TNA ADM 199 795

SECRET
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6
Subject.. Personnel. Recommendations for Services in Action.
From.....
The Committing Officer. B.M.S.BIDEFORD.
Date.....
June 6th. 1940. No.
To
The Vice Admiral Communiting. Dover.
Sir,
I have the honour to forward the following report on the conduct of my officers and ships company during the period May 29th - May 31st. 1940.
2. The general behaviour of the personnel vas excellent. There ISS % feeling of great satisfaction throughout the ship men the orders to proceed to Dinkirs rere reclaved,
3. The behaviour of the sen under fire 138 exemplary.
There were no signs of panio OF car; orders were passed and received clearly, and were executed ragidly and correctly. All 414 their duty calaly and efficiently.
4. Great credit for the general organisation of the ship to neet mergencies is the to the late Lieutenant PAUL
ALISTAIN STEWART falley the Executive officer and Cunnery officer of the ship.
5. No acts of exceptional gallantry vere observed, but I wish to bring to your special notice the the following cases of very great devotion to duty:-
I. Surgeon Lientement JOHN JORDAN. 12. 10. LL
This officer by his conduct, real and inswerving devotion to daty throughout the period May 20th 16. May 31st.
was an outstanding example to 15 all, His St.ck Birth Attendant serioualy wounded; with limited resources, be competed with 2019
fifty casualties, many horribly miliated or tangerously wounded. Be performed several sajor operations; De organised his limited resources to their throughout the period he attended his patients continuously, and at all times displayed great ability, patience and understanding. to affort was too such for his, 30 call was laft managered; 30 vas completely selfless. Be upheld the traditions of the Royal Navy and of his profession in a noat worthy nanner. It is considered that be NO
would be the very worthy recipient of a lecoration in recognition.
of his services.
GEORGE
II. No.7354480. Private/WILLTIM CROWDER.
8th. Piaid Anbulance. 1BA Chapany.
This an wassabarked from tray Beach for passage to
England, After the ship vas struck by homba be volunteered imadiately to austst the Surgeon in tending the wounded, About in hour later H.M.S.Kellett saus alongatile to take off all troops embarked, because this was considered nost advisable, Crowder promptly said he would reads in and continue tending the wounded. He did this knowing fall well thath.M.S.
Bideford was very severly imaged and aground; that at that time it was considered highly improdable the ship would England. reach

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and bombing the beach, which was terrible to see, boat drowned and kibled. Aircraft was active all the time, upset duri
VESSELS
TAKING
PART
IN
OPERATION
DYNAMO.
all ships with guns and shore batteries never ceased firing,
P.G.O's
1700 TILBURY & 1.723. CONTRACTING & DREDGING CO. LTD.
STEAM
planes were brought down on land and sea and we could see
HOPPER "JAMES 67"
REPORT OF MASTER.
dropping by parachute, one dropped near to us his parachute the open. We never had much time to look round and see what
Re voyage from Portsmouth to Ramsgate and return from we had our work cut out lugging half drowned men out of the was
Ramsgate to Portsmouth - 30th May to June 1st.
safety if luch was with us, which it was in the end. We
300 on board, I put one wounded man in my cabin and the next had
Left Portsmouth in convoy with four other steam hoppers
I went to the cabin there was two in my bunk, clothes and boot
Our long before reaching Beachy Head. My problem could find in to get the speed averaged seven knots, so I lost sight of the was other wet through, and six on the floor, they were in every bunk an in the ship dead beat. It was nine o'clock so I decided we 1
vessels ship to her destination. The only chart I had old get them as it was getting like hell, so we helped to load 800
the was one of Christchurch to the Owers. I back a very to 1922.
the other ships that did not have many on board and at ten 0'1
chart included all the English Channel and was of a very set to ship of my own, which was cancelled and dating small we left for Ramsgate towing two motor boats, and leaving one
It With a parallel rule and pair of dividers I work, that for another ship to use. The journey through Dúnkirk Roads and scale. plotted the courses of as far as the Downs, as I expected dangerous owing to the darkness and sunken ships, as we appros all the distance we could make by dark.
Gravelines the German searchlight was in action, and we expect would get us in the ray at any minute, and shell us but luck the same courses as the others until losing of us, aircraft was over us at all times of the night, so we only
Royal Sovereign thence to Folkestone, expecting mile sight of them, Light Vessel to the south, then to Dungeness to find pass-
I followed then I checked my course to pass half a mile our lights when it was absolutely necessary. During the night lost one motor boat, her towing bollards pulled out. We arri
Ramsgate at 5 a.m. June 1st and got orders to proceed to Marge ing two miles there. off, Altered course to pass Dover one and off, put off our troops, where we had to wait out turn, we eventuall examination and again to the South Goodwin Lt.V. thence to the Down alongside of the pier at 2 p.m. discharged troops, took in foot anchored at 8.35 p.m.
water, and went off to anchor and await orders, all expecting willing to go over again, but we got orders on Tuesday 4th July vessel came alongside, and ordered scaled us to sail for Portsmouth at 4 a.m. on June 5th. While we were lap
The examination there with the other hoppers. My small I made
Margate one of our planes crashed into the sea close to our
Ramsgate and anchor for this part of the journey Ramsgate so chart was not any good I made my way towards far as at pilot baled out by parachute and went drifting over the land.
left Margate leading four more hoppers but could not make the in the specified time so we decided to go into Seaford Roads
Pegwell Bay, got Underweigh Friday morning a reduced speed in a sounding the of three and a half 4.45 and enquiries how to get there. inside channel, but only fathoms got as and night, on our way in we picked up one of the Cowes and Portsmon whilst
Car ferry Steamers out of control, and took her in tow, arrived anchored Ramsgate 10.10 p.m. about six anchoring off the entrance awaiting the other ships went ahead, and by the time we anchored at orders.
so, dark and we did not see them any more. We hove up anchor after to our home They port. did not Everyone on board trip were on the greatly mission disappointed.re we come until 5 p.m. which were to return
June 6th and arrived with our tow at Portsmouth at 4 p.m.
pathetic voyage.
as well as myself not making one for.
(sa.) W.C. Attwaters.
I followed the same route back to Portsmouth.
The following are the times and distance off:
P.T.O.
the beach, which was terrible kibled. Aircraft was active
OS with guns and shore batteriiore bat vere brought down on land and on land and by parachute, one dropie, one dropped near
We never had much timead much time to look our work cut out luggiit out lugging half dr if luch was with us, as with us, which it Vth.
oard, I put one was put one wounded man in to the cabin there cabin there was two in my ough, and six on tand six on the floor, they ship dead beat. ead beat. It was nine 0'

Dyreams
LETTER
PARTY
FROM
THE OFFICER IN CHARGE, NO. 3. PARTY.
R.N. BARRACKS, CHATHAM.
DATE
6th June, 1940.
TO
THE VICE ADMIRAL, DOVER.
ship
A pa at 0415, 29th May 1940 for Dover, where it arrived at 0630.
I have the honour to report that this party left R.N. Barracks, for wor shi
2. The party consisted of "C" Company of Nore First Battalion and 120
alo
Stoker ratings from the M.T.E.
dur wat
3.
On arrival at Dover I reported to the Commodore, who was the print
Sub
S.T.O. of the Division, and was informed that the party would be required
Last small groups to augment the arews of the merchant ships being used in the of troops from Dunkirk, or as armed guards in the event of any disturbances place in these ships.
S.S
4.
I then contacted Licutenant Commander Zykin, R.N. First Lieuten arm
H.M.S. "Lynx" who afforded me great assistance by arranging accomodati on party during our stay in Dover. The first night the party was accomod the the Citadel, but was subsequently transforred to the Transit Camp near the as this was more convenient for getting emergency parties away quickly.
who party was kept on duty outside the P.S.T.Os Offices for emergencies.
A.B
5. The parties sent to merchant ships, both Seamen and Stokers vere the to have had a very heartening effect on the crews of these vessels. They ber work the ship and formed the nucleus of boat crews worlding from Dunkirk bes the
Les
6.
SPECIAL REPORTS.
The
Dutch boat "Ngaroma" The Captain of this vessel reported that dis rell engineers were unwilling to sail in the ship, and I 183 saked to provide X
ratings who could work & Diesel-engine. Stoker Petty Officer Jenner and 2
to
Stoker Linden volunteered for this Duty. I also sent an armed party of d
Rell hands and Petty Officer Burge to sugment the arew. Cm their arrival on be all the Captain obeyed orders to sail immediately and the crew, heartened by ou give all did their jobs. Owing to the delay in sailing, the ship did not arrie
Dunkirk until daylight and vas consequently subjected to constant fire from
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batteries during the time she vas there. Lateness of arrival was also our two engine failures on the way over. The ship was carrying provisions and but the shelling prevented her getting alongaide. Two attempts were made rent proved impracticable. It is regretted that casualties incurred were, four our and three injured. A. list of Naval casualties is attached.
but
Patty Officer Burge. This rating rendered valuable assistance to
Camp the wounded.
7. S.S. "Seiriol". It YOUR reported that the Captain of this ship had refused duty. As there were no spare Crews for Merchant ships in the part,
Lieutenant Mo.Swen, R.N.R. was ordered to take command of the ship. Petty
Officer Harding and aix armed ratings, with one Stober Patty Officer and all
Stokers Joined the ship at 1000 on 29th May, 1940. The Captain was put ask open arrest and the ship proceeded. The Naval ratings named the Lewis Dut and Bren Guns in the ship and on arrival at Dunkirk were standing by to take nahore had it been possible to get alongaide. This was not possible so the manned the only two boats left in the ship. The only ships ratings who and were one Officer and a Steward. They embarked survivors from S.S. "Crestad"
which WELLS on fire, and H.M.S. "Grenade" which had been mank alongaide. The embarked soldiers from the beach. About two hundred non were brought on born half of whom were badly wounded. As there was no medical party on board the laft before being fully loaded on account of the latter.
Bill

Dynam. 190. 282 305
Sub-Licutenant R.A.W. FOOL, R.N.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the following account of my activities in helping to ovacuate the allied troops from Dunkirk.
I arrived at Sheerness on Tuesday, 28th May and reported to the Commodore for orders. I was given & Themes river steamer and take a tow back. On Wednesday I had three moro attempts to leave, but ordered to take her to Dunidric but she broke down and I was forced to all of them unsuccessful.
On Thursday norning I left Sheerness in the Idehter 1,217
with three similar lighters in company and the motor boat "MASATRU".
I arrived at Dunkirk at about 1800, where TO were bombed and two lighters seemed to vanish. I beached my lighter and by reeving French our soldiers, these I transferred to a motor yacht under the command dinghy in and out, managed to collect some forty or fifty of
Sub-Lieutenant Timbrell, R.C.N. who then laft for Remsgate.
and a cutter, motor boat and outter in tow and left for home. unde It
I having collected some two hundred and fifty French I did soldiers, this then continued to fill up, using the motor boat "MASATRU"
because I took the my engines had no astem capabilities and in the tide impossible to arrived 80 alongside. at Remagate at 0800 on Friday noming. X crew I who
I well throughout vere not been on returning boat. and so Ye had behaved very deck hand on a Var Department fast notor of volunteered as a that afternoon loaded with six hundred gallons fairuay petrol at sailed at 1330 deck. No proceeded to Dunkirk arriving off French the travlers carried about 1300. on To pessed through the wreckage of two searching for
Ramsgate. We We then proceeded CAME alowly back still looking for small boats survivors. to a British Trawler who told us to return notor to to refual.
attacked by ten Junicers 88 dive benbers, loose and some benbed, of
We were for then some ten minutes, during which time had I no out casualties.
machine our deck gunned petrol. at Remagate We were at hit about in 5. several o'alock places and outside. took but off some forty French
We soldiers arrived from at Tranler aground I again on a formed wreck part of a volunteer crew from of the
Department That same boat, ovening the "MARLBORTUGH", to but lnow. wre prevented leaving owing same War to reasons which we formed were not volunteer allowed crew consisting of Sub-Lieutenants Treasury, Mr.
D. Don, Pollock Edge=Partington and Mr. Rendall; two Stokers as the
On Sunday, I and Carew-Hunt, a R.M, two Deak members "ands of and H.M. one Stoker and two R.A.F. Sergeants as to engineers. Dunkirk in company with Commander and went Troup in and in took off sister some boat forty "HAIG". odd French No troops and returned to
Ye proceeded parted company in the harbour Resigate at 0430 on
Sunday morning.
night we formed the - arew, at 1800, with half the way exception of across the we two weat Treasury alongaide Dunklrk the M.Y. at "MERMAID" 2100, proceeded and direct found up a the motor harbour bike aboard.
Again on Monday officials. To laft for Dunkirk took Admiral Taylor far as TRI No could arrived get, at and landed Admiral reylar. I
and as went on a small reconnaissance.
No then spent.

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Political My, The pressure was now being brought to bear on the C.in C. that the evacuation must be on a fifty-fifty
"Request load Ducidek, basis with the "Story French. My only stipulation was that at all costs we should be allowed free use of the Eastern arm while the French 0506, used the port, outer harbour and beaches.
I mde a signal provesting to Commander Maund at Dunkirk to for provide personnel ships for General constant Laurencie's troops
"An
(some 5,000 in number) at C.in c's. request. I also asked and
Admiral Wake-Walker to keep Dunkirk going at 100%
0940, you Inform
Little progress could be made off the beaches owing benefits.
to the surf.
C945, "Sun is now doming through
G.H.Q. informed no that a plan was being worked out for naval co-operation to bombard the advancing German tanks in protection
E
part
0957. "Lard Goart has agreed that 5,000 Project froms the later stages. This, however, was never necessary, as in British versels. Request meessanry shipe may far as /am aware at duck.
1044, *We have boon continually hearily Instituted and they are gradually finding the range of our loading barth. 1 reald rether only enter ships 8a necessary for the flaw of troops.
Continuous and heavy shelling all the serving) but the avocuntion proceeded fairly speedily. At last stdge vere arriving in Isrge numbers met strong # protection kept humbre oftsck any. The only thing necessary une tostep the shelling. At 1200 a signal DOB reserved Cris the Ate Maisen at Dover adding car position of essay bettery, This was not known with sugr certainly as En battery ass probably modile, but is NAB in the district M Laon Plage Becaus Kurk both. reply YOU rade se this The comminement, opvertheless, because wire Inserve MM a great deal while securite.
Texy heavy abroads uses Charking the resulty but vere educty upsa ships in the boods, Dive housing assistion various corried est - the Leading but without
I The seauthly.

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APPRODIX
ACTIVITY OF HIGH AIRCRAFT
As the energy aircraft second to work in distinct phones, I think 10 will be as votl to davote on Appendix to their operations.
on OUP arrival, they varo chiefly compied in weeking Denicipic and the part. It was guite out of the question to use the harbour at all, and my first renotion was that evacuation would have to be done from the beaches.
IS soon become obvious, however, that they were not including the plan in their attentions. AS times they vore hold off by 3 fine morning mist which sometimes permisted until afternoon. AS Sexe times, when the wind was Invourable, a houry pall of anote from burning oil tanks, morning they mdo attempts to mohine an the besches, but to the larguly obscured the pier. During the becomed but only for a brief pariod. Had they particated, were held off by andi-aireraft fire. the beaches vere also they would have inflicted terrific losses on us, for there they ware later attached the pier, with dive banbare, smk three ships goldom loss than 10,000 troops on the benches.
and damaged. the pier. Had they permisted in these successful attacks on the ydar and ships alongaide, the evacuation could nover have been achieved. They soon, the however, and on one day (31st), no loss than 100 the booking pier.
turned their attention to ships lying off beaches, made on ships within too miles of
Happily, base on other weeks. by this the make also, them more attacks was at Least 3b books vare dropped on one large work Bofore and may being collected and this comed to ships at guna ware attacking the piem. The havey attacks arrivals on during shy sea of compelled DD to stop all millings and daylight.
return Common to on the busbing of and its part and bastion.
the last dig, they speared once more to fighters vara occasionally in fighters evidence escorting their may missure basbors. of valief, AS but since the our oky om is a big place present give and us a great directors to if our adversis the French, ware and 1000
10 was often when our aircraft did arrive than,
02 frequently not. the British, opened fire on already fait disputed of special and No remaindez mathy sendialmed ht first particularly has thank

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3.
23.
A heavy gun was also shelling somewhat blindly off Bray, the shots falling outside the ships in fairly well defined areas which could be avoided.
An encounter between our own and enemy aircraft took place off
Bray 24. in which three of our own aircraft were shot down. Later air attack developed on ships and 10 raids took place but no ships were damaged.
In accordance with the plans tows of boats should have arrived off
Dunkirk 25. about 1800. Two tows of dinghies arrived at 1700 and were sent to La Panne where I also went in order to ensure the embarkation of the C.in C.
I left behind Lieutenant Commander Wynne-Biwards in an M.T.B. to direct the tows when they arrived and to order a large mmber of Hoppers and similar craft to beach themselves on the rising tide at the Western beaches. At La Panne
I found that HOLD had embarked Cy-in-C. according to plan, and I embarked the rest of the H.Q. from the beach 2 miles west in KEITH's boats. During this time KEITH and HERE were bombed and the boats were narrowly missed.
26. arrive till it was getting dark, making it very difficult to ensure their
I then returned to Dunicirk where the rest of the tows did not in M.A.S.B.6. to direct them and I took KEITH up to La Panne to shepherd finding the further beaches. Lt. Commander Tyme-Shrania was left behind
(e some of the tows in that direction. By this time the wind had drogged.
27.
About Midnight M.A/S.B.6 returned to KETTH, embarked the C.-in-C.
and took him to Dover.
28. KEITH of Parachute Mines off Bray, M.S.B's were heard to the The Eastward, town remained off La Panne during the night, during which there were reports and a few shells fell among ships off embarkation La Parme. moved probably our at cm, La Panne were heavily shelled and the embarkation
Westward in the consequence. dark as KETTH could not get close inshore, Panne but beding and beaches It was impossible to tell how the such reports vas as going came in in showed that it was slow and that beaches at La were heavily shelled.
lat June would be in occupation of La Pame in daylight the norming the
29. As the enemy to withdraw to the Westward at dam. were engity At and nen ships were ordered The beaches at La Pame noving were
Westward. moving along A all Minesweeper beaches to and a Paddler were ashore off Bray) a mmber situation was as follows. the Westward. Ships East of Bray were large of boats were floating empty and without crews.
the next few hours I sent all ships that collected vere not by full Motor or
30. During Dunkirk and tried to some of the Soats to induce a tug to boats assist and the towed Minesweeper West. ashore. I I kept BASTLISK with no and troops loading into also spent some time trying enpty of in case any covering fire was needed.
large numbers of enemy Airwaft Drive Bonbers. appeared and attacks were 31. made on About nearly 0730 all ships off the beaches by
During this period, one Destroyer of KETTH off Dunkirk and SECTRACE was hit were and eastlisk, sunk.
32. KEITH, appeared SKIPRACK, to and be dropped a tug with in threes survivors together; and fives, one of one my large staff states and the that others some
Bombs small, and three planes attacked of about 20 seconds. I have learnt this time. subsequently bombs that all had small a delay craft action and beaches were machine gunned at short of ammunition and I had intended to to transfer Dover. to
33. BASTLISK so KRITH that KRITH was could load at Dunkirk and then return
At 0745 a near miss jammed the stearing gear in KRITH and shortly
34.
/ after

531
SECRET
507
USE OF LANDING CRAFT DURING THE
EVACUATION OF THE B.Z.P.
APPENDIX "A"
PART III
REPORT BY DJ/X125435 P.O. 7. PARSONS
While M.L.C. 31 was being lowered at Doror, two destroyers passed the City of Christchurch at high speed. This caused her to roll and M.L.C. 31 YES
dashed against the ship's side. The only visible damage at the time was & broken binnecle, but later it was discovered that there was a tad laak startcard side forward below the water line, and that the potrol pump on the starboard engine was broken. This necessitated rigging a jury patrol tank on dick, and keeping the bilge purity working continuously.
2.
On arrival at Dunkirk the craft under Stabe
Lieut. Ponsonby parted company, and H.L.C. 21 embarked troops from the inner end of a wooden plan as it -
not considered wise to work from the beach, owing to the damage she had sustained. During the embarkation Sub.
Lieut. Towers, R.N. came on board.
After leaving Dunkirk, the troops were placed
3.
on board the aloop Locust, and on the orders of her
Captain, M.L.C. 31 went to & small two which vas grounded sand bank. About 100 troops vere taken off and an on attempt a was made to refloat the tug which was univecessaful.