TNA ADM 199 790

217
205
OPERATION DYNAMO
ENCLOSURE NO. 3
B
SHIP:-
M.D.
AURA
OFFICER:- SUB. LIEUT. M.A. CHODZKO, R.N.V.R.
REPORT I.
Sr
On Saturday, June 3rd, I received instructions to take charge of the Motor Launch AURA and proceed to a beach East of Dunkirk Harbour.
Left Dover Harbour towed by drifter GIRL GLADYS at 15.30.
Before leaving it had been reported to me that the AURA'S engine was not operating successfully, in as much that she would not come astern. As the weather appeared to be favourable there seemed no reason why the operation could not be carried out.
X
We shipped from GIRL GLADYS in the proximity of 5W Buoy and proceeded Eastwards. I was able to tow cutters from one of the Paddle
Steamers to the beach on this first trip inwards. The time was 0100 -
About 100 British troops were transferred from the shore to various vessels. The engine was giving considerable trouble so that shortly after 0215, June 4th, it failed completely.
The launch was then manoeuvred towards some Thames Sailing
Barges, and we endeavoured to repair the engine. On examination we found that a defective dynamo was causing the trouble, and as operations were ordered to cease at 0300, I decided to abandon AURA at 0245. I
transferred the crew to a dinghy which we found, and then managed to get aboard a "paddle steamer" which was getting under way. All members of my crew behaved excellently throughout the twelve hours.
REPORT II.
2nd
On Sunday, June 4th, I repaired aboard the drifter YORKSHIRE
LASS in the capacity of Skipper. I received orders to proceed to Dunkirk
Harbour. Leaving Dover at about 1515, we arrived off Dunkirk at 0000.
Off the S. Foreland Ljeutenant Commander Prior, Royal Navy, was transferred from the drifter.UTPROSIM aboard the YORKSHIRE LASS.
There was little delay in arriving alongside and we started embarking French troops before 0030. Another drifter arrived alongside our vessel so we transferred our troops and carried on loading. By 00115
we seemed to be practically full. There appeared to be no more troops on our portion of the jetty and I dispatched a soldier to see if we could collect another 50 men. Other ships were arriving alongside, so by 0130
we were steaming out of the Harbour.
During the whole operation, and during the passage, the troops behaved in an orderly manner. During the homeward passage the vessel developed a hot bearing, and as it was just daybreak, I signalled SUN XI of to take us in tow until repairs were effected. Within three quarters an hour we proceeded under our own power and arrived in Harbour at 0830
Monday, June 5th.
The whole ships company were highly efficient in their duty, and on investigation 100 French troops and 3 British Tommies had been transported.
The British Tommies reported as having lost their division, and had only arrived in Dunkirk on Saturday.
Report ends.

223
OPERATION DYNAMO
*
ENCLOSURE NO.8
211
SHIP:- M.B. SKYLARK
MICHAEL STEVENS 4B.
OFFICER:- SUB.LIEUTENANT M.J.R. YEATMAN, R.N.V.R.
Friday, 31st May. Took charge of M/B. SKYLARK, overhauled engine, proceeded under tow of VRDEDA. Tow broke down - returned to port.
Overhauled engines of one or two other M/B's.
Saturday, 1st June.M/B. SKYLARK. Towed by RIGA to near Dunkirk.
Transferred survivors to RIGA from French Destroyer, who had picked them up from torpedoed ship.
RIGA returned to Dover, and I returned under own power by Kellet cut to Dover by about 10.0 p.m. Reported at CAMBER
and returned to Granville Steps.
Sunday, 2nd June. Transferred in charge of MICHAEL STEPHINS
Lowestoft Lifeboat - 2 Stokers and 1 A.B. from Transit Camp for crew.
Overhauled engines, fuelled and provisioned - proceeded under tow of
Tug SUN XI. Arrived Dunkirk, after dark about 2230 hours. Entered harbour and went toward Eastern Mole. Rammed by M.T.B. without much damage. Went alongside Eastern Mole. With difficulty got 12 French soldiers aboard. Proceeded out to find tug which had disappeared, landed troops on trawler. Returned to harbour, being rammed by another M.T.B. on the way. Found Sloop (identification letters S.G.
or s.c.). Owing to swish of tide she could not come alongside, so with the big engines of the lifeboat I pushed her alongside and went aboard to help make fast. Climbed on to Mole, which was being shelled, and by means of some forceful language and a rifle butt, Induced the
French troops who were lying on the Mole to start down on to the
Sloop. Once a few had started they all began to go down. Got 52
into the lifeboat and cast off to try and find tug. After searching for some time, and being hit again by a fishing boat, I decided at
0100 to return under my own power to Dover.
Reported a floating mine by morse to a destroyer about
6 miles E.S.E. of N. Goodwin Light Vessel.
Reached Dover and landed French troops at 0710.
Returned lifeboat and reported at Submarine Camber at 0730.
Shrapnel on Eastern Mole was mostly at first confined to outer end of Mole until the Sloop drew alongside. Then the range shortened, I got the definite impression that someone had been spotting for the guns, as the direction of fire shortened very rapidly and accurately. Suffered no casualties though among my contingent. In fact, I found considerably greater risk from the movements of allied craft then from Nazi shelling. There seemed to be no attempt to keep any rule of the road. Outside the Harbour had one attack from a Nazi plane. No hits, but she may just have been having a blind shot at four of us who were altogether.
(Sgd)
MARWOOD J. B. YEATMAN.
Sub.Lieutenant, R.N.V.R.
H.M.S. KING ALFRED.

224
OPERATION DYNAMO
212
ENCLOSURE No.9.
SHIP: Motor Boat SOUTHERN QUEEN.
Officer Reporting: SUB.-LIEUT. DEMATTOS.
Went with Sun XI. Picked up about 200. All
French and women and children. 2 Loads from East Mole,
2 from small West Mole. Back 10 miles under own power, then tow by Sun X.
Suggest Officers speaking French to send Frenchmen into boats, as they refuse to go in small boats.
First trip towed by VREDE, broke down and we towed her clear of shipping and returned.
Second trip towed by RIKA, sent back under own power from 2 miles off Dunkirk.