TNA ADM 199 790

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Embarkation proceeded at rate of 3 to 4,000 an hour.
Troops were now consisting mainly of the Fighting Corps,
all the non-combatant troops in the area having been
evacuated. The display of this Corps Troops was
noticeably superior - - previous detachments had reached the
embarkation point in a straggling manner with scarcely
any semblance of order. The Corps Troops marched in
formation along the beaches, quickly scattering during
an air raid, and reforming and continuing afterwards.
It was this order which enabled such a high rate of
embarkation to be maintained.
At 1800 I proceeded with Brigadier Perminter by
Motor Boat to La Panne to G.H.Q. to report on the difficult
situation vis-a-vis the French over the evacuation. When
on board EXPRESS I made a signal to the Admiralty and to
V.A. Dover giving an appreciation of the situation as
follows :-
"Bombing of beaches and Dunkirk pier hasnow commenced
without opposition from fighters. If they hit
Dunkirk pier embarkation will become very jammed.
Beach at La Panne covered with troops congregating
in large numbers. Very slow embarkation taking place
from Restern Beach.
The French Staff at Dunkirk feel strongly that they
are defending Dunkirk for us to evacuate, which is
largely true. To continue evacuation my appreciation
is as follows -
The perimeter must be strongly held, food and stores
immediately provided, and bombing of Dunkirk pier
must be prevented.
There is no other Alternative evacuation to take off
mone than a tithe of men now on beach before they
are bombed continuously."
In Dunkirk itself we were left in comparative peace
by enemy aircraft until the evening. V.A. Dover's 1906/29
received, reading :-
"Evacuation of British troops to continue at
maximum speed during the night. If adequate
supply or personnel vessels cannot be maintained