TNA ADM 199 790

Dynams 202.
BIGLO
- 337
H.M.S. Albury. H.M.S.
9th June 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to formed the account of proceedings of His Majesty's Ship Albury during the days May 28 th to June 6th 1940.
25
I left Harwich at noon on lay 38th in company with the Fifth Minesweeping Flotilla, arrived off
Zudecotte Beach at 3130 and, anchoring as close as possible, sent Doats inshore to embark troops. The rate of embarkation was then slow as the tide vis low and a small surf was troublesome 00 the beach. The troops were in good spirits though short of rations;
I landed a quantity of dry provisions in the skiff.
mile 3. to seamed of the ship, but no interference was
About 2330 a bomb was seen to drop about one caused to the work in hand.
4. ceeded without incident to Margate, where the troops
At 0830 on May 20th I got under my and prowere disembarked.
5. at 1930 on May 29th; a considerable amount of bombing
I then returned to Zudecotte, arriving there was in progress. On arrival the roads were fairly empty, as we had passed,on the my,a number of loaded ships returning.
had 6. grounded and,beirg being full of troops and survivors,
I made towards a burning Paddl -stommer, which appeared to be in 8 bad my. All boats and Carley up. Bombs were being dropped continually around the floats were sent any and many survivors were picked two Machino-gun attacks were carried out. I have ship and the Paddle-steamor during this operation, and but the utmost praise for all concerned, the majority nothing of whom are very young and had certainly never fire was kent as by the Twelve Pounder. I sent been in action before. Continual Anti-aircraft a signal for Fighter assistance, which arrived later in the evening.

332
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7.
mostly suffering from severe burns; the Commanding
Fifty seven cot-cases alone were brought off,
Officer and other survivors from His Majesty's Destcleared the steamer out as far as was known, I proroyer Grenade were amongst those embarked, After having ceeded down the coast towards Bray, and picked up troops from several boats, which they had found on the beach. A
Captain Churchill, from the Headquarters Staff, off and told me that he had to get over to England to see his uncle, the Prime Minister,by 0600.
8.
I proceeded to Margate, arriving at 0550 on May
30th, disembarked troops,survivors and Cartain Churchill, then sailed for Sheerness for coal and Ammunition.
9.
I left Sheerness at 0300 on the 31st and arrived without incident off the beach just to the Bast of
Dunkirk, at 0930. The rate of embarkation was slow ording to considerable surf on the beach, but valuable assistance was given by a large power boat, It was necessary for me to leave at 1230 in order to unload and be at By render-vous by 8300 on May 31st for the evening operations.
10.
I sailed from liargate to comply with previous instructions and proceeded, under the orders of the
Senior Officer 11 the Fifth Minesweeping Flotila, to By appointed station off the beach; navigation at this period was difficult,a the absence of wind allowed the smoke from Dunkirk to settle over the channel, that visibility The poor. On enchoriz at 2345 a shell from 8
shore battery landed about a cable to securd; this ma repeated spasmodically. Reports were then received of magnetic nines being dropped in the channel.
on 11, embarkation, using ships' boats, Short y after a
About 0832 the Flotil a ms ordered to carry bombing attack took place,and from then on these attacks were practically continuous. Several Heinkel III
type aircraft were observed, but the majority of the attackers were identified as Junkers 87 Dive-bombers.
Embarkation was carried out, though the rate ha slow, this operation the ship case under machine-gun fire aground; 12. a vire was passed and I towed her off. During
His Majesty's Ship Speedwell ma seal to be tenant for the speed and coolness with which be carried from the air, end great credit is due to ay First Lieuout the ution.
afloat 15. to proceed alongaide in Dunkirk harbour, and to
I then received orders from the 7108 Officer comp. ete with troops there. As troops vere being and a machine-gun embarked, attack me delivered, but no casualties were bombs were dropped in the harbour incurred.
14. board, His Majesty's Dostroyer Ivanhoe to was her hit
Just before I al ipped, with a full load of by troops a bomb on outside the herbour. Two ships went assistance, 80 I proceeded at full speed,

333
339
15.
the Breedt bank, the nost intense bombing attacks were
While leaving the charnel and couing up to experienced, Repeated Lear misses were registered on
His Majesty's Ship Gossamer, ahead of ne, His Majest's
Destroyer Havant, who had just overtaken me, was hit in the vicinity of number Three gun; continuing at high speed, she described a large circle to starbcard, and when last seen was steaming in a Southerly direction.
Near misses were 30 registered on His Majesty's Ship
Albury; Fighter assistance The requested.
16.
These bombers came in relays and pursued the ship well out to sea, The Twelve pounder ms kept in action the whole time, 'Id it the very noticeab 0 that
11 fire has witheld until aircraft approaching from astern were close, they were forced to sheer off and go round again. Effective use ms unde of Lends and
Bren guns, the atter obtained from and samed by the troops,
17.
I proceeded to Sheerness, anded the trooys, replenished supplies of coal and ammunition, and sail ed for Dunkirk at 1600,on June 2nd,
18.
On arrival in Dunkirk harbour at 0015 on June
3rd, I went alongside the Bastern 113, French troops were embarked, though there did not supear to be many waiting, and It ms necessary to send along the jetty towards the tom to 001 set then. During the time that
His Najesty's Ship Albury ms niongaide,intermittent shelling was taking place, apparently directed at the harbour and ships alongside. I sailed eventually about
0215 with Two hundred troops on board, off 19. "U" buoy, which I reported to you. It ms afightly
While returning I encountered a floating mine contral in shape, and from its appearance night have been a Dutch nine. I sank it and proceeded to Sheerness to land the troops and to coal.
in 30. with His Majesty's Ships Gossaner and Leda,
I sail ed again for Dunkirk at 1630 OD June 3rd order to arrive at the herbour at 0020 on June 4th. I
and company was detached off ⑈ buoy to not independently, in was ordered a ongside the lest pier, filled w with
French soldiers, and left the harbour at 0130.
21, Goodwin Light-vessel, and I overtook His Majesty's
Fog ms encountered between "U" buoy and the unti relieved by His Majesty's Ship Hellett
North Ship Leda, who had been in 001 laton; I stood by her
22, In Naval Tessel Saile Deschamps, crowded five the vicinity of the 31bow buoy, the with French troops of her, and signalling her course to
Auxiliary and refugees, ms passed, I ms about the the North blew up and sank within half a cab: es ahead Goodwin Light-vessel, which she minute. had missed, I
turned when she to pick up survivors, and reported to you that she had been sunk by a mine,

335
- 3!1
Leading Stoker Chris - the outstanding
10 the ship's E E IS USA 2 its atterts to boats, help with the total = to = tach 12 a hoisting
Acting Leading State United - to untiring andexce lent service 22 22 SING the Gift 3a the of great assi taxe to his but because overtured and swaped, ut the Brust 7 required 8 he syving the lives of several SD: clars, " juging 11 not cutting their equipment off the
Both them = arried att these dities in addition to their norml Engine Room titles, over a
Deriod of six days.
Canteen Manager Allertis - - This 312 to brd only been at sea DE 3 aspidient nort throughout the six days, TU continually supplying conforts, food and necessities = to troors 134 musted, 12d was invalunble 8 in the First 144 Station, though the work obvious I revo tel the 122 onde ate very sick,
Chief Petty Officer Curr, 1/205908 - 18 of
His Majesty's STATE 5023 125 3030 used in attending the wounded and assisting 11 the First ALL Stations,
In addition be the it the the for one periods and carried out his daties in & must afficient memer.
I have the honour a DO, Str,
Dur obstient servant,
VICE ADMIRAL
Singleter
11 JUN 1940
Lieutenant -Commander in Thursand.
.
R E DOV
The Vice-Admiral,
Dover Chanand,
5th (Hneaweeying / ott
(Copy to the Senior officer,

Dynams 376 8/4/0/13
1262
J.6633, c/o Messrs. J.S.White & Co.
Cowes, Isle of White,
20th June, 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the following report of proceedings during operation "DYNAMO" in accordance with P. G. 0.
1700/6/6/40.
In accordance with orders from Commander-in-Chief,
Portsmouth, I assumed command of His Majesty's Ship "SURSUM-
CORDA", (Ex Dutch Skoot) at Poole, P.M. Friday 24th May, 1940, sailing for Portsmouth at 1600, arriving at 2130.
HMS GODETIA
rew e/o. NOIC.
S.-546. (Revised-January, 1925).
Dynamo 350 huddles box.
125
D.-398.
COMMUNICATION SHEET.
FROM Cornanding officer D.B.16 SAN ANTONIO
DATE 10th June 1940.
To The Cornodore.
Ref. No.
R.N. Banachs. Partsmonth
FORMER
LEADING SEAMAN (S.T.) ARMITACE.
D.B.16.
&
Submitted that the above rating camed out his duties in Q most efficient manner during operation DYNAMO and under the lining and ling circuinstances conducted himself will a eheerful and Jealous spirit. and was an excellent. examp be to the re-ander of the
DE
ships company.
MODORE R.N. BARRACE
CO
12 JUN 1940
Reeil. Connacia R.N.R.
PORTSMOU
Sta. 186/24.
5.546.
212188. Wt. 43306/D.6536. 900M. 2-39, W.&S. Ltd. Gp. 701-68.

Dynamic 376
8/4/0/139
126
J.6633, c/o Messrs. J.S. White & Co.
Cowes, Isle of White,
20th June, 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the following report of proceedings during operation "DYNAMO" in accordance with P. G. 0.
1700/6/6/40.
In accordance with orders from Commander-in-Chief,
Portsmouth, I assumed command of His Majesty's Ship "SURSUM_
CORDA", (Ex Dutch Skoot) at Poole, P.M. Friday 24th May, 1940, sailing for Portsmouth at 1600, arriving at 2130.
"SURSUM-CORDA" remained in company with other Skoots under the ordera of Lieutenant Commander Stuart in H.M.S
"FREDANJA" until P.M. 28th May, 1940, when ship was sailed for
Dunkirk from Dover at 1400 by order of Vice Admiral Dover, for islbe the evacuation of troops via North Goodwin and Middle Kirke.
On arrival off beaches at Dunkirk at approximately
2230, decided to enter harbour straight away having sighted large number of soldiers on mole, but apparently no other ships in the harbour, though a transport and other skoots were lying off, and two ships just leaving. The western side of the harbour was ablaze.
Having evacuated British troops, approximate number three hundred and seventy, ship sailed for Dover at 0330; &
hospital ship and six or seven other skoots having entered and secured to the mole were also embarking troops by this time.
Ship arrived off Dover 1130/29, no incidents of
30/5?
importance occurring on passage.
"SURSUM-CORDA" remained at Dover, storing and provisioning until orders were received to sail again for Dunkirk at 2100.
Short routevia Calais was taken; ship proceeding independently as visibility was decreasing and all skoots were not ready.
On arrival off Western beaches of Dunkirk, a wreck was sighted approximately half a mile to West of Harbour
31/5
entrance in the approach channel, and cries of & man in the water were heard, a boat was lowered, but the rescue work was
Priso)
left finally to a Sloop's whaler the Sloop itself being on her return passage to England. "SURSUM-CORDA" proceeded and arrived off beaches Eastern side of Dunkirk at 0430/30.
Many men were sighted waiting on the beach approximately two or three miles east of the mole, and on closing H.M.S. "FITZROY"
lying approximately three quarters of a mile off the beach, was asked to assist in ferrying troops from small craft to ITZROY"
and "VANQUISHER", three to four cables to Westward.
For approximately half an hour my Ship remained stopped three cables from the beach embarking as many troops as possible.
This process I considered far tooslow as the number of small boats employed in that area amounted only to four or five and these appeared to be in danger of being swamped by excessive loads, so decided to close the beach while the tide was flooding and endeavour to embark troops over my bows.