TNA ADM 199 790

218
206
OPERATION DYNAMO
ENCLOSURE NO. 4.
SHIP: Motor Boat "Britannia".
Officer/
Rating
Reporting: S/L S.D. WARD.
1030 31 May 1940.
Proceeded from Submarine Basin and made fast to
H.M.T. "Fyldea" at buoy.
1355 31 May. Left in tow.
1150 1 June 1940. Arrive off Dunkirk. (Delay on passage due to Samson posts, cleats, etc. carrying away.)
Cast off and proceed to Beach 1 mile East of harbour under heavy enemy bombing. Attempted to warp off 2 Launches aground by making fast line to sunken French destroyer "L'Adroit".
1300
Existing conditions of shoal water and falling tide made it impossible to load the launch directly from the beach three without going aground so "acquired" their dinghies and made launch fast to two sailing barges which were used throughout as a landing stage, the dinghies bringing men to the barges and the launch taking them out to "Fyldea" and other vessels.
(Approximately 200 men were carried in the dinghies.)
1815
Returned to "Fyldea" now aground. Ran out kite wires to anchored barge and laid out trawlers X edge.
1845
"Fyldea" floated and proceeded in tow towards Dover.
0255 2nd June. Secured alongside Admiralty Pier to disembark troops.
0415
Secured alongside Prince of Wales Pier.
Drew Savage
Hillier
Tester

226
214
OPERATION DYNAMO
ENCLOSURE NO. 11
SHIP: "SKYLARK" 6.
RATING REPORTING: CADET RATING G.R. PRICE
Crew: Cadet Rating A.I. Foster and Stoker Roberts.
The "Skylark" was towed over by H.M.D. "FYLDEA" and eventually arrived at Dunkirk at about 0700 on Saturday June
1st. The boats were sent to the beaches. "Skylark" towed in the "Eastbourne Belle" whose motor had broken down. The
"Eastbourne Belle" ran onto a submerged car and the towing Line became entangled around the screw of the "Skylark". C.R.Foster went over the side and cut this rope free. We then proceeded to the beach and picked up about 70 British Tommies and one officer. These were taken aboard the "Fyldea".
2.
Second trip we picked up the crew of the Ferry "Nymph"
(motor boat) and about 60 British Tommies. These were taken aboard the "Fyldea".
3.
Third trip, picked up about 70 French troops. We returned to the "Fyldea" but found she was aground. After an unsuccessful attempt to tow the "Fyldea" off I decided to try and get the French I had away - we were being bombed.
4.
I left the harbour and met H.M.S. WORCESTER outside.
I put the troops aboard her and started to return to the "Fyldea"
for the others but the "Skylark's" motor stezedup. We therefore abandoned the "Skylark" which was slightly on fike and embarked on the WORCESTER. The WORCESTER was seriously bombed and Cadet
Rating Foster slightly injured by a machine gun bullet - he was the only casualty.

25a
241
ST. CLEARS 428
LADY BRASSEY
130
DANLAYERS.
FOREMOST 87
ST. OLAF
GULZAR
GREY MIST
M.T.B's, M.A.S.B's.
SARGASSO
D.C.M.B. & W.D.M.I.
+39
COMFORT
NAUTILUS
M.T.B. 107 447
STARLIGHT RAYS
M.T.B. 68 405
THOMSONS
M.T.B. 67,
M.T.B. 16,
ECHO SOUNDING YACHTS.
M.T.B. 1020 459
CONIDAW
M.A.S.B. 10/474
D.C.M.B., 484
CHICO
M.A.S.B. 61468
RAMSGATE
M.L.
100 x476
M.A.S.M. No. 7x479
MOTOR BOATS.
W.D.M.L's 8V487 8 491
SMALL CRAFT UNDER CONTROL OF
DOVER M/S COMMAND.
193
CONTRABAND CONTROL BASE
VEYMOUTH.
LL. TRAWLERS.
M.B. FORTY TWO
THOMAS BARTLETT
LIGHTER Y.C.72
INVERFORTH
X
M.B. TWO RIVERS
LORD INCHCAPE
M.L. MERMAIDEN
OUR BAIRNS
LORD GREY
REPORTS OF SMALL CRAFT RECEIVED
CLYTHNESS
FROM, CAPTAIN, H.M.S. EXCELLENT,
RELONZO
PORTSMOUTH.
RESTRIVO
H.M.S. ST. FAGAN
OROPESA TRAWLERS.
D/C MOTOR BOATS.
H.M.S.EXCELLENT'S A.A. MOTOR BOAT
BOTANIC
HOPPER GALLION'S REACH
FYLDEA
MARETTA
VESSELS OWNED BY LONDON &
ARLEY
ROCHESTER TRADING CO. LTD.
POLLY JOHNSON
1493.
BROCK
THYRA
CALVI
PUDGE
JOHN CATTLING
CABBY
SEINE
"M" DRIFTERS
DETAILED FROM
YARMOUTH.
FEASIBLE
SWIFT WING
REED
JOHN AND NORAH
GENIUS
ALCMARIA
LORD HOOD
LORD BARHAM
OVERFALLS
JEANNIE MACINTOSH
GULA
REWGA
x
TARANSAY

-2-
497.8
sailed for
On Calais the night Roads:- of 25th/26th May, the following vessels
468
Botanic.
Fyldea.
7
Maretta.
Arley.
Polly Johnson.
Brock.
Calvi.
Grey Mist.
Conidaw.
Chico.
Playmates.
Willing Boys.
of Calais.
The object of the expedition was the possible evacuation
"Grey Mist" in charge of forces employed.
Commander M/S (Commander W.V.H. Harris R.N.) sailed in
The orders to form the expedition were received at 1900, and vessels sailed at 2130, the first five trawlers to leave, towing motor boats.
Vessels were ordered to rendezvous at No. 3 Buoy Calais
Roads, and await instructions from Commander M/S. Destroyer force was in support.
On receipt of signal which had been wrongly decoded, two motor boats were ordered into Calais Harbour. These boats had left for the harbour when a further signal was received that
Calais was to be held at all costs, and the signal was ordered to be sent by hand to the Brigadier Commanding Forces. "Conidaw"
was ordered to proceed immediately and deliver the message.
A further signal was then received recalling all forces to the Downs. On receipt of this signal "Botanic" and "Maretta"
were ordered to remain until boats and "Conidaw" returned, and
Destroyer escort was asked to be provided. All other vessels returned to the Downs.
Reports from Lieutenant Commander P.F. Cammiade R.N.V.R.,
Sub. Lieutenant M.R. Mills R.N.V.R., and Skipper R. 9nelgrove,are attached (la, lb, lc, ld).
There was constant enemy air activity during the night, and a considerable amount of firing ashore.
26th May. Danlaying Yachts"Gulzar" and "Grey Mist"
to Calais P.M. with Commodore W.P. Gandell, P.S.T.O. France. Report of Lieutenant C.V. Brammall R.N.R. attached (No. 2).
"Arley" ordered to Dunkirk as W/T link.
She 27th May. shelled off Calais, and returned with engineer seriously was heavily wounded. Operation was then cancelled.
"Fyldea" sailed, buoy laying, under the orders of "Skipjack"
employed on mine sinking duties.
"Thomas Bartlett", recalled on report of returned to
"Inverforth", & "Our shelling Bairns" of were "Arley". sailed for Dunkirk, but ordered were to sweep the Admiral war channel, Dover. and
They harbour were p.m. then on orders from Vice
(Continued over).

-3-
498
8
28th Inverforth May. Instructions were issued to these
46g previous (Our misunderstanding, Bairns, programme - i.e. and sweeping Thomas war Bartlett) channel to - carry on vessels with to a the M/S the Group Commander, who had but owing joined Roads. command, Vessels proceeded to carry out the only just
7
Dunkirk Bartlett", whilst were shelled off Calais, sweep in on our shallow endeavouring to get out of range, and"Thomas ran a mine and sank. minefields, in vicinity of Dunkirk apparently A.W. Buoy, struck R.N.R. Report of Lieutenant Commander A.A.
Martin attached (No. 3). page 122
"Nautilus" and "Comfort" sailed for Dunkirk Beach under the direction of Lieutenant W.E. Gelling R.N.R. Report of Lieutenant Gelling R.N.R. attached (No. 4). "Nautilus"
was damaged by bombs, and as far as is known "Comfort" was rammed and sunk. No report has been received.
29th May - 0100. Six M/S Trawlers under the command of Lieutenant R. Bill R.N. sailed for Dunkirk - embarking ladders at Ramsgate en route. Reports of Lieutenant R. Bill R.N.,
Skipper Lieutenant G.W. Robinson R.N.R., and Skipper Lieutenant
L. Lake R.N.R. are attached (Nos. 5a, 5b, and 5c). lages 517, 523
29th May. "Lord Grey" and "Clythness" to Dunkirk.
Report of Lieutenant J. Simson R.N.V.R. attached (No. 6) pagrosh
30th May. "Sargasso", "Gulzar", "Conidaw", "Chico", and "Starlight Rays" sailed for Dunkirk, embarked troops, and returned. "Chico" did especially good work in bringing back
217 troops. This vessel is only 70' long. All ships returned safely with troops.
31st May. "Sargasso", "Gulzar", and "Chico" to Dunkirk.
"Chico" employed ferrying, and was responsible for nearly a 1,000
troops being embarked. All returned safely with troops.
"Fyldea" and "Brock" to beaches with motor boat. "Brock"
damaged by bombs, and ordered to return. Report of Sub. Lieutenant
K.H.G. Roberts R.N.V,R. attached (No. 7). "Fyldea" returned with troops.
page 025
"Lord Inchcape" and "Our Bairns" ordered to Dunkirk.
Sweeping proved impossible due to shell fire and bombing. Ordered to return.
1st June.
"Sargasso", "Gulzar" and "Starlight Rays" to
Dunkirk for troops.
All returned safely.
"Starlight Rays", "Gulzar", and "Sargasso"
to 2nd June. troops. "Conidaw" and "Chico" standing safely. by for life Dunkirk saving for duties on route "X". All returned
3rd June. "Starlight Rays", and "Gulzar" to Dunkirk for troops. Both returned safely.
was carried During out,+ + this and 13 magnetic mines mine detonated were in vicinity "LL" of period constant sweeping detonated, with "LL" without and skide a the loss of a single probably, ship. by combired One fields Report of herself of Lieutenant and C.L.
Trawlers, hospital Lambert R.N.V.R. ship, which were who visited 3/4 cables the away. hospital ship attached (No. 7).?
+ in DOWNS and Entrance of Dover Harbour.
(Continued over).

-3-
idpper Lieut.
Robinson.
Arley.
503
gipper Lieut.
Lake.
thief Skipper.
Mayhew.
Lt.Polly Johnson - sunk - 1 dalais.4
Maretta.
1 Calais - bonbed.
}kipper.
Whammond.
Fyldea.
1 Buoy laying, 1
1 Beaches.
ikipper.
Jappy.
Brock.
1 Dunkirk, 1 Beaches.
skipper.
Tucker.
Burke.
$kipper.
Setterfield.
Adam.
Skipper
S.Bindler.
B.D. spridler
Late Calvi - sunk. 1 off Calads, 1
in Dunkirk.
Skipper.
E. Smith.
Botanic.
Supper.
Aldan.
John Cattling. 1 Calats, 1 Dunitiplt.
Sub. Lieut.
Mason.
Chico.
3 Dunkirk.
Skipper.
Selanius
Clythness.
1 Dunkirk.
Skipper.
Snelgrove.
Conidaw.
1 Calais, 1 Duniciple,
1 Life saving party.
Sub. Lieut.
Liddall
Weale.
}
Grey Mist. 1 Boulogne, 1 off Calate.
Sub. Lieut.
Lieut.
CV
Brammall
Gulzar. See report under name of
Sub. Lieut.
RE
Evans.
individual Officers.
Lieut.
Eynon.
Skipper.
Johnson.
Hosanna.
Skide off Dover.
Skipper.
Self.
Inverforth.
Skipper.
Kaye.
Tiller.
Lord Grey.
Skipper.
Littleproud.
Milford King.
1 off Calais LL.
Skipper.
Miller.
Our Bairns.
1 off Calais LD.
Skipper.
Playmates.
1 off Calata.
Stather.
Skipper.
Restrivo.
LL Dover.
Skipper.
Slater.
Relonzo.
LL Dover.
Skipper.
Buchan.
Starlight Rays. 2 Dunkirk.
Lieut.
Gaussen.
Sargasso. See report under name
Sub. Lieut.
Sub. Lieut.
Mills.
Thompson.
w of individual Officers.
Skipper.
Thomsons.
Examination.
Drake.
Willing Boys.
1 Flushing, Calais,
Skipper.
Burrows.
Skide off Dover.
Skipper.
Mair (dead).
Comfort - sunk - 1 Beaches Dunkirk
Skipper.
McLean. - late -Nautilus. sunk - 1 Beaches Dunkirk

340/58.
505
Name.
is
Ship.
Anthony Brooke
Rank or Rating.
476
CLYTHNESS
.Heckstall Smith.
300 lin to
Walter Fredk.Salenius.
Skipper. Sub. Lt. R.N.V.R. - Unit Officer.
George S. Day.
what's Yook 150
Smauel B. Sussans
Mate. Chief Engineman. LT/RX 102500.
John A. Cargill.
Seaman.
LT/JX 175090.
For devotion to duty under very trying circumstances (See report No. 6.
POLLY JOHNSON
Bonter, b
Skipper Lieut. Leonard Lake extricated his ship in a
Sunk.
sinking condition from Dunkirk in a heavy bombardment. Was eventually forced to abandon ship, and transferred his crew and himself to "Arley".
(See report Nos. 5b and c). 38 49
FYLDEA.
29/5 2/31/5
Liewt. John.K.M. Warde R.N.V.R. - Unit Officer.
has misses.
Thomas Owens,D.S.M.
Chief Engineer. X2573U.
?
Recommended for coolness and devotion to duty during heavy bombing at Dunkirk.
(See report No. la).
31
BROCK.
Kenneth Henry G.Roberts.Sub. Lieut. R.N.V.R.
brooks
Behaved with great coolness and devotion was became he saw no mile to duty in assisting his Group Officer suspected hishiplo his ship from a perilous position).
(Lieutenant Robert Bill R.N.) to extricate
King water'
(See report No. 7).
NAUTILUS
Richard McLean.
Skipper (No.WS 3159).
J
p
For displaying great gallantry in going strolp tisant the side to save a seaman whilst destroyer over and "Nautilus" were being bombed.
m h hw sunk. each Duly
2nd Engineman.
George Addison.
Cook.
Andrew Strachan.
Worked conditions (See report No.4
hard in small boats all day during by
Lieutenant trying W.E. Gelling R.N.R).
GULZAR
Edward S. Woodhead.
Coxswain.
Seaman.
A
thips(30/5-2/6)
Charles H. Baldry.
Cook.
George Cliefe.
Greaser.
Arthur L. Shallis.
Peter Blake.
Signalman.
to duty been in very nade trying to the
26th May to 4th June,

519
-3-
-
490
As instructed the wreck "John of the "Grenade" was drifting down on the I
follow and ships out. "Polly Johnson" and "Brock" and to the other Cattling" to attempt to pull her clear trawlers,
7
up troops survivors, got clear, and proceeded out of harbour picked at full speed. "Arley" was clear and "Fyldea" under way.
and several the more troops and survivors jumped on board. I was
The Skipper of "Fyldea" kept his ship close to the wall further up but pier trying to find the Piermaster again for further instructions, I failed to find him and just managed to jump on board as she was leaving. This was at about 1815.
Lieutenant Peake the First Lieutenant of the "Granade"
then told me that the Piermaster had also instructed him to get the ships clear of it and to go round to the beaches. I therefore took the four remaining ships towards the beaches and signalled to the ships there asking if there were any troops available for me. After three unsuccessful attempts to obtain further troops to fill up to capacity - all ships replying that they were themselves having difficulty in completing I received signals from "Polly Johnson"
and "Brock" stating that they were damaged. I ordered "Arley" to stand by "Polly Johnson" and to remove her crew and sink her if necessary.
With "Brock" in company I then proceeded towards the "Jaguar"
who was anchored in the vicinity of the Nieuport Bank Buoy with her troops on board and another destroyer alongside her, and asked if I
should take some from her. I was told to escort her as she had to Express boats and I therefore told "Brock", whose damage was slight, to proceed independently. I proceeded with "Brock for about two miles to exchange the necessary signals and satisfy myself that she was capable of making the journey and then returned to "Jaguar".
By this time she had weighed, and I followed astern of her and signalled my maximum speed.
At about 1930, five German Dive Bombers passed on our port side at about 2500 feet, in the direction of the "Jaguar" and started to make an attack. We opened fire with the 12 pounder and one plane detached itself from the formation and made an attack on us. As the plane straightened up to attack I gave the order"hard-a-stareoard"
Six bombs were dropped which fell about 40/50 yards on our port beam.
We then straightened up and proceeded on our course.
The other planes attacked the "Jaguar" who replied with her multiple pom-poms and zig-zagged, and no hits were registered, although all attacks appeared to be very close to her.
After this attack she increased speed and she was soon out of sight.
Having been left by "Jaguar" - who was taking a different route I set a course for the Dyck Buoy and followed "y" route.
Between "T" and "S" buoys I overtook "Brock" and she signalled that she could only steam at half speed and that she had three serious cases on board. I signalled her to heave to and went "Fyldea". alongside her and transferred her survivors and troops to
I then proceeded at full speed and arrived back at Dover at 0300.
During the bombing raids and the periods between, the situation was so tense that it would have been almost impossible to realize any passage of time, so that the times in this report may be in error to a considerable extent.

Dynamo NE
523
H.M.T. "ARLEY".
N°. 494
2nd June, 1940.
To: Commander M/S,
Dover.
Sir,
May 29th at harbour received orders from H.M.T. "Fyldea" to
On 1430, arrival I at the entrance of Dunkirk on Wednesday head steamer to seaward Garry" in tow out of harbour. After proceed up "Loch and turn, whilst he took the transport then gained the most favourable position for the manoeuvre.
I was ordered to tow transport out, as turning I had
I took the stern rope from "Loch Garry", and while the steamer came astern with engines.
towing her stern clear of destroyers, commenced pushing after ahead harbour all clear stern first, but for some reason, which I
This operation would have taken the vessel out of cannot explain, she reversed engines and went ahead, causing the towing hawser to be slacked away to prevent parting.
On resuming pushing operation on "Loch Garry's"
her, causing it to take fire. This was caused by the lengthened starboard quarter, my boat deck pressed on to D.G. wiring of towing hawser allowing my ship to go too far ahead, a position which I had no time to adjust, as the tide was carrying us both very close to Western Pier head, and I was compelled to go full speed ahead to clear us both.
and took up position astern of H.M.T. "Fyldea" and moored to
Having completed this manoeuvre I e-entered harbour,
Eastern arm, with H.M.T. "John Cattling" and "Calvi" berthed outside of me; H.M.T. "Calvi" being the outside ship.
Soon after mooring, heavy bombing commenced by German
Aircraft, and although every ship in harbour put up full antiaircraft barrage, the bombs were dropped either side of the
Eastern arm.
Several raids were carried out at short intervals, and during one of these a bomb dropped very close to "Polly Johnson", wounding several of her guns crew. During a later raid the
Destroyer "Grenade" was hit, also H.M.T. "Calvi". The "Calvi"
was hit by a bomb on the port quarter, and soon commenced to settle down, taking a very heavy list to port - at the same time
H.M.S. "Grenade" commenced settling down.
The next raid was directed more on the harbour, and shore end of the Eastern arm causing a delay on the troopa coming along the pier. At this period the position became serious, and it was decided all trawlers should clear harbour.
Owing to the serious position of "John Cattling" being fouled by "Calvi" sinking alongside of her, I kept "John Cattling"
moored to me, whilst I towed her astern clear of "Calvi", I then hove ahead, again close to pier, and embarked as many soldiers as possible; the remainder of the troops going to the paddle steamer berthed on the eastern side of the pier.
(Continued over).

continued.
-2-
495+
H.M.T. cleared "Fyldea" harbour leading. of H.M.T. "Polly Johnson", "Brock" and with
I then astern passed ahead inside of H.M.S. "Grenade"
who faster informed owing to trouble megaphone that she was unable to proceed
When me clear by of harbour I closed on H.M.T. "Polly Johnson"
reduced she to slow charts had been shattered. We were by as then to reported all her up position about m/d of a mile ahead of keep her her. I took in the engineroom. and would I close any faster. "Polly Johnson" I received was in difficulties and could not proceed any speed, and I informed H.M.T. "Fyldea" that
Johnson", I did, keeping about me of a mile ahead of her.
which orders from "Fyldea" to stand by "Polly
Although I was only proceeding at slow speed, the "Polly Johnson"
still dropped astern.
I then received a message from H.M.T. "Fyldea" that if
"Polly Johnson" could not proceed I was to take her crew and scuttle her clear of the channel and act independently. I
ordered this message to be sent to "Polly Johnson" as relayed from
"Fyldea". By this time we had reached a position half way between
Nieuport Buoy, and Middlekerke Buoy, and I stopped engines until
"Polly Johnson" came within hail. During this period several more raids were carried out by German Aircraft on the Destroyers and other craft close to us.
When "Polly Johnson" closed on me, the Skipper informed me he was already to abandon ship; his confidential books etc.
were packed ready to pass to me. I then closed on her and lashed alongside until the two stretcher cases and all the other members of her crew and passengers were safely on board. I then cast off and moved away from her.
The Skipper of "Polly Johnson" - Skipper Lieutenant
Lake R.N.R. (ret) informed me that the water in engineroom had gained up to the platforms, and in the stokehold the water was about to put her fires out.
After leaving "Polly Johnson" I requested one of our
Destroyers to sink her as she had been abandoned, but as I received no satisfactory reply, I returned to her and fired two shots of common shell into her at waterline.
As I had by now about 90 men on board, including several wounded, I decided to make all speed for Dover. The tide was setting to East North East, and assuming the "Polly Johnson" would drive away from the channel, I left her, the Skipper agreeing that she would sink in about two hours.
Soon after leaving "Polly Johnson" I received an 8.0.8.
from a Paddle Steamer who had been badly bombed whilst I had been taking off from "Polly Johnson". I decided I could not take all her men, so I steamed and intercepted one of the scouts, and two
French trawlers, and directed them to go to the paddler, which they did. There was also one drifter standing by her and one of our destroyers heading for her, so I decided nothing further could be done, and returned to harbour forthwith.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
Skipper Lieutenant R.D.,R.N.R.
ske Lieut G Kobinson RD RNR
HMT. "arley"

Injurn 51.
3rd June, 1940.
N°: 7. 525
To: Commander M/S,
496
Dover.
REPORT FROM H.M.T. "BROCK".
Sir,
H.M.T. 1410 "Brock" left Dover Harbour with four in tow proceeded at to on 31st May, 1940., in company with H.M.T. motor "Fyldes" boats and Dunkirk by route "Y".
decided to return to "R" Buoy and go by "X" route.
As Middlekerke Bank Buoy could not be located "FyIdea"
abandoned.
One of our four boats having become water logged, was
(1/6/20)- 0810. Altered course at "R" Buoy and followed route "X".
1020. In vicinity of "W" Buoy ship was attacked by enemy aircraft; several bombs were dropped but no damage was sustained.
1230. Off beach East of Dunkirk, sent the three motor boats in shore.
1240. Again attacked, this time by a large number of
Junkers Dive Bombers. A great number of bombs were dropped around both ships. One plane was seen to come down, probably disabled by our "A.A" fire. No bombs registered hits but many fell exceedingly close to the ship.
As first loaded small boats had closed "FyIdea" and there appeared to be no more coming off at the time, also suspecting ship to be making water, a signal was made to "Fyldea", whereupon permission was given for "Brock" to return to Dover. At 1340 she proceeded.
1420, when approximately 5 miles North of No. 5 V. Buoy a shore battery fired three rounds at ship all dropping about 200
yards astern. It was difficult to ascertain exactly where the battery was, but it appeared to be close East of Gravelines.
1940. Entered Dover Harbour.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
Sub. GRoberts Lieutenant R.N.V.R.