TNA ADM 199 795

50/-
SECRET.
480
Use of Landing Craft during the evacuation of the B.E.F.
Report by the Inter-Services Training and
Development Centre.
Orders were received at about 3100 hrs on 26th May to load all available landing craft in the CLAN MACALISTER at Southampton for immedlate despatch to Dover. Eight Action, being all that were available, were duly loaded together with their crews, 2500 gallons of petrol and 300
gallons of lubricating oil.
Commander R.A. Cassidi R.N. was in charge of the party and with him were Sub. Lieut
Wilcoxon R.N.V.R. and Sub. Lieut Eyres R.N.V.R.
The crews comprised 45 ratings,
The CLAN MACALISTER sailed at about
1800 hrs 27th May. Subsequent action of A.L.C.
is described in appendix "A" attached.
Two jet propulsion type M.L.C. (12 and 17),
2.
arrived at Portsmouth from the clyde on 39th May.
They were put into commission forthwith, but were found to be in very bad condition, and a considerable amount of work had to be carried out on the engines and hulls before they could be used.
Two new pattern H.L.C., (21 and 22,) and
A.L.C. 10 were delivered by "hornycrofts on 30th May.
These were also put into commission forthwith.

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481
3.
Orders were received on 30th May to despatch to Dover, the pontoon pier which had just been sent off to Narvik in the EMPIRE
ABI ITY. A working party was detailed for the pier under Lt. Commander Layard R.N. and
Sub. Lieut Murray R.N., and embarked about
1900 hrs 31st May when Empire Ability arrived, having been recalled from the Clyde, She sailed for Dover at about 2100 hrs the same day
This pier was not used, and EMPIRE ABILITY returned, to PORTSMOUTH on the 2nd June,
4.
At about midnight 30/31 May orders sere received to embark and A.L.C. referred to in para 2 above, together with their crews in the
City of Christchurch for despatch to Dover; this was completed by about 1130 hrs 31st day, and the
City of Christchurch sailed at noon, This party was under Sub. Lieut ensonby R.N.V.R. It is believed that of these craft only A.L.C. 10 was unloaded and used, but it is not certain at present whether the CITY OR is on her way back to ortsmouth or not. Purther definite information will be forwarded as soon as it can be obtained. A.L.C. 10 left Dover for Portsmouth under her own power at midday, 4th June.
Commander Cassidi reported to this Centre
5. at about 2000 hrs on 1st June, having landed at
SHEERNESS with A.L.C. 5 which had been considerably damaged. His report is attached in appendix
Part I, and a summary of the action of the various
A.L.C. is given in art II.

181
506
482
6.
As far as can be ascertained, up to the present the following casualties were sustained by crews of A.L.C.:-
Killed - one officer (Sub. Lieut R.
Wilcoxon, R.N.V.R.)
Wounded - Two ratings.
Injured - Two ratings,
Five craft were lost out of the nine employed;
two of these were never hoisted out of the Clan
Macalister owing to an accident to the derricks, and it appears that A.L.C. 8 and 15 need not have been lost, although the deliberate destruction of
A.L.C. 10 was perhaps justified on the grounds that she was disabled and might fall into the hands of the enemy.
of the 4 A.L.C. which returned, A.L.C. 5
7.
is in SHEERNESS Dockyard in a damaged condition.
It is suggested that she should be repaired there without delay, and that she should return to ortsmouth under her own power or in tow. An officer and a crew can be sent to fetch her.
I would point out that these craft were
8. subjected to very abnormal use; they were invariably overloaded; a great strain was thrown on the engines the clutches owing to the fact that the sea off and at DUNKIRK was full of every form of floating etc., obstacle beaches including clothing, equipment, etc., which continually fouled the propellors,

80A
523
499
APPENDIX "A" PART II
A.L.C. 16.
Sub. Lieut. Wilcoxon R.N.V.R. was originally detailed to work in A.L.C. 4, but owing to an accident to this craft when hoisting out, he embarked in A.L.C.
16 on her next coming alongside Clan Macalister with troops.
is
A.L.C. 16 WILB the first boat to be hoisted out, and proceeded straight inshore to the beach near Old Dunkirk where she evacuated British troops. After setting scee seven trips successfully, she was boarded by a nob of
French soldiers, who overwhelmed the boat to such an extent that she became partially swamped, the starboard lattery was flooded and both engines failed.
Eventually sufficient French were evicted to erable
A.L.C. 16 to be floated off, and the port engine started.
Unfortunately in going astern off the beach she rode over the anchor, and did such damage to the part shafting that the port stern tube was loosened in the Presework of the hull, and water poured into the boat.
Continually pumping and baling, A.L.C. 10 continued running for a further hour and a half avacuating troops,
However, the damage to the boat was such that Sub. Lieut.
Wilooxon thought it advisable to arrange for the boat to be towed back to England for repairs.
With this in view they went alongaide and put troops aboard H.M.S. Bideford, Sub Ident. Wilmoxon at the -
time going inboard to arrange for a tow.
While lying alongaids Bideford a heavy attack was made by enemy dive bombers, and Bideford was struck aft. A
terrific explosion resulted within a few feet of A.L.C. 16

8
504
SECRET.
Use of Landing Craft during the
Evacuation of the B.R.F.
APPENDIX "A"
PART III
Dynam 286
Biuld
INTER Survices TRAINING - DEVELOPMENT Center
Form CUMMERLAND EASTHER Burneos
PORTSMOUTH
FROM:- Commandant, Inter Services Training and Development Centre.
TO:- The Vice Admiral,
H.M. Ships & Vessels,
DOVER.
DATE:- 12th. June 1940.
coc/resc/se/40
USE OF LANDING CRAFT DURING THE EVACUATION OF THE 3.3.7.
Two copies of Appendix "A" Part III, to 15 report on the above subject enclosed with by COC/PM/17/8/40
are forwarded herewith.
2.
Part III deals with the novements of A.L.C. 10
and M.L.C. 12, 17, 21, and 22, which were sent in the
"City of Christchurch" on Stat. May 1940.
Abbilby major RM
for
LISUTENANT COLONEL
10
VICE ADMIRAL
14 JUN 1940
*
DOVER
R
Difference

&
504
SECRET.
Use of Landing Craft during the
Evacuation of the B.R.F.
APPENDIX "A"
PART III
Report by Sub. Lieut. S.R. Ponsonby R.N.V.R.
The City of Christchurch with A,L,C. 10
and H.L.C. Nos. 12, 17, 21, and 22 onboard arrived off
Dover at midnight 31st May 1940,
At 0900 on 1st June orders sere received to place A.L.C. 10 and W.L.C. 31 and 82 in the water and to embark sufficient fuel and water for 48 hrs running over and above that which was already in them,
(sufficient for 120 miles), using the street despatch,
This was completed by 1130,
2.
At 1430 orders were received for the City of Christeburch to drop all the Landing Craft off Buoy in These were then to proceed to the beach, and to return to Dover, undertheir am power, the following morning. M.I.C. 17 was unfit for service owing to a hole in her water pump, and was therefore left behind,
The craft left Buoy * at 3130 and proceeded
3. in line shead I, myself being in A.L.C. 10.
On arrival at the beach 1 found it impassible all the craft under my personal control therefore owing to keep of boats that were there, and I
gave to the orders number for each coxswain to carry on independantly.

505
4.
At dawn 2nd June, having embarked 70 soldiers and finding every ship had left, I proceeded towards
Dover. Halfway across the Straits I sighted a paddle steamer, and put the soldiers onboard her, A.L.C. 10
arrived at Dover about 1000 where I reported to the
Captain in charge of Auxiliary Services, asking for a
mechanic to repair my starboard engine,
I received orders to leave Ash.C. 10 at
Dover and to take charge of the Royal National
Lifeboat Jane Holland.
5.
I proceeded in this vessel under tax, at
1600 2nd June with orders to pick up Prench troops at the Eastern Breakwater. I as employed on this sork until dawn 3rd June, when I received orders to 80 to
B. and C beaches and take off the Beach lasters there,
On arrival at these beacher which were being heavily shelled, I was unable to find any trace of there officers.
I was informed however by some troops who were enharking in a destroyer, that the Reach Master had been taken off by another destroyer. Having obtained confirmation of this, I returned to Dunkirk, but found all the ships had left.
6.
It was now daylight and 1 set course for
Dover. Shortly afterwards my engine broke down and the lifeboat was taken in tow by a motor host, 1 Sorroued a mechanic from this hoat who succeded in getting the engine running again, when we cast off.
A little laten the engine caught fire, and became completely useless. The crew WGTV taken aff by a C.M.B. from Dover and an the lifeboat var of very

505
4.
At dawn 2nd June, having embarked 70 soldiers and finding every ship had left, I proceeded towards
Dover. Halfway across the Straits I sighted a paddle steamer, and put the soldiers onboard her, A.L.C. 10
arrived at Dover about 1000 where I reported to the
Captain in charge of Auxiliary Services, asking for a mechanic to repair my starboard engine,
I received orders to leave A.L.C. 10 at
Dover and to take charge of the Royal National
Lifeboat Jane Holland.
5.
I proceeded in this vessel under tax, at
1600 2nd June with orders to pick up French troops at the Eastern Breakwater. 1 was employed on this 2018
until dawn 3rd June, when I received orders to go to
B. and C beaches and take off the Reach Masters there.
On arrival at these beacher which were being heavily shelled, I was unable to find any trace of there officers.
I was informed however by some troops who were emhariting in a destroyer, that the Reach Master had been taken off by another destroyer. Having obtained confirmation of this, I returned to Dunkirk, but found all the ships had left.
It was now daylight and I set course for
6. Shortly afterwards my engine broke down and the
Dover. taken in tox by a motor host, 1 horrowed the lifeboat a mechanic was from this heat who succeded in getting engine running again, when we cast off.
little later the engine daught fire, aff and completely A useless. The crew 1674 taken very by became a C.M.B. from Dover and as the lifeboat var of