Admiralty records concerning Operation Dynamo and the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk, dating from 1940.
Source: The National Archives, Kew, ADM 199/790. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
1 matching pages. OCR may contain transcription errors.
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42 46 30th may shortly after. Embarkation proceeded thereafter at a good steady rate. IsV.A.,Dorer Following signal was made at 0930:- "Troops are concentrated in unlimited numbers just East of Dunkirk Beach, on Bray Beaches and at La Panne. Please do your best to distribute. I am getting along splendidly here. Send two hospital ships now. If mist persists I will bring them in on arrival." At 0943 the following Situation Report was made:- Concur are 1700 k/cs. I have no M.T.B. and can only communicate with U.K. by French wireless station, or when destroyers are in sight. If conditions remain as at present a destroyer alongside continuously for embarkation would be a magnificent help. The moment bombing starts all must shove off". At 0950 I made following signal:- "If this weather persists I want a ship every half an hour". The whole morning was misty and ideal for embarkation but few ships arrived and a great opportunity was again lost. Hospital ships also did not arrive until afternoon and there were over one thousand wounded waiting for transportation. At 1600 two destroyers arrived. At 1700 a car was sent for me to go to G.H.Q. and I turned over the duties of S.N.O. to Commander Maund. Friday at 1836 following signal was made:- "Am leaving for G.H.Q. for about two days and I have turned over the job of N.S.O. to Commander Maund who fully understands the situation and has everything well in hand." At 1846 following signal was made:- "Embarkation proceeding steadily despite intermittent bombing attacks and bombardments. Conditions appear favourable for good progress tonight. Request all available craft may be made available both for Dunkirk and beaches. Number embarked to date only with destroyers 13,000." At 2025 a Situation Report was made as follows:- "Despite intense bombardment and air attack four thousand troops have been embarked during last hour. Dunkirk will be untenable by Friday morning. Embarkation Every possible effort will be made. I consider will be continued until last moment but depend upon large ships and destroyers at Pier tonight." As