Details

Details

return
**
SOT VSSINED
Lost at Unknown Dunkirk
.op
LSOT
*xoudds
DID
.op
IseasV
DYI
Name of Vessel
Cause and Position
Remarks.
and G.R.T.
Date
LARK
1/6
At Dunkirk.
Abandoned on
Sailing barge
beach.
pelto
G.R.T. 67
D.W.
140
2/6
Stranded on Bryr Brayne
Abandoned.
Tug. awold
Sands off Dunkirk.
Carrying 100
G.R.T. 105
troops. All
to
benobriada
Shink
taken off.
About
to
S.S.TRAIN FERRY
bandoned on beach at
LOST.
No.2.
12/6
Le Havre during
est .T.B.O
G.R.T.2678.
operations.
D.W.
MISSAI MAZOO
credition
S.S. BRUGES
About
Bombed off Le Havre.
SUNK. 781 .T.R.O
P.C.
Benands Due beriosed
DXL
G.R.T.2949
to
D.W
741
88 .T.R.O
Je nottanosve gnizub
11.0
.TEIRESIAS
17/6
Bombed off St. Nazaire
BELIEVED SUNK.
NOSTW Benyemous Honato
in 47. 7°N. 2°23'W 8\1
G.R.T.7405
ENTERSETAS
Intrant Ja
D.W. 9644
anovivous anthosez
Wosed
S.S. DIDO.
18/6
At Brest. Abandoned.
Blown up in.8.0
G.R.T.3554
Dry Dock.
.W.G
D.W. 5050
hedmen
MARL APARTAS
.MURMANSK.
19/6
Grounded at Brest.
Abandoned. 11188
Trawler.
G.R.T. 348
.T.R.O
D.W.
DOS
.W.O
S.LUFFWORTH.
Prev.
Abandoned at Brest.
SUNK.
Tramp.
21/6.
G.R.T. 279.
.T.H.O
D.W. 370
our
.W.G
S.S.LANCASTRIA.
17/6
Bombed. Position
SUNK.
P.C.
unknown.
G.R.T.16,243.
D.W. 13,226.
or
M.V. KUFRA.
23/6
Rammed by 'San Diego'
SUNK.
C.L.
in 44° 11' 2°W.
G.R.T. 4364
D.W. 2724
S.S. "MONA'S QUEEN" 29/5/40.
Sunk by enemy action
29 survived.
off Dunkirk.
26 lost.
S.S. "LADY ROSEBERY"
1/6
SUNK.
Aux. sailing barge
Abandoned at
G.R.T. 109
Dunkirk.
"DUCHESS".
1/6
During operations at
Spritsai 11. barge
do.
Dunkirk.
G.R.T. 55 Net.
S.S. "ELLAVORE"
At Havre. Bombed by
SUNK.
G.R.T. 1302,
10/6
aircraft.

Details

THE WEEK BEFORE OPERATION "DYNAMO"
CHAP. II
the whole day, might at any time become impossible to close; were this to
happen, my last hope of reaching the coast would be gone".'
In order to secure the British northern flank Lord Gort decided to issue
orders for the occupation, as quickly as troops could be made available, of the
line of the Ypres - Comines canal and the positions covering Ypres. In the
absence of General Blanchard, who was visiting the Belgian G.Q.G. at Bruges,
Lord Gort communicated this decision that evening to the Headquarters of
the French First Group of Armies.¹
The necessity of evacuation was becoming a matter of paramount immediacy.
British destroyers bombard suburb of Calais
Meanwhile, on the 25th May, the trawler Lord Howe sailed to Calais with a
cargo of ammunition². She entered the port and discharged part of her cargo
in the face of heavy enemy fire from the dunes to the southward. In view of
the risk involved, Commodore W. P. Gandell, R.N. (P.S.T.O., French Ports),
who was on the quay, then ordered the Lord Howe to sail.
Outside Calais the destroyer Greyhound closed the Lord Howe, which was
carrying a request for bombardment support of the town. At the same time,
the Greyhound received a signal from the Vice-Admiral, Dover, ordering the
bombardment of the Calais suburb of St. Pierre. The Greyhound opened fire,
and at 2000, an H.A. battery east of Sangatte registered a hit on her, killing
2 and wounding 3. About this time the destroyer Grafton arrived and also
opened fire. The 2 destroyers returned to Dover as darkness set in.³
Evacuation of Calais countermanded
At 2130 a force of seven trawlers⁴, three yachts⁵ and two drifters⁶, sailed for
Calais road, ready to evacuate troops from Calais, the moment an order was
received to do so. Five of the trawlers towed motor boats. Commander
W. V. H. Harris, R.N. (Commander M/S, Dover), in the Grey Mist, was in
command. The destroyers Windsor and Verity left Dover at 2300, to cover
the withdrawal of this force.
On arrival off Calais, two of the motor boats were ordered into Calais harbour.
At about 0300/26, a signal was received that Calais was to be held at all costs;
furthermore, it was ordered that this signal was to be sent by hand to the
Brigadier commanding on shore. The Conidaw went in to deliver the signal.
All ships were then ordered back to the Downs, but the Botanic and Maretta
remained behind until the two motor boats and the Conidaw returned.⁷
The Botanic and Maretta were damaged by gunfire when returning on the
26th May, and were unable to take part in Operation "Dynamo".
I Lord Gort's Second Despatch, para. 43.
2 Lieut. L. C. Whittle, R.N.R., in the Lord Howe, says it was the 24th May.
3 Vice-Admiral, Dover's 1907/25/5.
4 The Botanic, Fyldea, Maretta, Arley, Polly Johnson, Brock and Calvi.
6 The Grey Mist, Conidaw and Chico.
5 The Playmates and Willing Boys.
7 Report by Commander M/S, Dover (R.O. II, p. 497).
13

Details

PLAN 1
Soate of Miles
10
5
o
10
20
30
40
N
The German
break-through
on 17th.18th
KENT
OSTEND
ANTWERP
DUNKIRK LA PANNE NIEUPORT
BRUGES
18th MAY
may
13th
MAY ON MAPS IN LORD CORTS DESPATCH
R.M.
FURNES
Yser
GAND
MALINES
GRAVELINES
a
BERGUES
CALAIS
SPYKE
RIYS
R.Senna
ALOST
WORMHOUTE
th
F.
LOUVAIN
YPRES
18MAY
Phyle
WATTEN
COURTRAI
MENIN
Escaut
BRUSSELS
13th MAY
CASSEL
COMINES
BOULOGNE
StOMER
R.Dendre
WAVRE
HAZEBROUCK
ARMENTIERES
P.LYS
AIRE
MERVILLE
LILLE
ATH
R.Meuse
EXOLISH
NAMUR
StAMAND
LA BASSEE
R.Sambre
VALE CIENNES
DOUAI
Fscaut
RRA
R.
18th MAY
18thMAY
13th:MAY
CAMBRAI
DOULLENS
ABBEVILLE
R
2.50mm
ALBERT
DIEPPE
PERONNE
AMIENS
st QUENTINE
18th MAY
MEZIERES
SEDAN
R.Oire
Approximiste BritishFrenchead Belgiadine on 13ᵗʰ May:
R.Aisne
"
" " 18th " :
German break break-through shewn in blue
RMass
TSD/HS (655)
C.B.H. 16675- Wt.41534 Dd. -625-6/49

Details

PLAN 2
Scale ofMiles
to
5
o
10
20
30
40
N
The Allied
withdrawal into
18th MAY
the Dunkirk
KENT
GSTEND
.
30ᵗMAY
BRUGES
ANTWERP
PANNE
perimeter on the
+
NIEUPORT
23rd MAY
30th May
May
+
4.
FURNES
MALINES
Yser
GAND
BASED ON MAPS IN LORD GORT'S DESPATCH
LINES
C
GRAVE
STATES
BERGUES
R.Lys
ALOST
R
WORMHOUTE
LOUVAIN
CHANNEL
YPRES
COURTRAI
Escant
R.Dyle
WATTE
MENIN
BRUSSELS
.
R
St. OMER
CASSEL
COMINES
Dandre
WAVRE
BOULDONE
.
ZEBROUCK
INS
ARMENTIERES
R.
R
AIRE
MERVILLE
ATH
LILLE
23rd:MAY
Meuse
23rd MAY
St. AMAND
NAMUR
.
BASSEE
CARVIN
.
18th MAY
R.
Sambre
St.POL
.
VALENCIENNES
DOUAI
BARRAS
Escaut
a
CAMBRAI
OULLENS
BEVILLE
B
ALBERT
R.Somme
PERONNE
him
AMIENS
StQUENTIN
French 10th Arm
MEZIERES
SEDAN
R.Oise
Mause
The Dunkirk Perimeter on 30th May.
Allied line on 18th Щау
French 3rd Army R.Aisne
Approximate British, French and Belgiantine on 23rd May
German progress shewn in blue
TSD/HS (ESG)
C.B.H.16675

Details

PLAN 2
Scale ofMiles
to
5
o
10
20
30
40
&
The Allied
withdrawal into
18th MAY
the Dunkirk
KENT
GSTEND
30thmay
BRUGES
ANTWERP
PANNE
perimeter on the
NIEUPORT
23rd MAY
+ 30th May May +
+
x
FURNES
GAND
MALINES
LINES
Yser
BASED ON MAPS IN LORD GORT'S DESPATCH
C
SAYKER
BERGUES
R.Lys
ALOST
a
WORMHOUTE
LOUVAIN
CHANNEL
YPRES
COURTRAI
R.Dyle
WATTE
MENIN
BRUSSELS
.
R
St. OMER
CASSEL
COMINES
WAVRE
BOULDONE
.
Dandre
ZEBROUCK
IVS
ARMENTIERES
R.
AIRE
LALT
MERVILLE
ATH
LILLE
23rd:MAY
Meuse
23rd MAY
.
St. AMAND
NAMUR
BASSEE
CARVIN
.
18th MAY
R
Sambre
St.POL
VALENCIENNES
DOUAI
ARRAS
R.Escaut
CAMBRAI
DOULLENS
BEVILLE
B
ALBERT
Somme
PERONNE
AMIENS
him
St.QUENTIN
French 10th Army
MEDIERES
SEDAN
R.Oise
RMause
The Dunkirk Perimeter on 30th May
Allied line on 18th Щау
French 3rd Army R.Aisne
Approximate British, French and Belgiantine on 23rd May
German progress shown in blue
TSD/HS (E56)
C.B.H.16675

Details

POLLY THOMAS
008ADO
canad
MINISTRY Hotel OF SHIPPING, HOTEL,
Name of Vessel
363
and G.R.T.
8A
Date
Sailing barge
1/6
Cause and Position
20A
LARK
G.R.T. 67
At Dunkirk.
D.W. 140
M.0346/41.
List C.
1
T56le
FOSSA
Tug.
2/6
1. Ships proper lost during
H"March, 1941.
G.R.T. 105
Stranded
Dunkirk Operations.
Sands off on Dunkirk. Bryr Brayne
ed
House,
N.
S.S.TRAIN No.2. FERRY
Name.
Date lost.
About
d,
D.W. G.R.T.2678.
12/6
bandoned on at
1st June, 1940.
your letter of
ship
M.S. BASILISK
ough
S.S. P.C. BRUGES
M.S. GRAFTON
29th May, 1940.
rding herewith
ops
About
30th May, 1940.
oncerning the loss
ing
intity was a
G.R.T.2949
11/6
,M.S. GRENADE
D.W. 741
Bombed off Le Havre.
1st June, 1940.
d by you.
.M.S. HAVANT
buoy
a
S.TEIRESIAS
S
0 have been
1st June, 1940.
in
G.R.T.7405
17/6
.M.S. KEITH
PS as
ou will probably
D.W. 9644
.M.S. WAKEFUL
29th May, 1940.
roops,
tish
S.S. DIDO.
in Bombed 47.7°N. off St.Nazaire
20.
on is obtained
I.M.S. SKIPJACK
1st June, 1940.
3,733.
G.W.T.3550
ot always readily
673
18/6
H.M.S. MOSQUITO
1st June, 1940.
ers
TrawlerMANSK.
At Brest. Abandoned.
(approx)
D.W. G.R.T. 348
19/6
Blow
ncerely,
When
Dry &
Grounded at Brest.
nd about
MAhcak
oard
S.S.LUPPWORTH.
g picked
Aband
G.R.T. 279.
Prev,
D.W. 370
21/6.
isting
Abandoned at Brest.
een
S.S.LANCASTRIA.
evacuees)
G.R.T.16,243.
17/6
SUNK,
13,226.
/2/1941
Bombed. unknown. Position
Lue Coat School,
Is
M.V. KUFRA.
Church Road,
SUNK.
Wavertree,
G.R.T. 4364
23/6
LIVERPOOL, 15.
bombs
D.W. 2724
mes early
"MONA'S QUEEN' 29/5/40.
in Rammed 44° 11' by 'San 2°W. Diego'
bombs and
SUNK.
sequently
at there
DIFERRION.
sunk by H.M.S. JANUS.
10
10
1/6
off Sunk bunkirk. action
were any troops on board.
"DUCHESS"
29 survive
MAID OF KENT. Lost on 1/6/40 as the result of bombing available attacks and
G.R.T. 55 Net.
Spritsail barge
26 lost.
during no information as to any military personnel on
Dunkirk operations. No details board.
1/6
SUNK.
S.S. "ELLAVORE"
During at
Abandoned
MONA'S QUEEN. Personnel Vessel sunk by mine whilst off Dunkirk.
G.R.T. 1302.
Dunkirk
No other details available.
10/6
H.M.S. FIELDS. Received direct hit Impossible from enemy to aircraft ascertai
GRACIE while carrying 700-800 troops.
At Havre. aircraft, by
do.
number of troops killed.
SUNK.

Details

House,
Name of Vessel
and G.R.T.
Date
Cause and Position
Remarks
N.
LARK
1/6
At Dunkirk.
Abandoned on beach. ugh
Sailing barge
G.R.T. 67
tity
D.W.
140
as a
EOSSA
2/6
Stranded on Bryr Brayne
Abandoned. Carrying
Tug.
Sands off Dunkirk.
100 troops. All
G.R.T.105
taken off.
in
B as
S.S. TRAIN FERRY
About 12/6
Abandoned on beach at
LOST.
ish
NO.2.
Le Havre during
G.R.T.2678.
operations.
D.W. -
S.S. BRUGES
About 11/6
Bombed off Le Havre.
SUNK.
P.C.
G.R.T.2949
D.W. 741
S.S. TEIRESIAS
17/6
Bombed off St.Nazaire
BELIEVED SUNK.
C.L.
in 47.7°N. 2° 23'W.
G.R.T.7405
D.W. 9644
S.S. DIDO
18/6
At Brest.Abandoned.
Blown up in
G.R.T.3554
Dry Dock.
D.W. 5050
S.T.MURMANSK.
19/6
Grounded at Brest.
Abandoned.
Trawler.
G.R.T. 348.
D.W.
S.S.LUFFWORTH.
Prev.21/6.
Abandoned at Brest.
SUNK.
Tramp.
G.R.T. 279.
D.W. 370.
S.S.LANCASTRIA.
17/6
Bombed. Position
SUNK.
P.C.
unknown.
G.R.T.16,243.
D.W. 13,226.
M.V. KUFRA.
23/6
Rammed by 'San Diego'
SUNK.
C.L.
in 44° 11'M2°W.
G.R.T. 4364.
D.W. 2724.
S.S. "MONA'S QUEEN".
29/5/40
Sunk by enemy action
29 survived.
off Dunkirk.
26 lost.
S.S. "LADY ROSEBERY"
1/6
SUNK+
Aux. sailing barge
Abandoned at Dunkirk.
G.R.T. 109.
"DUCHESS".
1/6
During operations at
Spritsail barge
do.
Dunkirk.
G.R.T. 55 Net.
S.S. "ELLAVORE".
10/6
At Havre. Bombed by
SUNK.
G.R.T.1302.
aircraft.
-4-

Details

COPY.
REPORT ON LOSS OF H.M.T. "ABUKIR"
May 24th for the Downs for orders, arriving there in the
We cleared from Southampton on the afternoon of
morning of May 25th where we received orders to proceed to
Ostend, to land supplies for the B.E.F., arriving off that
port about 20.00 of the same day.
The town was then in flames and the majority of the
buildings on the sea front were in ruins, the quays and signal
stations being absolutely deserted. The pilot boarded me
when I was almost in my berth and informed me that apart from
a few French Naval Officers there was no-one of any authority
in the port.
I interviewed these Officers who apparently had no
knowledge of my ship, but suggested that I should start dis-
charging at day-break.
On the way back to the ship I met a British Army
lorry driver who told me that a Lieut Harris with 38 British
troops who were adrift from their units were standing by at a
farm about five miles outside the town. We went out and
brought them in but on our arrival back at the ship we were
bombed SO intensely - the quay being the target - that I
decided to abandon the ship until daylight. At 02.00 on May
26th I managed to get into telephone communication with the
British Mission at Bruges, who instructed me to commence dis-
charging, which I did with the assistance of the troops and the
ship's crew. We were bombed off and on throughout the day.
Later on the British Mission informed me that a British bomber
had made a forced landing at Ostend and would I try to make
contact with her crew. Lieut. Harris and myself located these
men at the Stane Aerodrome. After firing the machine, the two
officers and two men who formed her crew joined my ship later
on in the afternoon, bringing with them the machine guns and
instruments of the destroyed bomber. On the way back from the
Aerodrome we picked up another 25 British troops who had also
been separated from their units, also two wounded R.A.F. men.
At 20.00 on the 26th May the bombing became so intense
that once again we abandoned the ship until day-break, resuming
work with the assistance of Dutch Army deserters. Throughout
the day German aircraft were continually bombing us and at 15.
they started dive bombing and machine gunning us so heavily tb
once again I decided to abandon the ship, having had two
casualties, one being an R.A.F. gunner shot in the arm and a
Belgian civilian shot in the left eye. Getting through to
Bruges again they instructed me to cease discharging and to
what Army vehicles I could, the rest to be destroyed, also t.
British Mission had decided to evacuate by my ship that night
I suggested sailing after dark at 22.00 to which the
agreed. The Mission boarded me and at the stated time I cut
my lines and sailed with approximately 220 people on board in-
cluding crew, soldiers and Belgian refugees. I was followed
out of the port by the British S.S. "MARQUIS". On clearing the
entrance enemy aircraft flew over dopping Verey lights and
bombs. A call for assistance was sent out as Mr. Newman of
the British Mission had previously informed me that an escort
consisting of two destroyers would be waiting for me off the
port. This attack lasted for half an hour when the aircraft
returned to Ostend.