TNA Unclassified 1

73
Dynam.
16
-
72
H.M.S. HILDA,
To: Vice Admiral, Dover.
Dover.
From: Captain R. Pim, R.N.V.R.
Report of events in connection with final evacuation of troops from the beaches of
La Panne Bains and Bray-Dunnes.
Period covered: 30th May - 2nd June.
bject.
Evacuation of military personnel at La Panne Bains and
Bray-Dunnes.
rders
To take as many small motor boats, lifeboats, etc. as possible eceived.
to the above-mentioned beaches and effect the evacuation of all troops found there. The operation was not to include
Dunkirk beach, where evacuation arrangements had already been organised.
Action
Transport 1. Department, Dover, for the requisitioning of motor
Arrangements were made by Captain G. Fraser, D.S.O., Sea taken.
boats and lifeboats at Dover, Deal and Walmer. These were inspected and arrangements made for their being manned and provisioned on the afternoon of 30th May. The preparation of these matters of detail in advance by Captain Fraser wore-base ficient boats to send early the next morning, and subsequently entirely responsible for my being able to get together suffor providing something in the way of food for the very large number I had on board.
31st
2. I sailed from Deal with 8 boats in tow for Dunkirk early
May.
on the 31st, and Captain Fraser undertook to despatch the remaining boats to Dunkirk as soon as they became available.
I took 50 gallons of petrol in 2-gallon tins on deck for refuelling, the majority of these tins subsequently being civilians at Deal desired to accompany the party, and five jettisoned during the dive bombing east of Dunkirk. Several in fact did manage to get to Dunkirk and were of the greatest possible use.
Naval 3. or Port Official that I was to proceed to La Panne that
On arrival off Dunkirk I was informed by the Senior Bains French
Dunkirk beach was properly organised. An M.L. came alongside and Bray-Dunnes beaches forthwith, and he confirmed and took four of my boats in tow to La Panne Bains.
motor and lifeboats were sent away at 40 p.m. with to
4. work The the beaches, which at this time were being shelled shrapnel.
5. these I as found reinforcements. I also requisitioned lifeboats four additional boats at anchor and four acquired from a tug and three from a drifter.
6./

2.
0 Lieut. J.O. Clark, - Went over in "Rapid I" 369
corted by "Stathelliot" and ferried troops, who were
/ French, from the beaches on Friday, May 31. On turday at about 0400 he was towing the "Skipjacks ler with Sub Lieut. Ruck in charge, when they scued 3 sailors from the wreck of a sunken destroyer.
transferre the ratings and troops to the "Mosquito"
a was following her when she was hit by a bomb. he lped rescue the survivors including Sub Lieut. Flint, o had been wounded and finally left at 1330 being wed part of the way to Margate by the "Anje"
b Lieut. T.R. Rumbold, R.N.V.R. - in the motor barge iking" from Burnham on Crouch he went to le Panne on e 30th and ferried all the forenoon. He returned to msgate and sailed again at noon on the 1st for Bray, riving just after dark. He burnt out his clutches and ached the "Viking" but managed to kedge off and was wed to Dover.
b Lieut. P. Snow, R.N. - In the "Reda" he reached the aches on Wednesday, May 29th and ferried B.E.F. till
30. He went again on the Friday and ferried Frenchmen.
Sunday, June 2nd, he went over in the "Advance" to nkirk, when he sighted the "Biboli" on the beach.
b Lieut. R.A. Forbes - Reached the beaches on Friday y 31st in "Mary Spearing II" after rying he turned to Ramsgate. He sighted the "Gavine 'ashore.
t. W.G.M. Christian, R.N.V.R. - was in "Mary Spearing I"
t she was beached although she was sighted later being wed by a tug. He sighted "Margerita" floating but serted.
ipper G.W. Halladay, R.N.R. - Went over to Dunkirk
1
Sunday June 2nd, in "Meander".
ab in an "Orient" line motor life boat on Sunday
Lieut. R.H. Wallace, R.N.V.R. - Towed over to the ne He saw hardly any soldiers. He started eaches 2nd. The engine failed and the boat was beached and bandoned. in a pulling life boat but was taken in tow The by alling "Alcmaria", to which he now transferred. left
OW rawler parted during the night and life boat was rifting.
ib Lieut. J.K. Blackmore, R.N.V.R. - In the over. "Lurlyne", hich had a bad engine and so he never got ab Lieut. C.E.S. Beale - In K.A. Dover's barge which as finally left in Dunkirk.
(From Southend) - Tokk over "Kayell" He picked arriving n the beaches of the "Block Arrow" which was and fishing He r. S. Burns at 0130 on Monday June 3rd. ashore.
P the crew French troops to a French destroyer erried mack. "Kayell" in now beached at Ramsgate.
ub Lieut. T.H. over by "Oranje Vreeswijk" Foam". with They boats were
Rodgers, R.N.V.R. - In "Gay Crusader" other e was towed 'Silvery Breeze" and "Silver reached beaches ut ombed was and towed tow back was in company with O.I.C. and neluding cut off. He never "Pioneer"
Barl"

FLAG OFFICER IN CHARGE
17JUN1940
*
HARWIOH
H.M.S. "Watchful"
547
Great Yarmouth.
8th June, 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the report of proceedings of the
"M" Drifters attached to Yarmouth Base (H.M.S. "Watchful") whilst employed on Operation "Dynamo".
30.5.40. 2345.
Flotilla sailed Yarmouth for Ramagate, good
569
the
From:- Sub.Lieut. F.N.Dann R.N.V.R.
533
Date:- June 5th 1940
To
:- Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
Ld
May 27th Sent from H.M.S. King Alfred to H.M.S. Wildfire.
*
May 28th
1100
Ordered to fuel and provision about 20 motor yachts in harbour basin and other yachts continuously arriving.
1930
Left Sheerness for Dover in M.Y. Viewfinder, leading a convoy of six yachts all towing whalers. Other convoys followed astern.
May 29th lled
0130
Arrived Dover. Moored alongside destroyer and
&
requested 0.0.W. to signal shore for orders.
n
0400
The following civilian volunteers refused further on duty and were sent ashore:-
out
T.Lewis, John Bye, - Bye, J.Palmer all
Collected a total of six yachts and refuelled them
8 e
0600
Left Dover in Viewfinder leading a column of six motor yachts viz.
Viewfinder (myself)
Advance
Three civilian volunteers)
Hanora
(S.L. Minchin R.N.)
Mann,
Bobeli Elizabeth Green (S.L. Snow)
(S.L. Bonham)
red
Joined by Reda which fell in with us and re-completed
One other which turned back.
0700
the six arrived in convoy off Gravelines. hit. Repeatedly column of six.
1400
All dive arrived off La Panne Beach and ferried whalers
All machine gunned from the air. None
1500
1830
full of troops dragged to ships aground at by anchor. excited Belgian abtain help. soldiers.
Viewfinder in whaler with two ratings to with us and
Put off load of soldiers in whaler Put soldiers left
Took two ratings off aboard Lydd to and await contacted my return. Hanora Contacted (S.L.Minchin) my aboard H.M.Sloop was abandoned.
1900
Hanora Pouled and took off all soldiers etc. from No room Viewfinder for my whaler remaining two Elizabeth charts Green who took off
Hanora's personal also gear. officer Hailed and crew and towed my loaded whalers to H.M.S. Lydd