TNA ADM 199 792

Raw OCR

Unformatted machine-generated OCR for document page 550.

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 37
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events,
Inshore Flotillas and Naval Shore Parties (continued).
115. An important flotilla was formed by 40 Dutch
motor coasters - referred to in this report as skoots - 21
of whom were commissioned at Tilbury and Sheerness, and 19
at Poole. All these vessels ultimately made the Flanders
coast and operated with a varying degree of success,
usually governed by the reliability of their strange
engines when handled by Naval stoker ratings. Too large
to be used as beaching craft except under the best
conditions, they were mainly used as intermediaries between
the small boats and the offshore warships to reduce the
distance the pulling boats had to traverse and periodically
returned to U.K. themselves fully loaded when beach work
ceased, or the supply of reception warships temporarily
decreased.
Some of these skoots handled more than 1,000 troops
during the course of the operation.
116. It is of interest to note that on the final night
after the last two destroyers had left at 0340 a number of
the larger power boats continued to work in Dunkirk Harbour
and only left when they came under small arms fire from
German troops who had penetrated into Dunkirk at certain
points.
117. About 30 naval officers and 320 ratings were
employed for varying periods in pier parties and at shore
signal stations in Dunkirk, and as beach parties. A
great number worked unceasingly without relief or rest,
exposed to incessant air attacks, for seven days. The
work of these officers and men was of the greatest value
and contributed largely to the success of the undertaking.
118. As regards the bearing and behaviour of the troops,
British and French, prior to and during the embarkation,
it must be recorded that the earlier parties were embarked
off the beaches in a condition of complete disorganisation.
There appeared to be no military officers in charge of the
troops, and it was soon realised that it was vitally
necessary to despatch naval officers in their unmistakable
uniform with armed naval beach parties to take charge of
the soldiers on shore immediately prior to embarkation.
Great credit is due to the Naval officers and naval
ratings for the restoration of some semblance of order.
119. The following are extracts from reports by naval
officers working on the beaches and in inshore boats,
which illustrate this aspect of the operation:-
Bray Beach, 2100/27/