TNA ADM 199 792

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CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 28
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
2/6
Sunday, 2nd June (continued).
daylight hours enabled all transport resources to accumulate
during the day and to be held available for a massed descent
upon Dunkirk Harbour during the night. By making provision for
increased pier and berthing parties and traffic controlled by
motor boat in the harbour channels, it was hoped to berth all
craft that were available between the hours of 2100/
2 and 0300/3.
The times of sailing of all vessels were adjusted so
as to space them out over the evacuation period at Dunkirk,
and allowance was made for a proportion failing to make the
passage.
The French agreed to make their own arrangements for
embarkation from the Dunkirk East Beach and the West Pier on
the new outer harbour.
At. 1530 two R.A.F. Motor Boats, 243 and 270, left
in company for Dunkirk carrying Commander J.C. Clouston and
an augmented pier party. When off Gravelines attacks were
made on the boats by eight Junkers 87 with machine guns and
small bombs. No. 243 had a near miss which damaged her. For
ten minutes No.270 carried on trying to avoid attacks. She
then returned to No.243 but Commander Clouston who was in the
water instructed 270 to proceed. Destroyers were instructed
to look for survivors. Two were picked up only. One stated
that he saw Commander Clouston dead in the water.
84. At 1030 an urgent request transmitted "en clair"
was received from Dunkirk for Hospital Ships as follows:-
"Wounded situation acute and Hospital Ships should
enter during day. Geneva Convention will be honourably
observed it is felt and that the enemy will refrain
from attacking."
As this appeared to be the only way of evacuating the wounded,
observing that the whole facilities of the port during the
night evacuation hours would be required for fighting troops,
it was decided to send two Hospital Ships. The WORTHING
sailed at 1300 and the PARIS at 1700. At 1440, the A/S Patrol
was overheard on R/T reporting that the WORTHING was being
bombed at a point about two-thirds of the way across the
Channel. She returned to United Kingdom reporting that she
had been attacked by 12 Junkers. The attack caused no casual-
ties, but plates were started and there was some superficial
damage. She had to return to harbour to refuel before
commencing another trip to Dunkirk.
At 1915 PARIS reported that she was bombed and badly
damaged with engines useless, at the point where the WORTHING
had been attacked, and at 1947 she sent out an S.O.S. Tugs
were sent to her assistance.
Thus the last attempt to evacuate the wounded by
Hospital Carrier from Dunkirk was brought to nought.
The PARIS subsequently sank shortly after midnight
at W. buoy 10 miles off the French coast.
85./