TNA ADM 199 795

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Dynam III.
347
Admiralty, S.W.1.
8th June, 1940.
Rear Admiral, Dover - - Report of Proceedings, 29th May - 3rd June
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the following report on the operations
off shore at Dunkirk between Wednesday, 29th May, and Tuesday, 4th June.
Much of this report has had to be completed from memory, and where
2. incident is so crowded it is difficult not to give & confused picture. The
picture was, however, confused, and so far as operations off the beaches were
concerned organisation was not possible. The most that could be done was
to exercise some control and direction.
Narrative
29th May
I sailed at 2000 from Dover in ESK, who had on board 12 small beach
3. These were distributed at the beaches into any craft available and and
Commodore parties. Hallett was put into a drifter to take charge off shore at Bray
Commodore Stephenson off La Panne.
30th May
4.
At 0200, 30th May, I boarded HKBE off La Fame and heard the general
situation from Captain Bush.
there were a few ships, drifters and other craft available. off the
5. beaches and At embarkation this time was proceeding slowly with the few boats
showed the beaches black with troops, a number notor-boats of boats
broached 6. Daylight to. A very few boats, principally whalers, and some
were bringing off troops.
It was misty, clouds were low and the sea was calm, but even so
7. there was a slight surf inshore.
immediately obvious to no that any large The arews embarkation were the from
8. It became inshore boats and crews. and Amament and I
who 9. signalled essential the I beaches found During as to was depended H.M.Ships this away the effect. forenoon with on could more the I not C. went Finding in spare C. into at men that Dunkirk La from Panne, the A/A harbour in but HERE Guns none could to see the be the less used S.N.O. I I was
able to get into the that picture. embarkation from Dunkirk was afforts the only were practical directed plan to if
formed numbers the opinion were involved and all my subsequent signals.
large that end. I stressed this view in many
the beaches had to be used to the fullest control capacity the of
10. At boats the same and time the problem I had to two deal requirements. with was to
shipping the inshore available so as to balance these
11. half the Control length Ships of were was the not often beach, easy; tied the and it only to touch was their boata seldon with position Dunkirk available possible by involved at to their see that boats more a point. close being than approach In the
inshore, early and v/s. days and off often the beaches these were an M.A/S.B. would have been invaluable.
To put the situation that developed into a mitshell, /at the plans made
12.