TNA ADM 234 360

RESTRICTED
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY EVENTS
10TH-18TH MAY 1940 (See Plan 1)
10TH MAY
Germany Invades Holland and Belgium
On the 10th May, following the invasion of Holland and Belgium, the Franco-
British forces under General Georges, commanding the French Front of the
North East, crossed the Belgian frontier and began their advance to the River
Dyle,¹ according to plan.
11TH MAY
Allies reach River Dyle
During the afternoon and evening of the 11th May the leading infantry brigades reached the Dyle.
The news from the Belgian Army, of which King Leopold had assumed command on the outbreak of war, was not good. At Maastricht the Belgians had been unable to demolish important bridges over the Albert Canal and the river Meuse, and the enemy had begun to move across them; whilst the
Belgian anti-tank obstacle eastward had been reconnoitred by the French
Cavalry Corps and found to be not only badly sited but unfinished.²
12TH MAY
German thrust on French 9th Army Front
The Allied advance to the Dyle was successfully completed by the 12th May.
The B.E.F. was in position between Wavre and Louvain, with the French 7th
Army (General Giraud) on its left and the French 1st Army (General Blanchard)
on its right. On the right of the French 1st Army was the French 9th Army
(General Corap) of the French Southern Command. Disquieting news was, however, received from the south, where a German thrust with at least two armoured divisions¹ was reported as developing on the front of the French
9th Army.
This thrust eventually proved to be the beginning of the German breakthrough and their sweep westward, which cut off the Allied northern forces from the main French forces in the south, led to the capture of Boulogne and
Calais, and culminated in the evacuation of Dunkirk.
General Billotte was in command of the French First Group of Armies, which included the French 1st Army (with the French Cavalry Corps), and the French 7th Army. Between these two armies lay the Belgian Army
(under the independent command of their King), and the B.E.F., which, though under the command of General Georges, was not under that of General
Billotte. On this day, however, it was agreed to co-ordinate the action of the
British, French and Belgian forces, and General Billotte was appointed to perform this task.³
I Lord Gort's Second Despatch, para. 18.
2 Lord Gort's Second Despatch, para. 19.
3 Lord Gort's Second Despatch para. 22.
1

WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY
CHAP. VI
M/B Sceneshifter swamped and lost
The M/B Silver Moon, from Ramsgate, arrived off the beaches at 0800 and ferried troops to ships at anchor. Without charts or compass she returned to
Ramsgate that night. The M/B Sceneshifter, on arrival, was rushed by French troops, swamped, and became a total loss.
M/B Viewfinder dragged aground and lost
The six motor yachts, Advance, Bobeli, Elizabeth Green, Hanora, Reda and
Viewfinder sailed from Dover for La Panne beach and were machine-gunned from the air off Gravelines. They arrived off La Panne beach at about
1500/29, and at once began towing whalers full of troops to off-lying ships.
At 1830, the Viewfinder was dragged aground by Belgian soldiers and became a total loss.
M/B's Hanora and Bobeli abandoned
At 1900, the Hanora fouled her propeller and was abandoned; her crew transferred to the Elizabeth Green and thence to the minesweeper Lydd. At
1900 also, the dr. Sabre requisitioned the Advance and embarked in her a W/T
transmitter and 2 operators for transportation to G.H.Q. at La Panne. The
Reda, having ferried troops, sailed for Ramsgate at 2200 with 21 troops on board. The Bobeli having received some damage while alongside a destroyer which suddenly went full ahead on account of an air attack, subsequently fouled her screw and rudder; she made fast. to the minesweeper Albury, but was abandoned when the Albury departed and became stranded on the beach.
The Elizabeth Green and Advance sailed in company that night for Ramsgate.
M/B Glitter II brings drinking water
The Glitter II arrived off Bray beach at 1600 on the 29th May, loaded with tins of fresh water. She then ferried troops. Next day she lost her rudder and was towed to Dover by a drifter.
M/B Queen of England sunk
A number of other small motor craft left Southend, Sheerness or Dover for the beaches on the 29th May, but did not arrive until 30th May. Among them was the Shamrock, and in company with her were the Princess Maud, Canvey
Queen and Queen of England. On the way over on the night of the 29th/30th
May the Queen of England was rammed amidships by the skoot Tilly and sank immediately; her crew were picked up by the Shamrock and transferred to the Tilly1. The remaining three motor boats were all abandoned and lost next day after ferrying troops to various destroyers, among them the Anthony;
the Canvey Queen and Shamrock fouled their propellers, and the Princess Maud went aground.
The Mirasol², alongside Dunkirk mole, was damaged by a near miss. She was taken in tow by a trawler, but later sank.
Other M/B's that sailed for the beaches on 29th May
The Triton and Silver Queen, with 6 motor launches in company, sailed for
La Panne at 2200. Three of the motor launches broke down on the way over
I Shamrock's report, unconfirmed. The name of the vessel is in doubt; the matter is not referred to in Tilly's report.
2 Commonly, but erroneously referred to in reports as the " Marasole."
53

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. VIII
several wrecks close inshore. vessels one to and boats, motor launches and yachts About aground mile and, out in most cases, abandoned, most cases, abandoned, numerous boats were destroyers running and between other the shore waiting and these ships. the but scarcely quiet any except for occasional shelling and intermittent between 0800 and 1315 Lt. Col. Hutchins about 250 ferried about 450
pulsive off Malo, and thereafter, about 1800 troops to the off Bray.
the
The Swallow sailed for Ramsgate at with 30 troops on board.
beaches were very bad owing to a freshening in on-shore wind; that the majority small of pulling boats were no crews that
At 1035 Rear-Admiral broached-to Wake-Walker and informed had V.A. Dover that the majority that the majority that the majon smity numbers were being embarked even daylight; that motor boats could get close in, and that under present conditions any large scale embarkation not a ship to form a lee and SO improve conditions¹.
of embarking any number was at Dunkirk, that he would attempt to beach from the beaches was quite impracticable. but He considered that the only hope
Sailing of personnel vessels suspended
Simultaneously with this bad news came a signal from S.N.O., Dunkirk, to the effect that Dunkirk was being continuously and heavily bombarded; that the enemy artillery were gradually finding the range of the loading berths and that only ships necessary for the flow of troops should enter². This signal personnel vessels to Dunkirk until the number of those en route had been confirmed the V.A. Dover in a decision he had made to suspend the sailing of reduced. There were at this time no less than 9 personnel vessels and 3 hospital carriers known to be on the round trip U.K.-Dunkirk and back, and one other personnel vessel had been ordered to sail during the night but her whereabouts was unknown. In addition, 3 other personnel vessels were under orders to sail between 0900 and 1030.
Military plan changed
B.E.F. beach on the 30th May, was to lift the B.E.F. rearguard of 4,000, R.N.
The plan, arranged between V.A. Dover and representatives of the C.-in-C., been parties, on the night of 31st May/Ist June; and naval plus had been made³. The minesweepers had received their orders4 arrangements instructions had all available X; and C.-in-C. Nore, and F.O.I.C. Harwich, were to
Route issued for the special tows to leave Ramsgate at 1300/31 for Dunkirk via as possible. M.T.B.'s to escort this convoy for as much of requested the outward provide at Dover Speed of advance 6 knots⁵. A party of Naval officers assembled passage
At 1000 to embark in these tows were given detailed instructions evacuation. the Hebe arrived off La Panne beach carrying the plans on the for plan. this
Military In the afternoon of the 31st May, however, Dover covering plan had been changed, as it was was informed that the withdrawn embarkation. Instead, the finally to withdraw to the beaches position for to be held by 4,000 troops no who longer were possible for the original was to be westward from the La Panne easternmost Division was to boats be
I used to lift this force from the beaches. area, and At the the special same time flight the of troops
Appendix Q.6.
2 Appendix Q.7.
5 Appendix Q.1.
4 3 Appendices Q.1, G.29.
Appendix G.29.
70

CHAPTER x
THE NIGHT OF 1ST - 2ND JUNE AND
FROM DAYLIGHT TO DUSK ON 2ND
Situation ashore on evening of 1st (Plan 3)
During the Ist June heavy enemy attacks developed the of the line, and our forces had to give some THE a a the enemy advance had been checked on a thence due east of the frontier and along the frontier sea.
was to withdraw through this line which the French would continue to hold.
French troops were holding a line in rear of ours, and the British rearguard
Two divisions of French Territorial troops reduced in strength, in addition to part of the British 1st Corps and rearguard of 4,000 men, still remained to be evacuated on the evening of the 1st. The War Office, aware that they were not in a position to judge the local situation, did not set a period to the evacuation but ordered Major-General Alexander to hold on as long as possible in order that the maximum number of French and British might be embarked. It left to the General, in close co-operation with Admiral Abrial, to decide was the moment when evacuation must come to an end.¹
Plan for the night 1st-2nd June (See Plan 4)
Early in the afternoon of the 1st June the only remaining Route x came under the fire of German guns, and it was judged impossible to carry out any further evacuation by day. There was hope both at Dover and at the War Office that it would be possible to complete the evacuation of the B.E.F. during the dark hours of the night 1st/2nd June, by using both sides of Dunkirk harbour, pier and eastern beach. The War Office asked General Weygand to urge Admiral
Abrial to co-operate in completing the evacuation of the French this night.
Evacuation was to be confined to the period between 2100 and 0330. It was estimated that British vessels could lift about 17,000 men, probably in the proportion 50 per cent British and 50 per cent French, during these hours, as follows:-(Appendix R8):-(a) From the beach between Dunkirk and 11 miles to the eastward between 2100/1 and 0300/2, 9,000 men. (b) At the East Pier between 2100/1 and 0330/12, 7,000 men. This time might be extended.
(c) On the east side inside the harbour, between 2200/1 and 0300/2, 1,000 men.
It was intended to withdraw all naval personnel this night3.
All minesweepers, both fleet and paddle, and skoots and all small craft except certain flotillas specially organised, were to lift from the beach stretching eastward 100 1½ miles from Dunkirk, and it was hoped to employ here also about
French small beach fishing craft and drifters. Personnel ships up to 7 in
2 I The Report of Captain W. Tennant, S.N.O. Dunkirk, Record Office Case 5458 Vol. 3, p.357.
written 0330 or from by hand, and the time has been altered by the exceptionally) either typed from 0300 to read originator's copy of this signal is (rather instead of being was intended 0330 to read 0300, though it is not possible typewriter, to with which figure
Admiral to be sent. The time was received at the say certainty at 0330, and Rear
S.N.O. Wake-Walker in his Report, M.017978/41 p.32 Admiralty 0330 intended.
giving details of the plan until 0430/2.
Dunkirk reported, however (Appendix R.24) says that he did was not receive the message
96

THE FINAL NIGHT, 3RD-4TH JUNE
CHAP. XII
advance of the evacuation force. Captain de Revoir, the French Naval Attaché, also crossed over to assist.
There were still many British wounded in Dunkirk, and Admiral Nord was asked to make special arranagements to evacuate as many as possible in return for the effort the British were making on behalf of the French Army.
Air Protection
Coastal Command were to provide protection for shipping between Dover and Dunkirk during the period from 1930 on the 3rd until dark.
Fighter Command was to maintain a continuous patrol by one Blenheim over the Dunkirk area during the dark hours. Fighter protection over the
Dunkirk area and shipping in the Channel was arranged for first light, the intention being that Fighter Command should patrol from 0345 to 0600 on
June 4th, and Coastal Command from 0600 to 0800. The execution of the first part of this programme was hindered, and that of the second part prohibited by fog which, however, no doubt supplied an even more thorough form of protection for the ships.
From 0430 to 0615 four Spitfires squadrons were on the line, but encountered no enemy aircraft. Fog rendered their landing in England difficult on their return. Hurricane squadrons continued the patrol, reaching the Dunkirk area about 0530 again no enemy aircraft were encountered, and again great difficulty was experienced in landing, one squadron losing 4 aircraft. With this unfortunate anti-climax, the fighter patrols over Dunkirk came to an end.
The scene at Dunkirk 2200, 3rd June
Movements from England of the 50 or so ships and numerous small craft for the night's evacuation commenced according to plan. Rear-Admiral
Wake-Walker, who had come over to Dover earlier in the day for consultation, returned to Dunkirk, arriving at 2200 in M.T.B. 102 " to find the harbour swarming with French fishing craft and vessels of all sorts. They were yelling and crowding alongside the East Pier which was already thick with French troops. At one time it looked as if they would get in the way of the transports and destroyers which were on their way, but I managed to get them to go on up the inner harbour and out of the way in time."¹
"The congestion", said Lieutenant J. N. Wise, R.N.V.R., one of the officers of the skoot Pascholl which arrived at Dunkirk at 2300, was chaotic, ships going astern into others coming ahead. French destroyers shrieking on their sirens, small craft nipping here and there, rendering the exit most dangerous."
The numerous wrecks in the harbour and its approaches increased the difficulty and danger of entering. In addition to old wrecks marked on the charts there were now a dozen or more new ones, 3 to the west, and 9 to the east, half of them in the fairway; and more wrecks lay in the harbour. One lay alongside the East Pier; there was a wrecked trawler off the end of the piling on the west side of the Channel leading up harbour and blockships in the Channel, though luckily the tide was high.
Off the Thanet Coast and in mid-Channel there was thick fog (the Royal
Sovereign, 40 minutes out from Margate, reported visibility nil), though the ships were spared this added difficulty at Dunkirk where a fresh easterly wind was blowing and there was a choppy sea at the entrance.
M.017978/41 Report of R. A. Wake-Walker, p.37.
115

LIST OF BRITISH SHIPS
APPENDIX A
TROOPS
TRANSPORTED
LIFE BOATS (contd.)
49
Louise Stephens
-
Lucy Lavers
(S/Lt. T. W. Betts, R.N.V.R.)
—
Mary Scott
Michael Stephens
52
(S/Lt. M. J. R. Yeatman, R.N.V.R.)
17
Prudential (H. P. C. Knight, Coxswain)
Rosa Wood & Phyllis Lunn
-
The Viscountess Wakefield
-
Thomas Kirk Wright
-
(L/Sea. H. Huntington)
Total
323
MOTOR BOATS, LAUNCHES AND VESSELS.
Total 202, of which 78 were lost.
-
Advance
(C. P. Dick, Owner, Skipper)
85
Adventuress
-
Albatross1
-
Aljanor'
-
Aloha-Oe1
-
Ambleve' 2
(S/Lt. R.E. Blows, R.N.V.R.)
-
23
Andova
(L/Sea. H. Cook, Coxswain) (S/Lt. E. T. Garside, R.N.V.R.)
Anglev II
Not known
-
Anne
-
Aura'
(S/Lt. M. A. Chodzko, R.N.V.R.)
Balquhain
54
(S/Lt. B. D. O. MacIntyre, R.N.)
Bat
116
(J. T. Butchers, Capt.)
Bee
15
(W. C. Trowbridge, Capt.)
Belfast
61
Black Arrow¹
-
Blackpool
250
Bluebird
-
(S/Lt. G. B. Eyre, R.N.V.R.)
Bobeli
—
(S/Lt. W.G. H. Bonham, R.N.)
Bonnibell'
I
(Sto. 1st Cl. G. H. Rose)
Bonny Heather
420
(Lieut. C. W. Read, D.S.C., R.N.R.)
Britannia
-
(S/Lt. S.D. Ward, R.N.V.R.)
Brittanic
65
Bullpup not known
Cairngorm not known
Canvey Queen
-
Chamois
-
(A. E. Brown, Capt.) (L. Church, Engr.)
Chantecler
30
(S/Lt. T. K. Edge-Partington, R.N.)
Commodore
(S/Lt. Thompson, R.N.R.)
I Lost.
2 Ex-Belgian canal boat.
147

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
APPENDIX G
22. REAR-ADMIRAL, DOVER to ADMIRALTY for 1ST SEA LORD
destroyers and sloops. Until more on a a strongly
Your 1019. Beaches crowded. Hardly small any ships are here for loading. Request of opinion essential to concentrate
1107/30
23. ADMIRALTY to F.O. DOVER STRAITS (R) V.A. Dover taken to send as many as possible.
Understand pulling boats are weak link please confirm. Every step is being
1141/30
24. ADMIRAL TAYLOR, SHEERNESS to D.S.V.P. (R) D. of S.T.
no more be sent.
Thames river steamers have no condensers and cannot run on sea water. Request
1150/30
25. ADMIRALTY to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER, N.O.I.C. RAMSGATE
War Office have placed seven 30-knot motor launches at your disposal and are sending them to Ramsgate today Thursday. Naval crews are being sent to man them.
Names of launches: Marlborough, Wolfe, Grouse, Kestrel, Vulture, Swallow,
Pidgeon.
1336/30
and later
26.
Add to list of fast military launches Haig.
1882/30
27. C.-in-C. PORTSMOUTH to ADMIRALTY, N.O.I.C. Ramsgate, VICE-ADMIRAL, Dover.
Small craft due Ramsgate approx. as follows:
1900/30 Power boat R.F.A. 115 (?)
2100/30 Fast motor boat, Admiral's barge and Examination Serv. Vessel
Llanthony.
0100/31 F.A.A. Tender Ocean Rover and hopper Foremost 102.
0880/31 Car Ferry Fishbourne (previously reported but delayed.)
1000/31 One self-propelled lighter.
1300/31 One self-propelled lighter and steam pinnace.
1852/30
28. F.O.I.C. LONDON to C.-in-C. NORE, VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER, N.O.I.C. RAMSGATE,
N.O.I.C. SOUTHEND, ADMIRALTY.
23 merchant ships motor-lifeboats and 46 rowing ditto in tow of six tugs leaving
Tilbury from now till complete, manned by volunteers and naval ratings
On arrival Southend they will be route-ed immediately to Ramsgate where first tow should arrive about 0600 Friday [31st May].
1900/30
Friday, 31st May
29. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to C.-in.-C. NORE, F.O.I.C. HARWICH, Admiralty, R.A. Dover,
N.O.I.C. Ramsgate.
Boat convoy for last flight of B.E.F. departs Ramsgate 1300 Friday 31st for
Dunkirk via Route X. Anticipate time of return to Dover and Sheerness 1000
Saturday 1st June. Request all available M.T.B.'s may escort this convoy for as much of the outward passage as possible and for the whole of the return passage.
Anticipated speed of advance outward bound six knots.
0459/31
30. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to M.A/S.B.'s 06, 07, M.T.B.'s 68, 102 (R) R.A. Dover
M.A/S.B.'s are to rendezvous off Ramsgate at 1200 Friday 31st May with boat convoy about to Dunkirk, and escort on outward passage also on return passage, sailing
0300, Sat. 1st June for Dover.
Off Dunkirk beaches, M.A./S.B.'s and available M.T.B.'s are to embark, under the direction of R.A. Dover, the C.-in.C., B.E.F., and Staff.
M.T.B.'s report when ready to sail.
0736/31
168

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
APPENDIX Z
APPENDIX Z
SIGNALS RE OPERATION C.K.
THE BLOCKING OF DUNKIRK INNER HARBOUR
Sunday, 2nd June
1. S.N.O. DUNKIRK to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
night. He will signal if their placing to postponed.
Admiral Nord requests that blockships is will be arrive at entrance at 0300 tomorrow
0405/2
2. ADMIRALTY to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER, REAR-ADMIRAL, DOVER STRAITS, S.N.O.
DUNKIRK
My 1600/31st May, not to S.N.O. Dunkirk. Operation is to be carried forces sailing from the Downs about 1900 today Sunday. E.T.A. Dunkirk roads out,
0200 3rd June.
Final order to block is to be given by Captain Dangerfield who will enter Dunkirk ahead of forces and consult with Admiral Nord as necessary.
Owing to the tide, blockships cannot enter Dunkirk harbour after 0300 on night
2nd/3rd June.
1300/2
3. ADMIRALTY to S.N.O. DUNKIRK (R) V.A. Dover, R.A. Dover Straits
French now state that following has been received from Admiral Nord.
"Evacuation will not be completed during the night of 2nd/3rd. Blocking of
Dunkirk must not take place for the moment".
We hope, however, to complete evacuation tonight and blockships are being sent. Captain Dangerfield has orders to proceed to Dunkirk in advance of blockships and get in touch with Admiral Nord and arrange time of blocking with him.
1552/2
[Here see Appendix Y.15].
Monday, 3rd June
4. Vivacious to ADMIRALTY (R) VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
Operation C.K. completed. Two blockships¹ sunk between breakwater, but regret obstruction of channel not achieved.
T.O.R. 0445/3
I The two blockships were the Westcove and Edvard Nissen. The third blockship, the Holland, was lost en route.
5. ADMIRALTY to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER, REAR-ADMIRAL, DOVER STRAITS
My 1300/2 [Appx. Z.2]. Operation is to be repeated tonight June 3rd, forces sailing from the downs about 2000 today Monday. E.T.A. Dunkirk roads 1158/3 0130/4.
RESTRICTED
194

INDEX
References are to pages.
A.5, (Belgian), 107n. 29.
Abrial, Abel Admiral, 12, 51, 61, 68, 85, 96, 105-7, 113, 115, 116, 120.
Tasman, 20,
Abukir, Adam, Lt. sunk, Gen. 28. Sir R., 18 (organises Dunkirk bridgehead), 26, 35.
Advance, 53.
Adventuress, 60n.
Aegir, 91.
Aidie, 71n, 95 (sunk).
Ahola, 71n.
Air, (see Royal Air Force): cover for evacuation ships, 5; co-operation with B.E.F., 7;
co-operation with Navy, 123; German ordered to concentrate attacks on shipping, 83.
Aircraft, Naval operating under Coastal Command, XIII.
Albury, 28n, 44, 53-4, 86, 97, 107n, 109, 114n, 116, 119.
A.L.C.3, 52.
A.L.C.5, 47, 52 (rushed by French troops).
A.L.C.4, 51, damaged.
A.L.C.8, 52, 75n.
A.L.C.15, 47, 51, 75n.
A.L.C.16, 45 (sunk), 52.
A.L.C.17, 45, 52 (breaks down).
A.L.C.18, 52 (damaged).
Alcmaria, 71n.
Aldis, Capt. T., 108.
Alexander, Maj.-Gen. Hon. H.R.L.G., 66 (assumes command), 68, 84, 85, 96 (to decide when evacuation must end), 98, 103, 105, 108 (embarks),
Alice, 20, 29, 30 (abandoned).
Alphacca, 101.
Amazone, 29n.
Ambleve, 60.
A.M.C.3, 71n, 75n.
Amiral du Nord, see Abrial, Adm.
Amulree, 71n, 74 (sunk).
Anderson, Lieut. C. C., 67.
Andora, 71n.
Angèle Marie, 62n, 73n.
Angler II, 32n, 47n.
Ankh, 71n, 74 damaged.
Anna Marguerite, 73n.
Anna Marie, 73.
Anthony, 20n, 23, 24n, 27, 30, 42, 47n, 53, 54n, 55, 64 (damaged), 80.
Archangel, 19, 28.
Argyllshive, sunk, 85.
Arley, 13n, 39, 44.
Aronia, 71n.
Arras, 62, 69.
Arras, lost, 6.
Aura, lost, 100.
Autocarrier, 114n, 118.
Balloons, 75, 84.
Balquhain, 72n.
Barbara Jean, 71n, 95 (sunk).
Barker, Lt.-Gen. M. G. H., 2.
Base Party, British Naval, embarks, 102.
Basilisk, 61, 86, 90-91 (sunk).
Bat, 63.
Bathelemy General, 120.
Beach parties, 21, 49, 65, 70, 77, 79-83.
Beaches embarkation begins, 17, 22 allotted to troops, 18; organised, 23, 31n, 75n all ships diverted to, 23, 24; first supplies reach, 26; weather affects embarkation, difficulties, 57, 81; crowded with troops, 58; difficulties of control, 58; marked by
36, 48, 69-70; development of evacuation from, 54, 60; changing situation causes lights, 58-9; no ships off, 59-60; strewn with motor transport, 69; 30,000 troops
195