TNA / ADM 234 360

TNA ADM 234 360

Collection details

TNA ADM 234 360

Naval Staff History No. 41, the official historical study of the evacuation from Dunkirk during Operation Dynamo, 26 May–4 June 1940, dated 1949.

Holding archive: TNA
Collection reference: ADM 234 360

View the archive catalogue entry ↗

Source: The National Archives, Kew, ADM 234/360. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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Page	Image	OCR text	OCR tags
213	Log in to enlarge	SIGNALS APPENDIX W 2. ADMIRALTY (1ST SEA LORD) to B.N.L.O. MARCEAU (R) V.A. Dover Pass to Admiral Darlan from 1st Sea Lord. I urge most strongly that evacuation be completed tonight, as after nine days of continuous work of this nature officers and men of both H.M. Ships and merchant ships are completely exhausted. Request early confirmation that evacuation will be completed tonight, and number to be evacuated. 1512/3 3. B.N.L.O. MARCEAU to ADMIRALTY (1st SEA LORD), VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER French Admiralty agree that evacuation should be terminated tonight, if possible, and estimate approximately 30,000 men remaining. In French opinion, only competent authorities are now Admiral Abrial and V.A. Dover. Captain de Revoir¹, and officer from V.A. Dover are en route Dunkirk to inform Admiral Abrial of plans for termination evacuation. These officers should keep V.A. Dover informed of numbers involved as French Admiralty unable to communicate Dunkirk. 1651/3 APPENDIX W SIGNALS RE THE BUILD-UP OF SHIPS FOR THE NIGHT OF 3rd/4th JUNE I. DESTROYERS Monday, 3rd June 1. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to DESTROYERS, MINESWEEPERS, AUXILIARY VESSELS I hoped and believed that last night would see us through but the French who were covering the retirement of the British rearguard had to repel a strong German attack and so were unable to send their troops to the pier in time to be embarked. We cannot leave our Allies in the lurch and I must call on all officers and men detailed for further evacuation tonight to let the world see that we never let down our ally. The approach will be made later and the retirement earlier. The night protection of our fighters which stopped all bombing of the harbour last night will be repeated. 1009/3 [Here see Appendices Y.18, Y.19 and Y.22.] V. DISPOSITION OF SHIPS 2. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to FORCE K, MINESWEEPERS, Locust, Guillemot, Kingfisher Dunkirk evacuation tonight Monday. From East Pier by personnel vessels, destroyers and paddle minesweepers. From West pier New outer port by other minesweepers, corvettes, skoots and French vessels. Inner harbour Drifters and small craft. All ships to leave by 0230/4. Locust will remain outside entrance receiving loads ferried out by small boats. Tugs will be available outside Dunkirk. 1440/3 I French Naval Attaché. 189	Guillemot Marceau De Dover Last West

Raw OCR

Unformatted machine-generated OCR for document page 213.

SIGNALS
APPENDIX W
2. ADMIRALTY (1ST SEA LORD) to B.N.L.O. MARCEAU (R) V.A. Dover
Pass to Admiral Darlan from 1st Sea Lord.
I urge most strongly that evacuation be completed tonight, as after nine days
of continuous work of this nature officers and men of both H.M. Ships and merchant
ships are completely exhausted. Request early confirmation that evacuation will
be completed tonight, and number to be evacuated.
1512/3
3. B.N.L.O. MARCEAU to ADMIRALTY (1st SEA LORD), VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
French Admiralty agree that evacuation should be terminated tonight, if possible,
and estimate approximately 30,000 men remaining.
In French opinion, only competent authorities are now Admiral Abrial and V.A.
Dover.
Captain de Revoir¹, and officer from V.A. Dover are en route Dunkirk to inform
Admiral Abrial of plans for termination evacuation. These officers should keep
V.A. Dover informed of numbers involved as French Admiralty unable to com-
municate Dunkirk.
1651/3
APPENDIX W
SIGNALS RE THE BUILD-UP OF SHIPS
FOR THE NIGHT OF 3rd/4th JUNE
I. DESTROYERS
Monday, 3rd June
1. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to DESTROYERS, MINESWEEPERS, AUXILIARY VESSELS
I hoped and believed that last night would see us through but the French who
were covering the retirement of the British rearguard had to repel a strong German
attack and so were unable to send their troops to the pier in time to be embarked.
We cannot leave our Allies in the lurch and I must call on all officers and men
detailed for further evacuation tonight to let the world see that we never let down
our ally.
The approach will be made later and the retirement earlier. The night pro-
tection of our fighters which stopped all bombing of the harbour last night will be
repeated.
1009/3
[Here see Appendices Y.18, Y.19 and Y.22.]
V. DISPOSITION OF SHIPS
2. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to FORCE K, MINESWEEPERS, Locust, Guillemot, Kingfisher
Dunkirk evacuation tonight Monday.
From East
Pier by personnel vessels, destroyers and paddle minesweepers.
From West pier
New outer port
by other minesweepers, corvettes, skoots and French vessels.
Inner harbour
Drifters and small craft.
All ships to leave by 0230/4. Locust will remain outside entrance receiving
loads ferried out by small boats. Tugs will be available outside Dunkirk.
1440/3
I French Naval Attaché.
189