TNA ADM 199 790

SECRET
Dynami 130.
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Sea
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Subject ** Report on Operations in connection with the evacuation of the D.B.F. from the Dunitivis aroa.
From
** The Commanding Officer, "Caloutta".
Date
** 6th June 1940.
No. 001/20
To
** The Vice-Admiral, Dover.
(Copies to:- The Commander in Chief, Hore.
The Plag Officer, 20th Cruiser Squadred
The following report on the minor part played by H.M.S. "Calcutta" in the evacuation of the D.B.F. from the Dunkirk area 1a submitted.
2.
In view of the vast number of reports which you will receive, It has been made as brief as possible in the form of a chronological time table of events with covering remarks at the ond.
Monday 27th Hay
2320
Sailed from Trinity Day, The Downs for La Panno.
Tuesday 20th Hay
0110
Loud explosion about 8 cables on starboard boxes probably from torpedo fired by cheery submarine or N.T.D.
0225
Torpodo track crossing from part to starboard missed ship about 100 yards astern.
0235
N.T.B. heard and vaguely sighted bearing Croon 609
ship manoeuvred under Large holm. No subsequent torpedo tracits or explosions soon or hoard.
0248
Anchored in position 005° La Panno, air light, 310
Notor Cubtor and both wholore sent in to beach to commonce ovacuation into puddle stoamers mine sweepers "Sandown" and "Cracio Fields" who ware much closer inshore.
and "Inpulsive" also evacuating from this boach.
0500
Opened fire on one Hointol.
0525
Opened fire on one J U 00.
0615
Impulsive ordered to proceed to Duniciris and go alongaide East pior.
0621
0625
Evacuation of beach completed. "Crafton" and
Opened fire on S Hottols.
"sandown" and "Cracio Flolds" ordered alongaido
"Creyhound" proceeded. Paddle llinesweopers to discmbark their 700 troops into "Colcutta".
0041
0715
Weighed and proceeded to Sheerness.
Opened fire on 1 Heintal.
1015
Arrived Shoorness, disemberited 700 troops and slipped from buoy and proceeded to La Punno.
completed with oil fuel and provisions.
1710
Anchored in position 02430 La Penno had Air boon Mght used 2".0,
8157
Boats sent in to the BOIDO beach as conditions proviously. Heavy surf running and one Schoot to assist in embariation of about 70
for embarking troops extremely difficult. only wounded.
Wednesday 20th May....

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31. Owing to the swell a number of boats capsized in the surf, which gradually subsided with continued good weather.
The swell on the 31st had calmed down considerably by the morning of the 1st June.
32. The marksmanship of the A.A. machine-gunners in HILDA
seemed to be very accurate, and they realised that it was essential to fire at bombers before they got into their dive.
The dive bombers seemed to be extremely accurate in their aim.
33. Messrs. Hammond of Deal, who act as Admiralty agents, were most helpful in every way in finding suitable motor boats and lifeboats, in arranging requisitioning, and obtaining spare supplies of petrol at short notice.
34. I was much impressed by the good-nature of the ship's company in handing to all those who lost their clothing or were in sad condition owing to being covered in oil, any parts of their uniform or private possessions not in use. This applied equally to the soldiers, who were most generous in sharing their clothing of all sorts.
35. I must record the assistance given me by Lieut.Few, R.N.V.R
of H.M.S. SANDOWN, in bringing the troops from one of the piers.
He made a great number of trips in a most expeditious manner, and his cheerfulness was a decided asset.
36. I should like to bring under notice the efficient manner in which the Commanding Officer of H.M.S. HILDA, Lieut. Gray, and the coxswain, Petty Officer Curd, carried out their duties, and this applies equally to the whole ship's company. Many seriously wounded men were on board, and each of these received such careful attention as was possible.
37. I was much struck by the efficient manner in which
H.M.S. HILDA was handled while rescuing survivors and also in avoiding dive bombing operations.
VICE ADMIRAL
CAPTAIN, R.N.V.R.
2nd June, 1940.
JUN 1940
*
DOVER

216
204
OPERATION DYNAMO.
22
ENCLOSURE NO. 17.
SHIP: BLUE BIRD - Motor Boat.
OFFICER REPORTING: G.B. EYRE, SUB-LINUTENANT, R.N.V.R.
On Saturday 1st June I received orders to proceed with Motor Boat BLUE BIRD to the M/S SANDOWN
to be towed to Dunkirk. M/S SANDOWN was relieved by
M/S EMPEROR OF INDIA and accordingly I changed to her.
2.
On reaching Dunkirk it was found impossible to start engines of BLUE BIRD so she was not used and came back to Dover in tow.
3. The Lifeboat MARY SCOTT was working in conjunction with BLUE BIRD, but remained behind in
Dunkirk to pick up EMPEROR OF INDIA's 1st Lieutenant who was on the pier, organising the troops to be embarked.
Note: This officer was previously in command of
A.L.C. No. 15, and had been employed ferrying troops off from Dunkirk beach for one day. When 8.9. CLAN MACALISTER
(A.L.C. parent ship) was bombed and set on fire he returned to Dover in company with A.L.Cs. 3 and 8 to refuel and proceeded to the beaches on completion.
A.L.C. No. 15 was driven on to the beach by the wash of a passing destroyer and as there was no hope of getting off,
Sub-Lieutenant Eyre set fire to her and returned to Dover in due course in
See ROIII, 12509
A.L.C. No. 3 and was then given Motor
Boat BLUE BIRD.

Dynama 10, Alulo
FROM.
SENIOR OFFICER, THAMES LOCAL DEFENCE FLOTILLA,
1st June, 1940.
263 274
DATE
TO
COMMANDER IN CHIEF, THE NORE.
(through and EXTENDED DEFENCES OFFICER, SHEERNESS
COMMODORE IN CHARGE, SHEERINES).
PROCEEDINGS OF THAMES LOCAL DEFENCE FLOTILLA - A/A SHIPS. PERIOD
Submi Submitted.
27/31st May, 1940.
were proceed full speed to a position 9 miles East of anchored to the at outer estuary a signal was received that/ships
During in the night of 27th-28th May when all ships were
Dunkirk and embark troops. All ships were underweigh within a few minutes of the signal being decoded and proceeded towards the North Goodwin. The passage through the Edinburgh Channels under dark night conditions was not easy and I consider credit is due to the Commanding Officers of the ships for the way in which they were handled. The signal was cancelled before ships reached North Goodwin and they returned to normal duties. Early on 28th May ships were ordered to return to Sheerness forthwith and land surplas crew not required for embarking troops.
I had previously issued a memorandum on the steps to be taken if ships were used as troop carriers so that ships were ready with the necessary organisation and special arrangements.
Later only two ships were stated to be required and I
detailed "Royal Eagle" and "Crested Eagle" and myself decided to go to the "Royal Eagle".
Ships sailed from Sheerness at 1400 and were ordered to proceed to the Downs. On arrival at the Downs I reported the arrival of both ships to the Vice Admiral, Dover and also endeavoured to find out from every ship visible in the Downs if there were any orders for me. There were a number of troopers and hospital ships present so I put ships to short notice for steam and anchored for the night. There was considerable activity amongst the transports during the early morning so that I again asked for instructions and was then told to proceed to Dunkirk by route "y"
(Goodwin to West Hinder). I stationed "Crested Eagle" astern and proceeded at 1030 high speed. On approaching the Belgian Coast
I noticed a few rounds from Shore Batteries falling round ships ahead of me but the firing was not at all intense. On approaching
Dunkirk I saw a large number of men on the-beaches as far as La
Panne so not being able to get any instructions from anyone proceeded to the spot where British Troops appeared thickest and anchored at about 1530 close inshore to embark them. I sent
"Crested Eagle" to Dunkirk as I felt that on account of my original re-appeared and anchored about 2 miles East of me and contenced instructions ships might have been wanted there - however she soon embarking troops. At about 1630 German planes were sighted and bombing attack on ships and beaches. The "Royal Eagle" was only
"Royal Eagle" opened a heavy fire - the plane carried out a high hit but a Drifter near was set on fire and HaMaSa proceeded her own steam. A number of casualties occurred
"Greyhound" by splinters appeared to receive severe damage - although she later the crews Lieutenant of H.M.S. "Sandown" who hours WEB a to boats under and soldiers and were taken in board - amongst in them volunteer Paymaster and I regret to say died some noticed later.
Although boats crew explosive bomba were used on ships the I line of a beach. of what appeared proceeded slowly chiefly ow!ng to the for the line only high to be incendiary bombs along lack of the power Embarkation and the fact that few seamen were available boats which boats were left with an insufficient Military crew.

436
was stold that they found they could the water 2 that she must be beached turned the vessel interwards the Conspirate We r grounded her on Sandwrih Flats are
We then received a signal Lr to return off Dea the Solvage Officer Commander Laloe.
received instructions about
Dunturity by signal Laloe com board Informed him we should like the Dynams before leaving. He agreed r.sen messays to that effect to V.A.D 2 whilst Loe anchor he would proced to the Prague by boar this would now be about 5.40 pm On returns the Solvage Officer we reported the appeared satisfactory breathe engeneer cruld make a very good eacam on accounty the steam
H Commandes Laloe then told me that we should to tow the Prague further in share r that he in so on shore to report. ar 8. 15.PM we have anchor V got fast to the Prague V towed 9.
in shore East of Sandown Castte as about 9. 30 Rm we anchored the tuy for furt sunday 2nd Hove anchor, Y. 45. am.. r sport telp instructions from Salvage Officer.
Lr Cormandes Laloe up who was required on the ashare V who was on the Dapper... We wental sign of Dopper brought sahage Officer off the boxt, station when he was londed by motor the
8.45 am Ireceived from
Officer to return Drues r his as 10.15.am.. Toohs on board Coal, overhauled Dynamo.
yo yours forthjs
K.H.M.
Signed Tuesday Jeene