TNA ADM 199 xxx

16157
CONFIDENTIAL.
H.M.S. "Formidable",
12/6/40.
C/o G.P.O.
030/48/40.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the following report of certain minor duties carried out during the evacuation of the
British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk on June 1st./2nd. and
June 3rd./4th. 1940.
I arrived at Ramsgate about noon on the 1st. June with orders to organise a convoy of motor and pulling boats, to be towed over to Dunkirk that night by tugs, the convoy to sail about 1400. Not all the pulling boats then at Ramsgate were suitable for work on the beaches, being too large and heavy, nor were all the motor boats in running order. At about 1530, the tug "SUII" arrived from Tilbury with some 20 more pulling boats in tow. I took this tug under my orders, and sailed about 1750 with one motor boat and five of the most suitable pulling boats in tow.
I took with ne Lieutenants J.V. WILKINSON and R.E. LLOYD (R.N.)
who had had previous experience on the beaches. The Tug "TANGA"
under Lieutenant Commander SHERWOOD, R.N.R. sailed about the same time with two pulling boats. I had had some difficulty in obtaining another tug, and the master of the tug "RACIA" was quite evidently most unwilling to sail, and this vessel was left behing. The tug
"SUN IV" under the command of Commander TYLER, R.N. sailed earlier independently with either one or two boats.
On the way to Dunkirk, three of the pulling boats were swamped -
Dunkirk and had to be abandoned. I arrived at Dunkirk at about probably through towing too fast, as I was in a burry to get over to boats arrived a little earlier. Both tugs anchored at a point about
2330, after - an otherwise uneventful passage; the tug "TANGA" with her boats; the tug "SUN IV" was, I believe, a little further to the East.
1 - of mile East of the Eastern Mole at Dunkirk, and sent in the
The boats from my tug "SUN" proceeded to take off troops from the
East mole at a point where the beach and mole joined; on the first motor being beat (possibly Commander MAVID) to proceed alongaide the mole were embarked, I received orders from an officer ina fast trip they brought about 45 British troops to the tug. While these to embark on taking troops off to the other ships and that I would and troops, so I told my boats, before they went in again, return carry the position I was then in to meet them again. I then proceeded to alongside the mole and embarked about 50 French soldiers, this anchorage, was a slight amount of The French ratings al from a and waited for the boats remonstrance for about an hour. from the During subsequently broken down motor boat. I originembarking another 28 Frenchmen then and returned 4 English to naval the troops about on with another 50 British troops or two time board there who were anxious to get away. (having done boats one returned trips in 0300 the meantime to other ships.)
During the night heavy battery, and from at the the mole, and towards guns. The
Dunkirk was being shelled East from by the lighter West by what
0300 lighter shells was coming nearer and just nearer to the Westward, mole, At and a seemed to be a appeared to be directed down the about fire was started was an outburst of troops, apparently and just on the shelling either on the mole or rifle fire the mole 0300 where there the boats had been embarking Lieutenant

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3.
work getting a line ashore from the barges to the beach by which the pulling boats hauled off to the barges, the troops then being ferried by the fire-float to the waiting ships.
Lieutenant WALKER left at 0535 (2nd. June), the fire-float being then just aground (low water 0400 approx). He had to leave about 150 men on the barges, but there were no troops visible on the beach up to 1 mile East of Dunkirk. At 0545 there were no troops visible on the mole, and a paddle minesweeper was just leaving. An anonymous Brigadier who boarded WALKER's craft, said that at about 0200 there would be 1000 - 1500 British (?) troops still to come.
At this stage, it was the un hinous opinion of all the officers named above that small slow notier boats and pulling boats would be of no further use on the beaches. It night have been worth while trying to reach the barges 1 mile East of Dunkirk with fast shallow draught craft at about 2200 (2nd. June).
It is worthy of remark that these wrecked barges made excellent piers for motor boats to use, pulling boats briding between them and the beach with a line to haul themselves off. Three barges were afloat at any state of the tide and two others were aground about an hour before low water. M.T.B.S could 89 alongside the barges 3
hours either side of H.W. and shallow draught boats for longer.
Beach parties, eventually, were not re uired on the night of
Sunday 2nd. June, and everybody was able to get some much needed rest and food.
Monday 3rd. June - Tuesday 4th. June.
RAMSGATE, a copy of the orders being attached herewith. I organis-
A further operation for these nights was organised from ed the following tugs to tow:-
SUN IV - Commander Le MESURIER, Lieut. MARTIN R.N. Lieut.
FLETCHER, R.N.R.
TANGA - Lieut. Commander SHERWOOD, R.N.R.
SUN XV - Two R.N.R. Officers.
RACIA - Lieut. Commander MILLER, D.S.O. R.N.R., Lieut.
WALKER, R.N.V.R.
from the Nouveau reach, and to ferry troops Dad no specific orders, along-
Each tug Avant port and (rom any point down to the ships
WAS to take 4 motor boats in tow, with of the orders East to mole work which they could transport LOCUST. The tugs that they should wait outside the entrance understood there were to opportunity offered or and I instructed to Dunkirk, keeping be a good many) and to be side or to the the Officers in the tugs clear of ships going in just and out ready (of to which go alongside I to pick up troops as to assist as required.
left a little after 1700 trouble, with one 14 motor was aground boats in in all, two The having convoy failed (one across with engine was uneventful, the encountering save for of a two certain
RAMSGATE). The passage the tows, and dealt mines in the neighbourhood H. TAYLOR, R.N.R. Torpedo passage Boat and me, went but about to mount of trouble with of 11. buoy which took were with with by minebalfway sweepers. aoross Commodore was picked up by a Motor on
Dunkirk.

160
The following boats were abandoned either on passage or at Dunkirk, for the reasons given below:-
(a) THARK. Rope foul of propeller and rudder. Abandoned half way.
(b) SANTOSY. Petrol failure. Abandoned near 11. bucy. An interesting point arose here. The Sub-Lieutenant in command said that he had been instructed to fill up with petrol: RAMSGATE from certain cans which were subsequently found tc contain water. The officer who told him which cans to take was dressed as a Lieut.
Commander (E) R.N. When this was discussed, the Sub- Lieutenant reported this to the Engineer Captain (or Commander) at
RAMSGATE, who said that there was no Lieut. Commander (E) at
RAMSGATE, it any rate on the st If. I do not know if this officer could be, or ever W.S, traced and identified.
(c) DIAHA MARY. Engine trouble and to propeller. Abandoned
Dunkirk.
(d) ADMIRAL SUPERIMENDENT'S BARGE (Portsmouth).
Ran on a pile of submerged nasonry in Dunkirk and abandoned.
The officer in this boat (Sub-Lieutenant BIGGS, R.N.V.R.) left his charts on board. I should have sent him back for them, but did not do SO as it was near the time ordered for laeving, and
I thought he only had charts from RAMSGATE which gave no useful information to the enemy. Subsequently reflections made ne think he might have had a chart from Portsmouth, 80 I went in to circumstances, leaving S.0.(1) to pursue the matter further.
S.0.(1) office at Portsmouth on 6th. June and reported the
The arrived at Dunkirk between 2300 and 2345, having beendelayed convoy by trouble with the tows. liost of the boats had been slipped other three tugs proceeded to the East of the entrance: SUN IV at in the neighbourhood of the S.W. RUYTINGEN bucy and sent on. The in this picked up an open boat with a dozen French soldiers first stayed just to the West of the wreck outside the antrance, and it was an learnt that the Germans had possession of MARDYCK fort about and officer, position who had been isolated and escaped. From the officer
3 miles West of Dunkirk.
to motor Eastward boats of the entrance, having a look to see if there was
The carried on with their work, and SUN IV proceeded just the done while passing. All appeared to be going well, all berths any work at to the be East mole were occupied and there were one or two ships lying off ready to borth.
me about 0115 no more French troops at QUAI
At (4th. June) one of my motor boats the returned, FELIX and FUARE, told and that that there Commission were TAYLOR had left the QUAI. This boat was slightly damaged and 80 I left her in convany.
At two end berths on the East mole were also clear. did H.M.S. the tug "MALCOLM" went see if there were any more this ship troops. asked no to push were about 0200 the alongside and I followed in French SUN IV, as There only RACIA, few, to who embarked in "MALCOLM"; I did.
her stern a in to the jetty, which picked up the waiting Motor boat, and
I left at 0230, approximately, the return passage was uneventful, Tug SUN XV I towed was passed home by sailed for RAMSGATS; destroyers and a minesweeper.
another two or vessel three ОДЭ picked up halfway.
Out boats which started for but Dunkirk, the crews 8 or wore 9 had recovered to be safely. abandoned The for remainder one found their own way RAMSGATE, with the of the 14 reason or another, back to

1615
5.
exception of the one I towed back (MERMAIDEN).
a) As regards recommendations for officers and ratings who did well during these operations, the following officers known to me did well: but I am unable to say whether they did better than many others who must of necessity renain anceynous, since there was no time to collect names, I can only say that, frompersonal observation, the spirit, both of young officers and ratingsm was magnificient. One had only to ask for volunteers for crews to receive more applications than were necessary.
b) Officers names.
Lieutenant J.V. WILKINSON R.H.
Lieutenant R.E. LLOYD R.N.
Lieut. Commander MILLER D.S.O. R.N.JR.
Lieut. Commander SHERWOOD R.N.R.
Lieutenant WALKER R.N.V.R.
Lieuten nt J.E.L. MARTIN R.N. (late *Pelican*) 152
Lieutenant FLETCHER R.H.R. (late at Invergordon)
a) I Iso respectfully submit for Their Lordships consideration that letters of appreciation might be written S follows:-
To - The London Fire Brigade
) for the services of their fire-float LADY MASSEY (?)
The Alexander Tow ge Company
) for the services of their
.I. Alexander Ltd- I Iohns Whart- Wapping E.I. tugs SUN, SUN IV, & SUN XV.
v. Walkins 42 - 112 Feuchwock st London EC3 tug TANGA.
The Watkins Tug & Towage Company) for the services of their
(b) As the tug RACIA of the Watkins Company, the master although of this he vessel was on the nights of 31st. May and 3rd. June. MILLER D.S.O. 3rd.
regards obviously unwilling to 80 over to Dunkirk, On the of did June actually be was go under the orders of Lieut. Commander
R.H.R.
(c) the masters and crews of the the other Alexander tugs (especially Tug the SUN tugs) himself the captain of the tug this tug young
The spirit of was excellent, The owner of SUN IV, and a
Trinity Company House was pilot volunteered his to navis name. do throughout.
Unfortunately I cannot remember
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your obedient servant,
Edward. K. Lehnesmit
Commander R.N.

SECRET
Dywams 354
,2777
H.M.S. Pelican,
C/O G.P.O.
18th June, 1940.
I have the honour to refer to More General Order 448/40
d to submit the following narrative of events:-
At 0200 Friday, 31st May, 1940, the London tug Sun IV
Master Mr. Alexander, Manager of the fini), slipped from Tilbury cks with 12 lifeboats in tow. A London Pilot was embarked and mained in the tug until the evacuation was completed. Ships'
feboats were manned by half naval and half volunteer crews.
chored. 2. Provisions were embarked for boats" crews and the
Southend pier was hailed at 0415/31 May, 1940, and the tug portunity was taken to allow boats" crews a not cup of tea in the
&
amsgate 5. arriving at 1115, where she was armed with two pairs of
At 0445 anchow was wedghed and the tug proceeded to ewis guns mounted either side of the wheel house.
yler 4. onboard his tug had run out of coal and water. also
The tugs were sailed for Dunkirk at 1330. Commander tenant came Wilkinson as and a further party of seamen wre mbarked.
11 fell 5. a long way from the tug.
At 1915 a high level bonding attack took place, but boabs eported and it 6. is on regretted A boat arrival was in that capsi harbour one zed Stoker when by Commander the was tug dromed. position net Tyler. a destroyer's This one mile casualty east wake ty the was of the Dunkirk tug 7. At by anchored 2230 verbal the orders three tug was quarters from ordered a motor Wilkinson of to a mile a torpedo and from Lieutenant Doat. the shore By Fletcher, 2300 and boats were was sent in with Lieutenant 2300 to 0500 there was periodic Lewis shelling gins, was and R.N. one in charge. from an From aircraft, which was engaged by dropped bomb about 100 yards from the tug.
At 0315/1 June, 1940, weighed having suchor. embarked Only 88 soldiers three boats both had been French crews 8. able were and to either British, get back onboard the to 218 our or were tug, as but towed it was the back filling remainder by drifters rapidly of the us to with boats' and Ramsgate. was water;
while At 0445 this one was boat being was done set adrift a German fighter flew towards engaged Lewis guns.
9. with 0830/1 June, 1940, arrived at Ramsgate. Commander Tyler went inshore for orders.
with two boats in tow.
10. Anchor small was trawler weighed was at seen 1615 to and hit tug a mine proceeded south of the North
Goodwin Light A vessel at 1645.
11. Three German bombers