TNA ADM 199 790

- 389
Resume of work done at Dover - D/C M.B.
Wednesday, 29th May, Arrived Dover and proceeded to Dunkirk with Lieutenant Commander Dennis and
Commander Casalet.
S.S. "King Orry" was sunk by bombing attack, 14 survivors being picked up.
Struck submerged wreckage which disabled the boat. Taken in tow by H.M.S.
"Vigilant" and after effecting temporary repairs returned to Dover at 8 knots.
Thursday, 30th May.
Ferried an Officer to Downs with sailing orders for Convoy.
Friday, 31st May.
Returned to Dover at 0400.
D/C M.B. being completely out of action commandeered Lifeboat and 40 ft. motor boat.
12"
Saturday, 1st June.
Took Admiral Hallet to Downs in 40 ft.
motor boat giving orders to Convoy.
Sunday, 2nd June.
Lifeboat towed back to Dunkirk with body of Lieutenant Mead R.N.V.R. who was killed by shrapnel while evacuating troops from beaches.
Proceeded in 40 ft. motor boat escorting
Admiral Somerville in M.A.S.B. 10 but
)
lost contact.
Picked up survivors of Hospital Ship
"Paris".
1
Monday, 3rd June.
0500 arrived Dover.
Tuesday, 4th June.
0900 hoisted D/C M.B. out of water.
2
Effecting temporary repairs on D/C M.B.
Wednesday, 5th June, 1000 sailed for Portsmouth in company with M.T.B.'s 102 and 107.

203
OPERATION DYNAMO
Enclosure No, 1.
SHIP: FOREMOST Tug No. 87. 2nd
June, 1940.
Officer Reporting: Sub-Lieutenant H.M. Davis, R.N.R.
Whilst proceeding to Dunkirk as ordered by C.A.P
with two lifeboats in tow, the Hospital Ship PARIS was bombed by a number of German air-planes; this was at 3115
and at a position approximately 2 miles to seaward of No. 5
buoy. (Dunkirk Entrance). Knowing that my two coxwains in charge of the lifeboats were capable of navigating their boats, I cast them off and proceeded to embark the survivors of the PARIS, which included 10 severely wounded cases.
The full complement of crew were rescued (95 in all) including the Captain, officers and 5 Nursing Sisters.
The Deck Boy Bullock, aged 16 years, was so severely wounded he died on board the tug shortly after being picked up.
Later at 2145 a lifeboat containing 13 Spanish seamen was picked up and the whole brought to Dover. Wounded and the dead boy were placed in hospital. Remainder of crew were disembarked. 13 Spaniards were placed under guard and interviewed by the Authorities.
(Signed) H.M. Davis
Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.R.

SECRET
- 2 -
407
1830 11. from Three about astern. German 8000 British feet. bombers Ten carried bombs out were a dropped level bombing falling attack 385 at hour 250 yards later as three transports fighters passed. appeared about a quarter about of an
12. the At way 2030 into the Dunkirk. motor lifeboat E.M.M.D. hailed us and be shown of the night. The This boat remained with us for asked the to remainder killed Lieutenant R.N.V.R. in command by Commander arrival at Ramsgate.
unfortunately Tyler on by shrapnel during the night. This was was reported
13.
At 2100 a small motor boat informed us that there were troops left in Dunkirk. Commander Tyler disregarded this and went no into the harbour in the motor lifeboat with Lieutenant Fletcher.
14. At 2130 the tug was hailed by a motor torpedo boat and orders were received to use the boats to fill up minesweepers which were to arrive later.
15. At 2145 the motor lifeboat and one boat were sent in shore.
The tug then towed the remaining boat as near in shore as possible.
This boat then pulled shore. The tug was then anchored about three quarters of a mile from the Eastern breakwater.
16. The pulling boat returned with the news that there were no soldiers ashore at 2230, and said that she had not seen the other boats.
17. 2300 - 0100/2 June, 1940, fairly heavy firing over and short, chiefly shrapnel, All hands kept under cover, until the motor lifeboat returned at 0130. The tug then weighed and proceeded to
Ramsgate.
18. At 0140 an M.T.B. again hailed us and weewere sent back to fill up with soldiers, and anchored in position again at 0215.
further in shore to pick them up, but ran aground about a quarter of
After waiting till 0330 for the boats the tug weighed and went a mile off shore. The flooding tide and the use of engines astern meanwhile had been secured. We then proceeded to Ramsgate together with physical jerks by the soldiers refloated her. with Boats
142 soldiers on board and in the motor lifeboat, which we towed.
of the 19. At 0415 we but ran managed to get off after ten minutes. at 07451 A slight aground for the second time one mile west haze gave breakwater, us a peaceful passage home arriving at Ramsgate left us A.M. and we were told the tug ordered would
20. Commander Tyler night, but at 2000/2 June, 1940, we to were salvage not the to weigh be Hospital required and proceeded Ship that Paris. to a At position 0100 we onboard, near eventually position attempted located to her tow and her. the
We tug lay Sun off XV with until a she Commander had got R.N.R., secured, later but a German unfortunately machine dived her first down wire both ordered had and Both in about machine asked parted. the the by ratings Tugmaster five us the gunned what fathoms Commander About on we us. and the two thought of I guns an minutes We water considered R.N.R., escort. engaged of getting and the in the that in It bursts. aircraft would tug if Sun we be XV with very she We to down to were hospital was Lewis leave slow get by already then her work after guns; the ship back stern. to he was tow her safely as we she would was a require twin screw ship. tell.
I The think tug that arrived back at Ramsgate aground. but it was hard to
0645/3 June, 1940.
21. At 1130 we

Reseur Juy Lady Brassey sund 2"June 1940
412
Sir
I Frederich John Hopgood wasthe Master in charge of the tug Lady Brassey on Sunday June, we had been busy during the day pumping out the monis Isle was ordered to assist H. An Sulton Miger off the Admiralty his
N during these operations we received a segmal from the admiralty Rier signal station instructing us to leave ar once to the assistance 7 the Hospital ship Raris, near
Buay Dunmirm route X. We left Dorr at 8.Rm the weather finer clear, when nearing V. buay we nearly collided with a destroyer bothversels going astern also narrow escapes 7 running into other vessels. aeroplanes were overhead r bright lights continually flooting about pairs in the air near the line of route. Wepassed the Ramsgate Eug Fabia who hoiled that he could notfind te Peris r he proceeded on course towards Bamsgate. We am ontineed on our course r arrived И W. Buay about 12.15
Monday 3ʳᵈ cruised about hoping to see the Raris. about
15. am we sighted a craft that appeared to be stopped and n approaching we made it out to be the Raris about /. mile eastward of #W Buay. We steamed round close to her r hailed several times orgetting no reply considered Raris had been abandoned.
The vessel had a very heavy list to Starboard starboard xr side found the number on the butwarks just level r was setting down fest I went around the with the water r by the time I passed around the vessels portsider bach to the starboard side she had jone over another foot I then decided to remain 3/4 mile see the last of the Paris. The vissel such about am. I
Eastwards the W. Buoy in 14 foltows at returned 4.
reported of the particulars to the Peir V.A.D 8. am. of
Dres. arrived alongside PW.
K.H.M. Y.
X
yours faithfully signed Tresday gune
F master

CONFIDENTIAL.
612
Enclosure to Commanding Officer D/C Unit's letter dated 14th June, 576 1940.
Page 1 of
OPERATIONAL DYNAMO.
H.M. D/C motor boat under my command arrived at Dover p.m.
Wednesday, 29th May, 1940. At 2100 sailed for Dunkirk by shortest over shallow minefield. Low water approximately over mines 6 feet. (Commander Casalet, staff of
Flag Officer-in-Charge, Dover and Lieut. Cmmdr. Dennis S.O.M.T.B's,
Dover on board). 2300 Arrived Dunkirk. Picked up 11 survisors from H.M.S. KING ORRY. Fouled screws on submerged wreckage.
Cleared screws. Engines would/start. 0200, Thursday, 30th, accepted tow from H.M.S. VIVACIOUS. One engine towed in and started.
0300. Proceeded to reconnoitre Dunkirk harbour. 0400. Completed reconnaissance, embarked 15 allied soldiers. 0415. Low level bombing attack. 7 bombs 150 yards away, no visible damage, no casualties. 0425. Proceeded for Dover. Speed 8 mots due to engine defects. 0945. Arrived Dover. D/C motor boat was used by staff of Flag Officer, Dover for routeing merchant ships to Dunkirk.
Engines most unsatisfactory. E.R. department worked continuously on both engines to diagnose faults and to remedy. Returned to harbour 0400/31.
Friday, 31st.
D/C motor boat again used for routeing. Engines still unsatisfactory, and at 1630 I suggested to Duty Officer on staff of
Flag Officer-in-Charge, Dover that the officers and men of the boat should make themselves useful elsewhere. Permission was received to commandeer any available boats, to assume command and report for duty.
Lieutenant Mead, as reported in my letter dated 12th
June, 1940, assumed command of R.N.L.B. WALTON & FRINTON.
CONFIDENTIAL.
575
Subject.
OPERATIONS OFF THE BELGIAN COAST.
From.
The Commanding Officer, D/C Unit.
Date.
14th June, 1940.
as
To
The Captain, H.M.S. EXCELLENT, Portsmouth.
a
In accordance with C.P.G.O. 1700, the report on operation DYNAMO is forwarded.
)
lle)
Lieutenant in Command.
ted utes ans ficer from S.S. PARIS. Picked up 6 lifeboats survivors spoke tow.
(hospital ship). Picked up wounded and took men in from wreckage of lifeboats. further lifeboat - ship unknown, weight of tow.
2005. Spanish. Picked 2100. up Engines overheated due to
(Continued.
)
psh.

CONFIDENTIAL.
612
Page 1 of
Enclosure to Commanding Officer D/C Unit's letter dated 14th June, 576 1940.
OPERATIONAL DYNAMO.
Wednesday, route H.M. 29th D/C over May, motor 1940. boat At under 2100 my sailed command for arrived at Dover p.m.
possible 0100, least depth over shallow mines minefield. 6 Low water Dunkirk by shortest
Flag Officer-in-Charge, feet. (Commander approximately
Cleared screws. Fouled screws on submerged from Dover H.M.S. KING ORRY. Arrived Dunkirk. Picked up 11 S.O.M.T.B's, survisors on board). 2300 Dover and Lieut. Crundr. Dennis Casalet, staff of accepted Proceeded to H.M.S. VIVACIOUS. One engine towed in 30th, and started.
tow from Engines would/start. 0200, Thursday, wreckage.
0300. reconnoitre Dunkirk harbour. 0400. Completed bombing attack. 7 bombs 150 yards away, no visible damage, reconnaissance, embarked 15 allied soldiers. 0415. Low level casualties. 0425. Proceeded for Dover. Speed 8 knots due no to engine defects. 0945. Arrived Dover. D/C motor boat was used by staff of Flag Officer, Dover for routeing merchant ships to Dunkirk.
Engines most unsatisfactory. E.R. department worked continuously on both engines to diagnose faults and to remedy. Returned to harbour 0400/31.
Friday, 31st.
D/C motor boat again used for routeing. Engines still unsatisfactory, and at 1630 I suggested to Duty Officer on staff of
Flag Officer-in-Charge, Dover that the officers and men of the boat should make themselves useful elsewhere. Permission was received to commandeer any available boats, to assume command and report for duty.
Lieutenant Mead, as reported in my letter dated 12th
June, 1940, assumed command of R.N.L.B. WALTON & FRINTON.
Lieutenant Hamilton Meikle assumed command of 40 ft.
ships fast motor boat and manned it with:-
Petty Officer John Luckins. P/J 103170, coxswain of the D/C
motor boat (as coxswain).
A.B. Alfred J. Cole P/JX 129800 (H.M.S. EXCELLENT) (as Lewis
Gunner).
and Stoker W.M. Wells R.F.R. P/85.125744 (H.M.S. EXCELLENT).
These men all volunteered to accompany Lieutenant
Hamilton Meikle, and it was with difficulty that he could persuade them that orders were necessary before proceeding immediately to
Dunkirk. The boat was capable of 20 knots and one stripped Lewis gun was transferred to her from H.M. D/C(boat, MORE the other gun being in Lieutenant Mead's lifeboat.
Saturday, 1st June.
40 ft. motor boat assisted M.T.B. 107 (Commodore Hallet)
in regulating rescue traffic to and from Dunkirk.
Sunday, 2nd June.
motor boat escorted M.A.S.B. Continued 10 (Admiral towards Somerville)
but 40 ft. due to discrepancy in speed. 1900.
Dunkirk to see aircraft attacking hospital approximately 12
lost touch if boat was required for any purpose. ship. Proceeded Sighted formation of enemy 1910 Air attack. Duration All petrol minutes. cans
87215 to assistance. dive-bombing and machine günning. Between spare 30-40 M/G
pierced and near 1930. Took offices
JU 97's and miss bomb strained boat. off Captain and some from S.S. PARIS. Picked up 6 survivors tow.
bullet holes, no (hospital casualties. ship). Picked lifeboats up wounded and took men in from wreckage of lifeboats. further lifeboat - ship unknown, weight of tow. spoke
2005. Spanish. Picked 2100. up Engines overheated due to
(Continued