TNA Unclassified 1

SECRET
4
2.
......and as there were only 4 Officers for the three ships only two of the ships sailed. I consåder that this was a proper decision having regard to the circumstances. The inexperience of the crew and the strangeness of the ships and also the locality made a passage an extremely arduous affair.
The close proximity of the German army made it imperative to return to England as soon as possible.
Accordingly I was put on board H.M.S. "Calcutta" early to-day en route for Chatham Hospital.
4.
During the time ashore at La Panne I was beseiged with requests for a passage to England or France from French and Belgian Officers. These Officers all stated that their desire was to reform and fight again.
I informed them all sympathetically that I
could not give them a passage without the approval of
General Adam. As this was not forthcoming in the majority of cases, about 20 of them got & Diesel engined boat from the beach and requested that they might come across to
England in company with me. I readily acceded to this request and was prepared to tow them if necessary.
5.
I understand that the Admiralty were informed by the Military that my 1st Lieutenant and myself had become casualties.
6.
I regret that I am unable to inform you of the present whereabouts of the three ships.
7.
As routeing and instructions were received from Dover I considered it proper that this report should be submitted to you. If this is not correct it is requested that this report may be forwarded to the proper authority.
VIOEADMIS
7.5.8.a.
T
DOV
Lieutenant-Commander, R.N.

28th May. (continued).
- 123
- 117
Several schoots were anchored in the Downs when we arrived and
I was ordered to anchor as convenient, as my anchor had to be weighed by hand and it was a lengthy process, I decided to proceed alongside
"Vrede", After consultation with the Commanding Officer "Vrede", we decided to weigh and to proceed to Dankirk in the hope of gleaning further information on the way, "Vrede" reducing speed to keep me company.
Off the North Goodwin Lt. Vess. we encountered a schoot returing full, who said that they were asking for us on the beaches East of Dunkirk. This was the first definate information that we were required to evacuate troops that we had received. "Vrede", and
"Reiger" then proceeded independently towards Dunkirk.
2300 Arrived off Zuyderoote buoy, sighted one Cruiser at anchor( afterwards identified as the "Calcutta") I closed the
"Calcutta", and asked where I could embark troops. "Calcutta"
ordered me to steer 140° to where her boats were operating. Contacted "Calcutta's" boats on the beach, and they brought off about
70 cot cases.
I cannot speak toohighly of the work done by "Calcutta's"
boats during this operation. There was a fresh breeze and choppy sea running with a considerable tide, but they continued throughout the night without let up. During this operation "Reiger's" starboard anchor chain parted and ship grounded without damage.
0300 Proceeded alongside "Calcutta". Transferred all cot cases from upper deck to "Calcutta" and proceeded with remainder.
29th May.
Arrived at Sheerness.
30th May.
0400 Sailed for Dunkirk, anchored off East Cant buoy owing to for, 0930 weighed and proceeded.
During the passage from North Goodwin to Dunkirk roads we were subjected to periodical machine gun fire from aircraft, none of which hit the ship, no plane coming below 4000 ft.
2000 Entered Dunkirk harbour, proceeded alongside quay emabrked 250 (approx) B.E.F.
While in Dunkirk the harbour was being subjected to fire from an enemy battery of about 6 in. calibore
2100 Sailed from Dunkirk.
( 31st May 1100 Arrived
Sheerness).

PLAG OFFICER IN CHARGE
17JUN1940
*
HARWICH
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 Ramsgate, to good
Yes a
B.
544
From:- Commander J. Glendinning, R.N.R.
Date:- 5th June 1940.
To:-
Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
dd
28th May.
1430 Left Ramsgate for Dunkirk in the tug JAVA with the following ships in company:-
Drifters. Lord Rodney, Lord Keith, Lord Collingwood and Lord St. Vincent.
Motor Launches. Walker I, Walker II, New Brittanic,
29th May.
Nayland and Angler II.
0100
2
Arrived off Bray dunes and anchored in 3 fthms water illed and sent Walker I and Walker II in to the beach to ng try to find men; all troops seemed to be hiding in on the sands. Walker I and Walker II then proceeded then up to Dunkirk Harbour.
hout
As dawn came I lowered all small boats from the Java in all and all drifters and worked with them right into its to the beach filling motor boats and transferring from motor boats to bigger ships lying off shore.
1000
Ordered by a destroyer to take all ships to Dunkirk pier, On arrival there I received orders to fill up as much as possible and return, leaving Walker I
i. Mann, and Walker II for the use of N.O.I.C. Pier, Dunkirk.
ived
On leaving Tuydercoot Pass I was ordered by H.M.S.
Calcutta to transfer all troops on board herand return to the beaches. We worked all afternoon on the beaches, towing army collapsible boats off the
At this time there were no more ships lying off to fill beaches and filling larger ships lying off shore.
1900
up, so filled all craft possible and returned to
30th 0930 May.
Ramsgate.
Arrived Ramsgate.
During the daylight operations the boats attacks, crews were subjected worked on with a good heart, until all to continuous dive-bombing without but all men of a meal from p.m. May 30th. 28th arrival the chance in harbour at 1100 on May