TNA Unclassified 1

" LAROC
Subject.
Report on Dunkirk evacuation.
173
ednesday. 29th May.
Sailed 2230. from Yarmouth to Portsmouth. arriving 28
Operational Office.
received instruction from C.-in ters.
hursday.
30 th May.
8030 hrs.
Sailed from
Subject
Porsumonth
Dyrama for 349. Ramagate, Dialo/
1130 OPERATION "DYNAMO" M.V. "LAROC". 1389
to proceed to Dunkirk 172
From
THE EXTENDED DEFENCE OFFICER (WEST) YARMOUTH
Isle of Wight.
Date 1400 hrs.
18th June 1940
Dover, sailed for Dunkirk via route given
Dover
(
about
1930
hrs THE VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER 1 Pier.
(Copy to Commander Chief, Portsmouth) from small towing boats, 031ng the boats to fetch the men from the beach to the ship.
The attached narrative, forwarded by Mr. George Butler, raid commenced.
Fridaywner and Master of the Motor Yacht "LAROC" is submitted
0200
Anchored 1 mile north of N. Goodwin Light ship for your consideration. eeded to Ramsgate.
0500
Landed Troops.
LAROC" is normally employed as one of the Boarding & three
Naval ratings. John 3. King.
Vessels of the Western Examina Service, Mr. Butler and
Dist. off 250 yards, all his crew volunteering immediately for this service at large of passenger boats and them
Dover, his vessel being ready at short notice complete with these and collecting troops all requirements.
the three boats by means of the whaler.
While this was going on I saw the 'Llanthony'
out the beach went to her to know if
Mr. Butler informs any assistance me that he had no breakdowns and do nothing suffered no damage, although the he day hit sunken wreckage on one from occasion. He formed the shore, opinion and that Aesuplanes. the safest area was Nomahon.
as close to the shore showed as possible, Indurance between the two commonest out ashore with a
ranges of the enemy to guns, the and whaler. it is evident in that he handled help the
4
hours.
about, his 1515 vessel successfully. filled all three ships about troops and were very calm.
Mr. Butler is about twentythree years of age, and the in the and owing to great increase of beening about crew 1930, are his ordinary hands yacht's of a crews Ramsgate. for night.
Saturday.
1
Camerrinan ratings
Dunk about, travelines
20JUN1940
bembing of
CAPTAIN
which
Re
(WEST)
"
1015
Steared NE from No. 5 W. buoy to get clear
1025
Salvo of bombs dropped about 30 yrds. astern of big ships.
:
of troop ship bound East being near No. 9 W. Buoy.
1030.
French Destroyer hit by bombs sank within about one minute. approx. pos. 1 mile North of No 13 W.
1035.
Heavy bombing of British Destroyer Pos. about
3 miles N.NE. from No. 5 W. buoy.
George. B. Butter

" LAROC
ubject.
Report on Dunkirk evacuation.
173
dnesday. 29th May.
2230. Sailed from Yarmouth to Portsmouth. 28
Operational Office.
received instruction from C.-in arriving tc's.
hursday.
30 th May.
0030 hrs.
Sailed from Portsmouth for Ramsgate.
1130 hrs.
Arrived Dover, closed Tug "Foremost 4 # orders to proceed to Dunkirk together with.
" Foremost " 4 " H.MS. Grieve Foremost 2,
Adventuress " " Lady Shelia,'
1400 hrs.
Left Dover, sailed for Dunkirk via route given at Dover.
( about) 1930 hrs.
Arrived off Dunkirk beach 1 mile to east of Pier.
Picked up about 75 British soldiers from small rowing boats, using the boats to fetch the men from the beach to the ship.
2200 hrs.
Left for Ramsgate, as a more intense air raid commenced.
Friday
31 st May.
0200
Anchored 1 mile north of N. Goodwin Light ship
0430
Proceeded to Ramsgate.
0500
Landed Troops.
0600
Sailed for Dunkirk with Whaler in Tow. & three
Naval ratings. John Doyle, E. Mcmahon, - King.
1030
Anchored off beach 1 mile to east of Pier.
Dist. off 250 yards.
1100
Launched ships boate, collected two large passenger boats and moored them astern of
" " Laroc " streaming the whaler astern of these and collecting troops 12 at a time. loaded the three boats by means of the whaler.
While this was going on I saw the 'Llanthony'
dried out on the beach, went to her to know if any assistance was reqired but could do nothing to help.
During the day the beach was under fire from the shore, and Aeroplanes.
The naval ratings John Doyle, and E. Mcmahon.
showed great indurance by swiming ashore with a line to enable the troops to pull themselves out to the whaler. being in the water about 4 hours.
The entire crew were did there utmost to help and were very calm.
about, 1515
Having filled all three ships about 170 troops and owing to great increase of beening enemy attack proceed to Ramsgate. leaving whaler in the hands of a M.T.B.. who asked form it.
about 1930.
Landed troops in Ramsgate. moored ship for night.
Saturday. 1 st June.
Sailed for Dunkirk 0600. with four Naval ratings about. 1000 hrs
Arrived off coast between Dunkirk and Gravelines
Heavy bombing of large ships.
1005 "
Closed with British Destroyer bound West. which had been hit on bow. she was taken in tow by
"
1015
Steared NE from No. 5 W. buoy to get clear tug and we could do nothing.
of big ships.
:
1025
Salvo of bombs dropped about 30 yrds. astern of troop ship bound East being near No. 9 W. Buoy.
:
1030.
French Destroyer hit by bombs sank within about one minute. approx. pos. 1 mile North of No 13 W.
1035.
Heavy bombing of British Destroyer Pos. about
3 miles N.NE. from No. 5 W. buoy.
George. B. Butter