TNA ADM 199 792

143
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 22
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events,
141
31/5
Friday 31st May (continued).
65. Casualties to H.M, Ships during 31st May,
M/S DEVONIA received damage from near miss bombs whilst off La Panne. About 1600 ship was ordered to be beached.
At 0600 on the 1st, after having destroyed all useful apparatus, and ammunition put overboard, ship was beached and abandoned.
M/S HEBE, whilst off Dunkirk, was damaged by enemy aircraft and returned under own power to Dover.
Destroyer EXPRESS. Damaged by enemy aircraft whilst off Dunkirk.
Saturday 1st June.
66.
2 Hospital Carriers which had sailed the previous
1/6
evening returned shortly after dawn. Only one had succeeded in entering Dunkirk Harbour, the other had laid off 4 hours under heavy fire and returned to Dover. 4 personnel vessels failed to enter Dunkirk during the night, but succeeded in the early hours of the morning. One of these, the PRAGUE, was bombed and severely damaged half-way across on the return journey, but succeeded in making the Downs with the assistance of tugs, where troops transferred to other ships particularly
A/S trawlers LADY PHILOMENE and OLVINA. The supply of personnel vessels was maintained throughout the day, not without a series of setbacks caused by 3 ships refusing to sail and by
2 being turned back when on passage, by French Destroyers owing to heavy bombing and shelling of the approaches to Dunkirk.
Of those that operated during the 24 hours, 1 was sunk, 2
damaged by bombs and shell-fire and 1 by collision.
67. During the middle watch it transpired that no further troops were attempting to evacuate from La Panne off which were stationed one paddle minesweeper, a fleet sweeper and two destroyers, probably due to the heavy shelling from German guns eastward, and later information was received that the troops were marching from La Panne through Bray towards
Dunkirk. Accordingly, during the night the Rear Admiral,
Dover, instructed all small craft to move wast, with boats in tow, towards Dunkirk, and the Vice Admiral directed all ships under orders for La Panne to other positions further west, concentrating the main effort on the beach immediately east of Dunkirk.
To a request from Dunkirk for Hospital Ships, the
Vice Admiral replied at 0715 that the large ship berths alongside at Dunkirk must be occupied by personnel ships and the wounded that could conveniently be embarled should go with personnel. This direction was in accordance with the Government policy previously communicated to the Vice Admiral.
68. Soon after dawn enemy aircraft were active and heavy bombing and machine gun attacks developed at 0500 over the whole area from Dunkirk to La Panne. A second series of attacks commenced at 0830 and lasted until 0900, during which time nearly every ship off the coast was subjected to intensive bombing and machine gunning, formations of 30 and 40
machines/

APPENDIX I.
160
to
Operation "DYNAMO"
Narrative of Events.
162
-
LIST OF H.M. SHIPS, PERSONNEL SHIPS AND HOSPITAL CARRIERS
TAKING. PART.
A.A. CRUISER:
CALCUTTA
DESTROYERS:
ANTHONY
HARVESTER
MALCOLM
VIVACIOUS
BASILISK
HAVANT
MONTROSE
WAKEFUL
BLYSKAWICA
ICARUS
SABRE
WHITEHALL
CODRINGTON
IMPULSIVE
SALADIN
WHITSHED
ESK
INTREPID
SCIMITAR
WINCHELSEA
EXPRESS
IVANHOE
SHIKARI
WINDSOR
GALLANT
JAGUAR
VENOMOUS
WOLFHOUND
GRAFTON
JAVELIN
VANQUISHER
WOLSEY
GRENADE
KEITH
VERITY
WORCESTER
GREYHOUND
MACKAY
VIMY
(40)
SLOOPS:
BIDEFORD
GUNBOATS:
LOCUST
MOSQUITO
UNESWEEPERS:
ALBURY
HEBE
QUEEN OF THANET
BRIGHTON QUEEN
HALCYON
ROSS
BRIGHTON BELLE
KELLETT
SALAMANDER
DEVONIA
LEDA
SALTASH
DUNDALK
LYDD
SKIPJACK
DUCHESS OF FIFE
MARMION
SANDOWN
EMPEROR OF INDIA
MEDWAY QUEEN
SNAEFELL
EL
FITZROY
NIGER
SPEEDWELL
GLENAVON
ORIOLE
SUTTON
GLENGO
PANGBOURNE
SHARPSHOOTER
GOSSAMER
PLYNLIMMON
WAVERLEY
GRACIE FIELDS
PRINCESS ELIZABETH WESTWARD HO
A/S VESSELS:
ARLEY
COMFORT
MARETTA
BOTANIC
CONIDAW
NAUTILUS
BROCK
FYLDEA
POLLY JOHNSON
CALVI
GULZAR
SANGASSO
CHICO
JOHN CATLING
STARLIGHT RAYS
re
SPECIAL SERVICE CRESTED EAGLE
GOLDEN EAGLE
ROYAL EAGLE
ESSELS:
"LL" TRAWLERS: INVERFORTH LORD INCHCAPE OUR BAIRNS THOMAS BARTLETT
it
A/S TRAWLERS:
ARGYLLSHIRE
KINGSTON ANDALUSITE STELLA DORADO
ore
BLACKBURN ROVERS
KINGSTON OLIVINE
THURINGIA
CAYTON WYKE
LADY PHILOMENA
WESTELLA
an
GRIMSBY TOWN
SAON
WOLVES
ue
KINGSTON ALALITE
SPURS
OLVINA
all
INE RECOVERY
FIDGET
JACKETA
SILVER DAWN
RIFTERS:
FISHER BOY
LORD CAVAN

4/7/88) (1709) Wt. 22622/4313 50M 9/38 S.E.R. Ltd. Gp. 671.
7
Register No.
Minute Sheet No.
Name
Ex.
Present
Location (17/7/40)
Appointment
Tempy.Lieut.E.
SKIPJACK
PATROCLUS
Northern Patrol.
Richardson,R.N.R.
Tempy.Lieut.L.K.
BRIGHTON
BADGER
Harwich.
Perrin,R.N.V.R.
BELLE
addl.for
Gp. of A.P.
Tempy.Lieut.W.J.C.
"
MEDWAY
Dover.
Fuller, R.N.V.R.
QUEEN (No.1)
Tempy.Lieut.A.C.
GRACIE
ORIOLE
Lowestoft.
Weeks, R.N.R.
FIELDS
in command
Tempy.Lieut. H.
"
LYNX addl.
Port Edgar.
Jones, R.N.R.
for AMBASSADOR
Tempy.Lieut.S.T.
WAVERLEY VICTORY addl. Hamble River.
Harmer Elliott, for A.P.Duties
R.N.V.R.
Tempy.Lieut.F.P.
"
BOSCAWEN addl. Portland.
Tattersall,R.N.V.R.
for A.P.Base
Officer.
Tempy.Lieut.J.
DEVONIA
Southsea in
SOUTHAMPTON.
Brotchie,R.N.V.R.
command
Tempy.Lieut. A.F.
"
VERNON addl.
Portsmouth.
Cox, R.N.V.R.
for M/S Course
Sub-Lieut.D.J.
THOMAS
On sick leave
Hutton,R.N.V.R.
BARTLETT
until 8th July
Tempy.Lieut.A.R.
THURINGIA BACCHANTE for Scapa
Cornish,R.N.R.
LEICESTER CITY
in command
Pby.Tempy.Sub-
"
BACCHANTE addl.Scapa
Lieut.A.G.
for LEICESTER
Slemeck,R.N.V.R.
CITY
Sub-Lieut. J.S.
ARGYLISHIRE CALLIOPE for Blyth
Weddle, R.N.R.
ANEMONE
Ty.Sub-Lieut.
"
CAROLINE addl. BELFAST till complet
M.F.Villiersfor MALLOW
then Portland.
Stuart,R.N.V.R.
(building)
Py.Ty.Sub-Lieut.
AMULREE
OSPREY addl. Portland.
G.P.Probert,R.N.V.R.
for M/B
training
Py.Ty.Lieut.Cdr.B. CRESTED
PEMBROKE for
Sheerness
R.Booth, R.N.R.
EAGLE
GOLDEN EAGLE
Py.Ty.Lieut.D.J.R.
Davies, R.N.R.
11
VICTORY for
Portsmouth
Boom Defences
Portsmouth
Cdr.J.Elliott,
KING
ROSEMARY
Portsmouth
R.N.R.
ORRY
addl.

NAME OF OFFICER AND SHIP
RANK
SHIP
LARNE
W. Martin.
Skipper, R.N.R.
RACE
BLACKBURN ROVERS
CLIDE
G.J. Lumsden,
Lieut. R.N.
PHOE
KEITH
FIRTH OF ORTH
A.F. Cox,
Lieut. R.N.V.R,
CLAVE
DEVONIA
Centain,
R.N.
J.J. Tomlinson
Temp. Skipper, R.N.R.
WATCH
THOMAS BARTLETT
ABERDEEN
A.R. Cornish
Temp. Lieut., R.N.R.
LEICE
THURINGIA
A.G, Slemeck
Pby. Temp. Sub-Lieut,
LEICE
THURINGIA
R.N.V.R.
INVERGORDON
J. Brotchie,
Temp. Lieut., R.N.R.
FLORA
DEVONIA
Inver

22
(ATI) notional
.
$левет9
21
9msk
Name
Ex.
Present
Location (17/7/40)
Appo ntment
Tempy.Lieut.E.
SKIPJACK
PATROCLUS
Northern Patrol.
Richardson,R.H.A.
Tempy.Ideut.L.K.
BRIGHTON
BADGER
Harwich.
Perrin,R.N.V.R.
BELLE
addl.for
Gp. of A.P.
Tempy.Lieut.W.J.C.
MEDWAY
Dover.
Fuller, R.N.V.R.
QUEEN (No.1)
Tempy.Lieut.A.C.
GRACIE
ORIOL
Lovestoft.
Weeks, R.N.R.
FIELDS
in command
Tempy.Lieut. H.
"
LYNX addl.
Port Edgar.
Jones, R.N.R.
for AMBASSADOR
Tempy.Licut.S.T.
WAVERLEY
VICTORY addl. Hamble River.
Harmer Elliott, for A.P.Duties
R.N.V.R.
Tempy.Lieut.F.P.
"
BOSCAWEN addl. Portland.
Tattersall,R.N.V.R.
for A.P.Base
Officer.
Tempy.Lieut.J.
DEVONIA
Southsea in
SOUTHAMPTON.
Brotchie,R.N.V.R.
command
Tempy.Lieut. A.F.
#
VERNON addl. Portsmouth.
Cox, R.N.V.R.
for IL/S Course
Sub-Lieut.D.J.
THOMAS
On sick leave
Hutton,R.N.V.R.
BARTLETT
until 8th July
Tempy.Lieut.A.R.
THURINGIA BACCHANTE for Scapa
Cornish, R.N.R.
LEIGESTER CITY
in command
Fby.Tempy.Sub-
BACCHANTE addl.Scapa
Licut.A.G.
for LEICESTER
Slemeck,R.N.V.R.
CITY
Sub-Lieut. J.S.
ARGYLISHGE CALLIOPE for Blyth
Weddle, R.N.R.
ANEMONE
Ty.Sub-Lieut.
"
CAROLINE addl. BELFAST till complete
M.F.Villiersfor MALLOW
then Portland.
Stuart,R.N.V.R.
(building)
Py.Ty.Sub-Ideut.
AMULREE
OSPREY addl. Portland.
G.P.Probert,R.N.V.R.
for II/B
training
Py.Ty.Licut.Cdr.B. CRESTED
PEMBROKE for
Sheerness
R.Booth, R.N.R.
EAGLE
GOLDEN AGLE
Py.Ty.Lieut.D.J.R.
Davies, R.N.R.
"
VICTORY for
Portsmouth
Boom Defences
Portsmouth
Cdr.J.Elliott,
KING
ROSEMARY
Portsmouth
R.N.R.
ORRY
addl.

arou
Amc
ONIGINVINGO 2574
LAURENCE if 'N ('ps)
when required. latest inserted, in which which
JOJ UT XALXT ship the Dood the you pue 19TT for BUTAI quesed
6245/40.
OF DUNKIRK.
The following are the names of the senior and next senior surviving officers of the ships in question, so far as can be ascertained from information available in C.W. In view of numerous local changes in personnel, complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed, but the list which follows is believed to be substantially correct.
Ship
Date Lost
Senior surviving officers
Present Appointment
Location
Destroyers
GRAFTON
29th May
Lieutenant H.C.J. McRea, R.N.
BRANLEBRAS in command.
Lieutenant L.E. Blackmore, R.N.
WHADDON for duty with A.S.C.B.S. etc.
WAKEFUL
29th May
Commander R.L. Fisher, R.N.
PRESIDENT addl. for duty inside Admiralty.
Lieutenant W. Scott, R.N.
JERVIS as 1st. Lieutenant.
GRENADE
30th May
Commander R.C. Boyle, R.N.
PRESIDENT addl. for duty inside Admiralty.
Lieutenant E.C. Peake, R.N.
HORNET addl. for command of 10th.M.T.B. Flotilla.
KEITH
1st June
Captain E.L. Berthon, R.N.
VICTORY addl. for full pay sick leave.
Lieutenant G.J.A. Lumsden, R.N.
PHOEBE and for duty with A.S.C.B.S. etc.
HAVANT
1st June
Lieutenant-Commander A.F.
Burnell-Nugent, R.N.
HOSTILE in command.
Lieutenant A.H. Terry, R.N.
GANGES addl. for Battalion duties.
BASILISK
1st June
Commander M. Richmond, R.N.
LE TRIOMPHANT in command.
Lieutenant-Commander W.G.
Boaks, R.N.
RODNEY.
Paddle Minesweepers.
BRIGHTON BELLE
28th May
Temporary Lieutenant L.K.
BADGER addl. for G.
Harwich
Perrin, R.N.V.R.
of A.P.
Temporary Lieutenant W.J.C.
MEDWAY QUEEN (No.1)
Dover
Fuller, R.N.V.R.
30th May
ORIOLE in command
Lowestoft
BRACIE FIELDS
Temporary Lieutenant
A.C. Weeks, R.N.V.R.
Temporary Lieutenant
LYNX addl. for
Port Edgar
H. Jones, R.N.V.R
AMBASSADOR
WAVERLEY
Temporary Lieutenant S.F.
VICTORY addl. for
Hamble River
30th May
Harmer-Elliott, R.N.V.R.
A.P. Duties.
Temporary Lieutenent
BOSCAWEN addl. for
Portland
F.P. Tattersall, R.N.V.R.
A.P. Base Officer.
31st May
Temporary Lieutenant
Southsea in command
SOUTHAMPTON
DEVONIA
J. Brotchie, R.N.V.R.
Lieutenant A.P. Cox, R.N.V.R.
VERNON addl. for
Portsmouth
M/S Course.
Trawlers.
28th May
Temporary Skipper
EUROPA for VELMONT
THOMAS BARTLETT
J.J. Tomlinson, R.N.R.
Sub-Lieutenant D.J. Hutton,
On sick leave until
R.N.V.R.
8th July.
Temporary Lieutenant
BACCHANTE for LEICESTER
28th May
Scapa
THURINGIA
A.R. Cornish, R.N.R.
CITY. in command.
Probationary Temporary Sub-
BACCHANTE addl. for
Lieut. A.G. slemeck,R.N.V.R.
Scapa
LEICESTER CITY.
Temporary Skipper
EUROPA
30th May
B.D. Spindler, R.N.R.
CALVI
Chief Skipper L. Lake, R.N.R.
WATCHFUL for BERVIE BRAES.
POLLY JOHNSTON
30th May
STELLA DORADO
1st June
None
1st June
Sub-Lieutenant J.S. Weddle,
CALLIOPE for ANEMONE
Blyth
ARGELLSHIRE
R.N.R.
Temporary Sub-Lieutenant
CAROLINE addl. for
Belfast till
M.F. Villiers-Stuart,
MALLOW (building)
complete, then
R.N.V.R.
Portland.
2nd June
Commander R.W. English, R.N.
BLACKBURN ROVERS
(severely wounded)
Skipper W. Martin, R.N.R.
RACER for VICTRIX.
WESTELLA
E
2nd June
Chief Skipper A. Gove, R.N.R.
EUROPA
Skipper E. Chaney, R.N.R.
EUROPA
BRANCH
COPYING
CENTRAL

CONFIDENTIAL.
or
STATE
11386
/25AB/40.
22nd September, 1940.
1940
Report of enquiry into the loss of
H.M. Paddle Minesweeper DEVONIA in
Operation "Dynamo".
NTRAL
27 SEP 1940
Sir,
REGISTRY
With reference to Admiralty Letter N.L. 6245/40 dated
1st August 1940, be pleased to lay before Their Lordships the following report resulting from an enquiry into the loss of
H.M. Paddle Minesweeper DEVONIA on 31st May 1940.
2. Lieutenant A. F. Cox, R.N.V.R., who was first
Lieutenant of DEVONIA, was examined on 21st September 1940.
3. DEVONIA arrived off La Panne about 1130 on 31st May.
At 1300, she received orders to beach herself, in order to form a pier for embarking troops. At high water at about 1800
the ship was steamed at full speed towards the shore, and ran aground bows first.
4. Books and charts were burnt and fires drawn. She was then abandoned by her Officers and ships company.
5. It is understood that she served to facilitate the embarkation of a large number of troops.
6. I was assisted in my enquiry by Commander E. St. J.
Lewellyn, R.N. and Engineer Commander Thomas Arnold, R.N.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant, aBedyong
Vice Admiral.
e Secretary of the Admiralty.
SE

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 22
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events,
Friday 31st May (continued).
65. Casualties to H.M. Ships during 31st May,
M/S DEVONIA received damage from near miss bombs whilst off La Panne. About 1600 ship was ordered to be beached.
At 0600 on the 1st, after having destroyed all useful apparatus, and ammunition put overboard, ship was beached and abandoned.
M/S HEBE, whilst off Dunkirk, was damaged by enemy aircraft and returned under own power to Dover.
Destroyer EXPRESS. Damaged by enemy aircraft whilst off Dunkirk.
Saturday 1st June.
66. 2 Hospital Carriers which had sailed the previous evening returned shortly after dawn. Only one had succeeded in entering Dunkirk Harbour, the other had laid off 4 hours under heavy fire and returned to Dover. 4 personnel vessels failed to enter Dunkirk during the night, but succeeded in the early hours of the morning. One of these, the PRAGUE, was bombed and severely damaged half-way across on the return journey, but succeeded in making the Downs with the assistance of tugs, where troops transferred to other ships particularly
A/S trawlers LADY PHILOMENE and OLVINA. The supply of personnel vessels was maintained throughout the day, not without a series of setbacks caused by 3 ships refusing to sail and by
2 being turned back when on passage, by French Destroyers owing to heavy bombing and shelling of the approaches to Dunkirk.
Of those that operated during the 24 hours, 1 was sunk, 2
damaged by bombs and shell-fire and 1 by collision.
67. During the middle watch it transpired that no further troops were attempting to evacuate from La Panne off which were stationed one paddle minesweeper, a fleet sweeper and two destroyers, probably due to the heavy shelling from German guns eastward, and later information was received that the troops were marching from La Panne through Bray towards
Dunkirk. Accordingly, during the night the Rear Admiral,
Dover, instructed all small craft to move west, with boats in tow, towards Dunkirk, and the Vice Admiral directed all ships under orders for La Panne to other positions further west, concentrating the main effort on the beach immediately east of Dunkirk.
To a request from Dunkirk for Hospital Ships, the
Vice Admiral replied at 0715 that the large ship berths alongside at Dunkirk must be occupied by personnel ships and the wounded that could conveniently be embarked should go with personnel. This direction was in accordance with the Government policy previously communicated to the Vice Admiral.
68. Soon after dawn enemy aircraft were active and heavy bombing and machine gun attacks developed at 0500 over the whole area from Dunkirk to La Panne. A second series of attacks commenced at 0830 and lasted until 0900, during which time nearly every ship off the coast was subjected to intensive bombing and machine gunning, formations of 30 and 40
machines/

APPENDIX I.
to
Operation "DYNAMO"
-
Narrative of Events.
LIST OF H.M. SHIPS, PERSONNEL SHIPS AND HOSPITAL CARRIERS
TAKING. PART.
RUISER:
CALCUTTA
YERS:
ANTHONY
HARVESTER
MALCOLM
VIVACIOUS
BASILISK
HAVANT
MONTROSE
WAKEFUL
BLYSKAWICA
ICARUS
SABRE
WHITEHALL
CODRINGTON
IMPULSIVE
SALADIN
WHITSHED
ESK
INTREPID
SCIMITAR
WINCHELSEA
EXPRESS
IVANHOE
SHIKARI
WINDSOR
GALLANT
JAGUAR
VENOMOUS
WOLFHOUND
GRAFTON
JAVELIN
VANQUISHER
WOLSEY
GRENADE
KEITH
VERITY
WORCESTER
GREYHOUND
MACKAY
VILY
BIDEFORD
TS:
LOCUST
MOSQUITO
EEPERS:
ALBURY
HEBE
QUEEN OF THANET
BRIGHTON QUEEN
HALCYON
ROSS
BRIGHTON BELLE
KELLETT
SALAMANDER
EL
DEVONIA
LEDA
SALTASH
DUNDALK
LYDD
SKIPJACK
DUCHESS OF FIFE
MARMION
SANDOWN
EMPEROR OF INDIA
MEDWAY QUEEN
SNAEFELL
FITZROY
NIGER
SPEEDWELL
GLENAVON
ORIOLE
SUTTON
GLENGOWER
PANGBOURNE
SHARPSHOOTER
GOSSAMER
PLYNLIMMON
WAVERLEY
GRACIE FIELDS
PRINCESS ELIZABETH
WESTWARD HO
ESSELS:
ARLEY
COMFORT
MARETTA
BOTANIC
CONIDAW
NAUTILUS
BROCK
FYLDEA
POLLY JOHNSON
CALVI
GULZAR
SARGASSO
CHICO
JOHN CATLING
STARLIGHT RAYS
AL SERVICE CRESTED EAGLE
GOLDEN EAGLE
LS:
ROYAL EAGLE
TRAWLERS: INVERFORTH LORD INCHCAPE OUR BAIRNS THOMAS BARTLETT
RAWLERS:
ARGYLLSHIRE
KINGSTON ANDALUSITE STELLA DORADO
BLACKBURN ROVERS
KINGSTON OLIVINE
THURINGIA
CAYTON WYKE
LADY PHILOMENA
WISTELLA
GRIMSBY TOWN
SAON
WOLVES
KINGSTON ALALITE
SPURS
OLVINA
RECOVERY
FIDGET
JACKETA
ERS:
SILVER DAWN
FISHER BOY
LORD CAVAN