TNA Unclassified 1

SECRET
44
Dynams 153.
43
H.M.S. "Brandaris,"
c/o. G.P.O.
London.
6th June, 1940.
The Conmander-in-Chief the Nore,
Admiralty House,
Chatham.
Sir,
I have the honour to report in accordance with
Nore General Order No. 448. - "Operation Dynamo" that I
proceeded to Tilbury a.m. 25th and took over command of the above vessel and proceeded to Southend and Sheerness thence to the Downs a.m. 27th leaving there for Dunkirk p.m.
of that date. From that date till the 4th instant I
continued to ply between Ramsgate and Dunkirk, and Dover and Dunkirk, in command of the above ship three times, the
W.D. fast launches "Marlborough" and "Wolf" five times and the "Auto Carrier" from Dover once. We had the usual constant bombing and machine gun attacks on each trip and while in Dunkirk Harbour and off the beaches. While proceeding to Dunkirk in the "Auto Carrier" one torpedo was fired at us near the entrance to the Dunkirk Passage Buoy, but the distance and darkness were too great to get particulars of our enemy although obviously a C.M.B. type. All my ships companies behaved splendidly under very trying conditions and I would like to mention specially the
Mercentile Crews on the W.D. Launches "Marlborough" and
"Wolf" and the Cross Channel Steamer "Auto Carrier" for their keenness, also the very efficient storing arrangements at
Sheerness Dockyards at short notice.
I most respectfully submit the following impressions gained during the operation for future reference:-

SECRET
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(1) Officers should have more instruction in landing or embarking from beaches.
(2) Fast Motor Launches with Vee Drives utterly unsuitable for beach work, i.e. propellers too vulnerable.
(3) Good use could have been made of Rocket Apparatus substituting skiff for breeches buoy.
(4) Efficient "Clear View" essential for small fast launches.
(5) "Hailing Sets" would have been a great asset.
(6) Very good use could have been made of ordinary Grab
Dredgers as landing Pontoons lying moored head and stern on the beach by their anchor and grab on the stern or quarter according to the wind and tide. These craft are available from London to Southampton.
(7) In conclusion my fastest trip was from Ramsgate to
Dunkirk and back with fifty-nine soldiers in five hours in the W.D. Launch "Marlborough."
I have the honour to be
COMMANDERIVO 8
Sir,
CHHE
Your obedient servant,
Eumar,
THE NORE
Commander, Royal Navy.
II.
No:477.cC/40.
FLAG OFFICER COMMANDING, DOVER.
Forwarded in compliance with Admiralty
Message 1652/6th June, 1940.
Phainson for ADMIRAL.
The Nore.
8th June, 1940.
VIOE AD MIRAL 1940
Lynanco
DOVER
A

2.
364
342
Greatly to the Waster's disappointment, X 213's machinery was not in a good enough condition for her to be used.
78. Owing to a misunderstending, not here, which I have been unable to trace, the motor boats which should have hours later. Suspecting that the fifth column was at work reached Sheerness from the Thames Adid not arrive until 24 Lou 30ᵗʰ hi
I informed your Chief of Staff, D.S.V.P., V.A. Dover,
N.O.I.C.s Ramsgate and Margate of the circumstances, and of my intention to ignore any such messages. No possible harm could have been done by sending boats on, at any rate as far as Ramsgate. Had these boats not been delayed, they would have been available on the last day on which evacuation from the beaches was still going on. Some of them were employed on the last two days in the vicinity of Dunkirk.
8. The type of machinery fitted in many of the boats and its defective state, presented F.E.O. and Sheerness Dockyard with some difficult problems and a great deal of hard work, which was tackled, night and day, with great zeal and energy.
Some of the boats broke down later on, much to the disappointment of their crews, who had done their best. Most of them, I think succeeded in joining other boats and making at least one trip to the French coast.
9. The total number of craft prepared for service and sent out from Sheerness was as follows:-
100 Motor Boats
10 Lighters
7 Schuits
1 Oil tanker
6 Paddle Steamers
10. On Sunday June 2nd, having got away all the personnel and everything afloat that was sufficiently in good condition to do useful service, I went to Ramsgate with Commander Troup, arriving about 1600, in order to help N.O.I.C. and to endeavour to assist in the cooperation of motor boats with larger vessels.
I went in with a group of Schuits and slow motor boats to the beach at St. Malo les Bains, where a British Officer who had just got back reported that there were British troops who had been unable to get into Dunkirk. None were found. I
have no doubt however from later enquiries that they had got into the town. A volunteer whose name I have not yet been able to get, landed from one of the Schuits and walked along the beach to make sure there were none left. We brought him off and his boat's crew, and a number of French soldiers who were pulling for England in a small boat.
Commander Troup took the fast Army motor boats into
Dunkirk alongside the centre pier and brought off 79 French troops when his boat was rammed by a French tug and had to be abandoned.
11.
On Monday night I took a group of slow otor boats up to the Quay Felix Faure, at the top of Dunkirk harbour.
I went on ahead in the fast boat "Marlborough" to identify the quay. The motor boats were led in by the "Mermaiden",
Sub Lieut who did very well to find the place in the dark. 300 French Marines were embarked in the motor boats and a French Trawler. Their bearing was excellent.
As the quay was now clear, and machine gun fire was getting a little near, I decided not to get the motor boats back on the chance of another load of troops. At had the misfortune to scrape over some masonry that had fallen this period through no fault of the Officer at the wheel, we from the quay, losing our propellers and rudder.
Sidmonth- willing (Sea cader lical

2.
368
/
Quai Felix Faure, June 3rd - 4th.
- 346
For the final evacuation, 12 of the best slow motor boats were to proceed on tow to Dunkirk and thence to the
Quai Felix Faure some way up the main harbour. I started in the leading motor boat but transferred to the Army fast boat "Marlborough", in order that I might if possible get into contact with the French Naval Authorities and make sure we had got to the right places, and also to give us a boat to get away in, leaving the motor boats free for ferrying.
2. Our quay was not easy to identiy, even in the light that remained, and I was very glad that I had gone ahead of the tow. The quay was deserted, but after a time some troops passed along the road in rear, on their way to the Avant
Port. Sub Lieutenant Karminsky who came ashore with me as interpreter, tried to find someone to tell me whether we had got to the right place but received the reply # sorry
I'm a stranger" Eventually we found we were correct.
About 2300, 300 French Marines arrived and explained that they were all we had to take off. Then followed a good rad.
half hour of waiting for the motor boats, which had been delayed on passage. I sent the "Marlborough" to look for them, and soon after 2330 was relieved to see them coming.
The leading boat "Mermaiden" Sub Lieutenant
Beale had done very well to find the place in the dark. Some of the boats had missed their way and no doubt went into the Avant Port where I expect they did good work. My anxieties were entirely relieved by the arrival of a large
French trawler, who took all that the motor boats could not and had room for more. Sub Lieut. Karminsky tried to induce the Officer of some troops returning along the road to embark, but they said they had their orders and could not vary them.
3. By about 0200 the quay was clear and as machine-gun fire was getting a little near I decided not to get the motor boats alongside this part of the harbour on the chance of another load and so re-embarked in the "Marlborough" and started to move down harbour. In avoiding two French vessels, we had the misfortune to strike a heap of fallen masonry which removed our propellers and rudder. After some adventures fully described in the attached narrative by
Sub Lieut. Edge-Partington, we got a tow and returned to
Dover.
4.
The three Officers in the boat with me were Sub
Lieuts. Don, Edge-Partington, and Pool. All did well, and showed coolness and resource in the somewhat interesting situation in which we found ourselves.
5.
The report from "Mermaiden" has not yet been received. The Sub Lieut. in command did well, and his name also deserves mention.
Rear Admiral.
D.M.O.
Sheerness.
8th June, 1940.

390
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(-2-)
367
Sub.Lieuts.Don, Edge- artington and Pool, Coptein,
Navigator and Coxswain of the Army fast boat "Marlborough"
in which I sailed on 3rd.-4th. All these showed themselves good officers and remained cool and resourceful in the somewhat interesting situation in which we found ourselves.
Sub. Lieut. Pool, while I was ashore looking for the
French Marines, took a rench motor Bicycle, started it with the help of the Stoker and rode round to see what was happening. I would not have allowed him to go but
B.
I am delighted to find we have young Officers of his spirit.
Sub.Lieut.
on 3rd.took the motor yacht "Mermaiden", leading the rest, up to the
Quai Felix Faure under very difficult conditions. He wait took off one load of Marines and came back again in time to tow out an Admiral's barge that had broken down.
I have not yet received the report which will be forwarded when it comes.
26.
landed from the Schuit on
2nd.-3rd, walked along the beach at St. Malo les Bains to make sure no troops were there. Subsequently went to help the motor launch "Singapore" which was aground, although it was daylight, and finally came away with me.
This gentleman was a member of one of the yachting accociations and I hope it may be possible to trace him.
6.
Although the following Officers did not come under my personal observation, I was in close touch with them at
Sheerness, and draw attention to their names in case their names have not been brought forward elsewhere.
CommanderE.C.Cordeaux, Senior Officer, "Eagle"
minesweepers. He was of much assistance to me personally in promulgating the instructions given to the motor boats.
from his full knowledge of the situation on the beaches.
Lieutenant A. Tyson, in command of Schuit "Neiger".
lie did at least five trips between Sheerne und the beaches, he missed the operation on 2nd-3rd and I did
A.
not therefore meet him in action, but I formed a very favourable impression of him.
7.
A
list of all R.N..R.N.R.,R.N.V.R. taking part and civilians who signed on for the operation is attached.
(Sgd) Taylor.
*Sea Cadeb Sidmoult Willing

3.
370
22.
Skipper A. Gardner, R.N.R. - Went in Tug "Tanga" arrived at the beaches at 2200 on Friday, May 31st. They were bombed and machine-gunned throughout the night, while lying off an inprovised jetty. He helped to ferry troops in a power life boat which "Tanga" had towed. This broke down and he returned on Saturday in "Leda", leaving the life boat.
23. Sub Lieut. E.T. Garside, R.N.V.R. - Went to Le Panne in
"Elizabeth Green" and ferried for larger craft. He sighted "Viewfinder" on the beach. He got back to
Ramsgate on Thursday May 30th, transferred to the R.F.A.
launch "Andora II" and returned to beaches where he ferried for a bit and then brought back 23 French. Arrived
Ramsgate on Friday. On Monday night he was towed over in the "Elizabeth Green" by a tug, which he could not afterwards find and so he brought his load home.
24. Sub Lieut. R. Shrimpton, R.N.V.R.- In an Admiralty, open
36 ft. launch he was towed over by a drifter and pent
Saturday night at the beaches. On a later night he went into Dunkirk.
25. Sub Lieut. S.C. Allen, R.N.V.R. Went over to Le Panne in the "Frightened Lady" which was beached after fouling the screw. He reported to an Admiral with side whiskers who was escorting Gort. He was told to help some soldiers getting abandoned pinnaces away. He also assisted to build a jetty with trailers etc. Left the beaches in the
"Horst".
26. Sub Lieut. A.V. Weaver, R.N.V.R. Went over in "Quijijana"
and brought back a party of 18 troops mostly Coldstream
Guards. He went over again in "Sun X".
27. Sub Lieut. W.G.H. Bonham, R.N. - went over in "BOBELI"
in the first batch and ferried until about midni on
Wednesday night. His boat was broken up by a destroyer which went full ahead while he was alongside. He went on ferrying for a bit but had to abandon the "Bobeli" and returned to Margate in the "Albury". He then went over in the "Horst" which had to be abandoned owing to engine trouble and a near miss.
28. Sub Lieut. J.W. Culham, R.N. - in "Smolt" which broke down on way over and was towed back by "Midas"?. Went over in "Glitter II" to the beaches about 6m East of
Dunkirk arrived at 1600 on Wed. 29th. Stayed ferrying until 0200 on Thursday when she lost her rudder on some wreckage and was towed back to Dover by a drifter. The
"Black Arrow" was seen aground at Dunkirk.
29. Sub Lieut. R.A.W. Pool, R.N. - Took lighter X.817 to
Dunkirk and then back to Ramsgate. He went over again on last night to Dunkirk in the M.T.B. "Marlborough".
Mares
30.
Sub Lieut. E.G.B. R.N.V.R. - in "Skylark" but she sank on the way over. He also saw "Mary Rose" sink in mid ocean and the "Ellen Mary" run down by a life boat and abandoned.
31,
Sub Lieut. E.A.E. Cornish, R.N.V.R. - was in the
"Lansdowne" which slipped her tow outside Dunkirk.

DUNKIRK. May 30, 31, June 1, 2 & 3.
Trips to Dunkirk.
TOTAL
Mostly with Scratch Crews
W.D.LAUNCH
Date & time
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
Numbers on 4th trip and all on 5th arrival
0400 hrs.
1415 hrs.
Various hrs
Various hrs.
Various hrs.
rescued.
trip.
Ramsgate
31.5.40.
31.5.40.
1.6.40.
2.6.40
3 - - 4 June
0815 hrs.
15 French
20 French
Out of
Out of action
35
1.
"GROUSE"
action
Portsmouth
31.5.40.
2215 hrs.
1830 hrs.
1.6.40. Brought down an enemy
"HAIG"
0845 hrs.
Ferry service
Escorted a.
80
Salved by R.A.F.
945
aeroplane by Lewis Gun.
2.
Lowestoft at Dunkirk.
badly damaged at Dunkirk p.m. 3 June.
2.6.40. Rammed by tug & report-
31.5.40.
800 saved destroyer to
Sailed back to Ramsgate ed sunk with 30 men on board.
Brought back
Sheerness
All saved. Engr. Walter landed at
65 at 2200
Margate.
hrs.
1830 hrs.
3.6.40. Salved by R.A.F.
0815 hrs.
35
20 French
"KESTREL"
Back empty
Reported sunk Dunkirk
55
4th trip. Leaking badly.
5.
Portsmouth
3 June, Towed into
5th trip. Reported sunk off
31.5.40.
2215 hrs.
2030 hrs, o500 hrs.
Margate, engine disabled.
Dunkirk, but towed
(3.6.40)
into Margate.
51
21 French
40 French
20 French
Towed into Dover. Lost
132
"MARLBOROUGH"
p.m.
5th trip. Towed back to Dover.
4.
propellers and rudder
50.5.40.
2007 hrs.
1830 hrs.
0430 hrs.
491

Statement from S.Y Vincea: (Re, Dankish
522
C. B.O.
Sir,
6x Imday the 31" M May, are the Jug Vincia left Ramagah in taw of three skelfs for Durkich at
2.45pm.
at 4Pm see were off the Sandethe Bany, who
548
eport by Lieut. V.A. de Mauny, R.N. (contd).
- 518
1500
From 1500 onwards we were subject to almost continuous attack by enemy aircraft and had the satisfaction of seeing 7 bombers brought down by destroyers' and shore batteries' anti-sireraft fire. Two enemy pilots escaped by parachute.
Majority of troops embarked at this point were
French.
1700
On hearing that there were a number of British troops on the beach near La Panne proceeded there with Sub. Lt. Cornish and his motor boat and succeeded in embarking a number of British.
Total number embarked was not recorded by no but was approximately 150 altogether.
2030
Having valuable cargo aboard and observing that there were a number of schoots and other craft who, owing to the absence of small power driven craft, were unable to get any troops. I decided to return to Base with my load and turned over my whaler to Sub. Lt. Cornish and asked him to report to the Schoot "Atlantic", the Commanding
Officer of which told me that he had been there all day without being able to get a single man on board for reasons explained above.
Proceeded by route X in company with other drifters, troop ships, tugs, etc. and were attacked by enemy aircraft until past No 6 W Buoy, when they were driven off by anti-aircraft fire from
British destroyers.
1st June.
1430
Arrived N. Goodwin L/V and anchored owing to insufficient water in Ramagate.
1600
Weighed and proceeded in to Ramagate and discharged
That troops. evening was ordered to return to Dunkirk in
"Ocean Breeze" but order was cancelled as we could not reach destination by 2130.
2nd June.
Ordered to proceed in Power Boat "Haig" with Lt. in
McMullan R.N.R. and Sub. Lt. Hollingshead
Proceeded with Marlborough in company with company with Marlborough, Kestrel and Swallow. Cmdr.
2100
Troop R.N. in command of "Haig" and with one lifeboat in tow.
3rd June.
0030
Approached Dunkirk; obliged to out lifeboat adrift she became full of water and was hampering bollard.
Entered speed Dunkirk Harbour and proceeded alongside as of "Haig" and damaging towing