TNA ADM 199 792

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CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 21.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
31/5
Friday, 31st May (continued).
63. General Lloyd informed the D.M.O. of the new plan,
stating that General Alexander had been placed in command of
the final phase of the evacuation. Composition of force not
known. Further, that it was impossible now to say how long
the French evacuation would take but that the Alexander force
would remain till the last. No firm information could be
obtained from the French as regards:-
(i) The number of French troops to be evacuated.
(ii) The nature and extent of French sea borne transport.
(iii) The French military plan for the defence of the
perimeter and the final withdrawal of French
troops.
64. General remarks: The main features of the day
were:-
(a) The increased enemy artillery activity on Dunkirk
and La Panne beach, and on the approach channels.
(b) The set-back to evacuation from the beaches that
occurred during the choppy weather of the forenoon,
followed by an excellent recovery inthe afternoon
and evening when large numbers were lifted from the
beaches.
(c) The change in the military plan as regards the
locality and time of lifting the final contingents
of the B.E.F.
It should be noted that in spite of (b) the rate
of embarkation had, in fact, come up to expectations, and if
other circumstances had permitted it would have been possible
to adhere to the original plan of lifting the final 4,000
B.E.F. off the beaches between 0130 and 0300 1st June.
65/