TNA Unclassified 1

COPY!/3
2024
OPERATION DYNAMO
NARRATIVES BY PERSONNEL OF SMALL CRAFT.
INDEX
NAME OF VESSEL
WRITTEN BY
1. TUG 87
Sub.Lieut. H.M. Davis, R.N.R.
2. M.B. BLUE BIRD
If
G.B. Eyre, R.N.V.R.
3. M.B. AURA
#
M.A. Chodzko, R.N.V.R.
4. M.B. BRITANNIA
If
S.D. Ward
5. M.B.'s CAVERSHAM and QUISISIANA
If
A.V. Weaver
6. M.B. LADY CABLE
Lieut. B.S. Fidler, R.N.R.
7. M.B. EMPRESS
Sub.Lieut. T.W. Betts, R.N.V.R.
8. M.B. SKYLARK
#
M.J.R. Yeatman, R.N.V.R.
9. M.B. SOUTHERN QUEEN
"
Demattos
0. M.B. PRINCESS LILLY
#
K.E.A. Bayley
1. M.B. SKYLARK VI
Ct. Rating G.R. Price
2. H.M.M.B. WHITE BEAR
Cd. Gunner E. Deacon, R.N.
3. H.M.S. DOLPHIN's Motor Boat
Sub.Lieut. E.F. Cornish-Bowden, R.N.
4. WALTON and FRINTON Life Boat
P.O. Tel. Cooley.
5. M.B. CORDELIA
Sub.Lieut. C.A. Thompson
6. M.B. PELLAG II
Lieut.
Martino, R.N.V.R.
STATEMENT BY
7. M.B. SKYLARK (Southend)
Pensioner P.O. R.A. Smith
8. BOURNEMOUTH Life Boat
L. Sea. H. Huntington
9. M.B. BONNY BELLE
Sto. I. G.H. Rose
O. EASTBOURNE Life Boat
(Sto. J. Strangeways P/KX.95036 and
(Sto. A.H. Shaw P/KX.94553
1. M.B. (Unknown)
A.B. M.J. Stallard P/JX.154107
2. M.B. SEA FALCON
L.Sea. A. Westbrook P/JX.131401
3. M.B. SKYLARK
Sto. G. Bramhall P/KX.88343
4. M.B. COMMODORE
Sto. Beech P/KX.90016
5. NEWHAVEN Life Boat
(A.B. W.J. Morris P/JX.126097
(Sto.I W. Spray P/KX.87052
(o.s. T.E. White CDX.133
6, M.B. YSER
Act. P.O. W.H. Achin JX.149919

204
OPERATION DYNAMO.
22
ENCLOSURE NO. 17.
SHIP: BLUE BIRD - Motor Boat.
OFFICER REPORTING: G.B. EYRE, SUB-LINUTENANT, R.N.V.R.
On Saturday 1st June I received orders to proceed with Motor Boat BLUE BIRD to the M/S SANDOWN
to be towed to Dunkirk. M/S SANDOWN was relieved by
M/S EMPEROR OF INDIA and accordingly I changed to her.
2.
On reaching Dunkirk it was found impossible to start engines of BLUE BIRD so she was not used and came back to Dover in tow.
3.
The Lifeboat MARY SCOTT was working in conjunction with BLUE BIRD, but remained behind in
Dunkirk to pick up EMPEROR OF INDIA's 1st Lieutenant who was on the pier, organising the troops to be embarked.
Note: This officer was previously in command of
A.L.C. No. 15, and had been employed ferrying troops off from Dunkirk beach for one day. When 8.8. CLAN MACALISTER
(A.L.C. parent ship) was bombed and set on fire he returned to Dover in company with A.L.Cs. 3 and 8 to refuel and proceeded to the beaches on completion.
A.L.C. No. 15 was driven on to the beach by the wash of a passing destroyer and as there was no hope of getting off,
Sub-Lieutenant Eyre set fire to her and returned to Dover in due course in
A.L.C. No. 3 and was then given Motor
Boat BLUE BIRD.
See

REPORT OF 'BOUNTY' (Contd).
I should like to draw special attention to the magnificent work 295
of Petty Officer Jones throughout operations.
2
The following officers, Lieut.D.A.Dawson, Sub.Lieuts. Godman and Potter-Irwin accompanied me and reported to Ramsgate, volunteering ships and services on the following day if required.
Our names were accordingly entered on the Volunteer's List.
June 2. Having reported to Ramsgate, we were informed that only fast and shallow draft vessels were required. During course of day, found M.T.B.101. lying idle and requested use of same, but were informed that the vessel was R.A.F. property and we were unable to obtain permission to use her.
Received instructions to stand by and later to return to own Base.
Throughout twenty seven hours spent at Dunkirk and adjacent beaches, were under continuous bombardment from the air and from the land.
306
REPORT OF INNER PATROL YACHT "EILA II".
%
285
Commanding Officer, Lieut. E.H.Batt, R.N.V.R.
y 29. 1750. Left Hamble.
y 30. 0600. Arrived Dover.
2130. Left Dover.
LY 31. 0545. Arrived alongside destroyer "KEITH" off Bray and embarked officer to assist in organisation. Ordered to
La Panne beach to assist in transporting troops to destroyers "KEITH" & "EMERALD" and sloop "HEBE". Several trips were made between La Panne & Bray;when shelling and bombing became too severe, I was ordered to proceed to seaward. I afterwards returned to La Panne and embarked more troops.
1100 Observed Dover Patrol Vessel "BLUE BIRD" well aground and in a precarious position with both her propellos foul;
I lowered my dinghy and ran a tow to her, and succeeded in getting her off. I was under frequent shellfire during the whole operation. I estimate that the amount of troops taken off did not exceed 200, as it was some time after arrival before I disembarked the Naval Officer and wass able to start embarking troops. Although I anchored close in at both places I found that the troops seemed unable to man the boats. The wind was blowing onshore which made it extremly difficult to get off to us. I called for volunteers to man the motor launch and Engr, T.M. Weir and
A.B. Tozer responded but were unable to make the beach owing to the heavy sea and the launch was eventually lost.
Special mention may be made of Engr. Weir who rowed in a small dinghy and rescued three soldiers under fire.
Later on in the day the Engr. the reported a serious leak in the "EILA II" and at one time the water was level with the engine room floor. I reported the matter to a destroyer who ordered me to proceed to seaward and locate the damage.
2130. The Naval Officer in charge of operations on the
"ANKH" asked if my vessel was in a fit condition to continue but from my Engr's report of the leak and as my port reverse gear was out of commission, I was doubtful if she would survive further operations. I was then ordered to proceed to Dover and arrived the
1
0700. From theis time until 5th. June lying in Dover
Harbour.
me 5
1130. Being unable to locate the other Inner Patrol
Folkestone Gate observed a small ship's boat about 2
Yachts, left Dover for Hamble and while passing through
(continued)