TNA ADM 234 360

SIGNALS
APPENDIX M
6. ADMIRALTY to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
The Air Ministry are fully in the picture as to requirements at Dunkirk and are doing all they possible can. If any particular requirements turn up, such as group of ships being attacked, report to Admiralty as soon as possible.
1240/28
7. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to S.N.O. DUNKIRK
Can personnel ships still go alongside Dunkirk.
1135/28
8. B.L.O., Reply C.-IN-C. NORTHERN NAVAL FORCES to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
Your 1135. Yes when fighters are actually keeping off bombers.
1337/28
APPENDIX M
SIGNALS RE EVACUATION 26TH AND 27TH MAY
(Additional to those in Appendices D to L)
26th May
1. ADMIRALTY to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER C.-IN-C. NORE, C.-IN-C. PORTSMOUTH
Operation Dynamo is to commence.
1857/26
2. ADMIRALTY to C.-IN-C. NORE, VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER, C.-IN-C. PORTSMOUTH, B.N.L.O.
MARCEAU, B.N.L.O. DUNKIRK
Captain W. G. Tennant has been appointed S.N.O. Dunkirk. He will proceed to take up his duties tomorrow Monday, May 27th.
2321/26
27th May
3. S.N.O. DUNKIRK to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER (R) Admiralty
Port continuously bombed all day and on fire. Embarkation possible only from beaches east of harbour A.B.C.D.¹
Send all ships and passenger ships there to anchor. Am ordering Wolfhound to load there and sail.
T.O.O. 2005/27
T.O.R. 2025
4. S.N.O. DUNKIRK to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
Please send every available craft east of Dunkirk immediately. Evacuation tomorrow night is problematical.
T.O.O. 1958/27
R.O.T. 2055
[Here see Apps. D3 to D8].
- Note: See p. 23, footnote¹.
175

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