TNA ADM 199 792

134
13
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 13.
132
Operation "DYNAMO"
Narrative of Events.
30/5
Thursday, 30th May.
40. As an example of the difficulty of any one man appreciating the situation at Dunkirk and the beaches during the night, at 0030/30 the S.N.O. on the French Coast reported that he had no destroyers. In fact, at that time, all available destroyers, namely 10, in the Dover Command, were either on, or on passage to or from, the coast, and the remaining 5 were at Dover discharging troops, embarking ammunitition, fuelling, etc. and were to sail within the next
4 hours.
Simultaneously the V.C.I.G.S. reported that the beaches were well organised, the troops in good heart, and there had been no bombing since dark, but that there was still a great shortage of small craft - urgently required. This last fact was well known to the Vice Admiral, Dover.
41. Commander-in-Chief, Nore, was requested to send as much grass hawser as possible to Ramsgate, as quickly as possible, for supplying the skoots, to haul boats off the beaches, thus speeding up the boat work to compensate for the shortage of boats, which would continue for at least another
24 hours.
42. At 0500 the 7 modern destroyers remaining with Vice
Admiral, Dover - ICARUS, IMPULSIVE, INTREPID, IVANHOE, HAR-
VESTER, HAVANT and JAVELIN - sailed to Sheerness in accordance with Admiralty instructions. The MONTROSE and MACKAY sailed for repairs.
43. Meantime the Vice Admiral, Dover, had been much exercised regarding the possibility of the continued use of
Dunkirk harbour for personnel vessels and was anxiously awaiting the report from VANQUISHER, who had been sent to investigate the reported obstruction. VANQUISHER'S report was received at 0610 stating entrance was practicable but that obstruction exists towards outer inside end of the EASTERN ARM.
Pending amplifying reports, the sailing of personnel vessels to Dunkirk was resumed, although at this time there were still
4 personnel vessels presumed to be in the vicinity of Dunkirk
Harbour, whose movements and whereabouts throughout the night still remained obscure.
The Vice Admiral asked R.A. Dover, who was in HEBE, whether personnel ships could, in fact, still use Dunkirk. In the meantime a series of signals from Rear Admiral Dover, and destroyers off the coast, were received, stating that the beaches were filling up rapidly and more ships and boats were urgently required there. Although it was known that the destroyers could use Dunkirk, it appeared at this time that the best division of transport was to send the great majority of destroyers to the beaches, where urgent demands could not be ignored, and the personnel vessels to Dunkirk Harbour, only an occasional destroyer being sent to Dunkirk from the reduced number now available for the operation.
44/

135
14
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 14.
133
Operation "DYNAMO"
-
Narrative of Events.
30/5
Thursday, 30th May. (Continued).
44. At Dunkirk there were no air attacks in the early morning and all was quiet. Later, when ships began to arrive in quantity, in view of the massive target presented by a number of ships alongside the East pier at a time, the S.N.O.,
Dunkirk ordered destroyers alongside only one at a time. At about 0800 a store ship arrived at Dunkirk with provisions but no water. This caused so much congestion on the pier that unloading was abandoned when half complete, and the store ship filled with troops. A certain amount of water was obtained from destroyers.
45. During the forenoon the Military constructed a long pier of lorries with deck planking, into the sea off Bray. This was an excellent piece of work, but was insufficiently stable for use by such craft as paddle steamers, nor even smaller power craft in a lop. It was invaluable later for embarking troops into small boats. As regards general embarkation off the beaches, it was later learnt that it was 0 common occurrence for processions of small boats loaded with troops to be cast adrift when empty and allowed to float away to seaward, owing to the lack of sufficient naval ratings as boat-keepers. For the same reason many of the smaller pulling boats were swamped and sunk due to overloading by uncontrolled "rush" of soldiers.
Both these faults were remedied later.
46. Matters proceeded smoothly throughout the day owing to the mist and there being a big smoke cloud over Dunkirk which prevented the enemy bombers attacking the ships in large numbers.
In order to increase the rate of embarkation through the bottle-neck of the East Pier gangway, the troops were urged to quicken their pace and eventually thousands of troops, tired and without food and water for days, broke into the double and kept it up the whole length of the pier for more than two hours.
47. The attempt to maintain an adequate rate of lift using only the older destroyers was by now shown to be impracticable. The destroyers were lifting about 17,000, personnel vessels about 9500 in the 24 hours. Remaining vessels were estimated to be worth about 15,000 per day. This gave a total lift of about 43,000 per day. The situation called for E lift of at least 55,000 per day. Verbal representations being made to C.M.S., authority was received for the return to the Dover Command of the modern destroyers released the night before.
Accordingly Commander-in-Chief, Nore, at 1531 gave orders to HARVESTER, HAVANT, IVANHOE, IMPULSIVE, ICARUS and
INTREPID to proceed at once to Dunkirk. Subsequently some of these destroyers were diverted to the beaches.
48/

138
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 17." 136
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
31/5
Friday, 31st May.
51. The Admiralty informed the Vice Admiral that the policy of H. M. Government was that both British and French troops be given an equal opportunity of being evacuated in
British ships and boats.
52. Personnel ships had been sailed the previous evening and throughout the night of the 30th/31st to provide for a continuous flow into Dunkirk harbour. But at 0320 the S.N.O.
reported that once again the majority of these Personnel ships had failed to enter the harbour during the dark hours. MALCOLM, however, left Dunkirk with 1,200 troops at 0300, during heavy shelling, on relief by IVANHOE. S.N.O. Dunkirk, however, continued to call for more ships. No more destroyers were available and there were no means of accelerating the arrival of the vessels despatched there. By 0700 the Vice Admiral had no news of the fate of the personnel ships that had sailed the previous evening and during the night, None of these ships had reached the U.K. to unload, and it appeared probable that these ships may have concentrated in the narrow waters close to Dunkirk, inviting a repetition of the heavy air attacks with consequent damage and loss to transports which had occurred on the two previous occasions when personnel vessels, together with other ships, had been concentrated in large numbers in the approaches to Dunkirk.
At this time there were no less than 9 personnel vessels and 3 hospital carriers known to be on the round trip
U.K. - Dunkirk and back, and one other personnel vessel had been ordered to sail during the night, but horwhereabouts was unknown and it was feared that she had refused to sail.
In addition, 3 other personnel vessels were under orders to sail between 0900 and 1030. Pending the return of the ships en passage, and while the coal-burners were being rebunkered, the further sailing of personnel vessels was in suspense.
Note: Owing to the casualties to Personnel vessels at this stage, coal burning cross channel steamers had to be used for some of the trips and short endurance necessitated coaling between trips which could not be done in the vicinity of Dover, thus preventing a quick turn round.
53. During the night a considerable amount of enemy minelaying activity by air was reported. Shelling was heavy during the evening and night, and operations were greatly hampered. Nevertheless, with the cessation of shelling at about 0300, very good progress was made and by full dawn the beaches were very nearly clear of troops. At 0530 attacks on
Dunkirk harbour and the beach from Dunkirk to Bray developed more strength and the bombardment of Dunkirk continued.
Nevertheless, the S.N.O. reported that the embarkation there was proceeding satisfactorily but stressed the need for more ships and constant fighter protection. At this time French troops began to appear at Dunkirk pier and on the beaches, and were embarked with the British troops.
54. At 0600 VIMY sighted submarine off the N.W.
Goodwins/

149
147
14536
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 26
Operation "DYNAMO" - arrative of Events,
1/6
Saturday 1st June (continued).
Personnel vessel PRAGUE attacked by enemy aircraft when on return from Dunkirk in position 2 miles 315° from V.
Buoy loaded with troops. She was eventually taken in tow and beached in the Downs opposite Sandown Castle.
Destroyer HAVANT attacked by enemy aircraft off
Dunkirk, hit by bombs and sank.
Personnel vessel SCOTIA attacked by aircraft on way back from Dunkirk loaded with troops, Ship sank but crew and troops mostly picked up, the majority being taken by the ESK.
Gunboat MOSQUITO attacked by enemy aircraft at about
1200 and sunk.
Trawler WESTWARD HO. Slight damage by near misses from aircraft.
Destroyer WORCESTER at 1630 - 1700 damaged by enemy bombing attack on leaving Dunkirk. Proceeded to Dover under own steam.
Corvette KINGFISHER damaged by enemy bombing attack and rendered unseaworthy in rough weather.
Minesweeper SANDOWN damaged by shell fire in boiler room.
Destroyer IVANHOE damaged by aircraft bombing attack.
Taken in tow and proceeded to Sheerness.
Destroyer VIVACIOUS damaged by aircraft bombing attack returned to Dover under own steam.
Bearing
Personnel vessel MONA'S ISLE. On way to Dunkirk straddled by enemy shore batteries at No.5 Buoy and subsequently attacked by dive bombers - all near misses. Ship proceeded to Dunkirk - embarked troops. Advised by Senior Naval Officer,
Dunkirk, to wait until high water as ship was fully loaded and returned at 0400, arriving Dover on June 2nd at 0150. Ship was found to be making water in No.2 stokehold and steam pipes to be leaking.
F.A.A. Training Yacht GRIVE after leaving Dunkirk, was blown up by a mine.
Minesweeper SKIPJACK was off La Panne engaged in embarking troops. Continuous air attacks were made on the ship from 0530. No fighters were seen except for about 5 minutes.
250 - 300 troops had been embarked by 0845 when ship was hit several times. Orders were given to abandon ship and within about 2 minutes she turned turtle. Most of the troops were lost, having been put below. Those in the water were machinegunned.
Destroyer BASILISK was embarking troops off La Panne and

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

CONFIDENTIAL.
APPENDIX. VI.
179
to
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
177
5
Enemy aircraft destroyed by ships' fire.
Ship.
Locality.
Time.
Polish T.B.D. BLYSKAWICA
Dunkirk Roads.
H.M.S. VIVACIOUS
0315/27
Dunkirk Roads.
H.M.S. VIVACIOUS
1130/27
Dunkirk Roads.
H.M.S. WOLFHOUND
1140/27
Dunkirk Roads.
H.M.P.M/S MEDWAY QUEEN
1500/27
North Goodwin.
HcM.Sc MONTROSE
Dawn/28
Near Kwinte Buoy.
M.T.B. 16
1500/28
Bray.
1530/28
H.M.S. SABRE and other ships
Dunkirk Harbour.
1630/29
H.M.S. BIDEFORD
Dunkirk Roads.
1700/29
H.M.S. EXPRESS
Dunkirk Roads.
1700/29
H.M.S. MOSQUITO
Bray.
1900/29
S.S. LEVENWOOD (Store ship}
Bray.
S.S. LEVENWOOD ( - do
1210/31
Bray.
1220/31
H.M. Skoot AMAZONE
Dunkirk Roads.
1440/31
H.M.S. HEBE
La Panne.
1700/31
af
H.M.S. SCIMITAR and other ships
Bray.
1700/31
S.S. LADY OF MAN (Trassport) Dunkirk Roads.
1700/31
nd
H.M.Y. ARONIA
La Panne.
1830/31
H.M.S. WHITSHED
Dunkirk Roads.
1930/31
H.M.S. SALTASH
Bray.
2000/31
S.S. NEPHRITE (Store ship)
On Route X.
2030/31
H.M.Y. GRIVE
Dunkirk Roads.
2030/31
H.M.Y. ARONIA
Dunkirk Harbour.
0500/1
H.M.S. IVANHOE
La Panne.
0530/1
is
H.M.S. LYDD
Bray.
0600/1
H.M.S. HARVESTER
Dunkirk Harbour.
0600/1
H.M.S. HARVESTER and other ships
Dunkirk Roads.
0610/1
H.M.Ships CODRINGTON,
3
HARVESTER and others
Off Gravelines.
0750/1
S
H.M.S. SKIPJACK
La Panne.
0900/1
H.M.S. MALLARD
On Route X.
1015/1
H.M.S. CALCUTTA
Between W and Y Buoys.
1020/1
H.M.P. M/S MEDWAY QUEEN
West of Dunkirk.
1600/1
H.M.Y. ALOUETTE
Off Gravelines.
1700/1
H.M.Y. CRISTOBEL II and other ships
La Panne.
1730/1.
H.M.S. WORCESTER
Dunkirk Roads.
2000/1
TOTAL: 35 enemy aircraft definitely destroyed by ships'
gun fire between 0300/27 and 2000/1.
ery
In addition over the same period 21 others were heavily damaged by ships' fire (and seen in distress but
NOT seen to crash definitely) of H.M. Ships HARVESTI
IVANHOE, VIVACIOUS, WINCHELSEA, WOLFHOUND, SABRE,
LOCUST, FITZROY, LYDD, MALLARD, MOSQUITO, WOLSEY,
EXPRESS, JAGUAR, GLEN AVON, ORIOLE, H.N.Y. ARONIA, as
Storeship NEPHRITE and French M.T.B.24.
)p]
Note: On 30th May flying conditions were bad and few enemy aircraft operated. After the 1st June operations proceeded only between dusk and day.
i

260
2
Royal Naval Hospital,
Cha tham.
Dynamo 251,
B14/0/1276
263
6th
June,
1940.
259
H.M.S. GRIVE - REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS. 262
to GRIVE
(Report from Sub Lt. J.K.B. Miles, R.N.V.R., dated 6th June, 1940.)
the movements of
1 The Hon. L.J.O. Lambart bn
II.
5m Portsmouth on Wednesday to notify the changes in
80
and which may possibly y in compiling CR ualty list
No. 0221/80.
ers to proceed from
VICE ADMIRAL, DOVER.
5-40) S/Lt. F.B. Hobson seen the Medical Officer
Forwarded. It is suggested that e of which he was recommendations for awards to officers should meantime Captain Lambert be made on the contents of this letter, and
Lee-on-Solent as an after further reference to Sub Lieut. Miles operations and he joined as regards ratings. I would like to add that Captain the Hon. Lionel Lambart was 67
years of age and was one of the happiest men th at 1530 on the in England when he came to say goodbye before
2400 awaiting further sailing for Dover.
re at 0800 30th and mander-in-Chief Dover, the evening tide at
Hames
00 and we proceeded
Portsmouth.
ach with our two whalers
10th June, 1940.
Admiral.
ed however that for the d carry this method was
CADMIRAL
VE" remained about two ver A.M. 31st with n air raid on the town
13JUN 1940
but the beach remained
SV-R
attack at the Eastern guns.
at 1400 31st, "GRIVE
bout 2000, and took O
psoy 400 troops Irom the Jetty, more might have been e 2891 but there was a very severe air raid and as the
This were three abreast at the jetty Captain Lambart theade 1 to withdraw and reduce the target. This air maid
BMS'S med out to sea and just after clearing the harbour
1th0 uconfidentally thought that "GRIVE'S" after 12 pounder
£8006 for an enemy machine. Returning to Dover by
Heanr 6. June, "GRIVE" landed her troops, and although having ounds of ammunition per gun, set out again at 0300.
IBB-0 moon a NORBE. Joproaching Dunkirk about 0800 "GRIVE" proceeded in spett to a signal to the assistance of H.M.S. "IVANHOE", gruer Accourival found another vessel alongside already. I
EBHI SETho armanted to Captain Lambart that I could see a group contien anrine owne on the jetty and he accordingly proceeded alongside ca Bk them off undergoing very heavy bombing attacks in De Domenthe babunately left us unharmed although one salvo dropped
Lunde the jetty while we were on the inside. We mcvoe.dh edot missenrom the harbour and proceeded to sea, a tremendous was proceeding all this time.
and
[over

260
2
Royal Naval Hospital,
Chatham
263
6th June, 1940.
The Commander-in-Chief,
H.M. Ships & Vessels.
Portsmouth.
to GRIVE
Sir,
I have the honour to report the movements of
H.M.S. "GRIVE", commanded by Captain The Hon. L.J.O. Lambart g
D.S.O., R.N., from her departure from Portsmouth on Wednesday
29th May, 1940, and also especially to notify the changes in officer personnel which took place and which may possibly have caused confusion or uncertainty in compiling CA ualty list
At the time of receiving orders to proceed from
Portsmouth to Dover (i.e. 1300. 29-5-40) S/Lt. F.B. Hobson
R.N.V.R. was unwell and had already seen the Medical Officer at R.N.B. Portsmouth, in consequence of which he was immediately put ashore, but in the meantime Captain Lambert had obtained Lt. Branwell R.N. from Lee-on-Solent as an additional officer for the pending operations and he joined the ship just before sailing.
H.M.S. "GRIVE" left Portsmouth at 1530 on the
29/5 29th May and anchored off Dover at 2400 awaiting further orders. Captain Lambart went ashore at 0800 30th and after receiving orders from the Commander-in-Chief Dover, decided to sail at 1400 and utilise the evening tide at
Dunkirk.
30/5
Dunkirk was reached about 1900 and we proceeded to take off troops from the East beach with our two whalers and two motor boats, it was evidenced however that for the number of troops which "GRIVE" could carry this method was not an economic proposition. "GRIVE" remained about two and a half hours and returned to Dover A.M. 31st with just under 300 troops. There was an air raid on the town during the period of "GRIVE'S" stay but the beach remained untouched except for some artillery attack at the Eastern end, directed I think, against A.A. guns.
Setting out again from Dover at 1400 31st, "GRIVE"
31/5
this time entered Dunkirk Harbour about 2000, and took O
nearly 400 troops from the jetty, more might have been taken, but there was a very severe air raid and as the ships were three abreast at the jetty Captain Lambart decided to withdraw and reduce the target. This air maid continued out to sea and just after clearing the harbour it was confidentally thought that "GRIVE'S" after 12 pounder accounted for an enemy machine. Returning to Dover by
0100 lst June, "GRIVE" landed her troops, and although havin,
8
only 5 rounds of ammunition per gun, set out again at 0300.
1/6
Approaching Dunkirk about 0800 "GRIVE" proceeded "IVANHOE" in to a signal to the assistance of H.M.S. I
but response arrival found another vessel alongside already.
of on the jetty and he accordingly proceeded attacks alongsidle then on reported to Captain Lambart that I could see a group troops them off undergoing very heavy bombing and which we fortunately took left us unharmed although one salvo dropped lle withdrew just from the harbour and proceeded to sea, a tremendouss outside the jetty while we were on the inside.
ned air battle was proceeding all this time.
[over

- 2 -
12
she if she was spared further direct attack it seemed tug likely
By now H.M.S. "IVANHOE" was in tow with a and
261
who had earlier taken troops and survivors off H.M.S. "IVANHOE", would make home, in the meantime H.M.S. "HAVANT,"
264
was hit and on fire and did not look likely to last, she was half-hull down and listing badly to port. "GRIVE" got alongside and took off all the troops and "IVANHOE" survivors together with wounded and her medical officer, another vessel had "HAVANT" in tow. "GRIVE" then proceeded to Dover having
1300. about 700 on board including many wounded, she arrived about
At this stage Captain Lambart put Lt. C.E. est R.N.R.
of the ship at the beach and in harbour and alongside ashore, his work had been tremendous and his skilful manouevring
H.M.S. "HAVANT" contributed enormously to "GRIVE" 8" success, but he had done his share, and as a man of over sixty had earned a rest.
Nevertheless Captain Lambart himself would not rest and having called the crew together, who had been simply magnificent, told them of his intention to start off again
1/6
immediately and take part in the operation at 2200. that night.
They were all as determined as he, and "GRIVE" sailed about 160
having first taken on provisions and ammunition.
Before sailing we were reinforced by S/Lt. Meyer.
R.N.V.R. from Dover, and also we put ashore the 4th Engineer
Officer (T.124), Mr. Terry, whose nerves were not standing the strain, incidentally he had already lost his ship once in this war, the H.M.Y. "PRINCESS".
Lt. Branwell was throughout a tremendous value and showed great energy and efficiency. "GRIVE" proceeded slowly to the rendezvous and whilst proceeding along the South side of the channel to Dunkirk we heard an aeroplane in the vicinity though could not see anything, a few minutes later
(about 22307 there was a tremendous explosion and "GRIVE" was literally blown to pieces and sank in a few seconds. I
think it is probably that the 'plane we heard was actually sowing magnetic mines in the paths being used by shipping ano
"GRIVE" was an immediate victim.
Together with three others of the ships company I
was picked up by a boat from a drifter and I believe about a dozen others were picked up by another drifter and 3 or 4
more by a destroyer. The ships proceeded to Dunkirk and took off troops and we were all landed at Ramsgate.
I trust this report, sir, though not necessary is not tedious, but having regard to the personality of my fine old
Captain and to the fact that so far as I know I am the only surviving officer I felt it my duty and thought that you would wish to have an account of the matter.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) J.K.B.Miles.
S/Lt. R.N.V.R.
ide pped dous
[over

262
Royal Naval Hospital,
265
Chatham.
6th June, 1940.
The Commander-in-Chief,
H.M.Ships & Vessels.
GRIVE
Portsmouth.
Sir,
83
I have the honour to report the movements of
H.M.S. "GRIVE", commanded by Captain The Hon. L.J.O.Lambart
D.S.O., R.N., from her departure from Portsmouth on Wednesday
29th May, 1940, and also especially to notify the changes in officer personnel which took place and which may possibly have caused confusion or uncertainty in compiling casualty lists.
At the time of receiving orders to proceed from
Portsmouth to Dover (i.e. 1300. 29-5-40) S/Lt. F.B.Hobson
R.N.V.R. was unwell and had already seen the Medical Officer at R.N.B. Portsmouth, in consequence of which he was immediately put ashore, but in the meantime Captain Lambert had obtained Lt. Branwell R.N. from Lee-on-Solent as an additional officer for the pending operations and he joined the ship just before sailing.
H.M.S. "GRIVE" left Portsmouth at 1530 on the
29th May and anchored off Dover at 2400 awaiting further orders. Captain Lambart went ashore at 0800 30th and after receiving orders from the Commander-in-Chief Dover, decided to sail at 1400 and utilise the evening tide at
Dunkirk.
Dunkirk was reached about 1900 and we proceeded to take off troops from the East beach with our two whalers and two motor boats, it was evidenced however that for the number of troops which "GRIVE" could carry this method was not an economic proposition. "GRIVE" remained about two and a half hours and returned to Dover A.M. 31st with just under 300 troops. There was an air raid on the town during the period of "GRIVE'S" stay but the beach remained untouched except for some artillery attack at the Eastern end, directed I think, against A.A. guns.
Setting out again from Dover at 1400 31st, "GRIVE"
this time entered Dunkirk Harbour about 2000, and took off nearly 400 troops from the jetty, more might have been taken, but there was very severe air raid and as the ships were three abrenst at the jetty Cantain Lambart decided to withdraw and reduce the target. This air maid continued out to sea and just after clearing the harbour it was confidentally thought that "GRIVE'S" after 12 pounder accounted for an enemy machine. Returning to Dover by
0100 1st June, "GRIVE" landed her troops, and although having only 5 rounds of ammunition per gun, set out again at 0300.
response to a signal to the assistance of H.M.S. "IVANHOE", I
Approaching Dunkirk about 0800 "GRIVE" proceeded in but arrival found another vessel alongside already.
of on the jetty and he accordingly proceeded attacks alongside then on reported to Captain Lambart that I could see a group and troops took them off undergoing very heavy bombing just outside the jetty while we were on the inside.
hich we fortunately left us unharmed although one salvo We dropped withdrew from the harbour and proceeded to sea, a tremendous air battle was proceeding all this time.
[over

- 2
Royal Noval Hospital 263
By now H.M.S. "IVANHOE" was in tow with a tug and if she was spared further direct attack it seemed likely
266
she would make home, in the meantime H.M.S. "HAVANT,"
The who had earlier taken troops and survivors off H.M.S. "IVANHOE", was hit and on fire and did not look likely to last, she was half-hull down and listing badly to port. "GRIVE" got longside and took off all the troops and "IVANHOE" survivors together with wounded and her medical officer, another vessel had "HAVANT" in tow. "GRIVE" then proceeded to Dover having
1300. about 700 on board including many wounded, she arrived about
At this stage Captain Lambart put Lt. C.E. est R.N.R.
ashore, his work had been tremendous and his skilful manouevring of the ship at the beach and in harbour and alongside
H.M.S. "HAVANT" contributed enormously to "GRIVE success, but he had done his share, and as a man of over sixty had earned a rest.
Nevertheless Captain Lambart himself would not rest and having called the crew together, who had been simply magnificent, told them of his intention to tart off again immediately and take part in the operation at 2200. that night.
They were all as determined as he, and "GRIVE" sailed about 160
having first taken on provisions and ammunition.
Before sailing we were reinforced by S/Lt. Meyer.
R.N.V.R. from Dover, and also we put ashore the 4th Engineer
Officer (T.124), Mr. Terry, whose nerves were not standing the strain, incidentally he had already lost his ship once in this war, the H.M.Y. "PRINCESS".
Lt. Branwell was throughout a tremendous value and showed great energy and efficiency. "GRIVE" proceeded slowly to the rendezvous and whilst proceeding along the South side of the channel to Dunkirk we heard an aeroplane in the vicinity though could not see anything, a few minutes later
(about 22307 there was a tremendous explosion and "GRIVE" was
14
.iterally blown to pieces and sank in a few seconds.
I
think it is probably that the 'plane we heard was actually sowing magnetic mines in the paths being used by shipping and
"GRIVE" was an immediate victim.
Together with three others of the ships company I
was picked up by a boat from a drifter and I believe about dent a dozen others were picked up by another drifter and 3 or more by a destroyer. The ships proceeded to Dunkirk and took off troops and we were all landed at Ramsgate.
I trust this report, sir, though not necessary is not tedious, but having regard to the personality of my fine old
Captain and to the fact that so far as I know I am the only surviving officer I felt it my duty and thought that you would wish to have an account of the matter.
way
I have the honour to be, Sir, further
Your obedient servant, at
30th
(Signed)
J.K.B.Miles.
Mrs commander
S/Lt. R.N.V.R.
1400
the at ded
[over

269-
266
heavy bombing attachs which fortunately left us unharmed attough one salud dropped just outside
-
the jetty while we were on the inside We withdrew from the harbour of proceeded to sea, a tremendous air battle was proceeding all this time. By now
H.M.S. Ivanhoe was in Tow with a tug O it she was spared further direct attach it seemed likely she would make home, in the meantime H.M.S. Hawant, who had earlier taken troops D survivors off
H.M.S. Ivanhoe, was hit Q on fire o did not look likely to last, she was half -hull down
Q listing badly to port. Grive got alongside o took off all the troops of Ivanhoe survivors together with wounded Q her medical officer, another vessel had Havant in tow. Grive then proceeded to Dover having about yoo on board in cluding many wounded, she arrived about 1300
at this stage Capt. hambart put ht. C.E. West R.N.R.
ashore, his work had been tremendous Q his skil full manovering of the ship at the beach of in harbour o alongside H.M.S. Havant contributed enormously to grives success, but
S
he had done his share o as a man of over n
sixty had earned a rest nevertheless Capt. Lambart himself would not rest s having called the d
re crew together, who had been simply magnificient, told them of his intention to start off again immediately Q take part in the operation at
S
2200. that night They were all as determined hi or as he D grive sailed about 1600 having just taken on provisions D ammunition.
que
Before sailing we were rempred by s/Lt si
Weyer R N.U.R. from Dover of also we put
[over

10
302
About from seaward this time saw a Belgian fishing boat 200
tigate. down the Zuidcoote Pass. BASILISK appear on inves- scene
Was first of a dozen such boats which to tion. appeared; on their way to Dunkerque to assist in shortly evacua-
As mists and clouds dispersed many aircraft appeared scene, and fighters constantly came low over us. Often on they were Spitfires, but our ships were not taking any chances and opened fire indiscriminately on them.
Hoisted signal "Cease Fire" and blew syren to attract attention, but our own machine gun aft in KEITH continued firing - once firing started they could not hear the
"cease fire" gong.
KEITH now had only about 30 rounds of H.A. ammunition left,
SO decided would shortly transfer flag to BASILISK and send
(29)
KEITH into Dunkerque to fill up and return to Dover.
Before I could do this a very heavy bombing attack developed, first of all in and around Dunkerque itself. IVANHOE
was hit and entirely enveloped in smoke just off entrance;
2 hours later saw her being towed back to Dover. HAVANT
was sunk near the entrance.
(24)
Not long afterwards a compact formation of 30-40 JU 87's appeared from the S.W. Everyone opened fire on them and enemy spread out. Fire seemed effective and thought it was driving them away, so left bridge for a moment.
KEITH attacked by 3 D/Bs: one bomb burst 10 yards astern and helm jammed when hard over; two others near misses.
Ship soon under control in hand steering: 1 man hurt.
1900
Attacked by 3 more D/Bs: one bomb down after funnel and
(25)
exploded below; several casualties.
Owing to danger of fire, foremost torpedo tubes were fired As to get rid of torpedoes. Holes in side from bomb.
ship could not steam let go anchor, and shortly after
(80)
MTB 102 came alongside. Could do no good in KEITH, so transferred to the MTB with my staff and 1 wounded man.
Sent two nearby tugs to assist KEITH and then made for
Dunkerque. KEITH again attakked and hit under bridge:
heavy list to port, but H.A. gun still firing. She was twice more and her men were taken off by a tug, which the hit picked up men from BASILISK and SKIPJACK: both sunk:
latter also sunk at this time. Tug also was bombed down and and about 30 of KEITH'S men lost, and planes came machined gunned men in water.
MTB to see General Alexander (now in command Tennant.
bombed most of the way in, but managed to dodge after them.
0915
Landed Gort's departure), but he was away and so was
Learnt that plan was to continue evacuation during the next
(31)
(26)
night withdraw from their new positions at dawn and for several from western beaches and Dunkerque; rear guard retire were to
Dunkerque. to This meant continuing embarkation hours spaces round local H.Q. full of ambulances and ounded of daylight: feared heavy losses.
Open doctors doing what they could.
with ships still afloat had left Dunkerque, MTB so returned and, in to make spite of more bombing and machine gunning, Dover
All contact with VA, Dover. Left in the reached
1130
in safety at 1130.
Embarkation Plan to take place between 2100 and of 0330 Dunkerque. and was to for the night:-
(27)
be from this a large number of ships and small also being were being sent the 1½ miles of beach to the east craft
For and sent over. Personnel ships RAF to assembled Dunkerque itself to go alongside pier. were the into their efforts between 1900 and and 0700 from over period concentrate when ships would be on passage to
Dunkerque. cross-channel type used for normal ferrying
Personnel across ships to = France. Manned by and their loading alongside crews troops been going into the harbour so were very and had could carry 3,000 men, used
(28)
valuable; the pier. but Some they were large targets and were reluctance with

CONFIDENTIAL.
- 2 -
57
H.M.S. "Grafton".
Report of Enquiry (Continuation)
9553
1940
possible to elicit the cause of this damage.
9.
At 0400 approximately the ship was floating at about normal draught, except for a small list about 5° - to starboard and slightly down by the stern. Steam was maintained in No. 1 boiler.
10. Preparations were being made for "Grafton" to be taken in tow. "Ivanhoe" came alongside. As, however, she was on her way to Dunkirk to evacuate troops it was decided to abandon
"Grafton". "Ivanhoe" then took on board Officers and men remaining in "Grafton". "Ivanhoe" stood off and fired about
8 rounds of 4.7" shell at "Grafton" and then proceeded to
Dunkirk. On "Ivanhoe's" return passage from Dunkirk at about
1600 she passed close to the spot where she had left "Grafton"
and there was no sign of the latter though "Wakeful's" bow was seen still standing up (see Para. 3 of my report No.2/2 AB/40
of 10th August, 1940).
11. From the information elicited it is clear that from the material point of view "Grafton" stood up very well to damage received and the sea being slight, it seems that had there been any vessel available to take her in tow, there was a reasonable possibility of the ship reaching a British port.
12. A small point in connection with material which may be worth noting was that the explosion caused by the torpedo tore out four aluminium alloy scuttle frames two on the port side in the after cabin flat and two on the starboard side in the fore cabin flat. Scuttle frames of this material appear to be too weak to withstand heavy shocks.
13. No arrangements had been made to destroy the Asdic dome:. C.B.s in the chest in the Captain's cabin sank in the ship. S.P.'s, Secret Mine Chart and Charts were thrown overboard in a weighted bag.
14.
I was assisted in my enquiry by Commander John Domvile
Auchmity Musters R.N. and Commander (E) William Evelyn Cavendish
Davy R.N.
I am,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant, aBedford
The Secretary of the Admiralty.
Vice Admiral.
C. E. 7831/1922.

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 13.
Operation "DYNAMO"
Narrative of Events.
Thursday, 30th May.
40. As an example of the difficulty of any one man appreciating the situation at Dunkirk and the beaches during the night, at 0030/30 the S.N.O. on the French Coast reported that he had no destroyers. In fact, at that time, all available destroyers, namely 10, in the Dover Command, were either on, or on passage to or from, the coast, and the remaining 5 were at Dover discharging troops, embarking ammunitition, fuelling, etc. and were to sail within the next
+ hours.
Simultaneously the V.C.I.G.S. reported that the beaches were well organised, the troops in good heart, and there had been no bombing since dark, but that there was still a great shortage of small craft - urgently required. This last fact was well known to the Vice Admiral, Dover.
41. Commander-in-Chief, Nore, was requested to send as nuch grass hawser as possible to Ramsgate, as quickly as ossible, for supplying the skoots, to haul boats off the beaches, thus speeding up the boat work to compensate for the hortage of boats, which would continue for at least another
14 hours.
42. At 0500 the 7 modern destroyers remaining with Vice dmiral, Dover - ICARUS, IMPULSIVE, INTREPID, IVANHOE, HAR-
ESTER, HAVANT and JAVELIN - sailed to Sheerness in accordance ith Admiralty instructions. The MONTROSE and MACKAY sailed
'or repairs.
43. Meantime the Vice Admiral, Dover, had been much xercised regarding the possibility of the continued use of unkirk harbour for personnel vessels and was anxiously waiting the report from VANQUISHER, who had been sent to nvestigate the reported obstruction. VANQUISHER'S report as received at 0610 stating entrance was practicable but that bstruction exists towards outer inside end of the EASTERN ARM.
ending amplifying reports, the sailing of personnel vessels o Dunkirk was resumed, although at this time there were still personnel vessels presumed to be in the vicinity of Dunkirk arbour, whose movements and whereabouts throughout the night till remained obscure.
The Vice Admiral asked R.A. Dover, who was in HEBE, hether personnel ships could, in fact, still use Dunkirk. In he meantime a series of signals from Rear Admiral Dover, and estroyers off the coast, were received, stating that the eaches were filling up rapidly and more ships and boats were rgently required there. Although it was known that the estroyers could use Dunkirk, it appeared at this time that the est division of transport was to send the great majority of estroyers to the beaches, where urgent demands could not be gnored, and the personnel vessels to Dunkirk Harbour, only an ccasional destroyer being sent to Dunkirk from the reduced umber now available for the operation.
44/

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 14.
peration "DYNAMO"
-
Narrative of Events.
'hursday, 30th May. (Continued).
44. At Dunkirk there were no air attacks in the early orning and all was quict. Later, when ships began to arrive n quantity, in view of the massive target presented by a umber of ships alongside the East pier at C. time, the S.N.O.,
Dunkirk ordered destroyers alongside only one at a time. At bout 0800 a store ship arrived at Dunkirk with provisions but
10 water. This caused so much congestion on the pier that inloading was abandoned when half complete, and the store ship filled with troops. A certain amount of water was obtained from destroyers.
45. During the forenoon the Military constructed a long pier of lorries with deck planking, into the sea off Bray. This vas an excellent piece of work, but was insufficiently stable for use by such craft as paddle steamers, nor even smaller power craft in a lop. It was invaluable later for embarking troops into small boats. As regards general embarkation off the beaches, it was later learnt that it was c common occurrence for processions of small boats loaded with troops to be cast adrift when empty and allowed to float away to seaward, owing to the lack of sufficient naval ratings as boat-keepers. For the same reason many of the smaller pulling boats were swamped and sunk due to overloading by uncontrolled "rush" of soldiers.
Both these faults were remedied later.
46. Matters proceeded smoothly throughout the day owing to the mist and there being a big smoke cloud over Dunkirk which prevented the enemy bombers attacking the ships in large numbers.
In order to increase the rate of embarkation through the bottle-neck of the East Pier gangway, the troops were urged to quicken their pace and eventually thousands of troops, tired and without food and water for days, broke into the double and kept it up the whole length of the pier for more than two hours.
47. The attempt to maintain an adequate rate of lift using only the older destroyers was by now shown to be impracticable. The destroyers were lifting about 17,000, personnel vessels about 9500 in the 24 hours. Remaining vessels were estimated to be worth about 15,000 per day. This gave a total lift of about 43,000 per day. The situation called for & lift of at least 55,000 per day. Verbal representations being made to C.N.S., authority was received for the return to the Dover Command of the modern destroyers released the ight before.
Accordingly Commander-in-Chief, Nore, at 1531 gave orders to HARVESTER, HAVANT, IVANHOE, IMPULSIVE, ICARUS and
INTREPID to proceed at once to Dunkirk. Subsequently some of these destroyers were diverted to the beaches.
48/

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 17.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
Friday, 31st May.
51. The Admiralty informed the Vice Admiral that the policy of H. M. Government was that both British and French troops be given an equal opportunity of being evacuated in
British ships and boats.
52. Personnel ships had been sailed the previous evening and throughout the night of the 30th/31st to provide for a continuous flow into Dunkirk harbour. But at 0320 the S.N.O.
reported that once again the majority of these Personnel ships had failed to enter the harbour during the dark hours. MALCOLM, however, left Dunkirk with 1,200 troops at 0300, during heavy shelling, on relief by IVANHOE. S.N.O. Dunkirk, however, continued to call for more ships. No more destroyers were available and there were no means of accelerating the arrival of the vessels despatched there. By 0700 the Vice Admiral had no news of the fate of the personnel ships that had sailed the previous evening and during the night. None of these ships had reached the U.K. to unload, and it appeared probable that these ships may have concentrated in the narrow waters close to Dunkirk, inviting a repetition of the heavy air attacks with consequent damage and loss to transports which had occurred on the two previous occasions when personnel vessels, together with other ships, had been concentrated in large numbers in the approaches to Dunkirk.
At this time there were no less than 9 personnel vessels and 3 hospital carriers known to be on the round trip
U.K. - Dunkirk and back, and one other personnel vessel had been ordered to sail during the night, but herwhereabouts was unknown, and it was feared that she had refused to sail. In addition, 3 other personnel vessels were under orders to sail between 0900 and 1030. Pending the return of the ships en passage, and while the coal-burners were being rebunkered, the further sailing of personnel vessels was in suspense.
Note: Owing to the casualties to Personnel vessels at this stage, coal burning cross channel steamers had to be used for some of the trips and short endurance necessitated coaling between trips which could not be done in the vicinity of Dover, thus preventing a quick turn round.
53. During the night a considerable amount of enemy minelaying activity by air was reported. Shelling was heavy during the evening and night, and operations were greatly hampered. Nevertheless, with the cessation of shelling at about 0300, very good progress was made and by full dawn the beaches were very nearly clear of troops. At 0530 attacks on
Dunkirk harbour and the beach from Dunkirk to Bray developed more strength and the bombardment of Dunkirk continued.
Nevertheless, the S.N.O. reported that the embarkation there was proceeding satisfactorily but stressed the need for more ships and constant fighter protection. At this time French troops began to appear at Dunkirk pier and on the beaches, and were embarked with the British troops.
54. At 0600 VIMY sighted submarine off the N.W.
Goodwins/

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 26
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
Saturday 1st June (continued).
Personnel vessel PRAGUE attacked by enemy aircraft when on return from Dunkirk in position 2 miles 315° from V.
Buoy loaded with troops. She was eventually taken in tow and beached in the Downs opposite Sandown Castle.
Destroyer HAVANT attacked by enemy aircraft off
Dunkirk, hit by bombs and sank.
Personnel vessel SCOTIA attacked by aircraft on way back from Dunkirk loaded with troops. Ship sank but crew and troops mostly picked up, the majority being taken by the ESK.
Gunboat MOSQUITO attacked by enemy aircraft at about
1200 and sunk.
Trawler WESTWARD HO. Slight damage by near misses from aircraft.
Destroyer WORCESTER at 1630 - 1700 damaged by enemy bombing attack on leaving Dunkirk. Proceeded to Dover under own steam.
Corvette KINGFISHER damaged by enemy bombing attack and rendered unseaworthy in rough weather.
Minesweeper SANDOWN damaged by shell fire in boiler room.
Destroyer IVANHOE damaged by aircraft bombing attack.
Taken in tow and proceeded to Sheerness.
Destroyer VIVACIOUS damaged by aircraft bombing attack returned to Dover under own steam.
Personnel vessel MONA'S ISLE. On way to Dunkirk straddled by enemy shore batteries at No.5 Buoy and subsequently attacked by dive bombers - all near misses, Ship proceeded to Dunkirk - embarked troops. Advised by Senior Naval Officer,
Dunkirk, to wait until high water as ship was fully loaded and returned at 0400, arriving Dover on June 2nd at 0150. Ship was found to be making water in No.2 stokehold and steam pipes to be leaking.
F.A.A. Training Yacht GRIVE after leaving Dunkirk, was blown up by a mine.
Minesweeper SKIPJACK was off La Panne engaged in embarking troops. Continuous air attacks were made on the ship from 0530. No fighters were seen except for about 5 minutes.
250 - 300 troops had been embarked by 0845 when ship was hit several times. Orders were given to abandon ship and within about 2 minutes she turned turtle. Most of the troops were lost, having been put below. Those in the water were machinegunned.
Destroyer BASILISK was embarking troops off La Panne and/
daylight/

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

Ship sailed from Dover at 0850 on 29th May, did a days minesweeping and arrived off Dunkirk, lit by the red flames of the burning oil tanks at 0040 on 30th May. On this occasion troops were embarked off BRAY
DUNE in our own boats and canvas punts. There were no incidents of note, and we sailed at 0515, arriving at Dover at 1015 on Thursday morning. All boats were left on the beach by order from Rear Admiral
Dover.
Third trip. Sailing from Dover at 1330 with a party of signalmen for LA PANNE, we arrived off BRAY at 1830. Admiral Wake Walker came on board for passage to LA PANNE, where we transferred him to H.M.S.
"WORCESTER" and enchored at 1930. I can recall no. features of this trip, which was eclipsed by the incidents of the following one.
we proceeded at 0118 and arrived at Dover at 0600.
Fourth trip. In order to comply with Vice Admiral Dover's
0446/30 12 hours were spent at Dover.
A
smallamotor-boat, the
"Handy
Billy! was requisitioned. We left at 1800 and anchored as ordered, one mile west of LA PANNE and 4 cables from the shore, at 1207.
Sub-Lieutenant M.Phipps proceeded to search the shore in "Handy Bill and reported no answer to his hails. Inside an hour, however, the situation had changed, and thousands were massing abreast the ship.
UI called for more boats by searchlight up and down the immic coast, and eventually was much assisted by H.M.S. "IVANHOE" who lent me a motor-boat. The vital need now was for more boats. About this time
Lieutenant-Commander McLelland swam off from shore with a message for
Dover which he was just able to gasp out before collapsing. The troops had been forcedout of LA PANNE and were marching West.
We also embarked a Major, 2nd in Command 2nd Coldstream Guards, and on his advice ordered the bulk of the troups to move West on Dunkirk in small groups.
I decided to remain where I was and to embark the wounded and such troops as refused to move on. "IVANHOE" remained with me.
At this time a paddle minesweeper most gallently grounded herself close inshore to save as many as possible. I do not know har name.
At 0500 as I had expected a flight of Messerschmidt 109's appeared from Eastward, flew low over the beaches and sprayed ships and men with machine-gun fire. The silvery tracer bullets were clearly visible in the morning light. Our fire did something to disperse these machines and casualties did not appear to be heavy.
At 0600 Captain D in H.M.S. "CODRINGTON" asked me my intentions
End as I had 675 troops on board I replied I was proceedingt He ordered me to Dunicirk to "Fill up".
On our way there we went alongside H.M.S. "SKIPJACK" who required
8oz.
chloroform. We then berthed on East Arm just beyond the break, and very quickly embarked some 170 French troops. The enemy was now bombing the town and massing off the harbour entrence. As I went astern "IVANHOE" was hit as she steamed full speed past the pierhead.
We set course west, and were about to turn North at 5W Buoy when we were attacked by some five Junkers 87 dive bombers. These were followed by nine or ten otheres the a few minutes later. It was at this time that H.M.S. "HAVANT" was hit. During these attacks
I
attribute our escape to the coolness and precision with which Lieutenant.Menisty and Yeoman of Signals J.Young ( C/J X 131436
observed each aircraft as it turned to the attack, and assisted me in handling the ship. The salvoes sonbanneck of four small bombs and one large one fell very close; on two occasions it was only our swing during the flight of the bombs that saved us. The 0.5" machine-gun fired until all the feree springs fell off. The 4" guns were hampered by the swing of the ship.
This was a most trying time for the troops between decks who could not tell whether or not we were hit. A great deal was done to calm them by P.O. Std. A.Hockney ( L 14824 ) who actually sat on the ladder to the messdeck and sang to the soldiers.

17.
'Dell
Leonard Travers,
Able Seaman a D/JX.133219, H.MS. Glengowe
Able Seaman James Wallis, C/SSX.27313, H.M.S. Keith.
Able Seaman Edwin George Webster, C/JX.142167, H.M.S. Kingfisher.
Able Seaman George John Woodger, C/J.45802, H.M.S. Keith.
Able Seaman Frederick William Jacobs, C/J.100758, R.F.R., B.23901,
H.M.S. Malcolm.
Able Seaman James Kidd, R.F.R., D/SSX.13321, H.M.S. Jaguar.
Able Seaman Frederick James Slack, C/J.93546, R.F.R., B.21781, H.M.S.
Crested Eagle.
Able Seaman George Tilbury, c/ss.7850, R.F.R., B.17336, H.M.S.
Crested Eagle.
Able Peaman Richard Philip Smith, R.N.V.R., БЕЗДХХЗЛАЙ MD/X.1950,
H.M.S. Codrington.
Signalman Harold Oscar Carter, C/SSX.17317, H.M.S. Locust.
Signalman Charles Raymond Craig, D/JX.141848, H.M.S. Bideford.
Signalman Harry Guy, C/JX.150713, H.M.S. Calcutta.
Signalman Eric Ernest Roden, C/J.103654, H.M.S. Locust.
Signalman Stanley Thompson, C/JX.133505, H.M.S. Kingfisher.
Signalman Leslie David Ball, R.M.V.R.? LD5/X.3548, H.M.S. Codrington.
Signalman James Stanley Duffy, R.N.N.R.A,C/TDX.1412,
Signalman Ronald Henry Walters, R.N.V.R., C/LDX.4178.
queen of Thanet.
Signalman John Albert Williamson, R.NV.R., LD/X.4036, H.M.S. Glenaven
Stoker First Class Jack Chadwick, D/KX.81834, HLM.S. Jaguar.
Stoker First Class Samuel Comben, P/K.62179, H.M.S. Vimy.
Stoker First Class Charles Irvine, C/KX.86537, H.M.S. Sabre.
Stoker First Class William Reginald Gordon Jones, C/KX.92890, H.M.S.
Wolsey.
Stoker First Class Percy William Spray, P/KX.87052, Newhaven Rosa Life Boa
Sick Berth Attendant Eric James Littlewood Gibson, D/MX.56025, Ivanhoe. H.M.S.
Sick Berth Attendant (R) Alfred Bassford, c/x.8080, R.N.A.S.B.R.
Sick Berth Attendant Albert William Keller, R.N.A.S.B.R., D/X.6785,
H.M.S. Havant.
Sick Berth Attendant James Timothy Tomlinson, R.N.A.S.B.R.? P/X.6941.
H.M.S. Vivacious.
Sick Berth Attendant Edward Welch, R.N.A.S.B.R., P/SBR/X.7341, H.M.S. Esk.
Sick Berth Attendant John Yeoman, R.N.A.S.B.R., P/X.7093, H.M.S. Express.
Ordinary Seaman Noel Edward Holmes Berry, D/JX.158456, H.M.S. Jaguar.
Ordinary Seaman Arthur Thomas Burton, P/JX.182142, H.M.S. Portsdown.
Ordinary Seaman Dominic Kenny, D/SSX.30221, H.M.S. Shikari.
Shaw
Ordinary Seaman William Lyons, D/SSX.30211, H.M.S. Shikari. are
Brigana aire

Page 2.
HICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940.
WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS.
CRUISER.
TTTA
ROYERS.
ONY
INTREPID
VENOMOUS
LISK
IVANHOE
VERITY
INGTON
JAGUAR
VIMY
JAVELIN
VIVACIOUS
ESS
KEITH
WAKEFUL
ANT
MACKAY
WHITEHALL
TON
MALCOIM
WHITSHED
ADE
MONTROSE
WINCHELSEA
HOUND
SABRE
WINDSOR
ESTER
SALADIN
WOLFHOUND
NT
SCIMITAR
WOLSEY
US
SHIKARI
WORCESTER
LSIVE
VANQUISHER
P.
EFORD
VETTES.
LLEMOT
MALLARD
SHELDRAKE
GFISHER
SHEARWATER
WIDGEON
BOATS.
UST
#
MOSQUITO
ESWEEPERS.
ROSS
URY
HEBE
SALAMANDER
GHTON BELLE
KELLETT
SALTASH
GHTON QUEEN
LEDA
SANDOWN
ONIA
LYDD
SHARPSHOOTER
HESS OF FIFE
MARMION
MEDWAY QUEEN
SKIPJACK
DALK
SNAEFELL
PEROR OF INDIA
NIGER
SPEEDWELL
CZROY
ORIOLE
SUTTON
ENAVON
PANGBOURNE
WAVERLEY
ENGOWER
PLINLIMMON
WESTWARD HO
SSAMER
PORTSDOWN
CIE FIELDS
PRINCESS ELIZABETH
WHIPPINGHAM
LCYON
QUEEN OF THANET
(Continued)
Sunk.

Page 8
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
M.S.
GRAFTON
- Commander (Killed Cecil E. C. Robinson, R.N.
when ship was torpedoed).
May, Bray beach. Dover 1100/28 after which she of 27th
GRAFTON landing embarked them at 277 troops during the night to board, Leaving she Bray just after midnight returned 850
M.T.B. from a sunken ship. lying stopped picking up survivors by a troops on at 0250, while was hit by 2 torpedoes fired with was blown and the ship's back appeared to be broken.
The stern off of the ship abaft the after magazine bulkhead all the ship's company that could be spared. The remainder sea, the troops were transferred to S.S. MALINES and then
An hour later, the ship rolling heavily in a rising transferred sinking. later to IVANHOE when GRAFTON was slowly
Recommendations.
FICER.
Surgeon-Lieutenant Joseph Wishart Shield, M.B., B.Ch. R.N.V.R.
Worked indefatigably among the many wounded and with complete disregard for his own safety, visited damaged compartments in the stern searching for wounded before he could possibly have known that the ship would not sink at once.
C.,,D,S.C.
Recommended for decoration.

Page 12
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. HAVANT - Lieutenant Commander Anthony Frank Burnell-Nugent
D.S.C., R.N
first trip, while alongside home 1,500 troops in all. On the the
HAVANT 2 trips made she 3 brought trips including 2 to the beaches.
3rd embark during an intense Dunkirk pier waiting for On assistance. off offall the troops (about to
IVANHOE Having amidships taken and on fire so steamed out she saw her to struck aerial bombardment, troops including subjected many wounded) to HAVAN proceeded for Dover, 500
bombing bombs in the from hore batteries. She level soon and bombardment intense di bombing, high and low but wa by 2 which fell engineroom, and then a large delay was action hit bomb, about 50 yards ahead of ship, exploded right underneath her.
Further bombing caused more underwater damage and
HAVANT finally rolled over and sank after the troops and crew had transferred to AEGIR
Recommendations.
OFFICER.
Lieutenant Commander Anthony Frank Burnell-Nugent, D.S.C., R.N.
Evacuated troops from the beaches and from Dunkirk during heavy bombardment. When his ship had been heavily damaged by bombs, made every endeavour to save her when still subject to intense aerial attack, though without success.
D.S.C,
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS.
Chief Stoker M. Gallon, P/K. 59221.
ing ered
The Engineer Officer and 2 E.R.A.s having been killci and all the other E.R.A.S having been wounded, this rating became in charge of the engineroom department.
He showed great initiative and resource by letting the steam out of the boilers at a critical time, thereby saving the ship from running on to a sandbank opposite
Dunkirk. He subsequently showed great calmness and presence of mind in doing all he could to save the ship and to keep the Captain informed of the state of affairs
DSM D.S.M.
below. He was the last rating to leave the ship.
Recommended for decoration.
Sick Berth Attendant A. Keller D/X.6785.
When faced with a large number of wounded under heavy fire, carried out his duties with the utmost calm,
M
deliberation and efficiency.
P.S.M.M
Recommended for mention.
Petty Officer Steward J. Lysaght, D/L.13388.
IDSM
This rating showed great initiative and resource in getting wounded men from HAVANT to AEGIR. He took charge well and set a fine example.
Recommended for decoration.

Operation "DYNAMO" Recommendations of Personnel.
Page 16,
.M.S. IVANHOE. - Commander Philip Henry Hadow. R.N.
when bringing Made returning home 1 trip a to total to Dover Dunkirk of about beach 2,900 and troops. 2 to Dunkirk pier, subjected to heavy level with 1,000 troops on board On 1st June of IVANHOE casualties and of flooded. aircraft, further one Off Amongst received bomb Dunkirk attacks The 26 but exploded other killed ship dive considerable all damage, by eventually these and near bombing a large bombing 30 Nos. attacks the wounded. number damage attacks reached base 1 attacks and were of from 2 developed Sheerness the Boiler avoided. by 2 foremost near a large Rooms and misses in she spite funnel number becam was use the enemy. floats to simulate hits appears to have The misle two occasions, of smoke though her speed was only of level 7 knots. bombers on
Recommendations.
OFFICERS:
Commander Philip Henry Hadow, R.N.
Handled his ship with skill during evacuation from Dunkirk and the beaches, and skilfully brought her home when severely damaged by bombing in spite of subsequent heavy bombing attacks by large numbers of aircraft.
Recommended for mention.
Lieutenant (E) Andrew Cormack Mahony, R.N.
By his coolness and energy set a fine example
M
to his department when dealing with the damage below after the ship had been bombed. He rapidly assessed the damage, and by his efforts succeeded in getting way on the ship in the shortest possible time.
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS:
Sick Berth Attendant Eric James Littlewood Gibson, MX. 56025.
Displayed outstanding zeal and energy throughout.
Without the assistance of any Medical Officer he dealt most efficiently and untiringly with the wounded, many of whom were badly maimed and some of whom he extricated unaided from a pile of corpses and debris.
Recommended for mention.
Chief E.R.A. Richard Edward Cox, C/M.34441.
Showed great zeal and energy throughout and by a cool appreciation of the situation was largely responsible for getting steam on the main engines after the ship had been damaged by bombing.
Chief/

Page 17.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
IVANHOE (continued).
is
Chief Stoker Henry Joseph Prendergast. C/R. 62741.
Displayed untiring efforts in attempts to assess the damage caused by bombing. Made repeated attempts
M
to enter No.2 Boiler Room, but was unable to do so or account of escaping stemm and was finally dissuaded from repeating the attempts.
Recommended for mention.
Able Seaman James Pearce Clare, R.F.R., C/J.99666.
1
This rating after the explosion and during the subsequent bombing attacks was largely responsible
S.M. M
for keeping up the spirits of the ship's company by his cheerfulness, willingness and coolness.
Recommended for mention.
Lng cred
SPS
5
om

Page 92.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. GRIVE - Captain. the Hon. Lionel Oliver Lambart, D.S.O., R.N.
Sub. -Lieutanant - John Kenneth Barton Miles, R.N.V.R. (Retired). -
the only surviving officer.
GRIVE left Portsmouth 1530/29th May, arrived Dover
2359/29 and sailed for Dunkirk 1400/30, where for 2½ hours she embarked troops from the East beach with her own boats, arriving back at Dover a.m. 31st with just under 300 troops.
GRIVE left Dover again at 1400/31, entered Dunkirk harbour at 2000/31 and embarked 400 troops during a very in severe air raid. GRIVE arrived back at Dover 0100/1, landed her troops and although having only 5 rounds of ammunition left per gun, sailed again at 0300/1.
Reaching Dunkirk 0800/1 GRIVE went alongside the pier and took off a group of troops during heavy bombing. Leaving harbour GRIVE went alongside HAVANT, which had been hit by a bomb, and was on fire, and took off all her troops and wounded, together with IVANHOE's survivors. GRIVE arrived
Dover 1300/1 with 700 on board.
At this stage Captain Lambart put Lieutenant C.E. West,
R.N.R. (an officer of over 60) ashore, as he had done e
magnificent work handling the ship "and had earned a rest".
Captain Lambart himself, who was 67, would not rest; he assembled his crew, informed them he intended to start off again immediately. The crew were equally determined and, having provisioned and ammunitioned, the ship sailed at
1600/1.
n
When approaching Dunkirk about 2230 GRIVE apparently was mined and was blown to pieces.
This account is taken from the narrative of Sub.-Lieut.
Miles, the only officer saved.
Recommendations.
OFFICERS:
ps,
23
uring
Captain. the Hon. Lionel John Olive Lambart, D.S.O., R.N. (Retired)
stered ivors
For gallantry and exceptional endurance and was devotion to duty.
whom
Port. M.
Recommended for posthumous decoration.
Sub. -Lieutenant John Kenneth Barton Miles, R.N.V.R.
For gallantry in action.
DSC D.S.C
Recommended for decoration.
a ip
1008
evec in.

Page 8
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
I.S. GRAFTON - Commander Cecil E. C, Robinson. R.N.
(Killed when ship was torpedoed).
GRAFTON embarked 277 troops during the night of 27th
May, landing them at Dover 1100/28 after which she returned to Bray beach. Leaving Bray just after midnight with 850
troops on board, she was hit by 2 torpedoes fired by a
M.T.B. at 0250, while lying stopped picking up survivors from a sunken ship.
The stern of the ship abaft the after magazine bulkhead was blown off and the ship's back appeared to be broken.
An hour later, the ship rolling heavily in a rising sea, the troops were transferred to S.S. MALINES and then all the ship's company that could be spared. The remainder transferred later to IVANHOE when GRAFTON was slowly sinking.
Recommendations.
TICER.
Surgeon-Lieutenant Joseph Wishart Shield, M.B., B.Ch. R.N.V.R.
Worked indefatigably among the many wounded and with complete disregard for his own safety, visited damaged compartments in the stern searching for wounded before he could possibly have known that the ship would not sink at once.
Recommended for decoration.

Page 12
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
I.S. HAVANT - Lieutenant Commander Anthony Frank Burnell-Nugent
D.S.C., R.N.
HAVANT made 3 trips including 2 to the beaches. On the first 2 trips she brought home 1,500 troops in all. On the
3rd trip, while alongside Dunkirk pier waiting for troops to embark during an intense aerial bombardment, she saw
IVANHOE struck amidships and on fire so steamed out to her assistance. Having taken off all the troops (about 500
including many wounded) HAVANT proceeded for Dover, but wa soon subjected to intense di- bombing, high and low level bombing and bombardment from lore atteries. She was hit by 2 bombs in the engin room and then a large delay action bomb, which fell about 50 yards ahead of ship, exploded right underneath her.
Further bombing caused more und rwater damage and
HAVANT finally rolled over and sank after the troops and crew had transferred to AEGI
Recommendations.
FFICER.
Lieutenant Commander Anthony Frank Burnell-Nugent, D.S.C., R.N.
Evacuated troops from the beaches and from Dunkirk during heavy bombardment. When his ship had been heavily damaged by bombs, made every endeavour to save her when still subject to intense aerial attack, though without success.
Recommended for mention.
ATINGS.
Chief Stoker M. Gallon. P/K.59221.
The Engineer Officer and 2 E.R.A.s having been killi and all the other E.R.A.S having been wounded, this rating became in charge of the engineroom department.
He showed great initiative and resource by letting the steam out of the boilers at a critical time, thereby saving the ship from running on to a sandbank opposite
Dunkirk. He subsequently showed great calmness and presence of mind in doing all he could to save the ship and to keep the Captain informed of the state of affairs below. He was the last rating to leave the ship.
Recommended for decoration.
Sick Berth Attendant A. Keller D/X.6785.
When faced with a large number of wounded under heavy fire, carried out his duties with the utmost calm, deliberation and efficiency.
Recommended for mention.
Petty Officer Steward J. Lysaght. D/L.13388.
This rating showed great initiative and resource in getting wounded men from HAVANT to AEGIR. He took charge well and set a fine example.
Recommended for decoration.

Page 16.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. IVANHOE. - Commander Philip Henry Hadow. R.N.
Made 1 trip to Dunkirk beach and 2 to Dunkirk pier, bringing home a total of about 2,900 troops. On 1st June when returning to Dover with 1,000 troops on board she was subjected to heavy level bombing attacks by a large number of aircraft, but all these attacks were avoided.
Off Dunkirk dive bombing attacks developed and
IVANHOE received considerable damage from 2 near misses and one bomb exploded near the base of the foremost funnel casualties 26 killed and 30 unded
Amongst other damage, Nos. 1 and 2 Boiler Rooms became flooded. The ship eventually reached Sheerness in spite of further attacks by a large number of level bombers on two occasions, though her speed was only 7 knots. The use of smoke floats to simulate hits appears to have mislei the enemy.
Recommendations.
OFFICERS:
Commander Philip Henry Hadow, R.N.
Handled his ship with skill during evacuation from Dunkirk and the beaches, and skilfully brought her home when severely damaged by bombing in spite of subsequent heavy bombing attacks by large numbers of aircraft.
Recommended for mention.
Lieutenant (E) Andrew Cormack Mahony, R.N.
By his coolness and energy set a fine example to his department when dealing with the damage below after the ship had been bombed. He rapidly assessed the damage, and by his efforts succeeded in getting way on the ship in the shortest possible time.
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS:
Sick Berth Attendant Eric James Littlewood Gibson, D/MX.56025.
Displayed outstanding zeal and energy throughout.
Without the assistance of any Medical Officer he dealt most efficiently and untiringly with the wounded, many of whom were badly maimed and some of whom he extricated unaided from a pile of corpses and debris.
Recommended for mention.
Chief E.R.A. Richard Edward Cox, C/M.34441.
Showed great zeal and energy throughout and by a cool appreciation of the situation was largely responsible for getting steam on the main engines after the ship had been damaged by bombing.
Chief/

Page 17.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
I.M.S. IVANHOE (continued).
Chief Stoker Henry Joseph Prendergast. C/R.62741.
Displayed untiring efforts in attempts to assess the damage caused by bombing. Made repeated attempts to enter No.2 Boiler Room, but was unable to do so or account of escaping steam and was finally dissuaded from repeating the attempts.
Recommended for mention.
Able Seaman James Pearce Clare, R.F.R., C/J.99666.
This rating after the explosion and during the subsequent bombing attacks was largely responsible
DSM
for keeping up the spirits of the ship's company by his cheerfulness, willingness and coolness.
Recommended for mention.

Page 92.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. GRIVE - Captain, the Hon. Lionel Oliver Lambart, D.S.O., R.N.
Sub. -Lieutanant - the John Kenneth Barton Miles, R.N.V.R. (Retired). -
only surviving officer.
GRIVE left Portsmouth 1530/29th May, arrived Dover
2359/29 and sailed for Dunkirk 1400/30, where for 2½ hours she embarked troops at from the East beach with her own boats, arriving back Dover a.m. 31st with just under 300 troops.
GRIVE left Dover again at 1400/31, entered Dunkirk harbour at 2000/31 and embarked 400 troops during a very severe air raid. GRIVE arrived back at Dover 0100/1, landed her troops and although having only 5 rounds of ammunition left per gun, sailed again at 0300/1.
Reaching Dunkirk 0800/1 GRIVE went alongside the pier and took off a group of troops during heavy bombing. Leaving harbour GRIVE went alongside HAVANT, which had been hit by a bomb, and was on fire, and took off all her troops and wounded, together with IVANHOE's survivors. GRIVE arrived
Dover 1300/1 with 700 on board.
At this stage Captain Lambart put Lieutenant West,
R.N.R. (an officer of over 60) ashore, as he had done magnificent work handling the ship "and had earned a rest".
Captain Lambart himself, who was 67, would not rest; he assembled his crew, informed them he intended to start off again immediately. The crew were equally determined and, having provisioned and ammunitioned, the ship sailed at
1600/1.
When approaching Dunkirk about 2230 GRIVE apparently was mined and was blown to pieces.
This account is taken from the narrative of Sub,-Lieut.
Miles, the only officer saved.
Recommendations.
OFFICERS:
Captain. the Hon. Lionel John Olive Lambart, D.S.O., R.N. (Retired)
For gallantry and exceptional endurance and devotion to duty.
Recommended for posthumous decoration.
Sub. -Lieutenant John Kenneth Barton Miles, R.N.V.R.
For gallantry in action.
Recommended for decoration.