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TNA / ADM 234 360

TNA ADM 234 360

TNA ADM 234 360
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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.

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

Showing only pages tagged with the vessel name Beal. Tags are exact matches from this collection’s OCR tag index. Clear vessel filter ×

5 matching pages. OCR may contain transcription errors.

List page 1 of 1 Showing document pages 65–220 of this collection
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65 Page 65 Log in to enlarge

WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY
CHAP. VI
Calcutta contacts Lord Gort
On receipt of this signal at 0345 the Calcutta, which had already been embarking troops from La Panne beach, sent her boats in again, in charge of Mr. F.J.
March, Gunner. Mr. March made personal contact with Lord Gort about
8 miles inland, and placed the Calcutta at his disposal for his or his staff's evacuation. Lord Gort, however, courteously refused to be evacuated at this stage¹.
La Panne beach cleared of troops
Meanwhile the Calcutta was proceeding with the embarkation, having enlisted the assistance of the minesweepers Sutton and Salamander, the tug Java, five drifters2, and three motor launches³. By 1357 the Calcutta had embarked
1200 troops, with whom she proceeded to Sheerness.
In addition to the ships assisting the Calcutta, 7 minesweepers4, 4 skoots5, and 5 destroyers⁶ also embarked troops from La Panne beach. Of the destroyers, the Greyhound was bombed and severely damaged (see p.42).
The minesweepers embarked, in all, 3415 troops, the skoots 1137 and the destroyers 2100. The tramp Yewdale and the motor vessels Beal and Bullfinch between them brought off 1,854. The assault landing craft A.L.C.15 ferried about 750 troops from the beaches to off-lying ships, and finally transported
25 to Dover; the A.L.C.5 also ferried troops throughout the day.
The paddle-minesweeper Oriole had beached herself at La Panne at about
0600, thus permitting about 2,500 troops to pass over her decks to be embarked by other ships before she refloated at about 1800. In this connection, Sub-
Lieut. Croswell, who had been landed at La Panne at about 0600 with a small beach party in the Harvester's motor skiff, says: " On the beach we found
14 boats which we launched. A line ferry was established from a paddlesteamer [the Oriole] which was aground close inshore, and this steamer served as a pier alongside which other boats were able to come.
Throughout the day embarkation continued."
Later in his report, Sub-Lieut. Croswell says " About 1400
bombing commenced - there were no casualties though 8 heavy bombs fell within 100
yards of the place of embarkation. A supply ship [the danlayer Nautilus]
to the right of the beach was fired and destroyed by a near miss, and a destroyer
[the Greyhound] was hit by an incendiary bomb [in fact she was severely damaged by a near miss] but continued in action. I joined up with the Army
Staff controlling evacuation - there were no other naval officers at La Panne.⁷
About 2300
I requested that piers should be built but was told nothing could be done that night.
Lord Gort arrived on the beach on Thursday morning [30th May] and asked what could be done to assist. I again suggested erection of piers, and under Colonel Porter's direction this was begun, the pier at La Panne being ready and in use by 1400".
I Calcutta's report.
2 The Golden Sunbeam, Lord Rodney, Lord Keith, Lord St. Vincent, and Lord Collingwood.
3 The Angler II, Nayland and New Britannic.
4 The Emperor of India, Gracie Fields, Halcyon, Hebe, Oriole, Princess Elizabeth and
Waverley.
5 The Reiger, Doggersbank, Jutland and Oranje.
6 The Shikari, Harvester, Anthony, Sabre and Greyhound.
7 Sub. Lt. Croswell was not given orders by his commanding officer to remain ashore.
He says as at La Panne there was no liaison between Army and Navy, I realised I could do a much more useful job by remaining there," and he stayed there until 1st June. Commenting on this, Lt. Cdr. M. Thornton, R.N., Captain of the Harvester says: " This young officer wisely accepted responsibility of missing his ship and then took charge of the beaches and embarkation.
(C.W.23187/40.)
47
Angler Angler II Anthony Beal Britannic Bullfinch Calcutta Doggersbank Emperor of India Golden Sunbeam Hebe Java Jutland Lord Collingwood Lord Keith Lord Rodney Lord St. Vincent Nautilus Nayland New Britannic Oranje Princess Princess Elizabeth Reiger Sabre Sunbeam The Angler Yewdale Beal Day Dover Gort March May Miles Porter right Thornton Young
161 Page 161 Log in to enlarge
OCR table 1 from document page 161
TROOPS TRANSPORTED
M.A./S.B.'s ETC. (contd.) -
M.L.100 (Licut. W.L. Stephens, R.N.V.R.) 15
D.C./M.B. (Lieut. E. F. Hamilton-Meikle, R.N.)
Total 79
M.T.B.'s. Total 6. -
M.T.B.16
(Lieut. P. F.S. Gould, R.N.)
M.T.B.22 -
M.T.B.67 -
(Lieut. C. C. Anderson, R.N.) -
M.T.B.68
(Lieut. R. K.L. Walker, R.N.V.R.)
M.T.B.102 20
(Lieut. C. W.S. Dreyer, R.N.) -
M.T.B.107 (Lieut. J. Cameron, R.N.V.R.)
Total 20
ARMED BOARDING VESSELS. Total 3, of which 1 was sunk. 1,131
King Orry
(Cdr. J. Elliott, R.D., R.N.R.) Lormont 1,083
(Lt. Cdr. W.S. Smithies, R.N.) 2,634
Mona's Isle (Cdr. J. C. K. Dowding, R.D., R.N.R.)
Total 4,848
SKOOTS (1.e. ex-DUTCH SCHUITS or coasters). Total 40, of which 4 were lost.
Where lying 22nd May (in brackets). Abel Tasman (London) 220
(Lt. Cdr. T. G. P. Crick, R.N.) (wounded) (Lieut. C. E.S. B. St. G. Beal, R.N.) (from Kaap Falga 28/5/40) 835
Aegiv (London)
(Lieut. W. B. Whitworth, R.N.)
Alice² (Poole) -
(Lieut. H. M. Slater, R.N.) 549
Amazone (Poole)
(Lt. Cdr. L. H. Phillips, R.N.) 450
Antje (London)
(Lt. M. Buist, R.N.)
Atlantic (Poole) 590
(Lt. Cdr. L. E. Fordham, R.N.R.)
Bart (London) -
(Lieut. E. G. Ball, R.N. (Retd.)
Bornrif (London) 146
(Lieut. A. N. Blundell, R.N.R.)
Brandaris (London) 330
(Cdr. C Euman, R.N. (Retd.) )
Caribia (London) 701
(Lt. M. G. Morais, R.N.R.) (Lt. G. H. Williams, R.N.R. (as from 29th May)
Delta (London) 503
(Lt. Cdr. D. F. Lawrence, R.N. (retd.),
Deneb (London) 100
Despatch II (Poole) 428
(Lt. Cdr. F. E. Wilmot-Sitwell, R.N. (Retd.) )
Abel Tasman Amazone Antje Atlantic Bart Beal Bornrif Brandaris Caribia D.C. Delta Deneb Despatch II London Lormont Mona's Isle Anderson Ball Beal Blundell Buist Crick Dowding Dreyer Elliott Euman Fordham Gould Hamilton Hamilton-Meikle King Lawrence May Morais Phillips Poole Slater Smithies Stephens Walker Whitworth Williams Wilmot-Sitwell
162 Page 162 Log in to enlarge
OCR table 1 from document page 162
SKOOTS (contd.) TROOPS TRANSPORTED
Doggersbank (London) (Lieut. D. T. McBarnet, R.N.) 800
Fredanja (Poole) (Lt. Cdr. K. W. Stewart, R.N. (Retd.) 850
Frisco (Poole) 1,002
Gorecht (London) (S/Lt. D. M. Edwards, R.N.R.) 47
Hebe II (Poole) (Lt. Cdr. J. B. G. Temple, R.N.) 515
Hilda (London) (Lieut. A. Gray, R.N.) 835
Hondsrug (London) (Lieut. F.T. Renny, R.N.R.) 1,453
Horst¹ (Poole) (Lt. Cdr. G.E. Fardell, R.N.) (Lt. T. E. Sargent, R.N.R.) 1,150
Jaba (Poole) 469
Jutland (London) (Lieut. G. L. Barwell, R.N. (Retd.) ) (Relieved, 30 May, re-assumed command 31st May) (Lt. Cdr. W. R. T. Clements, R.N.R.) (30th-31st May) 505
Kaap Falga (Poole) (Lieut. C.E.S. B. St. G. Beal, R.N.) (Lieut. H.F. Wykeham-Martin, R.N., 28/5/40) 5
Lena (London) (Lt. Cdr. R. P.C. Hawkins, R.N. (Retd.) ) 996
Oranje (London) (Lieut. H.T. Crispin, R.N.) 605
Pacific (Poole) (Lt. Cdr. C.J. Skrine, R.N.) 945
Pascholl (Poole) (Lieut. T. Johnston, R.N.) (Relieved and appointed i/c Portsdown) (Lieut. J.N. Wise, R.N.V.R.) (Cdr. C.E. Hammond, D.S.O., D.S.C., R.N.) (Retd.) (i/c Group) 695
Patria (London) (Lt. Cdr. N.L. J. Pisani, D.S.C., R.N. (Retd.) ) 1,400
Reiger (London) (Lieut. A. Tyson, R.N.) 592
Rian (Poole) 257
(Lt. Cdr. J.I. Miller, D.S.O. R.N. (Reported)2 Rika (London) (Lt. Cdr. J.J. Youngs, R.N.R.) 495
Ruja (Poole) (Lt. H. R. Webber, R.N.) 300
San Antonio (Poole) (Lt. Cdr. G. V. Legassick, R.N.R.) 484
Sursum-Corda (Poole) (Lieut. C.L. G. Philpotts, R.N.) 370
Tilly (London) (Lt. Cdr. C.M. Ramus, (Lt. Cdr. W. R. T. Clements, R.N.R.) 602
Tiny (Poole) R.N.R.) (Lt. Cdr. J.M. D. 261
Twente (London) Hunter, R.N.) (Lt. Martin, R.N.) (Lt. Cdr. H. G. 1,139
Vrede (London) Boys-Smith, R.N.R. to 30th May) (Lt. A. W. McMullen (Lt. Cdr. R. T. R.N.R.) 473
Zeus (Poole) Lampard, R.N.) (Lt. Cdr. C. B. Hoggan, R.D., R.N.R.) 601
Total 22,698
Beal Doggersbank Fredanja Frisco Gorecht Hebe Hebe II Hilda Hondsrug Jaba Jutland Lena London Oranje Pacific Pascholl Patria Portsdown PS Portsdown Reiger Rian Rika Ruja San Antonio Tilly Tiny Twente Vrede Zeus Barwell Beal Boys-Smith Clements Crispin Edwards Fardell Gray Hammond Hawkins Hoggan Hunter Johnston Lampard Legassick Martin May McBarnet McMullen Miller Philpotts Pisani Poole Renny Sargent Skrine Smith Stewart Temple Tyson Webber Wise Wykeham-Martin Youngs
163 Page 163 Log in to enlarge
OCR table 1 from document page 163
APPENDIX A
TROOPS TRANSPORTED
YACHTS. Total 26, of which 3 were lost. 5
Ahola (Lt. J. F. Alexander, R.N.V.R.) II 175
Alouette (S/Lt. R. E. Lee, R.N.V.R., Unit Officer) I
Amulree (S/Lt. G. P. Probert, R.N.V.R.) -
Ankh (Lt. C. C. Bone, R.N.V.R., Senior Officer, Inner Patrol) 42
Aronia (Lieut. J. S. Roe, R.N.V.R.) -
Bounty (Lt. C. A. Lundy, R.N.V.R.) 99
Bystander (S/Lt. H. J. B. Barge, R.N.V.R.) 35
Caleta (S/Lt. J. F. Dunning, R.N.V.R.) -
Caryanda (Lt. D. A. L. Kings, R.N.V.R.) 317
Chico (S/Lt. J. Mason, R.N.V.R.) 33
Christobel II (Lieut. H. E. Wigfull, R.N.V.R.) 80
Conidaw (Skipper R. G. Snelgrove) -
Eilla II (Lt. E. H. Batt, R.N.V.R.)
Erica - -
Glagla (S/Lt. J. A. Dow, R.N.V.R.) 1,484
Grive (Capt. the Hon. L. J. O. Lambart, D.S.O., R.N. (Retd.)³ 814
Gulzar (Ty. Lt. C. V. Brammall, R.N.R.) 15
Lahloo Laroc 147
(Capt. G. B. Butler, (Master/Owner) Llanthony 280
(S/Lt. R. W. Timbrell, R.N.)
Noneta (S/Lt. A. J. Potter-Irwin, R.N.V.R.) -
Pellag II² (Lieut. F. W. R. Martino, R.N.V.R.) Sargasso | 605
(Lt. C. C. L. Gaussen, R.N.V.R.)
Seriola -
(Lieut. D. A. Dawson, R.N.V.R.) Tarret 550
Thele -
(Lt. H. M. Glassborow, R.N.V.R.)
Total 4,681
PERSONNEL SHIPS. Total 45 (including 3 store ships and 2 motor vessels) of which 8 were sunk. Archangel Auto Carrier - 712
(Capt. C. M. Masters, Master) Beal (M/V) 364
(J. W. Liley, Master)
Ahola Alouette II Amulree Ankh Archangel Aronia Beal Bounty Bystander Caleta Caryanda Chico Conidaw Erica Grive Gulzar Lahloo Laroc Llanthony Noneta Sargasso Seriola Tarret Thele Alexander Barge Batt Beal Bone Brammall Butler Dawson Dover Dow Dunning Gaussen Glassborow Kings Lambart Lee Liley Lundy Martino Mason Masters Potter Potter-Irwin Probert Roe Senior Snelgrove Timbrell West Wigfull
220 Page 220 Log in to enlarge

INDEX
await embarkation, 82; surf stops embarkation, 82; evacuation from beaches and harbour compared, 124;
Bray, 23, 28, 29, 31 (bombed), 36, 42n (bombed), 50, 52, 58-60, 69, 71, 78-82.
Coxyde, 26.
doned), 83 (Devonia used as pier), 86.
La Panne, 23, 26, 27-28, 30-32, 42n (bombed), 46-7, 50, 52, 58-60, 66, 70, 75-83 (aban-
Malo, 23, 27, 31, 71-2, 84, 101.
Zuydcoote, 27, 31.
Beaching boats, See small craft.
Beal, 47.
Beatrice Maud, 60, 114n, 118 (towed to Dover), 120.
Beckwith-Smith, Brig. M. B., 66.
Belgium invaded, 1; Belgium Army bad news of, 1; withdraws 2, 12; collapses, 15
craft, 73, 86.
Belgians, King of 6, 19 (surrenders); Belgian troops sink Viewfinder, 53; Belgian fishing
Ben and Lucy, 71m, 73.
Benlawers, 11.
Ben-My-Chree, in collision, 110.
Bennett, S/Lt. P. H.E. Wounded, 74.
Bernadette, 92.
Berthon, Capt. E. L. 90 (two ships sunk under him).
Biarrits, 19, 28.
Biddulph, Act. Com. M. A. 0., 101.
Bideford: damaged, 45-6, 52; ashore off Bray, 58 calls for towing ropes, 61.
Bill, Lt. R. 39, 44 (restores order).
Billotte, General, 1, 3, 6.
Black, Lt. Cdr. A. R. M., died of wounds, 10.
Black Arrow, 60n.
Blackburn Rovers, 34n, 38 (sinking of), 110 (sunk).
Blanchard, General, 1, 11, 13, 14, 19, 26.
Blount, Air V.M., C. H., 4.
Blyskawica, 34, 42, 69.
Board of Trade Officials, 94.
Boatkeepers, lack of, 60, 81.
Boats, See Small Craft.
Bobeli, abandoned, 53; sunk, 55.
Bonny Heather, 60n, 120.
Bornrif, 20n, 24, 114n, 116-7.
Botanic, 13.
Bouclier, 62n, 69, 107n, 109.
Boulogne, evacuated, 8-10.
Bounty, 66, 71n, 83.
Bourrasque, sunk, 62-3.
Boy Roy, 23n, 31 (damaged).
Boyle, Cdr. R. C., 44.
Brandaris, 20n, 24.
Branlebas, 62n, 63.
Bray. See Beaches.
Brighton Belle, 23n, 27, 31 (sunk).
Brighton Queen, sunk, 92.
Britannic, 72n.
British Expeditionary Force; movements 10th May-4th June, XIV; reaches Dyle R., 1;
withdraws, 2, 3, 6, 14, 15; communications cut, 3, 6; evacuation foreseen, 4, 14
put on half rations, 8; short of ammunition, 11; discipline, 36n, 58, 80, 127-8; in good heart, 57 evacuation of rearguard, 65, 70, 108; under Adm. Abrial's orders, 66;
rearguard held up, 103; evacuation complete, 108.
Brock, 13n, 39.
Brooke, Lt. Gen. A. F., 2.
Buchanan, Cdr. H. J., R.A.N., 118.
Buffalo Bill, 73n.
Bullfinch, 47.
Bush, Capt. E. W., S.N.O. afloat off Beaches, 49, 50; hands over to R.A. Dover, 58
goes home to press for more boats, 58.
Butler, Pay S/Lt., W. J., R.N.V.R., killed, 31.
Buttercup Force, 8.
Bystander, 51n.
196
Beal Beatrice Maud Ben-my-Chree Benlawers Bernadette Bideford Black Arrow Bobeli Bonny Heather Bornrif Botanic Bounty Boy Roy Brandaris Britannic Brock Bullfinch Bystander Błyskawica Devonia Queen Viewfinder Beal Bennett Berthon Biddulph Bill Black Boyle Brooke Bush Butler Dover Goes King Maud May Smith