TNA ADM 199 792

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146
CONFIDENTIAL.
144
Page 25
Operation "DYNAMO" Narrative of Events.
1/5
Saturday, 1st June (continued).
proportion 50 per cent. British and 50 per cent. French. The
plan was set in motion without incident until 2200, when it
was reported that a number of towing craft and small boats
were returning empty from the coast. All ships were warned
to look out for these, and to force them back to their duty on
the coast.
Subsequent investigation gives reason to believe that
this defection was due to false information being passed
between ships on the coast and believed to originate from a
non-identified skoot.
77. Commander Maund proceeded to the mouth of the harbour
in a motor boat commanded by a Dutch Naval Officer with a
Dutch naval crew and led all ships into harbour to their berths.
The Rear Admiral, Dover, was also afloat in a M.T.B. supervis-
ing traffic control.
By 2300 the night was very dark, sometimes as many as
6 or 7 vessels were entering the port of Dunkirk at once whilst
yet others were leaving. All were without lights and displayed
the highest degree of seamanship in these difficult and fateful
circumstances.
78. At 2315 the S.N.O., Dunkirk, signalled: "Withdrawal
now proceeding according to plan. Shall have certain reserves
here tomorrow to assist French. Intend to complete evacuation.
tomorrow by midnight."
Remarks.
78A. The outstanding feature of the day was the series of
events leading to the abandonment of daylight evacuation.
Increasing enemy air attack, which the R.A.F. were unable to
smother with the means at their disposal, caused serious loss
of ships, and continual interruption of embarkation on the
beaches and in Dunkirk. Further, the sole remaining cross
channel route was now under fairly heavy and accurate shore
artillery fire.
In these circumstances it was apparent that continua-
tion of the operation by day must cause losses of ships and
personnel out of all proportion to the number of troops
evacuated, and if persisted in, the momentum of evacuation
would automatically and rapidly decrease.
79. Casualties to H.M. Ships on 1st June.
Trawler ARGYLLSHIRE sunk by torpedo from M.T.B. near
S. Buoy. Survivors taken off by MALABAR.
Trawler STELLA DORADO sunk by torpedo from M.T.B.
Survivors picked up by KINGSTON GALENA.
Minesweeper SALAMANDER attacked by enemy aircraft and
hit at about 0850. Ship disabled but was able to return to
Dover under her own steam.
Personnel/