TNA ADM 199 792

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CONFIDENTIAL
Report on Operati on "DYNAMO".
Page 6.
fighting formations were encountered. French troops handled
were either demoralised and had to be controlled by force or
by the use of fire-arms, or were so rigidly bound by discipline
and tradition that they would not embark except by complete
formation under their own unit officers. In either case, the
rate of embarkation was much slower than with British troops.
12. INITIATIVE SHOWN BY COMMANDING OFFICERS AND
SUBORDINATE PERSONNEL.
A most satisfactory feature of the operation was
the high degree of initiative shown by Commanding and
Subordinate Officers of units operating off the coast,
ranging from H.M. Destroyers to comandeered motor boats. The
majority of officers and ratings in command were in situations
requiring independent action in extrenely difficult
conditions. Often the easiest course was to be satisfied
with work already achieved and to return to the United
Kingdom with a final load of troops. The reverse action
was invariably executed, namely, continued operation off the
coast as long as there were both troops ashore to be
evacuated and vessels off shore to receive them. If the
craft in use was damaged or sunk the crew invariably seized
some other boat to continue their efforts.
Unaware of the military situation ashore and often
forced to move westward by bombardment from German artillery
or even by rifle fire from advancing German forces, the
majority of these boats, commanded often by stokers or
hostility only seamen, had only one object in view, to lift
from the beach any, and all troops, British or Allied, within
sight of the water's edge.
On their return to the United Kingdom when asked to
report their proceedings it was only in answer to direct
enquiry that it would transpire that these young men had been
subjected, in many cases, to an unparalleled bombardment from
the air. They appeared to consider that this was part of the
day's work requiring no comment.
13. LOSSES OF TROOPS AFTER EMBARKATION.
It is a distressing fact that many ships were sunk
or damaged on the return voyage when laden with troops. It
is fortunate that in most of such cases the majority of such
troops were saved owing to the large volume of traffic that
was coming and going between Dunkirk and the United Kingdom.
Exceptions to this were due to the rapidity with which certain
ships sank after having been bombed or torpedoed. Such cases
are as follows:-
WAKEFUL torpedoed. Ship broke in half and only those on
the upper deck were saved. About 600 troops were below.
CRESTED EAGLE. Was bombed and then beached in a burning
condition. Only about 300 saved out of 600 on board.
SKIPJACK. 250 - 300 troops on board, most of whom,
unfortunately, went down with the ship when she sank.
WAVERLEY/