Details

JAVA(1)
Tug (W. Watkins Ltd.)
W. Jones, Master.
Cdr. J.S.M. Glendinning,
R.N.R. (2) (Retd.)
28th May
1500
Left Ramsgate for Dunkirk.
The following ships in company:
Drifters: Lord Rodney, Lord Keith
Lord Collingwood, and Lord St.
Vincent page
M/L's: Walker I, Walker II, New
Britannic, Nayland and Angler II. (3)
29th May
0100
Anchored off Braye-Dunes in 3 fathoms.
Walker I and II went in to the beach.
Finding no troops they proceeded into
Dunkirk harbour.
0430ca
Lowered Java's small boats and sent them
and the 4 drifters in to ferry troops
from shore to ships.
1000
All drifters and boats taken to Dunkirk
pier, where they were filled with
troops.
Clouston?
1200ca
Leaving Walker I and II for the use of
N.O.I.C. Pier, Dunkirk, [
]
proceeded to La Panne where all
troops were transferred to the cr.
Calcutta.
p.m.
Shifted to Dunkirk beach and continued
ferrying.
1700
No ships lying off. Filled all ships
possible and proceeded to Ramsgate.
-
When 5 miles out, rescued 2 British
airmen from a plane in the sea.
1745ca
One mile further, rescued troops from
the sunken P.M/S. Waverley. Continued
on course for Ramsgate.
30th May
0930ca
Ramsgate. Disembarked 80 British and
40 Allied troops. (4)
1st June( 6)
-
Java took off 150 Allied troops from
the tr. Jacinta, which was "stranded
on the wreck of the Merl", near N.
Goodwins L.V., and landed them at
1830
Ramsgate. (5)
Total 120
Authority - R.O.II, 574,
R.O.III, pp. 268, 484, 486, 487.
W.W.
(1) This report is a combination of the reports of Cdr.
Glendinning and Capt. Jones. The first 3 dates the (29th-31st
May) in the latter's report are 1 day ahead of
correct date and have been amended accordingly.
(3) Capt. Jones says there were only 4 motor D.R. boats.
(2) Cdr. Glendinning was on board 28th-30th May.
(5) (4) Not Ramsgate mentioned in D.R. Ramsgate report states that Allied Java
report. Not mentioned in
(6) The The 150 in Ramsgate report that at 1250 troops on appears June,
and "Q.H." Allied troops have been "credited"to 1st
together landed 30 B.E.F. and 150 Jacinta. troops.
to the be Java an error. Incidentally it 18 not mentioned D.R.
recording landed 95 B. E.F. and 201 Allied in
83

Details

LORD RODNEY
LORD KEITH
R. Durrant, Master
LORD ST. VINCENT
Drifter
R. Pye, Master.
LORD COLLINGWOOD
ANGLER II(
NAYLAND( 1)
NEW BRITANNIC
M/L's
WALKER I(1)
W. Matthews, Cox.
WALKER II (1)
A. Cadman, Cox.
P. King, Cox.
28th May
1430
A convoy consisting of the above
vessels left Ramsgate for Dunkirk,
in company with the tug Java
(Cdr. J. Glendinning, R.N.R.)
29th May
0100
The convoy arrived off Bray.
Walker I and Walker II went into the
beach, and then proceeded up to
Dunkirk harbour.
0530ca
Small boats from the tug and the
drifter ferried troops from the shore
to ships.
1000
All ships were ordered by a destroyer
to go to Dunkirk pier, where troops
were embarked.
Leaving Walker I and Walker II for
the use of N.O.I.C. Pier, Dunkirk,
the remaining ships sailed for
Ramsgate. On leaving the Zuydcoote
Pass, however, the cr. Calcutta
1230
ordered all troops to be transferred
to her and the drifters and M/L's to
1250
return to the beaches.
This they did, and carried on towing
boats and ferrying troops.
1900
No ships remaining to be filled, the
drifters and M/L's sailed for
Ramsgate with troops; the tug Java
in company.
30th May
0520
Troops landed at Ramsgate as follows(2)
to
Lord Collingwood & Keith 645.
0740
Lord St. Vincent 150.
lst June
0930
New Britannic disembarked at Ramsgate
83 troops. (2)
1650
Walker I disembarked at Ramsgate 29
troops. (2)
2nd June
0703
The Nayland disembarked 28 troops at
Ramsgate. (2)
Note: She is also recorded to have
disembarked troops at 0740 and
1120(1) - BO must have been
ferrying troops from off-lying
ships to Ramsgate harbour.
4th June
0635
The Walker II disembarked 76 troops at
Ramsgate. (2)
(1) Not mentioned in D.R's list of ships.
(2) Ramsgate report.
194

Details

Details

PLAG OFFICER IN CHARGE
17JUN1940
HARWICH
H.M.S. "Watchful"
547
Great Yarmouth.
8th June, 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the report of proceedings of the
"M" Drifters attached to Yarmouth Base (H.M.S. "Watchful") whilst
employed on Operation "Dynamo".
30.5.40. 2345.
Flotilla sailed Yarmouth for Ramsgate,
arreed
to
good
Yes
a
the
544
From:- Commander J. Glendinning, R.N.R.
Date:- 5th June 1940.
To:-
Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
as
28th May.
1430
Left Ramsgate for Dunkirk in the tug JAVA with the
following ships in company:-
Drifters. Lord Rodney, Lord Keith, Lord Collingwood
and Lord St. Vincent.
Motor Launches. Walker I, Walker II, New Brittanic,
Nayland and Angler II.
29th May.
D
illed
0100
Arrived off Bray dunes and anchored in 3 fthms water
and sent Walker I and Walker II in to the beach to
ng
try to find men; all troops seemed to be hiding in
on
the sands. Walker I and Walker II then proceeded
then
hour
As up dawn came I lowered all small boats from the Java
to Dunkirk Harbour.
in all
its to
and the beach filling motor boats and transferring shore. from
all drifters and worked with them right into
1000
Ordered motor a destroyer to take all ships to Dunkirk to fill
boats to bigger ships lying off
pier, On possible and return, leaving Dunkirk. I
by arrival there I received orders Walker
i. Mann,
ived
up as much II as for the use of N.O.I.C. Pier, by H.M.S.
On Calcutta leaving to transfer all troops worked on board all afternoon
and Walker Tuydercoot Pass I was ordered herand on
return to the beaches. army We collapsible boats off shore. off the
beaches the beaches, and filling towing larger more ships ships lying lying off to to fill
1900
At
up, this so time filled there all were craft no possible and returned
Ramsgate.
30th May.
0930
Arrived THE
During but were 30th.
arrival the chance in harbour of a at 1100 on May

Details

28
265
COPY.
BATEMAN Engineer.
ANGLER II.
Diving overboard and rescuing 5 people, and
clearing propeller.
Hold in hand for next batch of recommends.
Stamp: N.O.I.C.
6/6/40.
Ramsgate.

Details

WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY
CHAP. VI
Calcutta contacts Lord Gort
On receipt of this signal at 0345 the Calcutta, which had already been embark-
ing troops from La Panne beach, sent her boats in again, in charge of Mr. F.J.
March, Gunner. Mr. March made personal contact with Lord Gort about
8 miles inland, and placed the Calcutta at his disposal for his or his staff's evacua-
tion. Lord Gort, however, courteously refused to be evacuated at this
stage¹.
La Panne beach cleared of troops
Meanwhile the Calcutta was proceeding with the embarkation, having en-
listed the assistance of the minesweepers Sutton and Salamander, the tug Java,
five drifters2, and three motor launches³. By 1357 the Calcutta had embarked
1200 troops, with whom she proceeded to Sheerness.
In addition to the ships assisting the Calcutta, 7 minesweepers4, 4 skoots5,
and 5 destroyers⁶ also embarked troops from La Panne beach. Of the
destroyers, the Greyhound was bombed and severely damaged (see p.42).
The minesweepers embarked, in all, 3415 troops, the skoots 1137 and the des-
troyers 2100. The tramp Yewdale and the motor vessels Beal and Bullfinch
between them brought off 1,854. The assault landing craft A.L.C.15 ferried
about 750 troops from the beaches to off-lying ships, and finally transported
25 to Dover ; the A.L.C.5 also ferried troops throughout the day.
The paddle-minesweeper Oriole had beached herself at La Panne at about
0600, thus permitting about 2,500 troops to pass over her decks to be embarked
by other ships before she refloated at about 1800. In this connection, Sub-
Lieut. Croswell, who had been landed at La Panne at about 0600 with a small
beach party in the Harvester's motor skiff, says : " On the beach we found
14 boats which we launched. A line ferry was established from a paddle-
steamer [the Oriole] which was aground close inshore, and this steamer served
as a pier alongside which other boats were able to come.
Throughout
the
day embarkation continued."
Later in his report, Sub-Lieut. Croswell says " About 1400
bombing
commenced - there were no casualties though 8 heavy bombs fell within 100
yards of the place of embarkation. A supply ship [the danlayer Nautilus]
to the right of the beach was fired and destroyed by a near miss, and a destroyer
[the Greyhound] was hit by an incendiary bomb [in fact she was severely
damaged by a near miss] but continued in action. I joined up with the Army
Staff controlling evacuation - there were no other naval officers at La Panne.⁷
About 2300
I requested that piers should be built but was told nothing
could be done that night.
Lord Gort arrived on the beach on Thursday
morning [30th May] and asked what could be done to assist. I again sug-
gested erection of piers, and under Colonel Porter's direction this was begun,
the pier at La Panne being ready and in use by 1400".
I Calcutta's report.
2 The Golden Sunbeam, Lord Rodney, Lord Keith, Lord St. Vincent, and Lord Collingwood.
3 The Angler II, Nayland and New Britannic.
4 The Emperor of India, Gracie Fields, Halcyon, Hebe, Oriole, Princess Elizabeth and
Waverley.
5 The Reiger, Doggersbank, Jutland and Oranje.
6 The Shikari, Harvester, Anthony, Sabre and Greyhound.
7 Sub. Lt. Croswell was not given orders by his commanding officer to remain ashore.
He says as at La Panne there was no liaison between Army and Navy, I realised I could
do a much more useful job by remaining there," and he stayed there until 1st June. Com-
menting on this, Lt. Cdr. M. Thornton, R.N., Captain of the Harvester says: " This young
officer wisely accepted responsibility of missing his ship and then took charge of the beaches
and embarkation.
(C.W.23187/40.)
47

Details

INDEX
References are to pages.
A.5, (Belgian), 107n. 29.
Abrial, Abel Admiral, 12, 51, 61, 68, 85, 96, 105-7, 113, 115, 116, 120.
Tasman, 20,
Abukir, Adam, Lt. sunk, Gen. 28. Sir R., 18 (organises Dunkirk bridgehead), 26, 35.
Advance, 53.
Adventuress, 60n.
Aegir, 91.
Aidie, 71n, 95 (sunk).
Ahola, 71n.
Air, (see Royal Air Force) : cover for evacuation ships, 5; co-operation with B.E.F., 7;
co-operation with Navy, 123 ; German ordered to concentrate attacks on shipping, 83.
Aircraft, Naval operating under Coastal Command, XIII.
Albury, 28n, 44, 53-4, 86, 97, 107n, 109, 114n, 116, 119.
A.L.C.3, 52.
A.L.C.5, 47, 52 (rushed by French troops).
A.L.C.4, 51, damaged.
A.L.C.8, 52, 75n.
A.L.C.15, 47, 51, 75n.
A.L.C.16, 45 (sunk), 52.
A.L.C.17, 45, 52 (breaks down).
A.L.C.18, 52 (damaged).
Alcmaria, 71n.
Aldis, Capt. T., 108.
Alexander, Maj.-Gen. Hon. H.R.L.G., 66 (assumes command), 68, 84, 85, 96 (to decide
when evacuation must end), 98, 103, 105, 108 (embarks),
Alice, 20, 29, 30 (abandoned).
Alphacca, 101.
Amazone, 29n.
Ambleve, 60.
A.M.C.3, 71n, 75n.
Amiral du Nord, see Abrial, Adm.
Amulree, 71n, 74 (sunk).
Anderson, Lieut. C. C., 67.
Andora, 71n.
Angèle Marie, 62n, 73n.
Angler II, 32n, 47n.
Ankh, 71n, 74 damaged.
Anna Marguerite, 73n.
Anna Marie, 73.
Anthony, 20n, 23, 24n, 27, 30, 42, 47n, 53, 54n, 55, 64 (damaged), 80.
Archangel, 19, 28.
Argyllshive, sunk, 85.
Arley, 13n, 39, 44.
Aronia, 71n.
Arras, 62, 69.
Arras, lost, 6.
Aura, lost, 100.
Autocarrier, 114n, 118.
Balloons, 75, 84.
Balquhain, 72n.
Barbara Jean, 71n, 95 (sunk).
Barker, Lt.-Gen. M. G. H., 2.
Base Party, British Naval, embarks, 102.
Basilisk, 61, 86, 90-91 (sunk).
Bat, 63.
Bathelemy General, 120.
Beach parties, 21, 49, 65, 70, 77, 79-83.
Beaches embarkation begins, 17, 22 allotted to troops, 18; organised, 23, 31n, 75n
all ships diverted to, 23, 24 ; first supplies reach, 26; weather affects embarkation,
difficulties, 57, 81 ; crowded with troops, 58; difficulties of control, 58 ; marked by
36, 48, 69-70; development of evacuation from, 54, 60; changing situation causes
lights, 58-9; no ships off, 59-60; strewn with motor transport, 69; 30,000 troops
195

Details

PLAG OFFICER IN CHARGE
17JUN1940
*
HARWICH
H.M.S. "Watchful"
547
Great Yarmouth.
8th June, 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the report of proceedings of the
"M" Drifters attached to Yarmouth Base (H.M.S. "Watchful") whilst
employed on Operation "Dynamo".
30.5.40. 2345.
Flotilla sailed Yarmouth for Ramsgate,
to
good
Yes a
B.
544
From:- Commander J. Glendinning, R.N.R.
Date:- 5th June 1940.
To:-
Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
dd
28th May.
1430 Left Ramsgate for Dunkirk in the tug JAVA with the
following ships in company:-
Drifters. Lord Rodney, Lord Keith, Lord Collingwood
and Lord St. Vincent.
Motor Launches. Walker I, Walker II, New Brittanic,
29th May.
Nayland and Angler II.
0100
2
Arrived off Bray dunes and anchored in 3 fthms water
illed
and sent Walker I and Walker II in to the beach to
ng
try to find men; all troops seemed to be hiding in
on
the sands. Walker I and Walker II then proceeded
then
up to Dunkirk Harbour.
hout
As dawn came I lowered all small boats from the Java
in all
and all drifters and worked with them right into
its to
the beach filling motor boats and transferring from
motor boats to bigger ships lying off shore.
1000
Ordered by a destroyer to take all ships to Dunkirk
pier, On arrival there I received orders to fill
up as much as possible and return, leaving Walker I
i. Mann,
and Walker II for the use of N.O.I.C. Pier, Dunkirk.
ived
On leaving Tuydercoot Pass I was ordered by H.M.S.
Calcutta to transfer all troops on board herand
return to the beaches. We worked all afternoon on
the beaches, towing army collapsible boats off the
At this time there were no more ships lying off to fill
beaches and filling larger ships lying off shore.
1900
up, so filled all craft possible and returned to
30th 0930 May.
Ramsgate.
Arrived Ramsgate.
During the daylight operations the boats attacks, crews
were subjected worked on with a good heart, until
all to continuous dive-bombing without
but all men of a meal from p.m. May 30th. 28th
arrival the chance in harbour at 1100 on May