TNA ADM 199 788 A

SECRET
Dynam. 130.
B14/0/1119
9
12
Subject: Report on Operations in connection with the evacuation of the B.E.F. from the Dunkirk area.
From
:. The Commanding Officer, H.M.S. "Calcutta".
Date
:. 6th June 1940.
No. 061/28
To
:. The Vice-Admiral, Dover.
(Copies to:- The Commander in Chief, Nore.
The Flag Officer, 20th Cruiser Squadron
The following report on the minor part played by H.M.S. "Calcutta" in the evacuation of the B.E.F. from the Dunkirk area is submitted.
2.
In view of the vast number of reports which you will receive, it has been made as brief as possible in the form of a chronological time table of events with covering remarks at the end.
Monday 27th May
23L0
Sailed from Trinity Bay, The Downs for La Panne.
Tuesday 28th May
0115
Loud explosion about 5 cables on starboard beam probably from torpedo fired by ehemy submarine or M.T.B.
0125
Torpedo track crossing from port to starboard missed ship about 100 yards astern.
0135
M.T.B. heard and vaguely sighted bearing Green 60°.
Ship manoeuvred under large helm. No subsequent torpedo tracks or explosions seen or heard.
0248
Anchored in position 005° La Panne, air light, 310
Motor Cutter and both whalers sent in to beach to commence evacuation into paddle steamers mine sweepers "Sandown" and "Gracie Fields" who were much closer inshore. "Grafton", 'Greyhound"
and "Impulsive" also evacuating from. this beach.
0500
Opened fire on one Heinkel.
0523
Opened fire on one J U 88.
0615
Impulsive ordered to proceed to Dunkirk and go alongside East pier.
0621
Opened fire on 3 Heikels.
0625
Evacuation of beach completed. "Grafton" and
"Greyhound" proceeded. Paddle Minesweepers
"Sandown" and "Gracie Fields" ordered alongside to disembark their 700 troops into "Calcutta".
0641
Opened fire on 1 Heinkel.
0715
Weighed and proceeded to Sheerness.
1215
Arrived Sheerness, disembarked 700 troops and completed with oil fuel and provisions.
1710
Slipped from buoy and proceeded to La Panne.
2157
Anchored in position 01410 La Panne Air Light 2"
Boats sent in to the same beach as had been used previously. Heavy surf running and conditions for embarking troops extremely difficult. Only one Schoot to assist in embarkation of about 70
wounded.
Wednesday 29th May

16
CONFIDENTIAL
Dynomo
Blu/e/
12
13
15"19
Subject:. Recommendations for an award or decoration in connection with the evacuation of the B.E.F.
from the Dunkirk area.
From
The Commanding Officer, H.M.S. "Calcutte".
Date
6th June 1940.
No. 062/28
To
The Vice-Admiral, Dover.
(Copied to:- The Commander in Chief, Nore.
Q
The Flag Officer, 20th Cruiser
Squadron.)
ble d
It 1s desired to recommend the following for consideration for a decoration or award in connection with the evacuation of the B.E.F. from the Dunkirk area:-
Mr. Frederick James March, Gunner, Roayl Navy.
For his initiative and resource in charge of tro
"Calcutta's" boats and for his untiring example and energy tty in working up to his waist in heavy surf for hours on end.
S
Signalman Harry Guy O.N. C/JX 150713
n's
For his untiring energy and devotion to duty in holding the whaler's bows to a heavy surf for hours on end and whilst being continuously drenched with water rts up to the shoulders.
e
VICE ADMIRAL
D.M.fees. D.M.
t-
10 JUN 1940
*
DOVER
CAPTAIN

NAVAL OFFICER IN C.I.
ad
257
From:- Temp. Lieut. A.T. Cook, R.N.R.
Date:- 5th June, 1940.
To:- Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
At 2.30 a.m. on the 3rd instant saw motor cruiser under sail and abandoned off Dunkirk. Took her in tow and brought her to Ramsgate. Ship flying French
Mercantile flag, valued about £1,000 and should be open to salvage for myself and crew. Launch belongs to the Skylark Shipbuilding Co., Poole, and has
3 mile limit off Britain for cruising.

441
To present a comprehensive view of the whole of the naval operations at Dunkirk between May 27th and June 5th is a task for the historian. No man who took an active part can hope to describe anything beyond the activities of his own particular unit or section, and only with the passing of time will the expert be able to piece together the various reports of all who took part.
This is the story of the small motor-boats and the part they played, but even here a connected narrativeis difficult, if not impossible. Each boat with its own tiny crew was thrown more or less upon its own resources; and upon the fortunes of war and the initiative of each boat's captain depends the story each may subsequently tell.
From all around the compass they came. From up the river, along the coast, from the yachting harbours, the pleasure beaches, Naval ports and fishing towns - anything that would float, move under its own power, and collect a dozen men or SO
from the beaches where they waited.
The first assembly to gather at Sheerness was typical of the whole of this miniature armada. A dozen or so of motor yachts from 20' to 50' in length; nicely equipped and smartly maintained by proud individual owners; a cluster of cheap
"conversion jobs" mainly the work of amateur craftsmen who had set to work in their spare time to convert a ship's lifeboat or any old half-discarded hull into a cabin cruiser of sorts for week-end trips on the quiet waters of the up-river reaches.