TNA ADM 234 360

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CHAPTER VI
WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY
FIRST HEAVY ENEMY AIR EFFORT
German bridgehead in Nieuport
Throughout the 29th May, the enemy attempted to cross the canal between
the Frenco-Belgian frontier and Nieuport - and, indeed, succeeded in establish-
ing a bridgehead in the town of Nieuport, although everywhere else he was
driven back. Some of the enemy attempted to cross in rubber boats; others,
disguised as civilians, with the refugees, horses and cattle. The few vital hours
gained made it possible, against all expectation, to embark practically the
whole British force¹.
Two-day traffic block in perimeter
Large numbers of French troops arriving in the perimeter brought a mass of
transport which caused such traffic congestion that for two days the main road
between La Panne and Dunkirk became totally blocked with vehicles three
deep².
French evacuation not yet ordered
Admiral Abrial (whose headquarters were at Bastion No. 32, near Dunkirk
Mole) had apparently received no orders from his Government that the whole
of the British troops were to be embarked, and he professed great surprise when
he heard of Lord Gort's intentions. He imagined that British troops would
stay and defend the perimeter to the last, side by side with the French².
Meanwhile, the French troops were expecting to embark along with their
British comrades, notwithstanding that only two French ships had so far been
provided³; the beaches were becoming crowded with French soldiers, and
difficulties might have occurred at any time.² Later in the day, however,
three French torpedo boats and one minesweeper sailed to Dunkirk harbour
to evacuate troops.4
Dunkirk perimeter established
On the evening of the 29th May the organisation of the perimeter was com-
plete, and General Sir Ronald Adam, his task accomplished, embarked for
England that night.5
Mackay and Montrose out of action
The story of the 29th May is largely one of ships sunk or damaged. Our
losses were very heavy and began very early. At 0005, the destroyer Mackay
(en route to Bray beach with the destroyer Harvester) ran aground at the western
I Lord Gort's Second Despatch para. 53.
2 Lord Gort's Second Despatch, para. 55.
3 So far, the French torpedo boat Cyclone had brought back 460 troops, and the mine-
sweeper Commandant Delage 520 - both on 29th May, from Dunkirk harbour.
4 The torpedo boats Cyclone, Mistral and Sirocco and the minesweeper Commandant
Delage.
5 Lord Gort's Second Despatch, para. 57.
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