TNA ADM 199 790

170
. 175
(3)
Motor boat towing vhaler and too essy pontecns. lines provious day plar had boon constructed by driving art Lorries at obb tido in line and securing plants on top, considerably oxpediting loading of bonto, though embaritation ruto was closed considerably by Lock of control at shoro and of plar to novo troops along and by natural reluctance of troops to venture along pier without being relieved of part of their heavy equipment. Somo difficulty experienced in loading too of 4 boato without smaching up ageinst plane in swall, and in hendling pontome in for in provailing conditions which tended to reduce emborketion rate. Bonto available quito inadequato, largo open notor beach borto required, together with vencol. enchored or our whord of pier to give a 100 if necessary with oil slide provided. During enbortation
Sutton collected coldiers from overtumed pontoon. Allowed to bronch in swell. Three believed dramed mainly the to lack of foresight of shore authorities in allowing troops to emback with full equipment and overcoats in detoriorating weather conditions. 120 tecago omberked montly 3,S,,
ReAdy RAIS.C. with a for infortaynen ml guards, moralo very good but very critical of Lock of R.M.P. support and Solgium treathory bohind lines.
Country code to be filled with adoo, night poultions during retreat soon to be signatted by flamlight to plened, banbed within half on hour of being ontablished. Surgelning apood of advance of Commo against positions being propared and against (ive boolding also
Important factors.
1137. Walghed enchor and discharged tedogo alonguide lydi, 1SA8
and DOB Ancreasing alightly, rather low cloud.
1190. Proceedod North Goodsin 60, Voccal to and the for nomb readeavous. tydd and Room procession to Mergabo to Mocharge treaps.
1530. Anchored où North Goodidn St. Voncol.
1055. Weighod and proceeded to Dunkiris in company with Riger.
Passed great number of mall creft, 00 will 00 Controyors and paddlors.
2115. Pessod Dunitize Herbour docume 1 cable. Heavy genfire from boach about 2 milos word of Herboury apparently enemy chelling tom.
Pires in Dunident more expensive.
2147. Anchored off bonch between La Pomo end No algn
2235. Boat from shore reported troops further to content, only or bonto an expected.
boat available nun aground. Moved 1 allo customerd.
Security 194 June 0200: No troops yet contrated, to bonto except
Subton's available. Several minolaying aircraft overhood, observed parechuto minos deconding about 3 cables should and 1 cable astern.
Mines reported dropped all over folrway.
0190. Commenced loading broops with our oun notor bont and wholer
Troops ship's Refe and infentryment Including guards, 3. Yorks., after and lifeboat found off booth. Lator contated by motor yacht. and mohine montly detechment. No. RedePe before or One dram.
Opened gun occapional aircraft at drum. whilet lovel bombing fire on at about 9000 foot followed by mechino gunding in omborizing boing halped over the aldo. This heavy gun attack wounded from postecns alongaide, 000 commity mechino receiving wounds attack undoubtodly but would ted Lowis gun and Bron toxido manned Bron the back whilet have boon prossed home country the
Bin ships defence 4.0. for the largo chip's lifebook breings 1940
for concernte Dotachment of low flying.
M.M.S. "SUTTON"

179
- 183
(3)
Motor boat towing whaler and two army pontoons. Since previous day pier had been constructed by driving out lorries at ehb tide in of line and securing planks on top, considerably expediting loading boats, though embarkation rate was slowed considerably by lack of control at shore end of pier to move troops along and by natural reluctance of troops to venture along pier without beding relieved of part tow of their heavy equipment. Some difficulty experienced in loading pontoons in tow in prevailing conditions which tended to reduce embarkation of 4 boats without smashing up against pier in swell, and in handling rate. Boats available quite inadequate, large open motor beach boats required, together with vessel anchored hocadside or sunk athead of pier
Sutton collected soldiers from overturned pontoon. Allowed to broach in to give a lee if necessary with oil &td provided. During embarkation awell. Three believed drowned mainly due to lack of foresight of shore authorities in allowing troops to embark with full equipment and overcoats in deteriorating weather conditions. 120 troops embarked mostly R.B.,
R.A., R.A.S.C. with a few infantrymen and guards, morale very good but very critical of lack of R.A.F. support and Belgium treachery behind lines.
Country said to be filled with spies, night positions during retreat seen to be scignalled by flashlight to planes, bombed within half an hour of being established. Surprising speed of advance of Germans against positions being prepared and defencelessness against dive bombing also important factors.
1137. Weighed anchor and discharged troops alongside Lydd. Widd and sea increasing slightly, rather low cloud.
1150. Proceeded North Goodwin Lt. Vessel to await time for next rendezvous. Lydd and Ross proceeded to Margate to discharge troops.
1538. Anchored at North Goodwin Lt. Vessel.
1855. Weighed and proceeded to Dunkirk in company with Niger.
Passed great number of small craft, as well as destroyers and paddlers.
2115. Passed Dunkirk Harbour distant 1 cable. Heavy gunfire from beach about 2 miles west of Harbour, apparently enemy shalling town.
Fires in Dunkirk more expensive.
2147. Anchored off beach between La Panne and Dunkirk. No sdgn of boats as expected.
2235. Boat from shore reported troops further to eastward, only boat available run aground. Moved 1 mile eastward.
Saturday 1st June 0100: No troops yet contacted, No boats except
Sutton's available. Several minelaying aircraft overhead, observed parachute mines decending about 3 cables ahead and 1 cable astern.
Mines reported dropped all over fairway.
0130. Commenced loading broops with our own motor boat and whaler and ship's lifeboat found off beach. Later assisted by motor yacht.
Troops mostly R.A. and infantrymen including guards, 3. Yorks., and machine gun detachment. No. R.A.F. assistance before or after dawn.
Opened fire on occasional reconnaisance aircraft at dawn. One level bombing attack at about 5000 feet followed by machine gunning whilst in the back whilst being helped over the side. This machine gun attack embarking wounded from pontoons alongaide, one casualty receiving wounds undoubtedly would have been pressed home causing very heavy casualties but for concentrated Lewis gun and Bren gun fire from troops, who manned ships M.G. armament. Detachment of Guards also offered to provide Bren gun defence for the large ship's lifeboat against occasional low flying.

-188
102
(3)
Motor boat towing whaler and two army pontoons. Since previous day pier had been constructed by driving out lorries at ebb tide in line and securing planks on top, considerably expediting loading of boats, though embarkation rate was slowed considerably by lack of control at shore end of pier to move troops along and by natural reluctance of troops to venture along pier without being relieved of part of their heavy equipment. Some difficulty experienced in loading tow of 4 boats without smashing up against pier in swell, and in handling pontoons in tow in prevailing conditions which tended to reduce embarkation rate. Boats available quite inadequate, large open motor beach boats required, together with vessel anchored broadside or sunk at head of pier to give a lee if necessary with oil slick provided.
During embarkation, Sutton collected soldiers from overturned pontoon. allowed to broach in swell. Three believed drowned mainly due to lack of foresight of shore authorities in allowing troops to embark with full equipment and overcoats in deteriorating weather conditions. I20 troops embarked mostly
R.E., R.A. R.A.S.C. with a few infantrymen and guards, morale very good but very critical of lack of R.A.F support and Belgium treachery behind lines. Country said to be filled with spies, night positions during retreat seen to be signalled by flashlight to planes, bombed within half an hour of being established.
Surprising speed of advance of Germans against positions being prepared and defencelessness against dive bombing also important factors.
II37. Weighed anchor and discharged troops alonside Lydd. Wind and sea increasing slightly, rather low cloud.
II50. Proceeded North Goodwin Lt Vessel to await time for next rendezv ous. Lydd and Ross proceeded to Margate to discharge troops.
1538. Anchored at North Goodwin Lt Vessel.
I855. Weighed and proceeded to Dunkirk in company with Niger.
Passed great number of small craft, as well as destroyers and paddlers.
2115. Passed Dunkirk Harbour distantI I cable. Heavy gunfire from beach about 2 miles west of harbour, apparently enemy shelling town. Fires in Dunkirk more extensive.
2147. Anchored off beach between La Panne and Dunkirk. No sign of boats as expected.
2235. Boat from shore reported troops further to eastward, only
Saturday Iss Junable roo. Saturday Isavailable.com No troops yet contacted. No boats except aground. Moved 1 mile eastward.
Sutton's available. Several minelaying aircraft overhead, observed parashute mines descending about 3 cables ahead and I cable astern. Mines reported dropped all over fairway.
0130. Commenced loading troops with own motor boat and whaler and ship's lifeboat found off beach. Later assisted by motoryacht.
Troops mostly R.A. and infantrymen including guards, E. Yorks.
and machine gun detachment. No R.A.F assistance before or after dawn. Opened fire on occasional reconnaisance aircraft at dawn.
One level bombing attack at about 5000 feet followed by machine gunning whilst embarking wounded from pontoons alongside, one casualty receiving wounds in back whilst being helped over the side. This machine gun attack undoubtably would have been pressed gun and causing Bren fire from troops, who manned ships L.G. armament.
home very heavy casualties but for concentrated Lewis
Detachment of gun Guards also offered to provide Bren gun defence for the large ship's lifeboat against occasional low flyiing

203
(3)
Motor boat towing whaler and two army pontoons. Since previous day pier had been constructed by driving out lorries at abb tido in line and securing planks on top, considerably expediting loading of boats, though embarkation rate was slowed considerablyby lack of control at shore end of pior to move troops along and by natural reluctance of troops to venture along pier without being relieved of part of their heavy equipment. Some defficulty experienced in loading tow of 4 boats without smashing up against pier in swell and in handling pontoons in tow in provailing conditions which tended to reduce embarkation rate. Boats available quite inadequate, large open motor beach boats required, together with vessel anchordd broadside or sunk at Hoad of pior to give a lee if necessary with oil slick provided.
During embarkation, Sutton collected soldiers from overturned pontoon.
Allowed to broach in swell. Three believed drowned mainly due to lack of foresight of shore authorities in allowing troops to embark with full equipment and overcoats in deteriorating weather conditions. 120 trags embarked mostly R.E., R.A., R.A.S.C. with a for infantrymen and guards, morale very good but very critical of lack of R.A.F. support and Bolgium treachery behind lines. Country said to be filled with updes, night positions during retreat seen to be signalled by flashlight to planos, bombed within half nn hour of being established. Surprising speed of advance of Germans against positions being propared and defencelossness against dive bombing also important factors.
1137. Weighed anchor and discharged troops alongside Lydd. Wind and sea increasing alightly, rather Low cloud.
1150. Proceeded North Goodwin Lt. Vessel to await time for next reddezvous. Lydd and Ross proceeded to Margate to discharge troops.
1538. Anchored at North Goodwin Lt. Vessel.
1855. Weighed and proceeded to Dunkirk in company ml. th Higer.
Passed great number of small craft, as well as destroyers and paddlors.
2115. Passed Dunkirk Harbour distant 1 cable. Heavy gunfire from beach about 2 miles west of Harbour, apparently enemy shelling tom.
Fires in Dunkirk more extensive.
2147. Anchored off beach between La Fanne and Dunkirk. No sign of boats as expected.
2235. Boat from shore reported troopa further to eastward, only boat available run aground. Moved 1 mile eastward.
Saturday 1st June 0100. No troops yet contacted. No boats except
Sutton's available. Several minelaying airoraft overhead, observed parachute mines descending about 3 cables ahead and 1 cable astern. lines
0130. Commenced loading troops with own notor boats and whalar reported dropped all over fairway.
Troops mostly R.A. and infantrymen including guards, X Yorks., and machine and ship's lifeboat found off beach. Lator assisted by motor yacht.
gun detachmont. No R.A.F. assistance before or after. dawn. Opened fire occasional reconnaisence aircraft at dawn. One level bombing wounded from pontoons alongaide, one casualty receiving attack wounds in attack on of about 5000 feet followed by machine gunning whilst embarking back whilst helped over the side. This machine gun but undoubtedly for would being been pressed home causing very heavy casualties manned
L.G. concentrated Detachment of Guards also offered to provide low gun have Lowis gun and Bron gun fire from troops, who Bron ships defence armsment. for the large ship's lifeboat against occasional flying
COMMANDING OFFICER
19 JUN 1940
H.M.S. "SUTTON"
to

73
Dynam.
16
-
72
H.M.S. HILDA,
To: Vice Admiral, Dover.
Dover.
From: Captain R. Pim, R.N.V.R.
Report of events in connection with final evacuation of troops from the beaches of
La Panne Bains and Bray-Dunnes.
Period covered: 30th May - 2nd June.
bject.
Evacuation of military personnel at La Panne Bains and
Bray-Dunnes.
rders
To take as many small motor boats, lifeboats, etc. as possible eceived.
to the above-mentioned beaches and effect the evacuation of all troops found there. The operation was not to include
Dunkirk beach, where evacuation arrangements had already been organised.
Action
Transport 1. Department, Dover, for the requisitioning of motor
Arrangements were made by Captain G. Fraser, D.S.O., Sea taken.
boats and lifeboats at Dover, Deal and Walmer. These were inspected and arrangements made for their being manned and provisioned on the afternoon of 30th May. The preparation of these matters of detail in advance by Captain Fraser wore-base ficient boats to send early the next morning, and subsequently entirely responsible for my being able to get together suffor providing something in the way of food for the very large number I had on board.
31st
2. I sailed from Deal with 8 boats in tow for Dunkirk early
May.
on the 31st, and Captain Fraser undertook to despatch the remaining boats to Dunkirk as soon as they became available.
I took 50 gallons of petrol in 2-gallon tins on deck for refuelling, the majority of these tins subsequently being civilians at Deal desired to accompany the party, and five jettisoned during the dive bombing east of Dunkirk. Several in fact did manage to get to Dunkirk and were of the greatest possible use.
Naval 3. or Port Official that I was to proceed to La Panne that
On arrival off Dunkirk I was informed by the Senior Bains French
Dunkirk beach was properly organised. An M.L. came alongside and Bray-Dunnes beaches forthwith, and he confirmed and took four of my boats in tow to La Panne Bains.
motor and lifeboats were sent away at 40 p.m. with to
4. work The the beaches, which at this time were being shelled shrapnel.
5. these I as found reinforcements. I also requisitioned lifeboats four additional boats at anchor and four acquired from a tug and three from a drifter.
6./

2.
corted Lieut. by J.C. "Stathelliot" Clark,R.N.V.R. - Went over in "Rapid 1" 369
/ from and ferried troops, who were
French, the beaches on Friday, May 31.
turday at about 0400 he was towing the "Skipjacks On scued sailors from the wreck of a sunken destroyer.
aler with 3 Sub Lieut. Ruck in charge, when they a was following her when she was hit by a bomb. he transferred the ratings and troops to the "Mosquito"
lped rescue the survivors including Sub Lieut. Flint, o had been wounded and finally left at 1330 being wed part of the way to Margate by the "Anje b Lieut. T.R. Rumbold, R.N.V.R. - in the motor barge iking" from Burnham on Crouch he went to le Panne on e 30th and ferried all the forenoon. He returned to msgate and sailed again at noon on the 1st for Bray, riving just after dark. He burnt out his clutches and ached the "Viking" but managed to kedge off and was wed to Dover.
b Lieut. P. Snow, R.N. - In the "Reda" he reached the aches on Wednesday, May 29th and ferried B.E.F. till
30. He went again on the Friday and ferried Frenchmen.
Sunday, June 2nd, he went over in the "Advance" to nkirk, when he sighted the "Biboli" on the beach.
b Lieut. R.A. Forbes - Reached the beaches on Friday y 31st in "Mary Spearing II" after rrying he turned to Ramsgate. He sighted the "Gavine"ashore.
t. W.G.M. Christian, R.N.V.R. - was in "Mary Spearing I"
t she was beached although she was sighted later being wed by a tug. He sighted "Margerita" floating but serted.
ipper G.W. Halladay, R.N.R. - Went over to Dunkirk
1 Sunday June 2nd, in "Meander".
1b Lieut. R.H. Wallace, R.N.V.R. - Towed over to the eaches in an "Orient" line motor life boat on Sunday ine 2nd. The engine failed and the boat was beached and bandoned. He saw hardly any soldiers. He started alling in a pulling life boat but was taken in tow by rawler "Alcmaria", to which he now transferred. The
OW parted during the night and life boat was left rifting.
ab Lieut. J.K. Blackmore, R.N.V.R. - In the "Lurlyne", hich had a bad engine and so he never got over.
ab Lieut. C.E.S. Beale - In K.A. Dover's barge which as finally left in Dunkirk.
r. S. beaches Burns at 0130 on Monday June 3rd. He picked
(From Southend) - Tokk over "Kayell" arriving n the of the "Block Arrow" which was ashore. and fishing He erried P the crew French troops to a French destroyer mack. "Kayell" in now beached at Ramsgate.
ub Lieut. over by "Oranje Vreeswijk" with They boats were
T.H. Rodgers, R.N.V.R. - In "Gay Crusader" other e was towed "Silvery Breeze" and "Silver Foam". reached beaches ombed ut was and towed tow back was in company with O.I.C. and neluding cut off. He never "Pioneer"
Barl"

FLAG OFFICER IN CHARGE
17JUN1940
*
HARWIOH
H.M.S. "Watchful"
547
Great Yarmouth.
8th June, 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the report of proceedings of the
"M" Drifters attached to Yarmouth Base (H.M.S. "Watchful") whilst employed on Operation "Dynamo".
30.5.40. 2345.
Flotilla sailed Yarmouth for Ramsgate, good
569
the
533
From:- Sub.Lieut. F.N.Dann R.N.V.R.
Date:- June 5th 1940
To
:- Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
Ld
*
May 27th Sent from H.M.S. King Alfred to H.M.S. Wildfire.
May 28th
1100
Ordered to fuel and provision about 20 motor yachts in harbour basin and other yachts continuously
1930
Left arriving. Sheerness for Dover in M.Y. Viewfinder, leading a convoy of six yachts all towing whalers. Other convoys followed astern.
lled
May 29th
0130
Arrived Dover. Moored alongside destroyer and
&
requested 0.0.W. to signal shore for orders.
n
The following civilian volunteers refused further on
0400
duty and were sent ashore:-
out
T.Lewis, John Bye, - Bye, J.Palmer all a total of six yachts and refuelled six them a to
0600
Left Collected Dover in Viewfinder leading a column of motor yachts viz.
Viewfinder
(myself) Three civilian volunteers)
Advance
S.L. Minchin R.N.)
Mann,
Hanora
(S.L. Bonham)
red
Bobeli Elizabeth Green (S.L. Snow)
Joined by One Reda other which fell in with us and re-completed which turned back.
0700
the column arrived of six. in convoy off Gravelines. None hit. Repeatedly
1400
All dive six machine gunned Panne from Beach the air. and ferried whalers
1500
1830
Viewfinder All full aboard Put Took two off arrived off of in troops whaler dragged off to La THE with ships aground was two at all in by anchor. ratings whaler excited soldiers to with Belgian abtain from No us soldiers room Viewfinder and help. soldiers. my left for
1900
Hanora's whateremasing and crew my loaded
Hanora who took whalers off my to H.M.S. Lydd