Admiralty records concerning Operation Dynamo and the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk, covering 1940–1941.
Source: The National Archives, Kew, ADM 199/792. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
1 matching pages. OCR may contain transcription errors.
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Page 62 |
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Page 62 Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel. M.S. SALAMANDER. - Lieutenant Commander Lionel James Spencer. Ede. This ship did 3 trips to the beaches and was continually bombed and machine-gunned. On one occasion, having been ordered by Rear Admiral, Dover, to move westward to Dunkirk at dawn, the ship continued until 0600, and by so doing embarked a further 450 men from Bray. During one attack one rating was slightly wounded. Whilst proceeding to assist the KEITH, the ship was again subjected to a bombing attack and four bombs exploded under water near the ship and lifted the ship bodily. Steam was lost, but was got going again in about a quarter of an hour, when a further air attack took place. The ship proceeded back to port as quickly as possible. Ship was again attacked, but she managed to reach Dover, proceeding on only one boiler. Recommendations. )FFICERS: Lieutenant-Commander Lionel James Spencer Ede, R.N. This Officer showed great zeal, initiative and seamanship during the operations. The whole time he was endeavouring to avoid air attacks, and, at the same time, pick up troops from the beaches. His initiative in disobeying the order of Rear Admiral, Dover, to proceed from the beach towards Dunkirk at dawn, enabled him to save a further 450 men, including 29 wounded cases. Having moved westward, an air attack took place upon the SKIPJACK and the KEITH, the SKIPJACK being sunk and the KEITH set on fire. Ship appeared to be in danger of sinking due to a near miss, but after a short time found she was still seaworthy and steam was got on to the main engine. By his great devotion to duty in face of these air attacks, he was still able to bring his ship safely to port. Recommended for decoration. Commissioned Engineer Thomas Kirby Reynolds, R.N. Showed great initiative and skill in getting steam up and the engines restarted after ship had been damaged by near misses, and in addition it was due to him that the morale of the engine room was so good after having had three heavy attacks in four days, apart from this attack, which was almost continuous for three hours. By his great devotion to duty, it is felt that the ship was got under way so quickly. Recommended for decoration. RATINGS: E.R.A. C. H. Andrew, M. 28768. After the ship had been damaged, by his devotion to duty and his initiative, he suceeded in starting up