TNA ADM 234 360

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THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. XIII
the The factors variations recorded in the in the daily following figures paragraphs. are believed to have been influenced by
average waiting time normal. This probably norm, due the number of the
28TH MAY. Beaches. corresponded Although the to rate the estimated of lift was average (1: 1), and
ing boats. Destroyers, 356 were new to the
lifted per trip was below which made 8 was of the 13 trips, to shortage of beach- men
and their lift per trip was only Calcutta's as lift against reduced a destroyer aveage of 504 work
wounded (cot cases) which she
the whole operation. The embarked. was by the large number over of
HARBOUR. Although the average lift was the above normal, the long waiting
The figures of waiting time are not, however, entirely satisfactory only 10
time reduced the men: minutes ratio to estimated norm for the operation.
ships provided data, three of which waited for periods greatly in excess of the
average.
HARBOUR. The increase in average lift without corresponding rise in waiting
time is accounted for by the great increase in the number of personnel ships
employed and the average lifts made by them on this day. The average lift
per personnel ship, which on the 28th May was only 552, rose to 1,520 today.
30TH MAY. Beaches. The increase of 25 per cent in the figure for average lift
without corresponding rise in waiting time, resulting in the highest men
minutes ratio achieved at the beaches during the operation, is believed to have
been due to :-
(a) better organisation consequent upon the arrival of R.A. Dover as
S.N.O. on the French coast and of Captain Howson as N.O.I.C. Beaches,
together with the employment of two Commodores to take charge off
shore at La Panne and Bray; (b) better discipline amongst the troops
on the beaches ; (c) employment as beaching craft of the A.L.Cs. which
began to arrive on the 29th, and the arrival of 12 motor boats for re-
trieving abandoned pulling boats; (d) absence of enemy air attacks.
Harbour. Although the rate of lift deviated little from the average, both lift
and waiting time declined. This was probably the effect of the disastrous air
attacks of the previous day on shipping, which resulted in only one destroyer
at a time being allowed to enter Dunkırk during the forenoon and early after-
noon and perhaps engendered a feeling of insecurity and a wish to get the ships
away as quickly as possible.
31ST MAY. Beaches. A considerable reduction in average waiting time and
a normal. boats slight rise This above was normal due probably in average to the lift fact gave that a rate greater of lift numbers slightly of better beaching than
were available. Although during the forenoon conditions on the beaches
were very bad they improved greatly during the afternoon and evening. On
the beaches, after 1600, the piers of pontoons were largely responsible for the
rapid evacuation of troops.
Harbour. minutes Lift was average, but waiting time high and reduced the men
be rate of lift. No valid reason was discovered, and it should
noted that all the figures agree closely for this with can the be estimated norm.
" 0943 I This The belief moment is based on the final sentence in Situation Report by S.N.O. Dunkirk at 0950 timed
the If single this weather destroyer persists allowed bombing I want to enter starts a ship would all every must remain half shove hour," alongside off "; which and for would only on the half seem signal an to hour. imply that
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