TNA ADM 199 795

Summary of Reports concerning the Evacuation of Trooss.
from the Dunkirk Area - May 27th - June 4th, 1940.
4
6.
ODD SHIPS.
rage
BIDEFORD
CALCUTTA.
9
H.M.S. DOLPHIN'S POWER BOAT.
13
16
DORIEN ROSE.
35
DWARF
40
LORMONT
16
MASSEY SHAW
NS4
-
MONA'S ISLE.
NEW PRINCE OF WALES.
63
66
PORTSDOWN.
-
SCOTTISH CO-OPERATOR.
70
SIROCCO.
73
WHIPPINGHAM.
75
a
EX LIGHTER X.209.
PORTSMOUTH BARGES TAKING PART. 88

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Dynam 130.
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Subject ** Report on Operations in connection with the evacuation of the B.E.F. from the Dunkirk area.
From
** The Commanding Officer, H.M.S. "Calcutta".
Date
** 6th June 1940.
No. 061/28
To
** The Vice-Admiral, Dover.
(Copies to:- The Commander in Chief, Nore.
The Plag Officer, 20th Cruiser Squadren
The following report on the minor part played by H.M.S. "Caloutta" in the evacuation of the 3.2.7. from the Dunkirk area is submitted.
2.
In view of the vast number of reports which you will receive, It has been made as orief as possible in the form of & chronological time table of events with covering remarks at the and.
Monday 27th May
2310
Sailed from Trinity Bay, The Downs for La Panne.
Tuesday 28th May
0115
Loud explosion about 5 cables on starboard bean probably from torpedo fired by etherty submarine or N.T.B.
0125
Torpedo track crossing from part to starboard missed ship about 100 yards astern.
0135
N.T.B. heard and vaguely sighted bearing Green 60°.
Ship manosuvred under large haim, No subsequent torpedo tracks or explosions seen or heard.
0248
Anchored in position 005 La Panne, air light, 310
Motor Cutter and both whalers sent in to beach to commence evacuation into paddle about mine sweepers "Sandown" and *Gracio Fields" who were much closer inshore. "Grafton" "Greyhound"
and "Impulsive" also avacuating from this beach.
0500
Opened fire on one Heinkel.
0523
Opened fire on one J U 39,
0615
Impulsive ordered to proceed to Dunistrk and go alongside East pier.
0621
Opened fire on 3 Heikals,
0625
Evacuation of beach completed. "Grafton" and
"Grayhound" proceeded. Padale Minesweepers
"Sandown" and "Gracia Halds* ordered alongside to disembark their 700 troops into "Calcutis".
0641
Opened fire on 1 Heinkel.
0715
Weighed and proceeded to Shearness,
1315
Arrived Shearness, disembarked 700 troops and completed with all fual and provisions.
1710
Slipped from buoy and proceeded to La Panne.
2157
Ancijored in position 0145° La Panne Air Light 2ª
Boats sent in to the same beach as had been used previously. Heavy surf running and conditions for embarking troops extremely difficult. Only one Schoot to assist in embarkation of about 70
wounded,
Wednesday 29th May

SECRET
Dynam. 130.
B14/0/1179
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12
Subject.. Report on Operations in connection with the evacuation of the B.E.F. from the Dunkirk area.
From
.. The Commanding Officer, H.M.S. "Calcutta".
Date
** 6th June 1940.
No. 061/28
To
.. The Vice-Admiral, Dover.
(Copies to:- The Commander in Chief, Nore.
The Flag Officer, 20th Cruiser Squadron
The following report on the minor part played by H.M.S. "Calcutta" in the evacuation of the B.E.F. from the Dunkirk area is submitted.
2.
In view of the vast number of reports which you will receive, it has been made as brief as possible in the form of a chronological time table of events with covering remarks at the end.
Monday 27th May
23L0
Sailed from Trinity Bay, The Downs for La Panne.
Tuesday 28th May
0115
Loud explosion about 5 cables on starboard beam probably from torpedo fired by ehemy submarine or M.T.B.
0125
Torpedo track crossing from port to starboard missed ship about 100 yards astern.
0135
M.T.B. heard and vaguely sighted bearing Green 60°.
Ship manoeuvred under large helm. No subsequent torpedo tracks or explosions seen or heard.
0248
Anchored in position 005° La Panne, air light, 310
Motor Cutter and both whalers sent in to beach to commence evacuation into paddle aboumer's mine sweepers "Sandown" and "Gracie Fields" who were much closer inshore. "Grafton, "Greyhound"
and "Impulsive" also evacuating from. this beach.
0500
Opened fire on one Heinkel.
0523
Opened fire on one J U 88.
0615
Impulsive ordered to proceed to Dunkirk and go alongside East pier.
0621
Opened fire on 3 Heikels.
0625
Evacuation of beach completed. "Grafton" and
"Greyhound" proceeded. Paddle Minesweepers
"Sandown" and "Gracie Fields" ordered alongside to disembark their 700 troops into "Calcutta".
0641
Opened fire on 1 Heinkel.
0715
Weighed and proceeded to Sheerness.
1215
Arrived Sheerness, disembarked 700 troops and completed with oil fuel and provisions.
1710
2157
Anchored in position 01410 La Panne Air Light 2'.6
Slipped from buoy and proceeded to La Panne.
Boats sent in to the same beach as had been used previously. Heavy surf running and conditions for embarking troops extremely difficult. Only one Schoot to assist in embarkation of about 70
wounded.
Wednesday 29th May

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13
2.
Report on operations in connection with the evacuation of the B.E.F. from the Dunkirk area. (Continued).
Wednesday 29th May.
0300
All wounded that could be moved evacuated into
Schoot or ships boats all of which returned to
"Calcutta".
Schoot, with a certain number of wounded, sent back to England as she was nearly unmanageable with her steering gear in a precarious state.
0345
Boats sent in again to collect more troops as they arrived and if possible to connect with Lord Gort in view of your message 0127/29th May.
Officer in charge of "Calcutta's" boats, Mr F.J. March
Gunner, made personal contact with Lord Gort about
8 miles inland, and placed "Calcutta" at his disposal for his or his staff's evacuation. Lord
Gort courteously refused to be evacuated at this
0430
One stage, of "Calcutta's If whalers lost.
0520
Opened fire on one Dornier.
0710
"Calcutta's" boats returned with more troops and sent in again to La Panne with relief crews.
0735
"Sutton" alongside to disembark her troops into
"Calcutta" and return close inshore opposite La
0810
Panne. "Salamander alongside and as for "Sutton" above,
1210
Party of tugs and drifters towing own boats sighted, proceeding homewards full of troops. All ordered alongside "Calcutta" to disembarktheir troops and return to La Panne for more.
1227
"Java" towing launch alongside.
1228
"Golden Sunbeam" towing launch alongside.
1230
"Lord Rodney" alongside.
1237
"Lord Keith" towing launch alongaide.
1247
"Lord St Vincent" alongside.
1250
"Lord Collingwood" alongside.
1335
Captain (D) 1st D/F, who was senior officer at La
Panne at this time, informed that tugs and drifters were being sent in to load up again.
1350
"Calcutta's" boats returned to ship.
1357
1900
Weighed. Arrived Sheerness. Disembarked 1000 troops and completed with oil fuel and ammunition.
Friday 31st May.
1940
Slipped from buoy at Sheerness.
2130
Anchored off East Margate buoy with "Mallard" and
"Sheerwater" in company.
Saturday 1st June.
0315
Weighed and proceeded with "Mallard" and "Shearwater"
0500
Commenced patrolling on X route between and Y
buoys.
0938
Ordered to return to Sheerness.
1015
Opened fire on one Heinkel who had attacked and damaged "Mosquito". Heinkel shot down.
1018
Opened fire on two more Heinkels diving from broken clouds.
1024
Detached "Shearwater" to stand by "Mosquito".
1312

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3.
Report on operations in connection with the evacuation of the B.E.F. from the Dunkirk area. (Continued)
1312
Anchored off Nore Light Vessel.
2015
Weighed.
2140
Anchored off East Margate Buoy, "Mallard" and
"Sheerwater" in company.
Sunday 2nd June 1940.
0245
Weighed and proceeded with "Mallard" and "Sheerwater".
0430
Commenced patrolling in vicinity of.W buoy.
French destroyers "Epervier" and "Leopard" at U and
V buoys respectively.
0710
Last homeward bound ship passed W buoy.
1035
Attacked by 3 J U 88 diving from out of the sun.
4 bombs very close on port beam.
4 bombles very close on port bow.
4 bombs missed well ahead.
French destroyers left patrol.
1050
Attacked by 1 Heinkel dive bombing. 4 bombs missed well out on starboard beam.
1140
Attacked by 1 Heinkel with machine gun from 4,000 ft.
1155
Attacked by 1 J U 88 who would not come through
"Calcutta's" barrage and dropped 4 bombs well astern.
1350
Orders received to return to Sheerness.
1459
"Mallard" detached to stand by Hospital Ship
"Worthing" who had been bombed and damaged.
1644
Anchored off Nore Light vessel to make good condenser trouble and slight damage from near misses.
Monday 3rd June
0510
0550
Weighed. Secured to buoy at Sheerness. Discovered further condenser trouble and serious cloud in all reserve feed tanks.
All defects made good by 1400 on Tuesday 4th June.
3. During the period at La Panne, "Calcutta" had to lie too far from the beach to be of any use for direct embarkation of troops so the principle adopted was to order any small ships alongside when they were full, disembark their troops into "Calcutta" and return close inshore for another load.
4.
In the two salvoes each of 4 bombs which fell very close to "Calcutta" on Sunday 2nd June it appeared that one bomb in each salvo had at delay action and burst some way under the water whereas the other three burst on impact.
5. The conduct and behaviour of my ship's company and of the military forces evacuated has been exemplary throughout.
VIOE ADMIRA
D.M.dees D.rr.
10JUN 1940
*
POVER
CAPTAIN

Dynamo
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CONFIDENTIAL
Dynams 110t.
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13
Blu/e/
15"
Subject Recommendations for an award or decoration in connection with the evacuation of the B.E.F.
from the Dunkirk area.
From
The Commanding Officer, H.M.S. "Calcutta",
Date
6th June 1940.
No. 062/28
To
The Vice-Admiral, Dover.
(Copies to:- The Commander in Chief, Nore.
DO
The Flag Officer, 20th Cruiser
Squadron.)
ble d
It is desired to recommend the following for consideration for a decoration or award in connection with the evacuation of the B.E.F. from the Dunkirk area:-
Mr. Frederick James March, Gunner, Roayl Navy.
For his initiative and resource in charge of trol
"Calcutta's" boats and for his untiring example and energy tty, in working up to his waist in heavy surf for hours on end.
S
Signalman Harry Guy O.N. C/JX 150713
n's
For his untiring energy and devotion to duty in holding the whaler's bows to a heavy surf for hours on end and whilst being continuously drenched with water rts up to the shoulders.
e
VICE ADMIRAL
D.M. Lees D.M.
:-
10JUN 1940
*
DOVER
CAP P P A I N
Cash to the value of 1,000 Francs was extracted from the Deed
DX at the D.S.T.O's Office, which was subsequently handed to the scretary to the P.S.T.O. at Dover, whose receipt is attached.
T.S.S. "QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL".
During the early hours of the May, I was angaged in embarking troops from the beach at the astern side of the Harbour entrance in this vessel's five lifeboats.
200 men were brought alongside in this manner and others were aken to other craft In the vicinity.
During these perations one boat was lost.

69
63
2.
At 0400 there once another lull and early drawn. The harbour seemed deserted, as indeed it was, save for the aredinge. Only a for seemed visible on the bench and we couldn't reach them. Howevers would not float. I
decided to loove. The decision was a difficult one; but 11 proved to be provident.
One mile Test of Dunkarque a Inrge Frunch vousel was hard aground with approximately 1000 troops on board. the Captain shouted for help; his draft ms 10 feet and nine 8 foot. to went alongside and in half an hour had all their troops transferred. I then shoved him off the bank. Never have I seen a mn's face look so pleased or express such gratitule. He exclained in broken English words to the effect of what a
"aitter" be would have been for a Hord dive benber!
The next craft sighted was the motor boat that had proviously attempted to take our mits. He had about 25 British troops about and asked us to take them. This 170 did, and offered his a tow, which he refused.
Shortly after hauling to the Part a Dornier "Flying Penoil" aircled
Coast of as France. trug Bron gunnars came up at the double to the bridge when round hended if to dive - started to divo, and then turned and flow off townrds the us at a hoight of 7,000 25. to flow along with the ship, turned and asked, 68 which ho had shot off the day previous truly a specialist had been at his one Scotchmen proudly displayed & piece of a tail balonging to a
Junkors jobt The John about the ship ma whether the "hang" Halls Gun responsible for miding the Dornier change his mind?
The the ocean. to stopped and took about Commonder Mouston, next craft encountered uns & motor driven portoon boat R.N. sheering all over 1st Licut. Community Balley together with their party of highly ratings, mignation I informed him that - were not depaused or wiped" vom out.
about 12 in the purport of this resert as not sink into 17 either. fudiled and his all to ordered his craft to be aboutoned as It constatt was brain until "Last stress - never have I seen to um look 30 tall.
Community (my 1st Idoutenant), for a well earned rest. Smiar an upholding great your days "harmed in" in fl cabin, and his lat (doutant a
This was the continuous duty under heavy ga fire had taken its in III. Caplat's the tradition.
To processed us and gave = a 3. for one of the buys as if but on arrival oranged to be valconed shartly to H.B.S. "Calcutta", compans seened who signalled to be reading. to: attributed the full to a part pallle, found this to be in good order.
Resignts, where 10 discharged our minable $1 cargo. again. End 10 been
"dagaussed" Finally, or "wiped" the "Portadown" would have done
In conclusion, I finil I have anitied in the to early mention stages Londing and relieved Seamen 0. P.O. F.
Grimmde, who aid valuable also boat celtinary wark Saman As % Burton, who, future on his tank first
Daway trip to on sea, the And proved londs himself to be a proming young un for any he my be allocated.
tribute to the ship, and the - the who 3,3,F. built her - she did not let the Finally Havy down, a our Allies the French, or
(Sgl) RICHARD H. CHIRCH
Sub. Moutenent, R.N.R.
Coptain, H.M.S. "FORENDOWN".
Damage sustained:
over starboard paddle cruched, and starboard able 11ght screen broken.
Platibre One Two 15 fluke that of boats anchor lost broken during off emburication. dragging in Dunkerque Bonds.