that the Reach Haster had been taken
off by another destroyer. Having obtained confirmation
of this, 1 returned to Dunkirk, but found all the ships
had left.
6.
It was now daylight and I not courre for
Dover, Shortly aftervards my engine broke down and the
lifeboat was taken in tox by a motor boat, I borrowed
a mechanic from this hoat who succeded in getting the
engine running again, when we cast off.
A little later the engine crught fire, and
became completely useless. The crew were taken off by
a C.M.R. from Dover and an the lifeboat was of very

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