TNA Unclassified 1

Dyrom P2 391
-
368
June 5th, 1940.
1.
Lieut. A.J. Davies, R.N.V.R. -"Java" never got over the other side and was finally towed to Sheerness by "Gorecht"
2.
Lieut. A.N. Blundell, R.N.R. - "Bornrif" did three. trips between Ramsgate and beaches at Dunkirk. "King Orry" was sighted sunk off Dunkirk.
3.
Sub Lieut. R.H.C. Amos, R.N.V.R. - "Iote" was beached and abandoned after she had damaged her rudder while rescuing two of her crew, who had fallen overboard on the morning of Saturday June 1st. On night of Monday, June 3rd, Sub Lieut
Amos, R.N.V.R. and Sub Lieut. R.H. Wallace, R.N.V.R. were in a new but unnamed power life boat which was towed over to
SUN
Dunkirk by Tug "About
.....
(A).
On the 30th May D.S. "Horst" was known to have been abandoned.
4.
Sub Lieut. D.C. Williams, R.N.V.R. - left Ramsgate on the night of Su day, June 2nd in the "Kitcat". On the way over he became separated from the rest of the convoy. After doing some work the other side he towed the "Singapore" back to Dover and then on to Ramsgate on Monday, June 3rd.
5.
Lieut. R.W. Thomson, R.N.V.R. - After being discharged from the "AEGer", where he had proved lacking in experience, did
4 trips in the "DABB II", two of which were unsuccessful.
6.
Sub Lieut. C. Minchin, R.N. - Went to the beached in the
"LYDD" where he ferried until the boat broke down. She was abandoned and Minchin returned to Ramsgate in the "Lydd".
On Monday, against orders he tried to go over in the "Helfrinore" but she broke down.
7.
Sub Lieut. E.S. Foreman, R.N.V.R. - In the"Princess Freda"
he ferried from the beaches for a destroyer. He then worked for the Dutch "Besta" --?, who finally towed him back to Ramsgate.
8.
Sub Lieut. R.E. Blows, R.N.V.R. - Started in the "Minikoi"
but she was rammed and sunk by "MASB 6" off the downs at
0230 on Wed, May 29th. He next went over in the "Ambleve", which with the "Sambre" was towed over by the "Skipjack", for whom he ferried from the beaches. A crew from the
Skipjack releived his crew for a'stand-easy' and ran the
"Ambleve" aground. He and his crew returned in the
Skipjack. On Saturday, June 1st, he went over in a power life boat. She was damaged by near bombs but the engines continued to run.
9.
Sub Lieut. J.W. Pratt, R.N.V.R. - Ran aground in the
"Singapore" on beach at 0130 on Sunday June 2nd. She rfloated at 0800 and he left with three French Officers.
On the way he picked up two British soldiers who were floating around'. These were revived with wine from the
French Officers' water bottles. He passed the "Mosquito"
which was still afloat but had been deserted. In mid channel he found three life boats which he took in tow intil his engines gave out and he was taken in tow by the "Kitkat".
10.
Sub Lieut. I.F. Smith, R.N.V.R. - In "Jong" helped to ferry troops from the beaches on Friday, May 31st. On way home he sighted the "Iote" drifting round empty and the "White Heather" empty but at anchor.

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

FLAG 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.
Report by Sub, Lieut. F.N.Dann (Contd)
570
540
1900
Took charge of empty whaler, made up scratch crew of two ratings and one soldier and continued to ferry troops from beach to motor boats.
2030
Many badly wounded men taken aboard H.M.S.Lydd no skilled help available. Went aboard and did what I
could with others until ship reached Margate.
Handed charts to Reda.
Ld
May 30th
Early morning landed from H.M.S.Lydd at Margate.
R
Sent on to Chatham.
May 31st
Returned to H.M.S.Wildfire Sheermess.
June 1st
Assisted at Sheerness with supplies and victualling.
1700
Left for Ramsgate in M.Y. Dianthus. Engine giving much trouble. Taken in tow by M.Y.Thark.
2200
Arrived Ramsgate
June 2nd.
Attempted to repair engine of Dianthus.
1600
Ordered to attempt to leave on tide and to contact
Rear Admiral Taylor's convoy.
lled
1930
Left inner basin. Raided stranded yacht for compass g
etc.
in
2030
Left Ramsgate.
ien
2045
Helmsman badly cut by flying glass from window.
out
Brought him ashore for attention.
1 all
2115
Ramsgate again.
be to
2200
Left very troublesome. Stopping every mile or till 30.
Only Engine making good 2/2 knots, carried on course
June 3rd
0300
Between daylight. V and W Bouys sighted convoy returning. Decided
Mann, ved to return with convoy.
0900
June 4th
Standing Arrived Ramsgate. by and attempting to repair engine