TNA ADM 199 792

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CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 6.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
Tuesday, 28th May. (continued)
beach with the object of embarking that force as soon as
possible.
19. As regards enemy activity, this day the Germans
contented themselves with bombing the town and port of Dunkirk,
but on a small scale compared with that to be experienced later,
the fact that a heavy pall of smoke from the burning town
probably because of incroasing R.A.F. air cover and also due to
covered the operation most of the day.
20. Losses to H.M. Ships - 28th May.
A/S Trawler THURINGIA sunk by mine in position 51° 20' N,
2° 03' E. Four survivors.
Flare-burning Drifters PAXTON and BOY ROY damaged by enemy
aircraft and beached. No casualties.
Destroyer WINDSOR. Bombed about 1100. Damage to hull and
aerials. Various casualties.
Minesweeper BRIGHTON BELLE. Sunk in collision.
LL Trawler THOMAS BARTLETT sunk by mine in shallow water
whilst trying to avoid gunfire in position 51 2 12 N, 54 E.
Personnel Vessel QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL sunk by bombing attack.
Wednesday, 29th May.
21. The Northern Route Y having been swept, it was
arranged to sail personnel ships to Dunkirk at daylight and to
continue to sail throughout the day; this route would take
ships clear of the artillery fire on shore. Personnel ships
accordingly started at 0230.
22. Much consideration had been given to the practicability
of building piers on the beaches using lines of berges. Reports
from ships that worked off the beaches showed, however, that
owing to the very gradual shoaling of the water at all states
of the tide such a barge pier, to be effective, would have to
be of very great length, beyond the resources available.
23. Information was received that the Personnel Vessels
with their Mercantile Marine crews were having difficulty in
making the entrance to Dunkirk harbour in the face of the
navigational difficulties caused by a heavy smoke pall over
the entrance and in face of bombing and shelling encountered
en route and whilst alongside. In certain vessels the crews
were unwilling to sail when ordered, consequently application
was made to the Commander-in-Chief, Nore, for Naval Officers
and ratings for duty in the Personnel Ships. Nevertheless, it
subsequently transpired that at Dunkirk there had been a good
number of ships throughout the night, at times exceeding the
influx of troops.
24. S.N.O., Dunkirk, and other Senior Officers on the
Coast reported during the early hours that surf on the beaches
was retarding boat work. S.N.O., Dunkirk, at 0709, asked for
all ships to go to Dunkirk. The Vice Admiral could not accept
this as it was essential to maintain lifts off the beaches as
well/