TNA ADM 199 792

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peration "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
SABRE
-
Commander this operation Brian London Dean. R.N. (decorated D.S.O. for
Gazette 7th June, 1940).
During made the period 10 trips 27th to May - 4th June, this old
Destroyer for any class of the beaches, the record number
operation, sperging brought from back a total of 5,000 troops.
vessel taking part in the
Dunkirk harbour, 29th May, SABRE
found some left men with struggling the in the water. Having no boats -
they had the beach - First Lieutenant working with other
vessels off turn. the ship was manoeuvred alongside
each man in Throughout that operation she was
repeatedly attacked by dive bombers, but sustained no
damage.
Later in the day she was severely shaken by near
misses.
30th May, she came under fire from shore batteries,
receiving several hits on the bridge and superstructure.
Her Gyro compass was put out of action, and owing to the
D/G cable being damaged, her magnetic compass was rendered
practically useless. Although the D/G cable was repaired,
her compass was unreliable the rest of the operation.
By P.M. 30th, all hands were utterly exhausted, but a
night's rest and a day in harbour, while repairs were
effected, "gave them a new lease of life."
The Commanding Officer, in his narrative, points out
that SABRE'S engines are 22 years old, and were submerged
and full of salt water for 48 hours after a collision in
October 1939. To avoid bombs and shell fire, it was
necessary to make most exacting demands on the engines.
In every case the response was immediate, all that could
be desired, and far greater than could reasonably be
expected.
Recommendations.
FFICERS.
in
Lieutenant Norman John Parker, R.N.
or
Thoroughly reliable in all emergencies. Also did
well in charge of boats, embarking the maximum number
S
D.S.C
of troops in the minimum time. Was always one of the
or
first to sight aircraft and was quick to get the guns
M
on to them, and so to keep the aircraft at a respectful
distance.
Recommended for mention.
Midshipman Edward Folmer Archdale. R.N.
D.S.C.
MM
and in keeping a record of the ship's movements often
Was of great assistance in identifying aircraft,
when under fire, when he was invariably cool and
unruffled.
Recommended for mention.
Commissioned Engineer Reginald Thomas Jones.
action For and resource, maintaining high efficiency of his engines.
leadership and devotion to duty in
DSC
nu
Recommended for decoration.
RATINGS/