TNA ADM 199 792

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CONFIDENTIAL
Page 19. - 138
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
31/5
Friday, 31st May (continued).
57. Rear Admiral Wake-Walker was able to make a survey
of the general conditions of the beaches, and at 1130 the Vice
Admiral received a signal from him stating that the majority
of the pulling boats were broached to and without crews,
conditions on the beaches being very bad owing to a freshening
shore wind, only small numbers being embarked. Under present
conditions any large scale embarkation from beach impractic-
able. Motor boats could not get close in. He considered
only hope of embarking any number was at Dunkirk, and further
stated he would attempt to beach ship to form a lee to try to
improve conditions.
Simultaneously with this bad news the Vice Admiral
received a signal from S.N.O. Dunkirk to the effect that
Dunkirk was being continuously and heavily bombarded and that
the enemy artillery were gradually finding the range of the
loading berth. He stated he wished only to enter ships which
were necessary for the flow of troops.
This latter signal fortified the Vice Admiral in
his decision to suspend the sailing of personnel vessel to
Dunkirk until the accumulation of those en route had been
evened out.
3, MAY
58. One group of minesweepers who, up to this time had
been working continuous round trips between Sheerness and
La Panne, were diverted to round trips between Dunkirk beach
and Margate to compensate for the gradual drift of troops
Westward along the Coast, and to compensate for the reduced
flow of troops off Dunkirk pier consequent on the artillery
bombardment. At the same time, by using Margate the duration
of the round trip was reduced. The Rear Admiral, Dover, from
off the coast was instructed to run a paddle minesweeper bows
ashore on rising tide to be used as a bridge, deeper draught
ships coming to her stern, if conditions were suitable.
It was not thought, however, that this would be an effective
measure of bridging the gap between water-line and off shore
ships, as the length of a paddle minesweeper was so small
compared with the length of the shallow water to be traversed.
59. During the forenoon beaches at La Panne were
subjected to heavy artillery fire. Action was taken with the
R.A.F. Commands to locate batteries shelling the beaches and
Dunkirk pier and include air bombardment of these positions
in the R.A.F. protective measures undertaken during the
operation.
60. During the afternoon additional beach parties were
sent out, and barges with provisions, ammunition and water
arrived at the beaches during the day and were grounded Two fur-
ther drifters were despatched with petrol, diesel oil and
Aubricants to the beach area to refuel the inshore craft.
61. Arrangements were made to be ready to embark Lord
Gort and Staff from La Panne 1800 or later, by M.T.B. After
1700 weather conditions off the beaches improved, particularly
as the tide rose and it appeared once more possible to take
effective