TNA Unclassified 1

Dynams 61.
DOVER.
I
06
-
179
4th June, 1940
TO: COMMANDING OFFICER,
H.M.S."LYNX".
188
*
176
H.M.S. King Alfred
Hove
Sussex
Admiral Taylor
Dryuame 318. B14/0/1338
GRAMS
Office of the Commander-in-Chief, dmiral, Chatham.
The Nore,
EPHONE
Chatham No. 3221.
Admiralty House
(Extensions 210 and 519).
Chatham,
No. 477.c.c./40.
15th June, 1940.
Wildfire at 1800 on Wednesday
FLAG OFFICER COMMANDING, DOVER.
:roft 36' twin screw motor cruiser ng Alfred.
I was appointed
OPERATIONS OFF DUNKIRK.
g morning and put to sea in
Herewith is forwarded a report
Ramsgate by H.M.T. Strathelliot of the Commanding Officer, of ere we received our instructions at about 0930 Friday.
Dunkirk. M.Y. "Jong", on the operations off as spot about 3 miles northeast the
0 d let her drift as close to ated a life line ashore by ately an English soldier dozen Belgians. I experienced these men aboard as there we was got of
"Jong". However, to rn Scoot. I then returned a falls of one of the dinghy to davits me
TOPADMIRAL.
for wer and block on to the back when the men came out of ed them aboard quite easily.
ration during the day and the also
VICE ADMIRAL
steam hopper who wanted
I off another ship.
17 JUN 1940 17 JUN
I took my boat alongside a
0
*
DOVER
posite d and side of the lighter and ed these men I took ashore. There were off. a
I went on to the aboard it.
Phano

Dyrams 61.
DOVER.
5
-
179
4th June, 1940
TO: COMMANDING OFFICER,
H.M.S. "LYNX".
188
. 176
H.M.S. King Alfred
Hove
Sussex
Admiral Taylor
Room F. 7
Admiralty House
H.M.S. Wildfire
Sheerness
Kent
Dear Sir,
I arrived at H.M.S. Wildfire at 1800 on Wednesday the 29th May direct from H.M.S. King Alfred.
I was appointed to M.Y. "Jong" (a standard Thornycroft 36' twin screw motor cruiser central cockpit. type) the following morning and put to sea in company at 1400.
We were escorted to Ramsgate by H.M.T. Strathelliot where we arrived at 2200.
There we received our instructions and proceeded to Dunkirk arriving at about 0930 Friday.
I immediately went to at spot about 3 miles northeast of the harbour anchored my boat and let her drift as close to the shore as possible.
I then floated a life line ashore by means of a life buoy.
Immediately an English soldier came out to me followed by about a dozen Belgians. I experienced considerable difficulty in getting these men aboard as there was about 3 ft of freeboard at the stern of "Jong". However, we got every man aboard and took them to a Scoot.
I then returned to the beach and this time rigged the falls of one of the dinghy davits
Again I sent the life line ashore and when the men came out to me
I went overboard and hooked the lower block on to the back of their waist belts and my crew hauled them aboard quite easily.
I continued this operation during the day and also ran messages for the Captain of a steam hopper who wanted the services of an experienced engineer off another ship.
During the afternoon I took my boat alongside a supply lighter that had been drifted ashore.
There were a number of British soldiers on board and these men I took off.
Others were still coming to the opposite side of the lighter and experienced difficulty in getting aboard it.
I went on to the

339
SHEERNESS
REPORTS
RENASCENT
MONARDA.
ARONIA,
STRATHELLIOT
ALOUETTE 2
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OFFICERS SMEN
LIST or OFFICERS DESIERVING SPIECIAL MENTION
MOVEMENTS OF OFFICERS.

Dynams 146.
355
H.M.S. "WILDFIRE",
Sheerness.
June 5th, 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the following report of certain proceedings affecting H.M.T. "Strathelliot" on May 30th and 31st,
June 1st and 2nd 1940.
Acting on orders received from P.M.S.O., Sheerness, I
repaired on board H.M.T. "Strathelliot" at 10.30 May 30th with instructions to escort a convoy of motor cruisers to Ramsgate. The executive signal was received at 1410, anchor was immediately weighed and the convoy was picked up at 1430.
The route ordered was via 33 QZS, but as certain boats had proceeded into the Princes Channel, I ordered course to be laid through that channel so that we should not lose touch with them. At 1550 we hove to and took in tow two disabled boats - the "Skylark" and
Court Belle II" - proceeding at 1635. At 1800, we again hove to to await boats astern, and they coming up, we took in tow the "Mary Rose", proceeding at 1840. At 1845 we were again compelled to stop, as certain other vessels were in trouble, but these being taken in tow by others, we got under way again at 1910.
Our orders were to close the Examination Vessel off the
N. Goodwin L.V. for instructions, but, as we approached we received orders by R/T to prodeed to Ramsgate and to report to the N.O.I.C.
there. We arrived off Ramsgate about 2200 and came to anchor -
ordering all motor boats to make fast to the trawler. I then went aboard motor boat "Forty Two", whose officer was a Lieutenant R.N.R.
in aommand of the boats and put off to search for three boats lost in the darkness. These we fortunately picked up near the Gull Buoy and escorted to the "Strathelliot". I then went ashore in "Forty Two"
and reported to the N.O.I.C. at 2305.
I was then ordered ny him to escort the convoy to Dunkerque, but having received orders from Sheerness to return, I requested permission to telephone Sheerness for confirmation. This being given,
I collected orders, route orders and charts, being ordered to sail immediately. I then returned to the "Strathelliot" and asked the
Lieutenant R.N.R. to call all the officers in command of motor boats to the trawler. They were then given orders and charts so that in the event of their losing touch with the escort, they would be able to proceed alone.
I arranged to hoist a red lantern of low visibility in the trawler, so that boats could keep in touch with us in the dark and slao arranged certain signala which were to be made on our siren to cause the convoy to heave to, to proceed or to ease down. I gave orders to be prepared to move off at 0200 and the officer returned to their boats. There were eight defective boats to be towed and arrangments were made as to which hoats were to do the towing. In the darkness however, it was impossible to hold to these arrangements, but all the defective boats were taken in tow by others. Anchor was weighed at 0205 and the convoy proceeded to sea.
At the North Goodwins L.V., the convoy was hove to and all ships accounted for; course then being set vis U.V. and W. buoys for
Dunkerque roads. The seas had by this time become very heavy, due to a
The towing was causing considerable damage to the boats, although speed strong N.W. breeze and the boat's crews were suffering great discomfort.
was reduced to two knots and at 0640 the "Skylark's" towing bollard tore away and she was taken in tow stern first - there being no other point forward at which the towing wire could be secured.

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379
356
bringing was entering trawler's counter, her stem was damaged
At her 0730, up against the "Mary the Rose" reported that, due to a following sea and water decided that faster than it could be pumped and bailed out.
I therefore as she was unlikely to be of any use at
Dunkerque-even presuming we could get her there-she should be abandoned and sunk. I therefore ordered the rest of the convoy to proceed under the Lieutenant R.N.R.. We then took off the crew of the
"Mary Rose" and fired one tray of Lewis gun ammunition into her water line, finally breaking her up by ramming her to prevent her becoming a danger to navigation. We then proceeded after the convoy and picked up another boat which was being towed.
At 0820, the "Skylark" sustained further damage to her stern due to the strain on the tow caused by the heavy seas, and, as she was in danger of foundering, her crew were taken off and a cargo of ladders and petrol and all serviceable stores aboard transferred to the "Strathelliot" - the boat being them cut adrift. We then closed trawler "KO" and semaphored her to sink this boat which she did.
At 0845, we took in tow the "Malden Annie IV", nut at 0855
her Port mooring bollard tore away and the towing hawser was then secured to the Starboard. This was showing signs of parting, and finally tore away at 0940. The hawser was then secured to a small hook.
At 1000 we closed the trawler "Grimsby Town" and sent a message ashore by her reporting our position. A mechanic was put aboard the "Malden Annie IV" to try to effect repairs to her magneto, but this was found to be impossible. A hawser was then passed right round underneath her and was secured on deck, the towing hawser being bent to this. This hawser parted at 1215, when "Malden Annie IV"
reported that water was entering due to damage received forward. A
new hawser was passed and the vessel towed stern first. A great deal of damage had been caused to her superstructure by heavy seas crashing her into the trawler, but having lost two ships, I was loth to lose a third. The tow parted twice more in the course of the afternoon, but the vessel was eventually taken to Dunkerque. I would like to mention the conduct of the officer in command of the "Malden Annie IV" who worked extremely hard under very trying conditions to bring his ship to port.
At 1530 we were proceeding down the channel into Dunkerque when a destroyer came out firing on and being fired on by batteries ashore. It was impossible for us to steer out of her line of fire, due to our tow, but fortunately, although shells were falling close to us and planes were trying to bomb the destroyer, we sustained no damage the mearest shell being about 70 yards on our starboard beam.
On two other occasions between 1530 and our arrival off Dunkerque but sustained no hits. We came to anchor off Dunkerque beaches ( as beaches at 1620, we received salvoes of bombs intended for destroyers close in as our draft would allow) and eventually attracted the attentior of a motor launch manned by Sea Scouts. They came alongside and we asked over the side and she was towed ashore to assist. From this and them to bring us some troops from the beach. We put our ship's boat another motor launch we eventually received a total of fifty-four
French soldiers.
unable to further boatloads of soldiers, and at 1920 we
Although we waited for a total of two and a half hours we were deceded get not any knowing the state of the tide and being in danger Had of settling there been on possibility of getting any more men, we would there. waited that, the sand, we would weigh and proceed to Sheerness. have but there were any insufficient small boats to supply the ships

- 2 -
388
12. 2nd Hand James Cowie X.57 S.C.
Ord. Sea Ernest Mc.Kay H.O.
à
Ord. Sea.Ronald Labb. H.O.
365
zuar of H.M.D. yacht Renascent Grieve who showed great bravery in rescuing survivors heavy smoke.
of the under difficult conditions of darkness and
13. Leonard S. Brown H.O. of H.M.D. Renascent for steering the 260/m ship safely throughout the operation during enemy attacks.
14. Sub. Lieutenant Walter Edward Mercer R.N.V.R of Strathelliot for his courage and devotion to duty in face of attack whilst zbih taking off soldiers from Dunkerque.
15. Skipper Charles Percy Smith Chaplin of H.M.T. Strathelliot for his coolness under fire and for his careful handling of his ship.
16. Ordinary Seaman Ernest Lloyd Hoare H.O. of H.M.T. Strathelliot for his bravery under fire and cheerful example to the rest of the crew.
17. 1st Engineer William James Mc.Leod LT/KX. 102473 of H.M.T.
Strathelliot for his devotion to duty in keeping his engines in a state of complete efficiency during the whole operation.
18. Sub. Lt. Reginald Edward Lee Unit officer in H.M.Y. Alouette II
for his courage and devotion to duty in the face of heavy enemy fire.
19. Arthur E. Nessling Engineman H.O. of H.M.Y. Alouette II for his unfailing care and hard work. He was greatly responsible for the continued efficient running of the ship.
20. John M. Fenwick 2nd Hand LT/KX 188753 who kept continous watch and was indefatigable in the execution of his duties under extremely difficult conditions.
SBHartfund.
21
form Frederite a Ensy Hertule Bomber WYATT 5 Lewi RNVR. gentro AB. 13/9/1806 CAPTAIN. for within unr his Thank trigs"
R.N.
OMMODORE-IN-CHARGE
-7 JUN 1940
*
CHEERNESS

4.
I
.
37194
33.
back R.N.R. to Weymouth. - Took "Filleul" yacht
/.
MB
34.
Lieut. J.S. Seal, R.N.R. - in "Queen Boadicea
Dunkirk picked up three seamen survivors from' Janis"? II"
R.N.V.R.? and a stoker had been killed outright
Pier. The latter's Captain Sub Lieut. off Bell by a bomb on Friday may 31. The survivors were landed at Ramsgate.
35,
Mr. C.V. Cogger - signed in "Seine" at Rochester.
Left her on Wednesday full of water for the beaches
( Lieut. Cdr Filluel in command). Brought hack
350 British and French troops to Ramsgate. Sailed again for Dunkirk and brought back 300 troops.
36.
Sub Lieut. W.E. Mercer, R.N.V.R. of "Strathelliot" -
saw the Mary Rose" and "Skylark" sink in mid ocean, crew all brought back. Following were seen abandoned as Dunkirk:- "Malden" "Annie IV" and "Empress".
The former was used as a pier.
37.
"Scene Shifter" was swamped by French troops on
Wed. June 29th. "Triton" was cast off while in tow with foul screw.
38.
Lieut. W.B. Whitworth, R.N. did 6 trips in "Aeger".
39.
Mr. R. Brown - went over in "Madame Sansgene" on night of Monday June 3rd. Elgar H. Jefferey and his brother were also in the boat. Towed over by "Tanjar"
(Tug) with another Motor boat. On way back boats fouled a rope, which had been veered by the "Tanjar"
to stutch it as it was new, and the boats had to be abandoned. The "Madame Sansgene" claimed to have shot down a bomber.
40.
P.O. E. Wells, R.N.R. - went over in "Nanette II", who had a Lieut. R.N.V.R. in charge. They went to
Ostende an then to Dunkirk and brought back mostly
French troops, some of whom had been in the water for 12 hours. "Nanette" was finally returned to
41.
Dover.
Sub Lieut.
Church, R.N.R. - In "Portsdown"
see separate report.
42.
Coxn. George Senior, O.N. 239990 - In YC 73
(Lieut. Mortimer R.N.R. 1/c). Left Sheerness on
Wed, May 29th for Ramsgate. Sailed from Ramsgate at
2245 on Thursday night and arrived at Dunkirk at
1100 on Friday. The only soldiers on the beaches there, 45 of them, were ferried off in the vessels skiff. They left Dunkirk about 1830 towing YC 71
and a Thornycroft motor boat. The YC 72 broke down herself about midnight and anchored. H wever, the
Thornycroft boat managed to start up again and must have informed Ramsgate for a tug came out about 0700
and towed YO 78 and YC 71 back to Ramsgate.

3953
372
FROM:
Captain M/S, Sheerness.
DATE:
28th June, 1940
TO:
Commodore in Charge
SUBJECT:
Operation Dynamo see vol III 655,
Submitted:
With reference to the report on Operation
Dynamo (Dover despatch A.14/0/876/40 that Appendix I
is misleading in that no mention is made of:-
H.M. Yacht "Aronia"
H.M. Yacht "Alouette" *
H
H.M. D. "Renascent"
H.M.D. "Monardo"
H.M.D. "Strathelliot"
dan layer all of which vessels were under my operational command at the time. This despite the fact that in AppendixVI
"Aronia" is reported as having destroyed enemy aircraft at
18:30 on 31st May and at 0500 on 1st June, and "Alouette"
as having destroyed one enemy aircraft at 1700 on 1st June.
2.
The note at the end of Appendix I which reads
"In addition some 23 of H.M. Trawlers and Drifters and
Yachts of the Nore Command, assisted by taking one or more tows of boats to the coast". is misleading in that all the vessels above mentioned actually carried troops from
Dunkirk to this country, making several trips during the operation and bringing off some 1,000 men.
3.
As I have already forwarded a list of recommendations for officers and men concerned, it is requested that the necessary corrections may be made to this report.
GBHarlfood Captain, M/SY
being recommended for menhan in but is for officers an salings from all of there such are