TNA Unclassified 1

70
I
69
I hous antahen and passed by scotia and a padch steamer homeware bound laden with troops. when they wou about a mile ahead chin bankers ace again appeared and both were hil and sank ray rapidly.
I proceeded abounce to the spot and recorred a few survive, the could be of little assistance being already overloaded.
As soon as further help currived I
6/40 proceeded to Ramssate wring about 1730.
Later I procuded is Door
IS land Captain Pine, but chil not arrive until after clark and was not allowed is cater hosbout. I anchored to the East of the Suth breakwater.
At about 0030 / June 2nd a magnetic mine was chopped close astern of me in approxinal position H This cables
E by s of the South bree coch shiftil [
acported 15 the Examination resel and buth further instr.
At 0800 June2ral I proceeded is
Deal is land Captain Pin and received orders from Dorce is spaced

99
CONFIDENTIAL.
98
ORANJE'S R.O.D./1 dated 10th June 1940 (cont)
until
BASILISK sailed, leaving behind her boats, which did fine work on ou behalf. When about 120 men had been embarked the Germans began shelling the ships, using an observation balloon for spotting. As all ships got under way, ORANJE
followed with BASILISK'S boats in tow and proceeded to anchor off Bray. At this time BASILISK returned and removed her boats, and ORANJE was ordered to collect what troops we could, and if none, to return to Margate with what we already had. As there were no spare boats at Bray ORANJE
tried several beaches in the vicinity of Rosendael and
Malo-les-Bains, but as only French troops were there who did not appear desirous of coming off, and there were no boats,
ORANJE proceeded alongside the seaward side of Dunkirk eastern arm. Here we were informed that there were 6 large ships alongside empty, but no troops in the vicinity, so we were told to return home.
ORANJE arrived off Margate at 2300 and anchored.
13. At 0300 ORANJE was called alongside to disembark troops and the P.O. T.C. and E.R.A. were discharged sick.
At 0800, having completed with fresh provisions, and with 4
boats in tow, ORANJE sailed for Dunkirk. It was discovered that there was a rope round the screw which reduced the speed to 6 knots; this had evidently peen there since towing BASIKI
BASILISK's boats the previous day.
At 1200 the wrecks of the Scotia and another troopship were sighted, but as there was already a large number of ships
On arrival off Dunkirk Channel, we were informed by another picking up survivors, ORANJE did not stop.
scoot that the beach evacuation was completed, and that there were already sufficient ships in Dunkirk Harbour, and our boats were not required. As the origin of this message appeared very doubtful, ORANJE remained in the vicinity to try and get definite information from some warship leaving
Dunkirk.
14. From 1445 to 1515 a number of Air Attacks were made on ships and boats, and as all ships turned homeward, ORANJE
did likewise. Three dive-bombers, believed to be Messerschmidt attacked ORANJE during this period, two of them coming out of the middle of a squadron of Spitfires. Fire was opened with
Lewis Guns and rifles, and one machine was observed leaving with a thin trail of smoke behind: it is believed that this machine was hit but not badly damaged. Each machine dropped
5 bo, mbs, one large one (estimated 5001be) which exploded on impact, pan Pacific being fashi them and - slum Skut Who we aripping lud ashin, of their and was of: believed about has the Pame. hour steat this picks 5 evin has at the White of at How spend in ausure & trey our
Proceded for Fac beach were straight are Guild was Ideas hail, In within are is line is Rst 9
Here the Guamanding Your was a Perius

OPERATION
NO.21 (Conta)
SHIP:- MOTOR BOAT - TENDER TO SKOOT "HILDA".
Crew
Service
31°
1400 after seeing two more ships go down.
Stallard had a very lucky escape. Had his fingers opened out and a bit of shrapnel went between.
Scotia
As they got past Dunkerque & sloop and troopship and a minesweeper steamed past and were later bombed and sunk.
Captain of HILDA out the two motor boats adrift -
Stallard in one - to pick up survivors. M.B. out of action: propeller fouled. Got under way in tow of the other M.B. this also broke down.
Were then picked up by HILDA and brought to
Ramsgate and proceeded to Dover after disembarking troops at Remsgate: arriving at Dover, anchored off Dover. A German minelaying plane came over
03 00 Ca and dropped mines, one landing 20 yards astern of them. It went off next norning when swept.
0800
Then he went to Deal, Ramsgate and returned to
Dover.

Dynama 163.
H.M.S. "MARE",
HARWICH.
309
5th June, 1940.
Captain G.W.H. Heaton, D.S.O., R.N.,
HARWICH.
LAG OFFICER IN CHARGE
-7JUN1940
X
Sir,
HA
207
I have the honour to report that the "MARE", "SARAH HIDE" (Lieut.
Cruickshank, R.N.V.R.), "STRIVE" (Skipper H.A. Catchpole, R.N.R.), "THREE KINGS" J.I.
(Skipper W.A. George, R.N.R.), "RIG" (Skipper E.F. Beckham, R.N.R.) and
(Skipper G.A. Smith, R.N.R.), "TWEENWAYS" (Skipper E. Fawcett, R.N.R.), "UNICITY"
"JACKEVE" (Skipper C.E.F. Reynolds, R.N.R.), sailed from the Cork Light Vessel morning. at midnight on Thursday, 30th May, and arrived at Ramsgate 0930 the following
The "SARAH HIDE", "STRIVE", "JACKEVE", "THREE KINGS" and "RIG" were sent to Dunkirk by Captain E.L. Wharton, R.N., on Friday, 31st May, and separate reports from their Commanding Officers are appended.
On Saturday, 1st June, I sailed for Dunkirk in "MARE" with "THREE
KINGS", "TWEENWAYS" and "UNICITY" in company. At 1248 when rounding the
S.E. Guter Ruytingen Buoy, observed three patrol trawlers being bombed by enemy aircraft. The splashes made by these bombs, which must have been of large size, were yellowish green in colour and quite as high as the funnels.
At 1300 saw the troop ship "SCOTIA" lying on her starboard side having been bombed and set on fire by enemy aircraft. A British destroyer was lying alongside taking troops on board and the mast of a two-funnelled paddler could be seen about half a mile away. Altered course, and seeing several men in the water, sent away a ship's lifeboat which had been borrowed at Ramagate. This brought back nine French soldiers and six more were hauled on board the "MARE", one of whom was restored by artificial respiration. These men were transferred
(together with two picked up by the "THREE KINGS" and one by the "TWEENWAYS"), to the Ramsgate bound drifters "JACKETA" and "FIDGET".
When coming round full speed for Dunkirk a man was seen to wave a white handkerchief on the poop of the burning troop ship, so proceeded alongside and took him off with the boat. He was wounded in the face, and as there were no more "homeward bounders", he was put below and made as comfortable as possible.
While engaged in picking up these men the Skipper, Mr. A.H.W. Pendle, saw a bomb strike a trawler of which nothing could be seen when the smoke had cleared away. Another trawler close by was also struck by a bomb but kept afloat for some time.
Proceeded on course, soon afterwards passing a blazing motor launch, and at 1450 rounded No. 5 Buoy in channel leading to Dunkirk. While doing so came under fire from German shore battery and a heavy bomb was dropped ahead, probably intended for a a troop ship in company with us. The concussion shook the engines but did no damage.
of British 1540 the East Pier, proceeded to go alongside, but before to arrived off Dunkirk Piers at low water and seeing a large number making troops ordered on by Captain of British destroyer lying there with proceed to West fast Pier was embark French and Belgian troops. A steam hopper drifter
"JEANNIE MacINTOSH" and lying alongside here were already at this pier.
iron ladder astern of them, ordered "TWEENWAYS" MACINTOSH". to
As another, the and "THREE three long ladders these four vessels were having soon about 200 with in
"MARE" went KINGS" to and "UNICITY" to go outside "JEANNIE filled
French hopper had the "THREE KINGS" and "UNICITY" and "MARE" and troops and sailed, and paddler were the next to leave followed them each "TWEENWAYS" ship. The destroyer taken on board a about 230 French and Belgians, astern.
at 1645. The having "MARE" also put 14 men in lifeboat towed continued:

-3-
333
*
311
I should like out to their conclude duties by in saying that Skipper H.A. Meen, R.N.R.
whole operation. a cool and efficient manner during
Skipper H.A. Catchpole, R.N.R. of the "STRIVE" reports that he ed in company with the "SARAH HIDE" on the 31st May but proceeded nd Malo Les Bains to La Panne where he took 287 British soldiers off beach and left there at 0430 on the following morning. The beach was led continuously all night.
Skipper G.A. Smith, R.N.R. of "THREE KINGS" reports that he ved at Dunkirk on Friday, 31st May, at 1800 and left at 2030 with 150
ish troops taken off the beach. He anchored off Ramsgate at 0215 on
June and landed the troops at 0500. He sailed again with "MARE" as re related.
Skipper C.E.F. Reynolds, R.N.R. of "JACKEVE" reports that on 31st he made his first trip and took 60 soldiers off the beach, landing them
0700 on 1st June. On his second trip on same day he picked up 70 men of the water belonging to H.MS. "MOSQUITO", and landed them at Ramsgate
1st June at 1800.
Skipper E.F. Beckham, R.N.R. of "RIG" reports that he left Ramsgate
1100 on 31st May towing a lifeboat and arrived at Dunkirk 1700. "Dropped hor near beach and commenced taking off troops by means of lifeboats under vy aerial bombardment. After getting two boat loads a measage was sent us via our boat to pull a motor launch off the beach. We hove it up and ceeded in getting the launch off and commenced filling it with troops by ns of our lifeboat, taking them three loads. After that we got one e boat load ourselves and left Dunkirk at 2100. About 60 troops brought r all French.
The following is a summary of numbers brought back:-
P.
U.O.
British Fr. or Bel. Seamen. Rescued "SCOTIA". from
RE"
Cdr.J.W.D.
Powell,RNR
Skpr.A.H.W.
Pendle RNR.
220
16
ARAH HIDE"
Lt.J.I.
Cruickshank
RNVR.
Skpr.H.A.
Meen RNR
100
TRIVE"
Skpr.
Catchpole RNR 287
IREE KINGS"
Skpr. A.V.
2
150
200
Long RNR
WEENWAYS"
Skpr. E.
1
220
Fawcett RNR
NICITY"
Skpr. W.A.
220
George RNR

-4-
334
.
312
C.O.
British Fr. or Bel.
Seamen
Rescued from
"SCOTIA"
EVE"
Skpr. C.E.F.
Reynolds RNR
60
70
Skpr. E.F.
Beckham RNR
60
537
980
70
19
TOTAL
1606.
A separate list of recommendations is attached.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
J.S.W. Paurell J.S.W. J. Pawell hb own
COMMANDER, R.N.
To Flag Officer-in-Charge, Harwich.
Forwarded - as an example of the very best that there is in our race.
These fishermen one and all went through Hades and each skipper on his return gave the whole credit for the coolly and methodically as if they were just catching fish, enterprise to their leader, Commander J.W.D. Powell, D.S.C.,
R.D., R.N.R.
GW.
CAPTAIN M/S.
VICE ADMIRAL
0461N001
*
DOVER
3

RECOMMENDATIONS.
313
"MARE"
air handling men picked up from the troopship "Scotia", greatly to the quick his recovery efficient of
Mr. of A.H.W. the ship Pendle, which Skipper contributed R.N.R. is recommended for without loss is also of time keen in the basin at Boulogne where and to there getting alongaide passage and West Swins to the Mouse Light Vessel.
room. He through the East on navigation and was of good help was in the not night much
"SARAH HIDE"
Lieutenant in Cruickshank, R.N.V.R. states that Skipper Meen out his duties a cool and efficient manner during the whole operations. carried
"STRIVE"
R.N.R. who "after all other ships in the section, including the ship of
Lieutenant Cruickshank, R.N.V.R.recommends Skipper H.A. Catchpole, the Commander acting as Beachmaster, had retired owing to bombing and shelling, stayed off the beach at La Panne all night. At dawn he made fast all warps and wires which were on board "Strive" to the large lifeboat which had been towed across and a destroyer's pinnace towed it ashore. When fully loaded the boat was hauled back by means of the
"Strive's" winch.
"THREE KINGS"
Mr. J.A. Smith, R.N.R. did good work as he made two trips across and is handicapped by being short of his Second Hand and two men.
D.T. Bowen, First Engineman and his Second Engineman, S. Lawson, were able to effect temporary repairs when the SThree Kings" engines were badly shaken by a bomb explosion.
The Skipper specially recommends S.G. Burroughs, Acting Leading
Seaman, without whose work and encouragement the boat work on the beaches would not have been effective, and who took the place of Second Hand throughout the two trips in place of Second Hand, left behind on sailing.
"RIG"
The Skipper, Mr. E. Beckham, states that his whole crew worked well and that there is/one that he specially wishes to recommend, no
"JACKEVE"
All did their duty and no one can be recommended more than the others.
"TWEENWAYS"
All did their duty and no one can be recommended more than the others.
"UNICITY"
All did their duty and no one can be recommended more than the others,
Sheet 2 attached.

PLAC OFFICER IN IN CHARGE
17JUN1940
*
HARWICH
ND
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,
568
V.Goodines
533
From:- Lieut. C.W. Read, R.N.R.
Date:- 5th June, 1940.
To:-
Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
d
9
Arrived at Ramsgate from Falmouth ex H.M.S.
Forte II 0330 29.5.40 and took command of Chris
Kraft Motor Launch "Bonnie Heather" - Length 35 ft;
speed 18 knots.
Lled
Made 7 complete return trips to Dunkirk beaches;
MA
1
average number soldiers carried - 60: approximately
R
out
420 soldiers. Made 10 trips from Mole at Dunkirk all a to to Transports lying off (under shrapnel) - 600
soldiers.
Rescued Chief Steward and 39 soldiers from water
Mann, ed ex S/S Scotia and bombed whilst doing SO.
On last return journey was caught in parachute flares, bombed and then machine-gunned but escaped without damage owing to speed and quickness on helm of "Bonnie Heather".
Service finished at 5.0 p.m. on 4th June.
Estimated number of soldiers handled in launch:-
Dunkirk beaches to Ramsgate
420/450
Dunkirk Mole to transports lying off.
600/650
Rescued from S/S Scotia
40.