TNA ADM 199 790

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NARRATIVE OF EVENTS 26th. MAY TO 5th. JUNE I940, EVACUATION
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OF BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE FROM DUNKIRK AND BEACHES TO
THE EASTWARD BY H.M.S.SUTTON. FOURTH MINESWEEPING FLOTILLA.
Sunday 26th. May. Raised steam and unlocked from Royal Dock,
Grimsby. Sailed at 1900, Salamander and Fitzroy in
Company. sea. Sutton as Senior Officer. Fresh W.Wind, slight
On passage several Aircraft seen and heard,
mostly friendly. Passed by Galatea and destroyers.
Monday 27th. May. Light breeze, calm sea, maximum visibility.
Anchored in Downs by orders of Dover at 1600.
Skipjack and Halcyon anchored near by. Destroyers full
of Troops continually passing at high speed.
Tuesday 28th. May. Calm, some rain, visibility one mile.
I545, Weighed and proceeded to Dunkirk, Fourth M.S.F. in
company with Salam Skipjack, later joined by Halcyon.
1730, steering jammed, reduced speed and proceeded under
hand steering.
I750, 6th. M.S.F. coming up astern, steering repaired,
proceeded at I5 knots,
I825, Kwinte Bank Buoy abeam, Ship sinking in vicinity,
rejoined 4th. M.S.F. Hurricanes passing overhead.
2030, more Hurricanes, sighted Dunkirk fires IO miles,
weather clearing, Fitzroy detatched to investigate boat.
2050, turnedtowards beaches and proceeded East, parallel.
Observed large numbers of troops at intervals along beach
near Dunkirk, with more scattered and decreasing groups
towards la Panne. Desultory gunfire. No aircraft in sight.
2125, anchored off beach about four miles East of Dunkirk,
in four fathoms. No troops visible, owing to smoke and
approaching darkness. Motor boat and whaler sent ashore
to contact troops. Troops appeared from sand dunes in
disorganised parties, mostly R.A.S.C. and R.E's who had
lately been engaged on demolition of bridges, ammunition
dumps and railheads. Troops were rather shaken by constant
air attacks, with machine guns. They had been waiting on
the beaches for 30 hours before contacting ships. Very
critical of lack of Allied air support during whole of
retreat, but were cheerful and disciplined. Rather exhausted
after forced marches of 20 to 30 miles. Reported no
embarkation organisation or control ashore. The clean
shaven and comparatively fresh appearance of the troops
and the condition of their equipment, contrasted increasingly
as the evacuation progressed, with the evidences of strain
shown by Ships companies of H.M.Ships.
103 troops embarked between 2130 and 0200, in
batches of 25, mostly with rifles and eqipment. Beach good
for embarkation, shelving sand and calm weather.
Wednesday 29th. 0300. Moved to anothe position further East
commenced May. bringing off troops but motor boat broke down,
and after dragging anchor into shallow water where by now
a considerable surf was running, managed to get a line into
a Dutch scoot, and was towed back to ship. Embarked small
detatchment of Leicestershire Regiment.
0730, proceeded alongside Calcutta, who was anchored Salamander some
miles off shore, and disembarked all troops,
following.