Details

LIBURY (continued)
1st June
-
Ordered by R.A. Dover (afloat) to
proceed alongside Dunkirk pier and
embark troops. Air attack while
doing so.
0800ca
The dr. Ivanhoe was hit by a bomb
outside the harbour.
Two ships went to her assistance
[dr. Havant and M/S Speedwell]
0805ca
The Albury proceeded at full speed
for Sheerness.
While leaving Dunkirk channel and
coming up to Breedt Bank, intensive
air attacks took place. The M/S
0900ca
Gossamer ( just ahead) received 5 near
misses. The Havant (which had just
passed) received a direct hit; she
described a large circle to starboard
and when last seen was steaming south
[The Havant was hit 3 times and was
not under control]. There were also
near misses on the Albury.
-
Arrived Sheerness. Disembarked 200
troops. (1) Coaled ship.
2nd June
1600
Sailed for Dunkirk.
3rd June
0015
Arrived Dunkirk harbour. Went along-
side the east pier.
Embarked French troops, some of which
had to be collected from the town.
0215
Sailed with 200 on board.
-
Off U buoy, sank a floating mine.
0730ca
Arrived Sheerness. Disembarked 200
troops. Coaled ship.
1630
Sailed for Dunkirk in company with the
M/S's Leda and Gossamer.
2030ca
Off W buoy, the Albury was detached to
act independently.
4th June
0020
Arrived Dunkirk harbour and was ordered
alongside the West pier. Filled up
with French troops.
0130
Sailed.
0300ca
Encountered fog between U buoy and the
N. Goodwin L.V. Overtook the Leda
which had been in collision [with
the Belgian trawler Marechal Foch,
which sank]. The Albury stood
by the Leda until relieved by
the M/S Kellett.
0600ca
Near Elbow buoy, [North Foreland] the
French auxiliary vessel Emile
Deschamps, crowded with troops and
refugees was passed. When about 5
cables astern of the Albury, the
French vessel blew up on a mine and
sank within half a minute.
Albury turned back to pick up
survivors. The London Fire Brigade
Fire-float Massey Shaw also assisted
and transferred 40 survivors to the
Albury.
(1) D.R. states these were disembarked on 2nd June.

Details

Tug (Portsmouth)
C.9
J. Treleaven, Master.
1st June
0650
Left Ramsgate for Dunkirk.
1030
Air attack.
1050
"ordered by officer in motor boat to
assist in towing damaged destroyer
[the Ivanhoe] which was being towed
by a tug. [The Persia].
1110
Ordered to tow a second destroyer(1)
[ the Havant]. On arrival found that
crew was being taken off by a sloop
[ the M/S Saltash], which then
proceeded to sink the destroyer by
gunfire.
Air attack.
Witnessed sinking of the M/S Brighton
Queen and the P/V Scotia.
1200
Proceeded to the rescue of survivors.
Air attack.
1250
Ordered by dr. Esk to proceed with
survivors, viz: Captain and 1st
Officer of Brighton Queen;
a French army commander and 27 others.
Progress slow owing to troops in the
1230
Wounded water. airman embarked from tr.
Cayton Wyke.
1650
Discharged Ramsgate. survivors - J. British, 22
1710
Allied troops. (2)
Total 23
(1) (2) The Ramsgate Master report.
believed this to bead the in dr. D. R. Keith.
140

Details

CERVIA
Tug (william
Watkins Ltd.)
W.H. Simmons, Master.
31st May
2145
Left in Dover, sailing barge Royalty
two tow, and the tug Persia towing
in company.
sailing barges Sark and Shetland]
1st June
0720
1 mile east of Dunkirk pier, Royalty
being towed at full speed, slipped the
tow, and beached herself head on, on
Malo beach.
Air attack. Nine bombs fell in a line
along the starboard side of dr.
Keith, which was outside Cervia.
Cervia got under way to avoid the
turning and twisting destroyer.
Picked up crew and boat of Royalty
and also of S/B Duchess.
0800ca
Keith began to list, and was again
bombed; her guns were going all the
time as she steamed round and round.
She then stopped and let go her
anchor. As the crew began to abandon
ship, the bombers machine gunned them.
The tug Vincia began to pick up
survivors, and the tug St. Abbs got
alongside Keith's starboard bow. A
sloop(1) also went to her assistance.
Cervia turned round and picked up
soldiers from a M/B.
0815ca
At this time, the dr. Ivanhoe, to the
westward, was seen to be disabled,
and a "small tanker" [the M/S
Skipjack] astern of Vincia, went up
in flames.
-
Cervia then took the sailing barge
Tollesbury, which had 200 troops under
hatches, in tow. The M.L.B. Orient IV
was added to the tow, and Cervia
proceeded down Dunkirk roads. When
west of the pierhead, Ivanhoe was
seen to be in tow of the Persia and
Vincia, with decks full of survivors,
At No.5 W. buoy, about 20 planes
passed the Cervia.
0900ca
appeared. Ivanhoe put up a smoke
screen, and 9 bombs fell near a
cross-channel boat which, however,
kept on Cervia's port bow, bomb
going. 5 bombs fell about lifting 100
feet tug cut of the water. A the
the between a sloop and towing
exploded destroyer she was
In disabled [M/8 the Downs Saltash Cervia towing to was dr. Ramsgate. met Havant] by the
Java brought about 230 troops( and
and ordered 2) all
"In tug
1500ca
Cervia Dunkirk, the Tollesbury and the crew
out crews of of Duchess and Royalty,
Orient IV."
(1) The sk. Hilda and that the M/S this the up survivors. troops in
(2)
It
1s
considered
Tollesbury.
170

Details

2
CODRINGTON (continued)
31st May
2030
(continued).
Off Braye. Vivacious and other
destroyers present. (1)
1st June
0345
Still off Braye. Minesweepers embarking
troops from beaches.
0525
Secured alongside east pier, Dunkirk.
Embarked about 900 troops and
Maj. Gen. B.L. Montgomery, temporarily
commanding a corps. Low but inaccur-
b
ate air attacks. One A/C apparently
shot down by Codrington and another
destroyer [the Ivanhoe.
0730
To Dover by X route. Wide bombing
attacks on the way to Ruytingen shoal.
0950
Dover. Disembarked 746 troops, (2)
2030
To Dunkirk by route X.
2300
Secured to east pier Dunkirk.
2345
Sailed for Dover by route X with about
1,000 troops.
2nd June
0320
Dover. Disembarked 878 troops. (2)
2130
To Dunkirk by route X.
3rd June
0050
Stopped off Dunkirk harbour, on orders.
0250
To Dover by X route with 37 troops.
0510
Dover. Disembarked 44 troops. (2)
4th June
1130
Left Dover for Plymouth, dr. Shikari
in company.
Total 5,821
Authority - R.O.I. p.14.
The following awards were made:
Captain G.F. Stevens-Guille, D.S.O., O.B.E., R.N.
Bar to D.S.O.
Lieut. D.S.C. A.A.W. Pollard, R.N.
Bar to D.S.M.
L/Sea. D. Nicholas.
D.S.M.
A.B.
S.J. Williams
A.B.
F. Willcox,
A.B.
J. McDonald.
Seaman W. Beer, R.N.R.
(1) Ivanhoe and Worcester.
(2) D.R.
197

Details

DUNDALK (N.60)
4th M.S.F.
Lt. Cdr. F.A.I.Kirkpatrick,
R.N. (Retd.)
31st May
0700
In company with the M/S Niger, anchored
off La Panne.
Lowered both whalers. One of them
was swamped and capsized under the
pontoon on the beach; the other was
0840
shipping water rapidly.
Obtained permission from R.A. Dover
(in the dr. Keith) to proceed along-
side at Dunkirk.
0920
Proceeded alongside at Dunkirk but
had to wait while wounded were
embarked.
1205
Embarked about 500 British troops.
1245
Sailed from Dunkirk.
1630
Arrived Margate. Disembarked 450
troops. (1)
-
Sailed to keep a rendezvous with the
M/S Halcyon.
2340ca
Anchored off La Panne. The ship's
whalers were towed in to the beach
by the M/S Speedwell's M/B.
Embarkation slow owing to the absence
of M/B's. Several loads were
embarked in the M/S's Speedwell and
Salamander which were closer inshore.
1st June
0315
Weighed and proceeded closer inshore.
0500
Air attack by about 12 Messerschmitts
109, followed at regular intervals
by further attacks.
0800ca
Decided to proceed to Margate.
About 8 cables ahead, the Keith was
bombed and hit. Also ahead of the
Dundalk, the dr. Ivanhoe was bombed
and hit. Neither of these destroyers
required Dundalk's assistance.
0900ca
The dr. Havant was bombed and hit. A
minesweeper went to her assistance.
-
At a position approx. 345°, 3₂ miles
from 5 W buoy, a magnetic mine
exploded about 5 cables ahead of the
Dundalk.
1000
Near V buoy an air attack was driven
off by our fighters.
1215
Arrived Margate. Disembarked 280
troops. (1)
1730
Sailed for Dover.
1945
Arrived Dover.
2nd June
1940
Slipped and proceeded to Dunkirk.
2340
Arrived off the harbour entrance.
3rd June
0011
Berthed alongside east pier.
Embarked about 450 French troops.
0030
Cast off and proceeded to Folkestone.
0550
Arrived Folkestone. Disembarked 399
troops. (2)
Total 1129
(1) Margate report.
(2) D.R.
261

Details

COSSAMER (continued)
31st liay
2207
(contd.)
nchored 4 cables 1 mile west of La
Phipps, from the shore. Panne,
Handy R.N. searched the S/L. M.
2300ca
to his Billie, hails. but received shore no answer in
Thousands the of troops now massing abreast
ship. The dr. Ivanhoe
troops. a M/B to assist in the embarkation lent of
1st June
0200ca
[Lt. Cdr. J.W. McClelland, R.N. (1)
swam off from the shore with a
The troops, forced out of La Panne,
situation report for R.A. Dover(2)]
were marching west. Among those
Gossamer embarked was a major, the
2nd in Command of the 2nd Bn.
Coldstream Guards.
Continued to embark troops and some
wounded. [Ivanhoe was also embarking
troops]. A Paddle minesweeper
[probably the Oriole] beached herself
to facilitate embarkation.
0500
Machine-gunned by low-flying aircraft.
0600
Captain (D) (Codrington) ordered
Gossamer to Dunkirk to "fill up".
Proceeded there with 675 troops
on board. En route went alongside
M/S Skipjack who required medical
in
supplies.
Berthed on Dunkirk east arm. Embarked
170 French troops.
0800
Proceeded. Air attack. dr. Ivanhoe
hit by bomb.
0906
Near 5 W buoy, attacked by 5 Ju.87
dive bombers; they were followed
by 9 or 10 more. The dr. Havant
received a bomb hit. Five misses
near Cossamer; the troops between
decks could not tell whether the
ship was hit or not. P.O. Stwd.
Hockney calmed them; he eat on the
ladder to the mess deck and sang
to the French soldiers.
0915ca
1345
Arrived Sheerness. Disembarked 845
R.A.F. fighters passed the ship.
troops
2nd June
A was made this night to Dunkirk and
p.m.
harbour trip and 470 troops embarked
landed at home. (3)
3rd June
A trip was made this troops night to
p.m.
final harbour and 490 were
Dunkirk embarked and landed at home. (4)
(1) S.N.O., A, B and C. beaches, La Panne, from 1600/31 to
(2)
(3) (4) D.R. does says not mention Dover"disembarkation.
Car.00/18 "V.A.
D.R. gives 400.

Details

GRAFTON
1st Destroyer Flotilla
1400. Sailed from wover nicompana will
dr. greyhound (V.V.)
Cdr. Lieut. C.E.C.
28th May
1100ca
Arrived Dover from Dunkirk.
R.N. R.N.
1210ca
Disembarked 860 troops.
beame
1445
Left Dover for Dunkirk.
Braye. Anchored close inshore.
Embarked and the troops, using ship's whalers
2100ca
580 troops had been embarked. Boats
cr. Calcutta's power boats.
now ordered to ferry to skoots
2310ca
lying closer in shore.
The sk. Doggersbank transferred about
280 troops to Grafton. Four of
Grafton's ratings sent to augment
Doggerabank's crew.
29th May
0015
Left for Dover. Considerable traffic;
all ships showing navigation lights.
0230ca
The wreck was seen of the dr. Wakeful,
which had been tcrpedoed in the
vicinity 01 Kwinte Bank buoy.
Lowered both whalers to rescue
survivors. Signalled the M/S Lydd
asking for information; Lydd was
darkened.
0240ca
Observed a small darkened vessel 3
cables on the port quarter.
Signalled her to pick up survivors.
Almost at once a torpedo on the
port side was reported - followed
immediately by a violent explosion
and then a second explosion.
The Grafton's bridge was wrecked;
4 killed including the Captain - due
apparently to a bomb hit. The
torpedo hit had blown off Grafton's
stern, abaft the after magazine
bulkhead, and had apparently broken
Ship's boats and rafts were prepared. off
her back.
0350ca
An approaching M.T.B. was driven H.M.
drifter by Comfort which was subsequently
gunfire. [It was in fact
rammed and sunk by the M/S Lydd]. and
0400
The P/V Malines came alongside
embarked Grafton's troops, except
0430
Five the destroyers seriously wounded. were seen approaching the
Dover. One of them, closed
Ivanhoe from was She detached embarked and the listing seriously
Grafton. Grafton was now
wounded. and the after end Ivanhoe was awash. fired
heavily ship" ordered about
"Abandon shells into the Grafton at to
Dunkirk. 500 3 yards and [Malines then Proced 800 men at
Dover].
Total 860
Authority - R.O.I., p.36.
Lid

Details

GRIVE
Yacht( 1)
Capt. Lt. the Hon. L.J.O.
30th May
1400
1900ca
Arrived Left Dover for Dunkirk.
2130ca
Proceeded on board. with just whalers under 300 and troops 2 M/B's.
with the Malo ship's beach 2 and embarked troops
31st May
a.m.
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 325
troops(2)
1400
1830ca
Sailed from Dover.
Entered Dunkirk harbour, and secured
outside the dr. Whitehall which
alongside dr. Winchelsea. Embarked was
about 400 troops from the jetty.
Aircraft being sighted Grive left
the harbour, (3) on orders from the
Whitehall.
2030
When clear of harbour, an A/C was
believed to have been shot down by
Grive's after 12 pdr.
1st June
0100
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 374 troops.
0300
Sailed from Dover (with only 5 rounds
of ammunition per gun).
0800
Approaching Dunkirk, at first proceeded
to assistance of the dr. Ivanhoe;
then went alongside the jetty.
During heavy bombing, embarked troops
and proceeded.
By Persia, and the dr. Havant on
now the Ivanhoe was in tow of (with the
Ivanhoe's tug troops and survivors
board), and on fire (she Bank Havant later).
hit by a bomb, was listing
Saltash) The heavily (which Grive was and went transferred taken proceeded. alongside in tow her by to the troops Dover the M/S and
with survivors about Dover. .700 Disembarked 785(4)
1300ca
1600ca
Arrived 1 mile to pieces on for Dunkirk by board. a mine the Gula, and Grive
troops. now insisted a rest; on he Lieut.
1800 /
2230ca(5)
About The distant,
sank yards
(1) (3) (2) Fleet The D.R. Air Arm Training Vessel. that at 1920 she was 374 in and collision 2345+
dr. Whitehall states "Grieve" as
(4) (5) D.R. with shows Grive 2 of the dfr. Gula gives this time
West
Date Lad

Details

H.A.C.
Sailing barge (H.A. Cunis
R.H. Scott, Master
Ltd.)
31st May
-
Towed out of Dover harbour by the
barge Thyra.
The H.A.C. and Thyra were then taken
May
0845
in tow by the tug St. Abbs.
1st June
0500
Arrived Dunkirk. Tow slipped and barges
ordered to beach themselves. The
H.A.C. was towed into the beach by the
Thyra which then embarked the H,A,C's
crew.
1415
2nd June
The H.A.C. was towed back at night,
damaged, but full of troops.
drifters.
Од
Estimated Total 100 57
seiled for Ramsgate.
2200
Arrived
Ramagate.
Disembarked
60
troops.(1) (1)
1st June(2)
Sailed
for
Dunicisk,
attack
near
6 * buoy.
Arrived off Dunkirk. The beaches
almost empty,
0800ca
While returning to enter the harbour,
pew the dr. Ivanhoe on fire and In
tow or the tug Persia,
Closed the Ivanhoe and offered
assistance. Haig USE requested to
05001's the Ivanhoe, which she dids
It. Cdr. Pisani then says:
"After ciroling him at speed, as
ensmy airoraft were active, I
noticed that he had slipped his too
and appeared to be proceeding at
about 12 knots. Persia full actern
but at No.6 booy Ivenhoe stopped
and told me to instruct Permis
to resume tow. An tow was being
connected, and subsequently for 8
on hour, 3 waves of 21 (sech)
enemy bombers attacked Lynnhoe,
incoming trensports, and out-going
missellaneous vessele, all within
0845ea
2 miles of No.6 W bucy". (3)
The Heig steaming at 30 knota
maintained a continuous fire with
har 2 gune, and circled the Ivanhee
and the Persin, "Insocurate bombing
resulted, only one salvo falling near
the Forsia."
Near W buoy, a tug bound for Dunkirk
yas contacted and sent to a destroyer
the Havant/in distress near Hills
Bank,
orr II. Foreland the fest M/B Heleyone
from pamagate closed the Huig who
(1) Not mentioned in D.R. or Ramagate report.
The Asst. Dir. Mil. Transport's report states, "Ferried
800 sroops" and *Disembarked 65 troops".
(2) Lt. Cdr. Pisani mistakenly saya "2nd June".
(3) It VISA at this time that the This withossed the sinking of
the U/S Skippack.
6

Details

HAIG
W.D/M.L.
Lt. Cdr. N.L.J. Pisani, D.S.C.,
R.N. (Retd.)
F.J. Wales, Master.
Cdr. H.R. Troup, R.N.
31st May
0845
Arrived Ramsgate from Lowestoft.
Lt. Cdr. Pisani (ex. sk. patria)
assumed command of the Haig and
transferred to her the Patria's
Lewis guns and gunners.
-
Sailed independently for Dunkirk. Air
attack on passage.
1415
Arrived Dunkirk and closed Malo-les-
Bains beach.
Loaded up 3 times with French troops
and ferried them to trawlers and
drifters.
On the 4th trip, embarked 57 French
troops and 3 British officers and
sailed for Ramsgate.
2200
Arrived Ramsgate. Disembarked 60
troops. (1)
1st June(2)
a.m.
Sailed for Dunkirk. Air attack near
6 W buoy.
-
Arrived off Dunkirk. The beaches were
almost empty.
0800ca
While returning to enter the harbour,
saw the dr. Ivanhoe on fire and in
tow of the tug Persia.
Closed the Ivanhoe and offered
assistance. Haig was requested to
escort the Ivanhoe, which she did.
Lt. Cdr. Pisani then says:
"After circling him at speed, as
enemy aircraft were active, I
noticed that he had slipped his tow
and appeared to be proceeding at
about 12 knots. Persia fell astern
but at No.6 buoy Ivanhoe stopped
and told me to instruct Persia
to resume tow. As tow was being
connected, and subsequently for 1-1
an hour, 3 waves of 21 (each)
enemy bombers attacked Ivanhoe,
incoming transports, and out-going
miscellaneous vessels, all within
0845ca
2 miles of No. 6 W buoy". (3)
The Haig steaming at 30 knots
maintained a continuous fire with
her 2 guns, and circled the Ivanhoe
and the Persia. "Inaccurate bombing
resulted, only one salvo falling near
the Persia."
Near W buoy, a tug bound for Dunkirk
was contacted and sent to a destroyer
the Havant in distress near Hills
Bank.
-
off N. Foreland the fast M/B Halcyone
from Ramsgate closed the Haig who
(1) Not mentioned in D.R. or Ramagate report.
The Asst. Dir. Mil. Transport's report states, "Ferried
800 troops" and "Disembarked 65 troops".
(2) Lt. Cdr. Pisani mistakenly says "2nd June".
(3) It was at this time that the Haig witnessed the sinking of
the M/S Skipjack.

Details

HAIG - Continued
1st June
-
sent her to Margate for doctors
(contd.)
for the Ivanhoe. These were put
aboard her near S.W. Spit; the
Halcyone took off troops from the
1740
Ivanhoe and disembarked them at
Margate. (1)
The Haig then proceeded to Ramsgate and
Lt. Cdr. Pisani disembarked.
2nd June( 2)
-
Cdr. H.R. Troup R.N. assumed command of
the Haig, assisted by Lt. V.A. de
Mauny R.N. (3), Lt. A.W. McMullan,
R.N.R., and S/Lt. J.G. Hollingshead,
R.N.R. The French Naval Attache -
Capitaine de Revoir was embarked.
2100
The Ha1g left Ramsgate, the W.D/M.L.
Marlborough in company, and a lifeboa
in tow.
3rd June
0030
The lifeboat became waterlogged and was
cut adrift.
-
Entered Dunkirk harbour and proceeded
alongside the centre pier.
Embarked 40 French troops and ferried
them to a ship outside. Embarked 39
troops from a ship grounded off the
Nouveau Avant-Port. Proceeded.
0200
Off the entrance of the harbour was
rammed by 2 French M/V's in rapid
succession, and holed amidships and
for'd on the port side. The fore
peak filled with water.
0300
Proceeded alongside the P.M/S Westward
Ho and hastily abandoned ship,
via the Westward-Ho's port paddle-box
door.
0650
The Westward-Ho landed Cdr. Troup,
Capt. de Revoir, the officers and
crew of the Haig and 48 troops at
Margate. (4)
Total 60
p.m.
The Haig was salved by R.A.F. personnel
and sailed to Ramsgate.
Authority - R.O.II, pp. 118, 369, 491, 548-9.
R.O.III, P. 271, 302.
The following awards were made: (5)
Mention in Despatches
Mr. R. Walter, First Engineer.
(1) Margate report records that the "Halcyon" landed 58 troops.
(2) According to a report by Asst. Dir. Mil. Transport, the
Haig landed 80 troops on 2nd June.
(3) Lieut. de Mauny had previously been over in the dfr. Ocean
Breeze.
(4) Lieut. de Mauny then joined the Sk. Pascholl.
(5) See also Patria.
8

Details

HALCYONE( 1)
Fast M/B
This boat was based on Ramsgate.
The W.D/M.L. Haig reports that while she was
escorting the damaged dr. Ivanhoe on lst June
off the North Foreland, the Halcyone closed her
and was ordered to Margate to get doctors for
the wounded in the Ivanhoe.
The Halcyone took 58 troops from the destroyer
and landed them at Margate at 1740 on lst June. (2)
There is no evidence that the Halcyone went to
Dunkirk.
Total 58.
Authority - R.O.II, p.121.
(1) Not mentioned in D.R's list of ships.
(2) Margate report, which refers to the "Halcyon".
12

Details

HANORA
M/B (Owner,
s/Lt. C. Minchin, R.N.
C.E. Thompson)
29th May
0600
Sailed from Dover in company with the
M/Y's Viewfinder, Advance, Bobeli and
Elizabeth Green. Also in company
was a sixth yacht, which, however,
turned back.
0700
The flotilla of 5 yachts was joined by
the M/B Reda.
1500
All six vessels arrived off La Panne
S/Lt. Minchin who had arrived at La
Panne in the M/S Lydd, and had
ferried in the Lydd's M/B until she
broke down, thentook over the
Hanora, and towed small craft to
off-lying ships.
1900ca
The Hanora fouled her propeller, and
was abandoned. Her crew transferred
to the Elizabeth Green and thence
1250
to the Lydd.
The Hanora did not return from Dunkirk.
Off
fire Hieuport. Smoke
made to cover the approach of a
Division of French destroyers then
Authority - R.O.II, p.569.
coming down the channel.
TO. 9436.
rived Dover. Disembarked 600 troops.
30th MAY
0500
sailed for Obserness, in company the
drs, Javelin, Ivanhoe, Introvid,
Icarge and Havent.
0836
Arrived Sheerness,
1651
Sailed in company with Ivanhoe, Icaros
and Impulsive.
2005
Detached with Carus to go to Le Penne,
21000a
Anchored and storted embarkation.
Ambarkation very slow.
2132
Signalled for extra boats to assist.
2210
Icarus reported enemy U.T.B's.
2306
Torpedo passed down the port side
missing the storn by about 5 yards.
2316
Another torpedo passed even less
distance shead. Hydrophone effect
heard on the searned bearing.
31st May
0426
Ordered to Dunkirk.
0635
Becored to Dunkirk pier, Filled
up with troops.
0655
Sailed.
0930
Arrived Dover, Disembarked 207 troops
1124
Bailed.
1400
Aprived punkirk. The motor boat took
letters from Toarus (for Lord Gort)
to H.Q. Proceeded alongside a
transport 4) and embarked troops.
(1) Mackey says the time was 0005 on 29th May.
(2) B/Lt. Croswell says that Lord Gort name to La Panne besch
on 30th May and ordered the pier to be built. Built
the direction of Col. Porter, it was ready for Use by
1400 the going day.
(3) 8/1/20 Croswel remained on La Panne batch until 1830/31st
Noy, when be embarked in the M/Y Thele, which entled
for Pasagate at 0325 on 1st June.
(4) Rot 1dentified.
15

Details

HARVESTER (H.19) 9th Destroyer Flotilla
Lt. Cdr. M.Thornton,
R.N.
28th May
2035
Sailed from Dover via Y route, dr.
Mackay in company.
2330(1)
Mackay grounded west of Zuydcoote Pass.
29th May
0050
Off Braye-Dunes. Sent the M/B inshore
1/c of S/Lt. E.C. Croswell, R.N.;
he reported troops on the beach.
All boats sent in and embarkation
7
began; it was very slow at first,
but improved considerably when, at
about 0500, Harvester had moved to
La Panne, it was possible to get
troops from a grounded "paddle-
steamer" [the P.M/S Oriole]
0500ca
S/Lt. Croswell was landed with a small
beach party with instructions to ask
the Army to make a pier. (2)
1250
The Harvester proceeded with 600 on
board, S/Lt. Croswell and 2 ratings
being left behind. (3)
-
Off Middelkerke buoy a shore gun
opened fire from Nieuport. Smoke was
made to cover the approach of a
Division of French destroyers then
coming down the channel.
1540
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 600 troops.
30th May
0500
Sailed for Sheerness, in company the
drs. Javelin, Ivanhoe, Intrepid,
Icarus and Havant.
0836
Arrived Sheerness.
1651
Sailed in company with Ivanhoe, Icarus
and Impulsive.
2005
Detached with Icarus to go to La Panne.
2100ca
Anchored and started embarkation.
Embarkation very slow.
2132
Signalled for extra boats to assist.
2210
Icarus reported enemy M.T.B's.
2306
Torpedo passed down the port side
missing the stern by about 5 yards.
2316
Another torpedo passed even less
distance ahead. Hydrophone effect
heard on the seaward bearing.
31st May
0426
Ordered to Dunkirk.
0635
Secured to Dunkirk pier. Filled
up with troops.
0655
Sailed.
0930
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 1,207 troops
1124
Sailed.
1400
Arrived Dunkirk. The motor boat took
letters from Icarus (for Lord Gort)
to H.Q. Proceeded alongside a
transport and embarked troops.
(1) Mackay says the time was 0005 on 29th May.
(2) S/Lt. Croswell says that Lord Gort came to La Panne beach
on 30th May and ordered the pier to be built. Built under
the direction of Col. Porter, it was ready for use by
1400 the same day.
(3) S/Lt. Croswe 11 remained on La Panne beach until 1830/31st
May, when he embarked in the M/Y Thele, which sailed
for Ramsgate at 0325 on 1st June.
(4) Not identified.
16

Details

Details

HAVANT
9th Destroyer Flotilla
Lt. Cdr. A.F. Burnell-
Nugent, D.S.C., R.N.
29th May
1815
Sailed from Dover.
2100
Arrived off Braye-Dunes. The motor
cutter and whaler were sent in and
arrived back with French troops of
which there were a large number on
the beach.
-
Ordered by the M/S Hebe to proceed to
La Panne.
-
As there were no troops there, returned
to Bray, where the Sl. Bideford,
aground and with her stern blown off,
asked for assistance.
An attempt was made to tow Bideford
but the tow parted. In the meantime
embarkation of French troops continued
by various shore boats.
30th May
0130
Proceeded.
0400
Arrived Dover. Disembarked about 500
French troops. (1)
0500
To Sheerness in company with other
destroyers under orders of the dr.
Javelin.
31st May
0400
Sailed from Sheerness for Dunkirk.
0800
Arrived Braye-Dunes. Embarked about
400 troops.
1300
Proceeded to Dunkirk harbour and
embarked a further 600 troops.
Proceeded.
1700
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 932
troops 2)
-
Sailed for Dunkirk.
2145
Secured alongside the jetty. Embarked
about 1,000 troops.
2215ca
Proceeded.
1st June
0230
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 1,000
troops 3)
-
Sailed for Dunkirk.
0730
Secured alongside the jetty. Embarked
troops.
0800
Heavy air attack. The dr. Ivanhoe,
just outside the harbour and full
of troops was hit amidships.
0840ca
Havant went alongside Ivanhoe; the
M/S Speedwell was alongside her
other side. All troops and wounded
were transferred.
Havant proceeded with about 500 on
board.
Heavy dive bombing attacks on the way
down Dunkirk channel.
0906ca
when at the end of the Channel, Havant
was hit by 2 bombs in the engine
room which passed through the star-
board side. A third bomb dropped 50
yards ahead, and exploded as the
Havant passed over it.
(1) D.R. states 291.
(2) D.R. shows a second disembarkation (of 533) on 31st May.
(3) D.R. states 882.
19

Details

HILFRANOR
M/B (F. Parham)
S/Lt. C. Minchin, R.N.
When his M/B Hanora broke down at Dunkirk on 29th larly
May (see Viewfinder) S/Lt. Minchin returned to attack
Margate in the M/S Lydd on 30th May
3rd June
Against orders S/Lt. Minchin tried to
go over to Dunkirk in the Hilfranor
but she broke down.
May
In
the
the
This M/B took no effective part in
Dynamo. been torpedoed and BUNK
by an M.T.B., at about 0230 the
motor drifter Comfort had been
remmed and annic by the u/s Lydd,
and at about 0430, the dr. Grafton
Authority - R.O.II, p.391. been Bunk by gunfire by the dr.
Ivanhoe after having been torpedoed
by an M.T.B. - shouts were heard
from the water.
The Hird lowered & boat which was
manned by volunteers and picked up
survivors.
0515ca
Among the survivors, the Hird's boat
picked up Cdr. H.L. Fisher R.N.,
Captain of the Wukeful.
The Hird proceeded - to which
British port 18 not stated - but Cdr.
Fisher sent in a report from Chathsm,
dated 30th May, of the circumstances
attending the Wakeful's loas.
Total 3500(2)
Authority - H. and A. 8/42.
M. 017681/40.
The awards were made:
Home O.B.E. (civil)
Captain A.M. Prodhjem.
B.S.M. (civil)
A.B. И.И. Ree.
stude J. hikkelson.
Posthumous Commentation
Mr. K. Jonessen, 3rd Officer.
Corpenter N.I. Lode.
Commendation
Mr. X.X. Bloodje, Chief Eng.
We To Baba, 2nd Officer.
(1) 4950 gross tons. Owned by Jacobsen and Salvenen. Port of
- Oglo. Bot mentioned in D.R.
(2) Hot mentioned in D.R.
information this
and RL 1980, in
34

Details

HIRD
Norwegian S.S(1)
Captain A.M. Fredhjem.
During this ship's stay at Dunkirk, particularly
from 18th to 28th May she was exposed to attack
night and day.
28th May
2400ca
The Hird escaped from Dunkirk with
3,500 troops on board.
29th May
0430ca
In the vicinity of the Kwinte Whistle
buoy where at about 0045, the dr.
Wakeful had been torpedoed and sunk
by an M.T.B., at about 0230 the
motor drifter Comfort had been
rammed and sunk by the M/S Lydd,
and at about 0430, the dr. Grafton
had been sunk by gunfire by the dr.
Ivanhoe after having been torpedoed
by an M.T.B. - shouts were heard
from the water.
The Hird lowered a boat which was
manned by volunteers and picked up
survivors.
0515ca
Among the survivors, the Hird's boat
picked up Cdr. R.L. Fisher R.N.,
Captain of the Wakeful.
The Hird proceeded - to which
British port is not stated - but Cdr.
to weal staint cherboarg
Fisher sent in a report from Chatham,
disembarked CM. tisher
dated 30th May, of the circumstances
Of Dover.
attending the Wakeful's loss.
Total 3500(2)
Authority - H. and A. 8/42.
M. 017681/40.
The following awards were made:
Hon. O.B.E. (Civil)
Captain A.M. Fredhjem.
B.E.M. (Civil)
A.B. H.H. Ree.
Stwd. J. Mikkelsen.
Posthumous Commendation
Mr. K. Jonassen, 3rd Officer.
Carpenter N.I. Lode.
Commendation.
Mr. K.E. Skodje, Chief Eng.
Mr. T. Saba, 2nd Officer.
(1) 4950 gross tons. Owned by Jacobsen and Salvesen. Port of
origin - Oslo. Not mentioned in D.R.
(2) Not mentioned in D.R.
"Yop further imprimation about this ressel see consepandence with
S.V. hour and RA RL Fisher 1980, in D /NHB/3/9/7
35

Details

HYTHE
Coaster (s. Ry. Co. Ltd.)
R.W. Morford, Master.
31st May
0230
Left Dover for No.3 beach Dunkirk.
The Captain states that he "was given
May
an Army road map to navigate on".
In the narrowest part of Dunkirk
channel, the sunken P/V Normania
was passed, "her flags still flying,
only her mast and funnels showing".
0634
0545
Arrived at the beach. Observed the P/V
0600
Lorina broken-backed and aground.
Wind and sea conditions were bad, so
0800
decided to enter Dunkirk, and berthed
at the east pier.
1001
1130
Proceeded with 650 officers and men, 18
wounded, and 4 French and 2 Belgian
To
Officers.
1640
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 749
troops. (1)
the
turn
No damage. by Total 749.
towed
clear
the
1600/
Jaguar domaged. The
1630
Clan Nacalister
dr. Express went to assist Jaguar.
Authority - TM. 6213/40.
dr. Na.100.m(5) assisted the Clan
Tearus under way but
continued mabarking.
1730
Doggersbank commenced to transfer
about 470 troops to Icarus.
Air attack.
1830
Doggersbank's transfer completed.
Долгов proceeded by X route.
Near to Dushirk, sir attack by about
to A P.M/8. Just sheed of
Icarus and approaching an opposite
course WEB sunk. (4) Icarus attacked
by about 10 dive bombers. Slight
damage from near misssa; 1 killed 25
wounded.
At 5W buoy attacked by single
sircraft.
2050
Dover. Disembarked 500 troops. (5)
30th May
0500
Sailed for Sheerness, under orders of
Javelin, in company with dre.
Intropid, Ivanhoe and Impulaive.
1715
X route to Dunkirk under orders of
Ivanhoe, in company or des. Impulsive
and Harvestor.
2100ca
orr Briv Reberked troops by 2
whalers.
31st May
04000a
The M.L.B. Lord Southborough now
in the embarkation.
0700
Proceeded.
1000
Dover, Disembarked 781 troops.
(1) Icarus onits to Vanguisher.
(2) Icarus this.
(3) Cares but
the for 1730.
(4) This
(5) D.R. not mention
(1) D.R.
5049
49

Details

ICARUS (D.03)
20th Destroyer Flotilla
Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud R.N.
28th May
2300
Arrived Dover from Plymouth, drs.
Intrepid and Ivanhoe in company.
29th May
0145
Sailed for Dunkirk with drs. Javelin,
Intrepid, Ivanhoe and Vanquisher(1)
in company.
0425
Ivanhoe detached (2) to assist dr.
Grafton off Kwinte bank buoy.
0545
Anchored off Dunkirk.
0600
Javelin and Icarus proceeded alongside
the eastern arm; Icarus inside,
embarked troops.
0800
Proceeded.
1130
Dover. Disembarked 950 troops.
1215
To Dunkirk by Y route.
1515
Anchored off Zuydcoote under orders of
dr. Codrington.
Later, grounded with the turn of the
tide. Subsequently Icarus's stern
was towed clear by the sk. Doggersbank
No damage. Embarked troops.
1600/
Air attack. Jaguar damaged. The
1630
freighter Clan Macalister hit aft.
dr. Express went to assist Jaguar.
dr. Malcolm assisted the Clan
Macalister. Icarus got under way but
continued embarking.
1730
Doggersbank commenced to transfer
about 470 troops to Icarus.
Air attack.
1830
Doggersbank's transfer comp leted.
Icarus proceeded by X route.
Near to Dunkirk, air attack by about
40 aircraft. A P.M/S. just ahead of
Icarus and approaching an opposite
course was sunk. (4) Icarus attacked
by about 10 dive bombers. Slight
damage from near misses; 1 killed 25
wounded.
At 5W buoy attacked by single
aircraft.
2050
Dover. Disembarked 500 troops. (5)
30th May
0500
Sailed for Sheerness, under orders of
Javelin, in company with drs.
Intrepid, Ivanhoe and Impulsive.
1715
X route to Dunkirk under orders of
Ivanhoe, in company of des. Impulsive
and Harvester.
2100ca
off Bray Dune. Embarked troops by 2
whalers.
31st May
0400ca
The M.L.B. Lord Southborough now
assisted in the embarkation.
0700
Proceeded.
1000
Dover. Disembarked 781 troops.
(1) Icarus omits to mention, Vanquisher.
(3) Icarus says this was the Codrington, but the latter left
(2) Icarus does not mention this.
the area for Dover at 1430.
(4) This was probably the Waverley.
(5) Estimated. D.R. does not mention
50

Details

IMPULSIVE
20th Destroyer Flotilla Lt. Cdr. W.S. Thomas, R.N.
27th May
0840
Arrived Dover from Immi ngham.
1140
Sailed with the M/S's Skipjack and
Halcyon and the Trinity House Vessel
Patricia to establish and buoy the
searched channel from the North
Goodwin L.V. to Dunkirk, afterwards
known as Route X.
1919
This operation was completed.
2200
Impulsive anchored in the Downs.
2228
Sailed for the beaches east of
Dunkirk, using route Y.
28th May
0345
Arrived off La Panne. Both power
boats being broken down, sent two
whalers into the beach to embark
troops; then ferried troops to large
M/B's lying further off shore.
0520
Impulsive ordered by the cr. Calcutta
to Dunkirk east pier.
0620
Secured alongside east pier and
embarked about 750 troops.
-
Proceeded, using route Y.
1110
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 675 troops.
1235
Sailed for Dunkirk using route Y.
-
Off Kwinte Bank buoy, bombed by 6
Heinkels; 6 ratings wounded, B gun
put out of action, D.G. coil punctured
-
Set course for Dunkirk in company with
drs. Greyhound and Verity which had
arrived from eastward.
Anchored off Dunkirk, and waited for
a vacant berth, there being 4
destroyers Worcester, Anthony,
Grenade and Jaguar alongside.
1730
Grenade sailed and Impulsive took her
place. Embarked about 1,000 troops.
1900ca
Sailed with Jaguar in company, by route
Y.
29th May
0100
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 779 troops.
0500
Sailed for Sheerness, in company the
30th May
drs. Javelin, Intrepid, Ivanhoe,
Icarus, Havant and Harvester.
0900
Arrived Sheerness.
1600
Sailed for Dunkirk using route x, under
orders of Ivanhoe in company the
Icarus and Harvester.
2100ca
Secured alongside Dunkirk east pier
and embarked 1,300 troops.
-
Proceeded by route X.
2400
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 1,112
troops. (1)
0400
Sailed for Dunkirk beach by X. route.
31st May
0700
Arrived off Malo-les-Bains. Impulsive's
only boat was a whaler. The only
alongside [it was the Swallow].
power boat in the vicinity came
whaler, the Swallow, with Lt. Col.
Towing cutter and Impulsive's
Hutchins in charge, "did magnificent and
between 0800 and 1315 had transferred to
work under difficult conditions,
about 450 troops from the beach
the ship".
(1)
date
as
31st
May.

Details

INTREPID (D.10) 20th Destroyer Flotilla Cdr. R.C. Gordon, R.N.
28th May
2300
Arrived Dover from Plymouth, in
company with drs. Icarus and Ivanhoe.
29th May
0130
Intrepid, Icarus and Ivanhoe slipped,
and joined dr. Javelin (S.O.)
outside the breakwater. dr.
Vanquisher( 1) joined, and the 5
destroyers proceeded in company via
route Y for Dunkirk.
0430
Off Kwinte buoy, Ivanhoe was detached
to assist the dr. Grafton.
0500
Arrived off Dunkirk. Intrepid anchored
"off the harbour". Vanquisher
anchored about 1 mile east of the
harbour. Javelin and Icarus
proceeded into the harbour.
0530ca
The P/V Mona's Queen(2), anchored
astern of Intrepid, blew up on a
magnetic mine. Intrepid lowered M/B
to assist in rescue of survivors.
Vanquisher( lowered her whaler.
0730
Entered Dunkirk harbour, and berthed
alongside eastern arm. Embarked 675
troops.
0840
Proceeded independently via route Y.
1200
Dover. Disembarked 661 troops. (4)
1400
Proceeded to Dunkirk by route Y.
1700
Between Middel Kerke and La Panne,
air attack. Considerable damage from
a near miss; two killed 19 wounded.
Fires started, and owing to the
difficulty in extinguishing them,
course was altered shortly afterwards
for Dover.
2000
Dover.
30th May
0500
Sailed from Dover (in company with drs.
Javelin, Ivanhoe, Icarus, Impulsive
Havant and Harvester).
0845
Arrived Sheerness - thence
lst June
0400
to Middlesborough for repairs.
Total 661
Authority - R.O.I. p.72.
(1) Intrepid says it was the dr. Vimy. 0705. The Vimy, however,
(2) Intrepid did not says sail this that was day the until Mona's Isles. The A.B/V. Mona's
(3) Intrepid Isles was says the Vimy lowered "boats". See note (1)
in dock on 29th May.
above.
(4) D.R.
59

Details

IVANHOE (D.16)
20th Destroyer Flotilla
Cdr. P.H. Hadow, R.N.
29th May
0145
Left Dover, drs. Javelin, Icarus,
0430
Intrepid and Vanquisher in company.
Off Kwinte buoy, Ivanhoe was detached
to stand by the dr. Grafton.
Embarked survivors from her and
accelerated her sinking by gunfire.
0615
Proceeded to Dunkirk.
0856
Dunkirk. Secured alongside mole and
embarked troops.
1115
Sailed for Dover.
1610
Dover. Disembarked 614 troops.
1745
Sailed for Dunkirk.
1820
Near S.W. Goodwins buoy, picked up 4
survivors from aircraft K.8773 and
transferred them to a nearby drifter.
2100
Off Dunkirk.
2240
Recalled to Dover.
30th May
0250
Dover.
0500
To Sheerness, drs. Javelin, Intrepid,
Icarus and Impulsive in company.
0930
Sheerness.
1715
To Dunkirk, drs. Impulsive, Icarus,
and Harvester in company.
2115
Dunkirk beach. Commenced embarking
troops.
31st May
0315
Proceeded alongside Dunkirk pier and
embarked further troops.
0415
Sailed for Dover.
0800
Dover. Disembarked 1290 troops.
0955
To Dunkirk.
1300
Off the beaches. Acted as V/S link
between Dunkirk and R.A. Dover.
Embarked troops. Air attacks.
2145
Off La Panne. Continued embarking
troops.
1st June
0230ca
A large body of British troops arrived
at La Panne beach.
0400ca
Continuous m.g. attacks by low flying
aircraft. One (possibly two) aircraft
shot down.
0715
Proceeded with about 1000 troops on
board. Level bombing attacks off Bray
0800
Dive bombed off Dunkirk. One direct
hit. Severe damage. 26 killed, 30
wounded. Troops and wounded transfer-
red to dr. Havant and M/S Speedwell.
Assisted to Sheerness by tg. Persia.
Two further air attacks en route.
Total 1904
Authority-R.O.I p.76.
68

Details

2
IVANHOE (continued)
Skoot
The following awards were made: progeedings or this vessel.
reporto of the OK. Fredenja, compiled the M/B Maruayra,
10
from
the
D.S.M. A.B. J.P. Clare. the "Remegate report"].
30th May
0800
Left Dover for Dunkirk via route Z, 11
Mention in Despatches.
company with the BR. Predanja.
Cdr.
P.H. Hadow, R.N. Both ships anchored DB close.to Dunkt
Lieut. (E).
A.C. Mahoney, R.N. beach 08 possible - about 1 mile end
C.E.R.A.
R.E. Cox.
or the east pier 1.0. off Hald beach
Ch. Sto.
H.J. Prendergast.
The Fredanja transferred her stores
S.B.A.
E.J.L. Gibson.
to the Jaba, which put her bown on
the beach and landed the stores.
1900
The Jaba refloated [and apparently
sailed for Remsgate].
31st May
0845
Arrived Remagate and disembarked 275
B.E.F.(2)
Sailed for Dunkirk.
2000cs
The M/B Narseyru ferried troops to"the
Jabe and other ships off Dunkirk"
lst June
Belle
[The Jaba apparently sailed for
Ramsgatej,
1250
Arrived Remente, Disembarked 95 B.E
and PO WEALTH tracce.(2)
Total 469
(1) (2) Not Remagnte mentioned report in erroneously D.R. attributes this disembarkation In Operation
Dynam, to the and the tug JAYS traill not responsible
"Jave"> The Ok. Jayn took no part for this
disembarkation.
69

Details

2
JAVA - Continued.
let Destroyer Plotills Cdr. Pugaley, R.
28th May
0500
The following awards were made: vinte bank light buoy, in company
on patrol between No Goodwin L.V. and
1045
dre. Godrington, Granade and Jaguar
Ordered to proceed to Dunkirk in
D.S.M.
Sea. H. Griffith.
company with Codrington (Captain (D
1st Destroyer Plotfile).
1315
Arrived off Dunkiris.
1330
Mention in Despatches.
Javelin and Jaguar ordered to embark
troops from Bray Dune. Javelin
Mr. V. Smith, Mate.
sent her motor cutter and whaler
inshore to embark troops. (2)
1800
About 700 troops embarked in Javelin
during air attacks.
1830
Proceeded, in company with Codrington
2230
Dover. Disemberked 700 troops. (1).
29th May
0145
Javelin took drs. Intrepid, Ivanhoe,
Icarus, and Venquisher under his
orders and proceeded to Dunkirk.
Instructions were to proceed by 8
route, but this route could not be
ascertained, so Y route was used.
0425
dr. Grafton sighted in a sinking
condition. Detached Ivenhoe to
assist.
0500ca
Off Dunkirk.
0825
Entered the harbour. Secured alongsi
the breakwater. Embarked troops.
0910
Proceeded. Air attack.
1240
Dover. Disembarked 700 troopa.
1806
To Dunkisk, dr. Havent in company.
1934
Javelin ordered to return to Dover.
Total 11:00
(2) Both boats were surrounded and awamped as they neared the
(1) Not mentioned in D.B.
boats found abandoned, transported about 700 tronps to
shore. They were however bayled out, and with 2 shows
the Javelin, in spite of bombing otherks. In this work
were assisted by Jaguar's boats (see
84

Details

JAVELIN (F.61) 1st Destroyer Flotilla Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, R.N.
28th May
0500
On patrol between N. Goodwin L.V. and
Kwinte bank light buoy, in company
drs. Codrington, Grenade and Jaguar.
1045
Ordered to proceed to Dunkirk in
company with Codrington (Captain (D)
1st Destroyer Flotilla).
1315
Arrived off Dunkirk.
1330
Javelin and Jaguar ordered to embark
troops from Bray Dune. Javelin
sent her motor cutter and whaler
inshore to embark troops. (2)
1800
About 700 troops embarked in Javelin
during air attacks.
1830
Proceeded, in company with Codrington.
2230
Dover. Disembarked 700 troops. (1).
29th May
0145
Javelin took drs. Intrepid, Ivanhoe,
Icarus, and Vanguisher under his
orders and proceeded to Dunkirk.
Instructions were to proceed by Z
route, but this route could not be
ascertained, so Y route was used.
0425
dr. Grafton sighted in a sinking
condition. Detached Ivanhoe to
assist.
0500ca
Off Dunkirk.
0825
Entered the harbour. Secured alongside
the breakwater. Embarked troops.
0910
Proceeded. Air attack.
1240
Dover. Disembarked 700 troops.
1806
To Dunkirk, dr. Havant in company.
1934
Javelin ordered to return to Dover.
Total 1400
(1) Not mentioned in D.R.
(2) Both boats were surrounded and swamped as they neared the
shore. They were however babled out, and with 2 shore
boats found abandoned, transported about 700 troops to
the Javelin, in spite of bombing attacks. In this work they
were assisted by Jaguar's boats (see Jaguar)

Details

9
LEDA - Continued
31st May
0000ca
(contd).
boats were urgently required for
(contd).
embarking troops from the beaches.
Lt. Cdr. Unwin decided to enter
All Leda's boats having been lost,
Dunkirk harbour.
0015
Secured alongside the east pier.
Embarked about 50 stretcher cases and
350 troops.
0135
Proceeded out of harbour. After
rounding FG buoy, was in collision
with an unknown skoot [
]
which attempted to cross Leda's
bow from port to starboard. Slight
damage to the Leda.
0535
Arrived Margate. Disembarked 380
troops. (1)
Proceeded to Sheerness for repairs.
1700
Repairs completed. Proceeded.
2200
Rendezvous with M.S.5 [i.e. S.O., 5th
M.S.F. off W buoy.
2359
The Leda anchored off La Panne.
1st June
0230
Few boats available for embarkation.
Permission obtained from M.S.5 to
search for boats, BO proceeded
towards Dunkirk.
0300
Acquired a M/B and 3 launches, and
embarked 630 troops from the beach
off Zuydcoote Sanatorium (4 miles
east of Dunkirk). Engaged fighter
planes which were carrying out
machine gun attacks.
0715
Proceeded towards Sheerness. When in
Dunkirk roads, a heavy concentration
of bombers attacked ships.
0737ca
The dr. Keith 4 cables ahead, was
seriously damaged and steamed round
at high speed out of control. A
collision was narrowly averted.
0800ca
While passing Dunkirk breakwater, the
dr. Ivanhoe was seen to be damaged
and to be disembarking troops to the
M/S Speedwell. (2) Bombers then
attacked the dr. Havant ahead of the
Leda. They then attacked the Leda
but without success.
0815
Bombing attacks ceased and Leda
1410
Arrived proceeded. Sheerness. Disembarked 630
troops. (3)
A number of ratings had to be
treated by the M.O. for complete
exhaustion and most ratings fell
asleep where they stood.
2nd June
1645
Proceeded towards Dunkirk.
2300
Arrived off Dunkirk harbour entrance. No
Secured alongside east pier.
were to be seen. The enemy
bombarded troops the harbour entrance with
shrapnel.
(1) (2) Margate Lt. Cdr. report. Unwin says it was the Skipjack, but this is
(3) D.R. incorrect. says 650.
158

Details

1
M.T.B.102
3rd M.T.B. Flotilla
Lieut. C.W.S.Dreyer, R.N.
30th May
1300
1430
Left Dover for Dunkirk.
Alongside east pier, Dunkirk harbour.
Ordered by S.N.O. Dunkirk to take
Cdrs. H.P. Henderson and M.O.D. Ellwood
to inspect La Panne beach. ttacked
2000
by 3 aircraft on passage.
Returned to Dunkirk, disembarked the
2 commanders, embarked 20 British
2115
troops and proceeded.
10 miles S.E. of Dover. Stopped by
Cdr. Le Mesurier in the D.C. Motor
Boat and took him back towards
Dunkirk to pass messages to 3 tugs
on their way to Dunkirk.
31st May
0030
Dover. Disembarked 20 troops.
1100
Proceeded to La Panne.
1240
Off La Panne. Embarked R.A. Dover from
the dr. Keith. He inspected
the beaches and was returned to Keith.
1530
Towed boatloads of troops to transports.
1640
Proceeded to Dover.
1800
Dover.
1st June
0600
Proceeded to Dunkirk.
0750
Arrived Dunkirk, (having passed the dr.
Ivanhoe being bombed).
0800
Keith had just been bombed; appeared to
be not under control. Went alongside
and took off R.A. Dover and Staff.
Ordered 2 tugs [st. Abbs and Vincia]
to assist Keith.
0805
Air attack.
0810
Keith again bombed and considerably
damaged.
0830
M.T.B.102 alongside Dunkirk.
0915
Proceeded to Dover with R.A. Dover and
staff on board.
1100
Dover.
2nd June
2035
To Dunkirk
2255
Alongside east pier Dunkirk harbour.
2310
Embarked S.N.O. Dunkirk, [Capt. Tennant]
Cdr. Ellwood, and Cdr. Banks and his
demolition party; also a Brigadier,(1)
and one R.A.F. officer (dressed as a
Belgian peasant).
2315
Proceeded.
3rd June
0120
Dover.
2015
Proceeded to Dunkirk with R.A. Dover
and staff on board.
2200
Arrived Dunkirk harbour. Proceeded
under orders of R.A. Dover, who was
directing the embarkation of French
soldiers.
4th June
0135
Large explosion just east of the east
0315
Operation pier. completed. Passed blockships
and sailed for Dover.
0505
Dover.
1000
Sailed for Portsmouth.
Total 20
(1) See M.A/S.B.10, footnote (1)
314-

Details

Tug
PERSIA
H. Aldrich, Master.
0900
29th May
Left Dover, towing dumb barges Sark and
Shetland. En route to Dunkirk, the
tow parted twice.
0500
30th May
Anchored 4 miles east of Dunkirk.
1245
Towed the barges to east pierhead,
Dunkirk, and anchored them as ordered.
(See Foremost 87)
1600
Left Dunkirk with soldiers and equipment
2400
Anchored in the Downs.
0700
Disembarked 27 troops at Dover.
31st May
2230
Left Dover, towing the S/B's Glenway
and Lark.
2305
Tow parted.
2400
Tow connected up again.
1st June
0800
Arrived east pier Dunkirk. Air raid on.
Towed the barges to 1 mile east of
pierhead and then let them sail ashore.
Saw dr. Ivanhoe hit by bomb; ordered
to take her in tow. Did so, but
concussion from a bomb broke the
towing hawser. Put another hawser on
board and proceeded towards Dover.
Bombed for over 2 hours until our
1000
planes came and dispersed the enemy.
Fired on by shore batteries - no
Abreast damage. the North Goodwin L.V.,
ordered to tow the Ivanhoe on to
Sheerness. In vicinity of Oaze, to a
the C.9
/
Government tug [e.g.] assisted
the Ivanhoe to Chatham. Another Point.
tow came to assist at Garrison Sheerness.
Persia tug made fast to a buoy at
2200
Left Sheerness with lifeboats for for
2nd June
1200
Ramsgate, Made Margate and
and oil tender Ramsgate, Margate
then roads. on to Deal, where Persia anchored
2200.
3rd June
0700
At Dover.
4th June
Standing by.
Total 27
Authority - T.M. 6213/40.
W. W.
389

Details

Tug (C.E. in C. Portsmouth)
J.B. Morran,
Master.
0130
Arrived Ramsgate.
Left Portsmouth for Ramagate.
2030
10th May
0630
Left ratings Ramsgate, with a M/L with 3 naval
on board, in tow; the
1st June
coaling tug C.9 in company.
Near the French coast, passed destroyer
"D.16" [i.e. the Ivanhoe in tow.
Destroyers on port hand in action
with shore batteries; one of them
started sinking.
1030ca
Air attack. Slipped the M/L which got
under own power.
Tug C.9 "warned off", BO proceeded
in company with her to Dunkirk.
Picked up the partially disabled
M/B Bonny Heather.
Proceeded through vessels heavily
attacked by air.
The M/S Brighton Queen, the P/V
1130ca
Scotia and another ship, sinking.
1200ca
slipped the M/B and rescued 75 British
and French survivors. Bombed and
machine gunned. "Warned off" by a
French destroyer.
Proceeded back to England, tug C.9(2)
1250ca
towing the Bonny Heather.
Arrived Ramsgate. Disembarked 75 troops
1730ca
Total 75(1)
Authority - R.O.III, p.87.
(2) (1) Not report gives"Prima and
Tug not in 55" mention D.R. Ramsgate this.
408

Details

ROSS (continued)
31st May
1930
(contd.)
Proceeded in company with the M/S
Albury to rendezvous at W buoy
with Group 1.
1st June
0110
Anchored off La Panne and waited for
troops.
0350
Embarked troops by ship's boats.
The whaler was damaged and leaking,
so carried on with the M/B and the
skiff.
0515
With 92 troops on board, proceeded to
Bray where a further 168 troops were
embarked. Several aircraft had been
making m.g. attacks without causing
casualties.
0709
Proceeded towards Dunkirk.
0741
When abeam of Dunkirk harbour, 5
aircraft dropped 16 bombs. Near
misses. The hull was holed by
splinters in several places above
the water line, the boiler brick work
collapsed and the steering gear
was put slightly out of line. The
dr. Ivanhoe, 1/2 mile on the port
bow received a direct hit amidships.
-
When approaching 5W buoy occasional
rounds from a shore battery were
falling between 5W and 6W buoys,
so Ross "turned inside". [i.e. just
to the north of] 5W buoy, leaving
it on the port hand.
0855
One aircraft made machine gun attack.
One fatal casualty.
Arrived Margate. Disembarked 260
troops. (1)
1096
Total 1066 2)
Authority - R.O.I., p.349.
The following awards were made:
D.S.C.
Lieut. K.A. Gadd, R.N.R.
D.S.M.
L/Sig. E.C. Atkins.
O.S.
T.N. Pasfield.
(1) D.R. Not mentioned in Margate report.
(2) D.R. gives 1096.
(3) Group I comprised the m/s.'s Gossamer, Leda, Ross and Albary.
39

Details

SPEEDWELL
(N.87)
6th
M.S.F.
Lt. Cdr. F.R.G. Maunsell, R.N.
1800ca
(Retd.)
31st May
Left other Sheerness to rendezvous
2400. to arrive off La Panne 2200, at
orders M/S's at W buoy at with with
1st June
0030
Speedwell anchored slightly west of
La Panne, 2 other vessels of her
group being to the eastward.
Troops were to have been brought off
by appeared. waiting M/B's, but no boats
0145
Signals were received from the shore
asking for boats to be sent in.
Speedwell's M/B and 2 whalers were
lowered, and ferried troops to the
ship. The M/B also towed in the
M/S Dundalk's whalers.
0400ca
The Speedwell weighed anchor and
closed the shore. Enemy aircraft
machine-gunned the troops on shore,
the ship, and the boats.
0500ca
Shortly after low water the Speedwell
grounded aft. While aground, many
troops were embarked. Eventually
the M/S Albury(1) towed her off.
During embarkation 1 rating from
Speedwell was drowned when a boat
capsized. Both Speedwell's whalers
were lost.
0645ca
Ordered to proceed to Dunkirk as soon
as boats were cleared of troops.
0730
Proceeded to Dunkirk. Off the
entrance, the dr. Ivanhoe was hit
by a bomb as she was passing the
Speedwell. Speedwell went alongside
the Ivanhoe and transferred about
100 of the latter's troops.
0800ca
Repeated dive-bombing and high level
bombing attacks, supported by
fighters.
0830ca
Secured to Dunkirk east pier and
embarked troops.
0950
Proceeded to Dover with about 800
troops.
-
When some distance south-east of W
buoy, two consecutive salvos of bombs
were seen to hit a French destroyer
[prosably the Foudroyant] in company
[presumably the
with another vessel. "This vessel
sank within 2 or 3 minutes of being
hit".
-
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 972
troops. (2)
2nd June
2020
Left Dover in company with the M/S's
Niger and Halcyon.
3rd June
0130
The Speedwell secured alongside Dunkirk
east pier. Embarked French troops,
the harbour being regularly, but
not heavily shelled, from the
direction of La Panne.
(1) Speedwell incorrectly states that it was the M/S Kellett
(2) D.R.
that towed her off.
166

Details

TOLLESBURY
Sailing barge
R. Webb, Master
(R. & W. Paul, Ltd.)
1600
31st May
Left Dover for Dunkirk in tow of the
tug Sun XII.
2350
Arrived off Bray beach.
The ashore. Tollesbury's crew rowed the barge
1st June
Embarked about 200 troops and set sail.
Wind anchor. and tide too strong. Had to
0730ca
0830ca
Air attacks. "Two destroyers sunk". (1)
Tollesbury taken in tow by tug Cervia,
but the windlass pulled out. Another
wire was put on board.
1500ca
Arrived Ramsgate in tow. Disembarked
200 troops. (2)
Total 200.
Authority - P.L.A. Monthly.
T.M. 6213/40.
W.W.
S.T.N.4B (D.af Sea Transport).
(1) The Keith was sunk, the Ivanhoe disabled.
(2) Not mentioned in Ramsgate report.
238

Details

VANQUISHER(
1)
(D.54) 11th Destroyer Flotilla Lt. Cdr. C. B.Alers-
14122
28th days
Sailed for Dover (Appx D.1800)
Hankey R.N.
0145
29th May
Proceeded to Dunkirk via route Y under
with drs. Icarus, Ivanhoe and
orders of dr. Javelin, [in company
Intrepid (2)]
0430
Off Kwinte buoy. [Ivanhoe detached to
assist dr. Grafton
0544
Anchored harbour. about 1 mile east of Dunkirk
0630ca
P/V Mona's Queen, a short distance away,
was blown up by a mine. Sent away the
whaler to pick up survivors. The
Master (Capt. Holkham) and 31 of the
crew were recovered. One died on
the homeward passage. Mona's Queen
sank in 2 minutes.
0800
Waiting to go alongside Dunkirk pier.
0945
Entered Dunkirk harbour. Berthed at
Proceeded to Dunknik to
East Pier and embarked troops.
1030
Proceeded.
lateyout Dover
1430
signatted
Dover. Disembarked 250 troops. (3)
reported
2100
To Dunkirk by X route, in company with
obstruction w the hanbour
dr. Esk. which carrying
1
Phirace
2340
Stopped off Malo beach. Esk proceeded
towards Bray Dune.
30th May
0100
Closed Malo beach and anchored in 3
fathoms. Sent in M/B, whaler and
skiff to embark troops.
Reported
0400
Berthed alongside East Pier, Dunkirk.
that include to
Air attack. Embarked troops.
0630
Sailed for Dover.
practicable
0900
Dover. Disembarked 700 troops. (4)
1130
Sailed for Dunkirk.
1500
Berthed at Eastern arm Dunkirk.
Embarked troops and General Wason.
1600
Proceeded.
1910
Dover. Disembarked 700 troops. (4)
31st May(5)
1100
Lt. Cdr. W.C. Bushell, R.N. relieved
Lt. Cdr. Alers-Hankey, sick.
1700
Sailed for Dunkirk.
2040
Entered Dunkirk. Embarked troops.
2100
Proceeded.
1st June
0030
Dover. Disembarked 640 troops.
0230
To Dunkirk.
0530
Entered Dunkirk. Berthed alongside
Icarus (6). Shortly after, dr.
Windsor berthed outside Vanquisher.
Mess tables were rigged across "B"
gun decks of inside ships and troops
were hurried across to outside ships.
(1) From 28th to 31st May Lt. Cdr. Alers-Hankey's dates are
1 day behind the correct dates. The correct dates, as
shown in Vanguisher's log have been inserted accordingly.
Times are approximate.
(2) Not mentioned by Vanguisher.
(3) D.R. has copied Vanguisher's date error in recording 28th this
(4) D.R. dates the 2 disembarkations of 30th May, as having
disembarkation (see (1) above) and dates it May.
(5) D.R. 2 disembarkations for 30th May viz: 582 could and
taken place on 29th May.
622, gives (presumably in error for 31st May) which not
(6) Icarus was alongside the P/V Maid of Orleans.
have taken place.
260

Details

VIMY - Continued
29th May
0705
Sailed the for Dunkirk via route
company. drs. Worcester and Anthony Y, in
1018
Received V.A. Dover's signal, timed
1040
0941, while off Bray.
Proceeded into Dunkirk and delivered
letter for S.N.O. Dunkirk to the
Sheerness. dr. Ivanhoe. Sailed immediately for
1545
Arrived Sheerness.
Lieut. Cdr. M.W.E. Wentworth R.N.,
1905
embarked and took over command.
Sailed from Sheerness.
2102
On receipt of signal (Admiralty 1938)
proceeded to Dover.
2230
Arrived off Dover.
30th May
0425
Sailed, by route X, for Dunkirk.
0645
The dr. Vanquisher reported Dunkirk habour
practicable.
0712
Proceeded alongside east side of east
pier. Embarked troops.
0731
Proceeded for Dover.
1100
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 524 troops.
1
1248
Sailed by X route to Dunkirk.
1615
Arrived Dunkirk and lay off outside.
1717
Attempted to secure "bows out", but
unable to on account of shelling by
shore batteries.
1802
Secured alongside and embarked troops.
1825
Sailed for Dover.
2132
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 948 troops.
31st May
0445
Proceeded.
-
Between N. Goodwin buoy and N.W.
Goodwin buoy, sighted the periscope
and conning tower of a submarine.
Dropped a depth charge and started
A/S hunt between latitudes of Goodwin
Knoll buoy and S.W. Goodwin buoy.
-
The corvette Sheldrake joined the hunt
in accordance with C. in C. Nore's
signal timed 0708.
1030
Proceeded for Dunkirk, leaving the hunt
to the Sheldrake and trawlers.
1230
Arrived off Dunkirk.
1300
Secured alongside east pier, bows out.
1400
Shifted billet, and secured alongside
the end of the pier, bows in.
1538
Proceeded for Dover.
1856
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 300 troops.
1st June
0100
Proceeded for Dunkirk.
0156
In collision with the yacht Amulree
in position 270° N.W. Goodwin buoy,
1 cable. She sank immediately. The
only remaining boat, a skiff, was
lowered, and all members of the
yacht's crew picked up
0233
Vimy proceeded to Dover.
0349
Arrived Dover.
2nd June
To Portsmouth for repairs.
Total 2976.
280

Details

WHITE BEAR
0130
M/B Destroyer Comd. Gnr. E. Deacon, R.N.
30th May May
1830
0730
Plymouth.
1st June
1530 Oca
Arrived off Dunkirk.
Left for Dunkirk [in tow of the dfr.
1725
Ordered [i.e. the to return by and the Star"
dfr. Kindred Star] "Kildare
2nd June
0600
0950
Arrived Dover.
1120
1350
Sailed by 2
1415
Arrived off Dunkirk.
1900
Proceeded Entered harbour by X route. and embarked 800 troops
Arrived troops. Dover. Disembarked 593
Authority - R.O.II, p.227.
May
0025
Proceeded dr. to Dunkirk by 2 route, the
Venomous in company. Fouled
0300
off Dunkirk.
sunken wreckage en route.
0330
Ordered into harbour but remained out-
I
0415
side to clear starboard propeller.
Entered harbour. Embarked 1,300 troops
0815
and proceeded by X route,
0950
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 1,300 troo mill
1250
Proceeded to Dunkirk by X route.
Arrived Dunkirk. (Intermittent air
1315
attacks throughout the afternoon).
Stood by the dr. Impulsive, aground on
sunken wreck.
1400
Impulsive cleared; Whitehall proceeded
to Bray.
1530
Ample destroyers at La Panne and Bray;
Whitehall returned to Dunkirk. Whilst
waiting to enter, 12 French troops
embarked in ship's whaler.
1710
40 to 50 dive bombers overhead,
1717
Air attack on the drs. Whitehall and
Ivanhoe which were outside the
harbour waiting to enter Whitehall
received some damage from a near
miss.
1830
Entered harbour and secured alongside
dr. Winchelsea. The yacht Grive
secured outside.
At this time (1830), 2 minesveepers,
the Venomous and drifters were
secured to the wall to sesuard of
1910
Large Whitehall. force of dive bombers and
Ordered Grive to elip and leave harbot
fighters approaching from N.S.
and Winchelsea to follow Whitehall
1912
Grive out. proceeded, followed by Venemous
Grive stopped 01088 outside the
Whitehall and winchelson.
1920
Whitehall, entrance. (onable to check any or her
because winchelsea use following
and was holed at 155 station.
out), received damage to
collided
D.R.
312

Details

WHITEHALL
(D.94) 1900 11th Destroyer Flotilla Lt. Cdr. A.B.Russell,
29th May
Arrived Dover from Plymouth.
R.N.
0130
30th May
0510
0530ca
Proceeded Arrived Embarked Dunkirk to Dunkirk roads. roads by X
of trawlers the A. 600 B/V troops King Orry and some survivors route.
0550
Clythness]. [i.e. the Lord from Grey two and the
0950
Proceeded Arrived to
1120
1350
1415
-
1900
Proceeded troops.
Sailed Arrived Entered harbour off by Dunkirk. X route. and embarked 800
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 593
troops. (1)
31st May
0025
Proceeded dr. to Dunkirk by Z the
0330
Off Dunkirk.
sunken wreckage en route.
Venomous in company. route, Fouled
0300
Ordered into harbour but remained out-
0415
side to clear starboard propeller.
Entered harbour. Embarked 1,300 troops
0815
and proceeded by X route.
0950
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 1,300 troops
1250
Proceeded to Dunkirk by X route.
Arrived Dunkirk. (Intermittent air
1315
attacks throughout the afternoon).
Stood by the dr. Impulsive, aground on
sunken wreck.
1400
Impulsive cleared; Whitehall proceeded
to Bray.
1530
Ample destroyers at La Panne and Bray;
Whitehall returned to Dunkirk. Whilst
waiting to enter, 12 French troops
embarked in ship's whaler.
1710
40 to 50 dive bombers overhead.
1717
Air attack on the drs. Whitehall and
Ivanhoe which were outside the
harbour waiting to enter Whitehall
received some damage from a near
miss.
1830
Entered harbour and secured alongside
dr. Winchelsea. The yacht Grive
secured outside.
At this time (1830), 2 minesweepers,
the Venomous and drifters were
secured to the wall to seaward of
Whitehall.
1910
Large force of dive bombers and
fighters approaching from N.E.
Ordered Grive to slip and leave harbour
and Winchelsea to follow Whitehall
1912
Grive out. proceeded, followed by Venomous
Whitehall and Winchelsea.
Grive stopped close outside the
1920
Whitehall, entrance. (unable to check way of her ship
because winchelsea was following
out), collided with Grive and
received damage to her superstructure
and was holed at 155 station.
(1) D.R.
313

Details

WHITEHALL (D.94) 11th Destroyer Flotilla Lt. Cdr. A.B. Russell,
R.N.
29th May
1900
Arrived Dover from Plymouth.
30th May
0130
Proceeded to Dunkirk roads by X route.
0510
Arrived Dunkirk roads.
0530ca
Embarked 600 troops and some survivors
of the A.B/V King Orry from two
trawlers. i.e. the Lord Grey and the
Clythness].
0550
Proceeded to Dover by X route.
0950
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 655.
1120
Sailed by Z route for Dunkirk.
1350
Arrived off Dunkirk.
1415
Entered harbour and embarked 800 troops.
-
Proceeded by X route.
1900
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 593
troops. (1)
31st May
0025
Proceeded to Dunkirk by Z route, the
dr. Venomous in company. Fouled
sunken wreckage en route.
0300
Off Dunkirk.
0330
Ordered into harbour but remained out-
side to clear starboard propeller.
0415
Entered harbour. Embarked 1,300 troops
and proceeded by X route.
0815
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 1,300 troops
0950
Proceeded to Dunkirk by X route.
1250
Arrived Dunkirk. (Intermittent air
attacks throughout the afternoon).
1315
Stood by the dr. Impulsive, aground on
sunken wreck.
1400
Impulsive cleared; Whitehall proceeded
to Bray.
1530
Ample destroyers at La Panne and Bray;
Whitehall returned to Dunkirk. Whilst
waiting to enter, 12 French troops
embarked in ship's whaler.
1710
40 to 50 dive bombers overhead.
1717
Air attack on the drs. Whitehall and
Ivanhoe which were outside the
harbour waiting to enter Whitehall
received some damage from a near
Entered miss. harbour and secured alongside
1830
dr. Winchelsea. The yacht Grive
secured outside.
At this time (1830), 2 minesweepers,
the Venomous and drifters were
secured to the wall to seaward of
Whitehall.
Large force of dive bombers and
1910
fighters approaching from N.E.
Ordered Grive to slip and leave harbour
and Winchelsea to follow Whitehall
out.
1912
Grive proceeded, followed by Venomous
Whitehall and Winchelsea.
Grive stopped close outside the
entrance.
1920
Whitehall, (unable to check urrom
because Winchelsea
out), collided with arce"se Badoop 10"
received damage to er. usobe who
and was holed at 1 Juella Ke: neer* Wenseled IDJP
(1) D.R.
313

Details

WINCHELSEA (D.46) 11th Destroyer Flotilla Lt. Cdr. W.A.F.
2200
29th May
Arrived Sailed for off Dover from Plymouth.
Hawkins, R.N.
2300
0211
30th May
Sent Detailed survivors away the a of whaler the and picked up 4
0315
Arrived to pick up trawler inder. Lord Orry. Grey]
0515
0630
Sailed One Allied ship's aircraft for Bray. boats. Dover driven Embarked with off 480 by troops gunfire. by
route troops on board. British Delayed and on
1040
by fog.
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 458 British,
1415
French and Belgian troops.
To Dunkirk by X route, the dr.
1800
Codrington in company.
1940
Alongside Dunkirk pier. Embarked troops
Sailed for Dover.
31st May
0015
Dover. Disembarked 925 troops.
0730
To Bray beach.
1000ca
Arrived off Bray. Embarkation slow
1645
owing to lack of boats. (see Two Rivers)
1832
Attack by 40 dive bombers. No damage.
Secured alongside Dunkirk pier.
1930
50 bombers attack. Winchelsea left
the jetty when raid commenced and
secured alongside on its completion.
No damage.
2345
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 1,172
British and French troops.
1st June
0130
To Dunkirk.
0630
Alongside Dunkirk pier. Embarked troops
0745
Heavily dive bombed. The dr. Ivanhoe
seen to be hit.
0830
Bombed again; Winchelsea still un-
damaged. Proceeded.
1100ca
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 1,150 troops
2240
To Dunkirk, in company with dr.
Whitshed.
2nd June
0230
Secured Dunkirk pier. Embarked troops.
0300
-
Arrived To Dover. Dover. Disembarked 1,100 troops
-
Arrived Dunkirk pier. Embarked troops.
To Dunkirk.
2300
3rd June
2341
To Dover.
-
Dover. Disembarked 152 troops.
1330
Left Dover for Portsmouth.
Total 4,957.
Authority - R.O.I., p.177.
322

Details

Page 8
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. GRAFTON - Commander Cecil E. C. Robinson, R.N.
(Killed when ship was torpedoed)
GRAFTON embarked 277 troops during the night of 27th
May, landing them at Dover 1100/28 after which she returned
to Bray beach. Leaving Bray just after midnight with 850
troops on board, she was hit by 2 torpedoes fired by a
M.T.B. at 0250, while lying stopped picking up survivors
from a sunken ship.
The stern of the ship abaft the after magazine bulkhead
was blown off and the ship's back appeared to be broken.
An hour later, the ship rolling heavily in a rising
sea, the troops were transferred to S.S. MALINES and then
all the ship's company that could be spared. The remainder
transferred later to IVANHOE when GRAFTON was slowly
sinking.
Recommendations.
OFFICER.
Surgeon-Lieutenant Joseph Wishart Shield, M.B., B.Ch. R.N.V.R.
Worked indefatigably among the many wounded and
with complete disregard for his own safety, visited
damaged compartments in the stern searching for
wounded before he could possibly have known that the
ship would not sink at once.
Recommended for decoration.

Details

Page 12
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. HAVANT - Lieutenant Commander Anthony Frank Burnell-Nugent,
D.S.C., R.N.
HAVANT made 3 trips including 2 to the beaches. On the
first 2 trips she brought home 1,500 troops in all. On the
3rd trip, while alongside Dunkirk pier waiting for troops
to embark during an intense aerial bombardment, she saw
IVANHOE struck amidships and on fire so steamed out to her
assistance. Having taken off all the troops (about 500
including many wounded) HAVANT proceeded for Dover, but was
soon subjected to intense dive bombing, high and low level
bombing and bombardment from shore batteries. She was hit
by 2 bombs in the engineroom, and then a large delay action
bomb, which fell about 50 yards ahead of ship, exploded
right underneath her,
Further bombing caused more underwater damage and
HAVANT finally rolled over and sank after the troops and
crew had transferred to AEGIR.
Recommendations.
OFFICER.
Lieutenant Commander Anthony Frank Burnell-Nugent, D.S.C., R.N.
Evacuated troops from the beaches and from Dunkirk
during heavy bombardment. When his ship had been heavily
damaged by bombs, made every endeavour to save her when
still subject to intense aerial attack, though without
success.
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS.
Chief Stoker M. Gallon, P/K.59221.
The Engineer Officer and 2 E.R.A.s having been killci
and all the other E.R.A.s having been wounded, this
rating became in charge of the engineroom department.
He showed great initiative and resource by letting the
steam out of the boilers at a critical time, thereby
saving the ship from running on to a sandbank opposite
Dunkirk. He subsequently showed great calmness and
presence of mind in doing all he could to save the ship
and to keep the Captain informed of the state of affairs
below. He was the last rating to leave the ship.
Recommended for decoration.
Sick Berth Attendant A. Keller D/X.6785.
When faced with a large number of wounded under
heavy fire, carried out his duties with the utmost calm,
deliberation and efficiency.
Recommended for mention.
Petty Officer Steward J. Lysaght, D/L.13388.
This rating showed great initiative and resource in
getting wounded men from HAVANT to AEGIR. He took charge
well and set a fine example.
Recommended for decoration.

Details

Page 18
Page 16.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
M.S. IVANHOE. - Commander Philip Henry Hadow, R.N.
Made 1 trip to Dunkirk beach and 2 to Dunkirk pier,
bringing home a total of about 2,900 troops. On 1st June
when returning to Dover with 1,000 troops on board she was
subjected to heavy level bombing attacks by a large number
of aircraft, but all these attacks were avoided.
Off Dunkirk dive bombing attacks developed and
IVANHOE received considerable amage from 2 near misses
and one bomb exploded near the base of the foremost funnel:
casualties 26 killed and 30 wounded.
Amongst other damage, Nos. 1 and 2 Boiler Rooms became
flooded. The ship eventually reached Sheerness in spite
of further attacks by a large number of level bombers on
two occasions, though her speed was only 7 knots. The
use of smoke floats to simulate hits appears to have misled
the enemy.
Recommendations.
OFFICERS:
Commander Philip Henry Hadow, R.N.
Handled his ship with skill during evacuation
from Dunkirk and the beaches, and skilfully brought
her home when severely damaged by bombing in spite
of subsequent heavy bombing attacks by large numbers
of aircraft.
Recommended for mention.
Lieutenant (E) Andrew Cormack Mahony, R.N.
By his coolness and energy set a fine example
to his department when dealing with the damage below
after the ship had been bombed. He rapidly assessed
the damage, and by his efforts succeeded in getting
way on the ship in the shortest possible time.
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS:
Sick Berth Attendant Eric James Littlewood Gibson, 56025.
Displayed outstanding zeal and energy throughout.
Without the assistance of any Medical Officer he
dealt most efficiently and untiringly with the
wounded, many of whom were badly maimed and some of
whom he extricated unaided from a pile of corpses
and debris.
Recommended for mention.
Chief E.R.A. Richard Edward Cox, C/M. 34441.
Showed great zeal and energy throughout and by a
cool appreciation of the situation was largely
responsible for getting steam on the main engines
after the ship had been damaged by bombing.
Chief/

Details

Page 18
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
Page 17.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. IVANHOE (continued).
Chief Stoker Henry Joseph Prendergast, C/R.62741.
Displayed untiring efforts in attempts to assess
the damage caused by bombing. Made repeated attempts
to enter No.2 Boiler Room, but was unable to do so or
account of escaping steam and was finally dissuaded
from repeating the attempts.
Recommended for mention.
Able Seaman James Pearce Clare, R.F.R., C/J.99666.
This rating after the explosion and during the
subsequent bombing attacks was largely responsible
for keeping up the spirits of the ship's company by
his cheerfulness, willingness and coolness.
Recommended for mention.

Details

Page 92.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. GRIVE - Captain. the Hon. Lionel Oliver Lambart, D.S.O., R.N.
Sub. -Lieutanant - the John Kenneth Barton Miles, R.N.V.R. (Retired). -
only surviving officer.
2359/29 she embarked sailed for Dunkirk 1400/30, where for 21/2 Dover
GRIVE and left Portsmouth 1530/29th May, arrived
arriving back troops at from the East beach with her own hours
GRIVE left Dover a.m. 31st with just under 300 boats, troops.
harbour air at 2000/31 and embarked 400 troops during a
Dover again at 1400/31, entered Dunkirk
her troops and although having only 5 rounds of ammunition
severe raid. GRIVE arrived back at Dover 0100/1, very landed
left per gun, sailed again at 0300/1.
Reaching Dunkirk 0800/1 GRIVE went alongside the
harbour and took off a group of troops during heavy bombing. Leaving pier
bomb, and was on fire, and took off all her troops and
GRIVE went alongside HAVANT, which had been hit by a
Dover 1300/1 with 700 on board.
wounded, together with IVANHOE's survivors. GRIVE arrived
R.N.R. (an officer of over 60) ashore, as he had done
At this stage Captain Lambart put Lieutenant C.E. West,
magnificent work handling the ship "and had earned a rest".
Captain Lambart himself, who was 67, would not rest; he
assembled his crew, informed them he intended to start off
again immediately. The crew were equally determined and,
having 1600/1. provisioned and ammunitioned, the ship sailed at
When approaching Dunkirk about 2230 GRIVE apparently was
mined and was blown to pieces.
This account is taken from the narrative of Sub. -Lieut.
Miles, the only officer saved.
Recommendations.
OFFICERS:
Captain, the Hon. Lionel John Olive Lambart, D.S.O., R.N. (Retired)
For gallantry and exceptional endurance and
devotion to duty.
Recommended for posthumous decoration.
Sub. -Lieutenant John Kenneth Barton Miles, R.N.V.R.
For gallantry in action.
Recommended for decoration.

Details

(1977) Wt. 26777/4432 50M 10/38 S.E.R. Ltd. Gp. 671.
Register No.
Minute Sheet No.
The Distinguished Service Medal:-
Seaman William Beer, R.N.R., 20873, H.M.S. CODRINGTON
Leading Seaman Douglas Nicholas, D/JX.137869, H.M.S. CODRINGTON
Able Seaman Samuel John Williams, D/J.100798, H.M.S. CODRINGTON
Able Seaman Frank Willcox, D/SSX. 16241, H.M.S. CODRINGTON
Able Seaman John McDonald, 78860, H.M.S. CODRINGTON
Acting Leading Seaman Mansell Richard Powell, P/SSX.15191,
H.M.S. ESK
Petty Officer Hyacinth Alec George Adam, P/JX. 131408, H.M.S. ESK
Able Seaman Frank Stroud, P/SSX.15110, H.M.S. EXPRESS
Acting Leading Seaman John Mountain, P/JX.142948, H.M.S. EXPRESS
Chief Petty Officer Maurice William Crisp, P/J.100655, H.M.S.
EXPRESS
Ordinary Seaman Gerald Arthur Douglas Rooke, R.N.V.R.,
SD/X.1581, H.M.S. EXPRESS
Engine Room Artificer 1st Class James Barton, R.N.R.,
Portsmouth 32 E.E., H.M.S. EXPRESS
Leading Stoker Frederick Staples, C/KX.84191, H.M.S. GRENADE
Chief Stoker M. Gallon, P/K. 59221, H.M.S. HAVANT
Petty Officer Steward J. Lysaght, 13388, H.M.S. HAVANT
Chief Petty Officer Reginald Frank Tupper, P/J.94060,
H.M.S. ICARUS
Chief Stoker Horace Frederick Goddard, P/K.56856, H.M.S. ICARUS
Petty Officer Joseph William Frederick Tibbles, P/J.108799,
H.M.S. ICARUS
Able Seaman Albert Thomas Williams, P/JX. 154589, H.M.S. ICARUS
XV
Able Seaman Frank William Knight, P/J.102492, H.M.S. IMPULSIVE
Able Seaman James Pearce Clare, R.F.R., C/J.99666, H.M.S.
IVANHOE
George Albert Furzer, Boy 1st Class, D/JX. 158564, H.M.S. JAGUAR
Able Seaman Harold Alfred Keeling, D/SSX.17807, H.M.S. JAGUAR
XV
Acting Stoker Petty Officer James William Carr, D/K.63042,
H.M.S. JAGUAR
Acting Petty Officer Ernest F. Standley C/JX.137068, H.M.S. KEITH
Abde Seaman Eric Bradley Wilkinson, C/JX.152120, H.M.S. KEITH
XV
Able Seaman George E. Davis, 86552, (wounded), H.M.S. KEITH
Leading Seaman Elric I.J.A.G. Joplin, 138400, H.M.S. KEITH
Yeoman of Signals Alfred Charles Halls, C/JX. 129457,
S
H.M.S. MALCOLM
1
Chief Petty Officer Rowland Evan Lines, C/JX. 142401, Pen. 11254,
H.M.S. MALCOLM
Petty Officer Walter Alfred Reginald Hooper, D/JX.142642,
H.M.S. MALCOLM
Leading Seaman James Sowerby, C/JX.109521, R.F.R, B.24792,
H.M.S. MALCOLM
Chief Engine Room Artificer Redvers Woodhead Atkinson,
C/MX.47004, H.M.S. MALCOLM
Stoker 1st Class William Stephen Grimmitt, C/KX.90969,
H.M.S. MALCOLM
Chief Engine Room Artificer Andrew Millar McCowan, C/M.18445,
H.M.S. SABRE
/Stoker Petty Officer George Albert Aitchinson, C/K.61056
H.M.S. SABRE
xv
Stoker, 1st Class, Reginald Arthur Powling, C/K. 52210,
H.M.S. SABRE
Chief Petty Officer (Torpedo Coxswain) Ernest G. Dewey, SABRE
J.104364, H.M.S.
XV Able Seaman G. Passmore, P/J.96339, H.M.S. SCIMITAR

Details

M in Despatehes
E. Thornton, R.N.,
Anthony
Robinson, Frank
Gunner
Sick Berth Attendant A. Keller, 6785, H.M.S.
HAVANTHAVANT R.N.,
Lieutenant-Commander Colin Douglas Maud, D.S.C., R.N.,
VXV
Able Seaman Eric Richard Ponton, P/SSX.14194, H.M.S. ICARUS
H.M.S. ICARUS
VXV
Lieutenant-Commander William Heath, Scott Thomas, R.N., H.M.S. IMPULSIVE
Leading Seaman Albert George Tullet, 129610,
Leading Seaman Thomas Henry P/JX.155193, H.M.S. IMPULSIVE
Commander Philip Henry Hadow, R.N., H.M.S. IVANHOE
H.M.S. IMPULSIVE
Lieutenant (E) Andrew Cormack Mahony, R.N., H.M.S. IVANHOE
Sick Berth Attendant Eric James Littlewood
Chief Engine Room Artificer Richard Edward Cox, C/M.34441,
H.M.S. IVANHOE
Chief Stoker Henry Joseph Prendergast, C/R.62741, H.M.S. IVANHOE
Vv
Lieutenant (E) Cyril Rothwell, R.N., H.M.S. JAGUAR
Ordinary Seaman Noel Edward Holmes Berry, D/JX.158456,
H.M.S. JAGUAR
Stoker Petty Officer John McCarthy, .65035, H.M.S. JAGUAR
Lance Corporal Chapman, 6208138, 1/8th Middlesex Regiment.
Petty Officer Gunner's Mate Frederick John Cole, D/J.110727,
H.M.S. JAGUAR
Able Seaman James Kidd, R.F.R., D/SSX.13321, H.M.S. JAGUAR
Acting Leading Seaman Walter James Whale, D/JX.134747,
H.M.S. JAGUAR
Able Seaman John Edward Ratcliffe, D/SSX.21633, H.M.S. JAGUAR
Able Seaman Raymond Allenby Stone, R.N.R., D/X.19746A,
H.M.S. JAGUAR
Stoker 1st Class Jack Chadwick, D/KX.81834, H.M.S. JAGUAR
Able Seaman Bertie Richard Culley, 130278, H.M.S. JAGUAR
Able Seaman John Lawrence Joyce, D/SSX.20230, H.M.S. JAGUAR
Able Seaman Frank Henry Hopwood, D/SSX.18782, H.M.S. JAGUAR
Captain Edward Lyon Berthon, D.S.C., R.N., H.M.S. KEITH
Lieutenant Graham James Alexander Lumsden, R.N. H.M.S. KEITH
Lieutenant Robert Walker Hughes, R.N., H.M.S. KEITH
Midshipman Harry Batten Poustie, R.N.R., H.M.S. KEITH
Able Seaman Ian A. Nethercott, C/55X.28288, H.M.S. KEITH
Able Seaman JamesWallis, C/55X.27313, H.M.S. KEITH
Able Seaman George J. Woodger, C/J.45802, P.N.22573,
H.M.S. KEITH
Leading Telegraphist Ernest J.N. Beeley C/JX.141015,
KEITH
Lieutenant David Barclay Nairne H.M.S. MALCOLM
Able Seaman Thoman F. Osprey, C/J.114945, H.M.S. H.M.S. KEITH
Mr. Lieutenant Ronald John Robertson, Mellis, R.N., H.M.S. MALCOLM
Petty Petty Officer Arthur George Engineer, H.M.S. MALCOLM
Arthur George Scoggins, Warrant R.A.N., H.M.S. MALCOLM
Leading Able Seaman William Alfred Simpson, C/J.95860, H.M.S. MALCOL
Officer Ernest William Cooper, C/J.105794, H.M.S. MALCOL
Seaman William Albert Clarke, Hart, C/J.78426, 130453,
Able Seaman Frederick William Jacobs, C/J.100758, R.F.R.,
Pen.25497,MAL.COLM
x
Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class B.23901, Leslie H.M.S. Allan MALCOLM Gardiner Dyer,
Petty Officer Steward
Midshipman Lieutenant Norman John Parker, Pen.4995, H.M.S.
MALCOLM
VXV Stoker Leading Steward Edward Norman Folmer L. Archdale, R.N., R.N., H.M.S. H.M.S. SABRE SABRE SABRE
Acting Leading Petty Officer Seaman the SAB
Lieutenant John Rees Denys Wilson, Franks, R.N.(In O.B.E., charge R.N., H.M.S. H.M.S. SCIMITA SHIKAR
Stoker Lieutenant 1st Robert Class Charles Irvine, C/KX.86537, H.M.S. SABRE
of Deach Work)

Details

10450
1.
(Revised-June, 1933.) 1941
OM WHOM
DATE
Lieut. A. Phipps, RN .
24.3.H
MARKINGS TO BOARD.
SUBJECT.
Lt. A. Phipps. R.N.
Recommended for services in
Dunkirk evacuation, when serving
on " Ivanhoe", but not subsequently
"menkoned in despatches".
FORMER
Enquiring whether an enor has
been made.
NOTATION ONLY
Referred
Referred
Date
Date
to
to
Referred to
Date
222.
CW (HOA) /
Th gleadove.
PA
0.0 LAT ,0.020
Wt. 48364/D6526 1,000,000 6/40 S.P. & Co., Ltd. 51-0440

Details

246
From:- Lt. D. Van Gessel, R.N.V.R.
Date:- 5th June, 1940.
To:- Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
1st June. Was told to go to assistance of "Ivanhoe" and
"Queen of Thanet". We contacted with tug
?
"Java" who had survivors on board from the
"Queen of Thanet". We set out and found
"Ivanhoe" seriously bombed. The captain asked
us to get medical help, etc. etc., which we
did.
We helped with more serious wounded, but they
were in such a condition that removal seemed
unwise. In consultation with Captain of
"Ivanhoe" we decided to take off the survivors
(mostly soldiers) and took them ashore.
On next journey we took into Margate an M.T.B.
with one survivor out of 8. The boat was
badly damaged, but was docked alongside Pier.
On these journeys was accompanied by Lt. Dancy.
31st May. Was out in tug "Doria" trying to find lifeboats
reported floating near the Goodwins, when off
Deal an M.T.B. bound for Convoy duties caught
fire. After helping crew we took S.0.7 into
Dover submarine basin. Commander of S.0.7
is reporting matter.
N.B. Survivors of "Ivanhoe" were landed at
Margate. We only left "Ivanhoe" when nothing
more could be done and she proceeded in tow
to Chatham.
(v stancy (ree of Thavel assercause didnov nov
Over

Details

Details

16
20
"disregard your verbal instructions to return home,
and hope you will approve. with the approval of
Lord Gart I have returned here as S.N.O. Dunkirk and
to assist the British Commander?
At 2353 the following signal was unde:-
"In view of the decision request maximum number of
transports and air protection to-morrow Saturday,
and particularly air and sea protection for the follow-
ing day, when energy will have no other occupation.
Unfortunately some hours are passing to-night without
a single ship entering Dunkirk for French or ourselves."
Shelling took place all night during embarkation
causing some casualties on the beach.
BRAY
La Panne was evacuated and troops fell back on
A situation report was made as follows:-
"No ships entered between 2230 and 0400, Unsuccessful
dive bombing attack has just taken place. British
fighters arrive. Smoke covers pier. Embarkation
re-commenced. Reported heavy shelling of beaches
and an improvised pier smashed. Please despatch
by M.T.B. morphia and field dressings.
Saturday 1st June,
0715.
"Attended meeting of French Staff at Malo Barns.
Witnessed very heavy dive bonging on ships off shore.
Discussed evacuation and arranged that more ships
should be given to the French.
At 0910 a further signal was sade reading:-
"Shipe are urgently required."
Much bombing had taken place for rest of day. H.M.S.
Keith and Ivanhoe were bombed and H.M.S.Mosquito on her way to
entering the port was bombed and sunk. H.M.S.Worcester sailed
and received such heavy bombing that I gave orders that no more
ships were to sail in daylight and requested that henceforth
none should arrive before dark.
At 1841 the following signal was received from C.I.G.S
for Senior Officer:-
"We do not order any fixed moment for evacuation. You
are to hold on as long as possible in order that the

Details

47
-3-
51
"disregard your verbal instructions to return home,
and hope you will approve. with the approval of
Lord Gort I have returned here as S.N.O. Dunkirk and
to assist the British Commander"
At 2353 the following signal was made:-
"In view of the decision request maximum number of
transports and air protection to-morrow Saturday,
and particularly air and sea protection for the follow-
ing day, when enemy will have no other occupation.
Unfortunately some hours are passing to-night without
a single ship entering Dunkirk for French or ourselves."
Shelling took place all night during embarkation
causing some casualties on the beach.
BRAY
La Panne was evacuated and troops fell back on Bire,Demis
A situation report was made as follows:-
"No ships entered between 2230 and 0400, Unsuccessful
dive bombing attack has just taken place. British
fighters arrive. Smoke covers pier. Embarkation
re-commenced. Reported heavy shelling of beaches
and an improvised pier smashed. Please despatch
by M.T.B. morphia and field dressings.
Saturday 1st June.
0715.
"Attended meeting of French Staff at Malo Barns.
Witnessed very heavy dive bomging on ships off shore.
Discussed evacuation and arranged that more ships
should be given to the French.
At 0910 a further signal was made reading:-
"Ships are urgently required."
Much bombing had taken place for rest of day. H.M.S.
Keith and Ivanhoe were bombed and H.M.S. Mosquito on her way to
entering the port was bombed and sunk. H.M.S. Worcester sailed
and received such heavy bombing that I gave orders that no more
ships were to sail in daylight and requested that henceforth
none should arrive before dark.
At 1841 the following signal was received from C.I.G.S
for Senior Officer:-
"We do not order any fixed moment for evacuation. You:
are to hold on as long as possible in order that the

Details

332
338
7.
mostly suffering from severe burns; the Commanding
Fifty seven cot-cases alone were brought off,
Officer and other survivors from His Majesty's Dest-
cleared the steamer out as far as was known, I pro-
royer Grenade were amongst those embarked, After having
ceeded down the coast towards Bray, and picked up troops
from several boats, which they had found on the beach. A
Captain Churchill, from the Headquarters Staff, off
and told me that he had to get over to England to see
his uncle, the Prime Minister,by 0600.
8.
I proceeded to Margate, arriving at 0550 on May
30th, disembarked troops,survivors and Cartain Churchill,
then sailed for Sheerness for coal and Ammunition.
9.
I left Sheerness at 0300 on the 31st and arr-
ived without incident off the beach just to the Bast of
Dunkirk, at 0930. The rate of embarkation was slow ording
to considerable surf on the beach, but valuable assist-
ance was given by a large power boat, It was necessary
for me to leave at 1230 in order to unload and be at By
render-vous by 8300 on May 31st for the evening oper-
ations.
10.
I sailed from liargate to comply with previous
instructions and proceeded, under the orders of the
Senior Officer 11 the Fifth Minesweeping Flotila, to By
appointed station off the beach; navigation at this
period was difficult,a the absence of wind allowed the
smoke from Dunkirk to settle over the channel, that
visibility The poor. On enchoriz at 2345 a shell from 8
shore battery landed about a cable to securd; this ma
repeated spasmodically. Reports were then received of
magnetic nines being dropped in the channel.
on 11, embarkation, using ships' boats, Short y after a
About 0832 the Flotil a ms ordered to carry
bombing attack took place,and from then on these
attacks were practically continuous. Several Heinkel III
type aircraft were observed, but the majority of the
attackers were identified as Junkers 87 Dive-bombers.
Embarkation was carried out, though the rate ha slow,
this operation the ship case under machine-gun fire
aground; 12. a vire was passed and I towed her off. During
His Majesty's Ship Speedwell ma seal to be
tenant for the speed and coolness with which be carried
from the air, end great credit is due to ay First Lieu-
out the ution.
afloat 15. to proceed alongaide in Dunkirk harbour, and to
I then received orders from the 7108 Officer
comp. ete with troops there. As troops vere being and a
machine-gun embarked, attack me delivered, but no casualties were
bombs were dropped in the harbour
incurred.
14. board, His Majesty's Dostroyer Ivanhoe to was her hit
Just before I al ipped, with a full load of
by troops a bomb on outside the herbour. Two ships went
assistance, 80 I proceeded at full speed,

Details

Dywans 206.
A14/075
SECRET.
- 363
REPORT 07 PROCEEDINGS DUNKIRK OPERATIONS.
FROM
THE COMMANDING OFFICER E.M.S.EXPRESS
DATE
9th JUNE 1940.
TO
THE VICE ADMIRAL DOVER
(Copy to the Director of Operations Division (M)
Admiralty 1.
I have the honour to submit the following
report or proceedings of H.M.S Express under if command, in
Dunkirk. connection with the ships participation in the Operations at
On Sunday May 26th all ships of the 20th
Destroyer Plotilla were at Dasingham loading mines and
completing with fuel etc. At about 2200 on that ay"Dulaive"
proceeded to Dover in accurdance with Admiralty orders to take
part in Taut Wire Measuring Gear Operations from that Port.
The remaining vessels of the 20th Destroyer Flotilla sailed
at 0700 on Monday 27th May and carried out Operation B.S.9.
on completion of which at about 1445 ships proceeded through
the Downs and in accordance with Admiralty Orders I ordered
"Express" and "Rak" to Portsmouth and "Intrepid" "Ivanhoe"
and "Icarus" to the Testern Approaches.
"Expre a"and "Eak" proived Portanouth at
0600 28th May, completed with 011,and sailed for Cover at 1415
at 30 knots, entering Harbour at 2000. At 2040 in company
with "Malcoln" and "Scimitar", "Express" and "Sat" proceeded
via Suydcoote Channel and arrived off Bray Beach at 0130 on
29th May! All Boats were lowered and commenced embarking
military until about 1200. This was an exceedingly slow
operation owing to the lack of Power Boats, and the smill
though unpleasant seend on the Beach made proceedings difficult
one whaler being lost.
A Bombing attack took place on Dunklise
from Malo to La Panne at 1400 and then with about 500 troops
took place about 1250, "Express" transferred S.N.O. Dunitibed:
at 1530 heavy Dive Bombing attack took place from which salvoes
as ship was about to secure alongaide "Gronada" at and the to pier
on board proceeded into Denkink by order of "Malcolm". Just
or near misses a ahoad and astern arrived, splinters
came aboard.
I proceeded out of harbour at speed, and own
and ships gunfire and bomb explosions provided a an
decision unusual since "grenada" was later destroyed in the harbour.
adjacent circumatance for all concerned. This proved fortunate
"Jaguar" was than sighted ,stopped and
disabled as board a and was very close to a wreck. "Expross" of her troops
result of the attack. She had a large number went of
Troops on - towed her clear - and took aff acese towed intern
and approximately were continued in the visinity. and the
alongside 45 wounded. Later"Jaguar"was At about 1630 while
bombing attacks and in view of the member of non transferred condition the
the tow parted I ordered "Jaguar" to anchor, a Travlo to
remaining of the wounded troops, and proceeded to Dover leaving

Details

Dywans 206. A14/075 1473
SECRET.
363
REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS - DUNKIRK OPERATIONS.
FROM
THE COMMANDING OFFICER H.M.S.EXPRESS
DATE
9th JUNE 1940.
TO
THE VICE ADMIRAL DOVER
(Copy to the Director of Operations Division (M)
Admiralty 1.
I have the honour to submit the following
report or proceedings of H.M.S Express under my command,in
Dunkirk. connection with the ships participation in the Operations at
On Sunday May 26th all ships or the 20th
Destroyer Flotilla were at Imingham loading nines and
completing with fuel etc. At about 2200 on that day "Ingulsive"
proceeded to Dover in accurdance with Admiralty orders to take
part in Taut Wire Measuring Gear Operations from that Port.
The remaining vessels or the 20th Destroyer Flotilla sailed
at 0700 on Monday 27th May and carried out Operation B.S.9,
on completion of which at about 1445 ships proceeded through
the Downs and in accordance with Admiralty Orders I ordered
"Express" and "Sak" to Portsmouth and "Intrepid" "Ivanhoe"
and "Icarus" to the Western Approaches.
"Expre a"and "Eak" arrived Portsmouth at
0600 28th May, completed with oil,and sailed for Dover at 1415
at 30 knots, entering Harbour at 2000. At 2040 in company
with "Malcoln" and "Scimitar", "Express" and "Sat" proceeded
via Zuydcoote Channel and arrived off Bray Beach at 0130 on
29th May! All Boats were lowered and commenced embaricing
military until about 1200. This was an exceedingly alow
operation owing to the lack of Power Boats,a the smll
though unpleasant seend on the Beach made proceedings difficult
one whaler being lost,
A Bombing attack took place on Dunkirk
took place about 1250, "Express" transferred Dunital
from Malo to La Panne at 1400 and then with about 500 troops
at 1530 heavy Dive Bombing attack took place and tro which salvoes
as ship was about to secure alongaide "Grenado" at the pier
on board proceeded into Denkirk by order of "malcolm". Just
of near misses a ahead and astern arrived, splinters from
came aboard.
I proceeded out of harbour at speed,and own
and ships gunrire and bomb explosions provided an
unusual decision circumstance since "Grenade" was later destroyed in the
adjacent for all concerned. This proved harbour. a fortunate
result of the attack. She had a large "Express" number went of
"Jaguar" was than aighted ,stopped and
Troops on board - her clear - and took aff name towed datern
disabled as a and was very close to a wreck. of her troops
and approximately continued in the vicinity, and the
alongside towed 45 wounded. Later"Jaguar"was At about 1830 while
bombing attacks and were in view of the member of men transferred condition the
remaining of the wounded troops, I and proceeded to Dover a
the tow parted ordered "Jaguar" to anchor, leaving Travle to

Details

394
327
- 30592
port on Proceedings of M.T.B. 68
Page 2
ficer on board and patrolled beaches between Dunkirk and La Panne
ganising the beaching of drifters, trawlers etc., at Braye and the
stribution of small craft as they arrived.
Considerable shelling from direction of La Panne at times.
Searched for pilot of "Hurricane" brought down about 2 miles
if beach, but unable to find any remains.
Continuous air raids on town and beaches but not so intense
3
previous day. Little dive bombing.
2035.. Fuel running low. Returned to Dover.
2050. Overtook M.T.B's 67 and 107 and proceeded in company.
2205. Secured Dover. Two feet of water in after compartment and
in engines causing considerable trouble.
aturday, 1st June.
0740.
Took officers into Downs to board merchant ship.
0900.
Secured Dover.
1430.
Sailed for Portsmouth to be slipped with M.T.B. 67.
2040.
Secured Portsmouth.
o0o0o0o
3 to subsequent identification
I have the honour to be,
EITH" and reported short of fuel.
ldiers to various transports.
Sir,
ring 1800.
Your obedient Servant,
Chobreyer
signalled instructions from
Licutenant in Command.
ed H.M.S. "IVANHOE" being
1 who appeared to be not under
e Vice Admiral,
off Rear Admiral Wake-Walker
Dover.
roached two tuga to order them
lies to:- Portsmouth,
"HORNET".
attacking, many bombs falling
ay action of smaller bombs in
bed - considerable damage
ermittent shelling in harbour
ear Admiral Wake-Walker and
"SANDBURST".
Engine Room maintenance, I
reported ready

Details

119
I
114
as he sheeld off at speed. I was also
handecapped by lach of day light liqualling
apparative , as, when hallenged by a V class
deslares, my answer was not seen, i I was
fined on until he was able to accertain
my nationality.
on arrival at Dunkerh, I
closed the Beach at malo des Bains The
CMB. was hust unhand head the beach,
pro jecting propellors (b) the humber of from
owing (d) to a minimum speed of 7 Knot F
lines land to the shore by off lying versils
However by putting my bones to two laye
Steam launches aproad hear the beach, l
was able to load up three true with
Trench took, whom I ferned int & trankers I
. difflin discharged The funth time
proceeded at speed for Ramafate they
tooh off 37 French Jolding, 3 Butish where officers
were disen banked
During the Continums an
naids while we were at malo has Bains
beach, the Can duct of two the w D. Palinfs
inboard "Narg was very pow : I had is
threatin both with arrest. The master however,
did every thing he was wed with at fues 9 quirel ten,
proved Emli whable The next morning, June 2ml
l
enly chride was ho 6 Burg l
of at full speed. I was again Dunkish Was,
aim sailed for Dunkerh knowleding alt endepend. ached by
a hit measer hot hil. arrived off Dunkish,
was beaches almost empty while whing
to Saw enter the harbond saw Hms Ivanhoe an five

Details

120
in No 1 Briles wom in tow of Persia
closed him & ashed if he wanted
The Captain ashed we to exent
which I did
after circling him
as awaraft were active I
enemy he had slipped his tow '&a
that be procuding at about 12kh Ivanhoe "Pesse
astern but at ho 6 Bud,
told we to instruct "Peria to new
tow was being be connected rouke
As for half an hour, three waves of
every bombers, attached anhae",
transports sentife ing muscellanems
when 2 miles the 6 W. Budy. both
all all possible at 30 knots with anicraft
funo to m not, keep them at with
ing, whether every hey
large Continu ally circled what was tug
Convay of the damaged des troyer about
third tug resul with a barge in tors
(Incia orDonal with hosh al
of hoops Inaccurate bombing Persia". usult
one salvo falling wal"
The appeared Um ander from S.W. Subsequently the but tup was a was sample soon made di
heal "W Bud, another tug bound for
incident. I had any 3 have of ammy
was contacted x sent to a des to aif
distress was Hills Banck
Finally heal horth
"Ivanhoe. ashed we to Contenue esca
Sheetness or until and D.Y. trys arrived.

Details

121
115
North dorsland Hm. MB Halczure fun
Ramsjate closed we , I sent her is
were put aboard hear S.W. Spit
margali you doalins E/c You Ivanhoe. There
at horth end of Ideaborgh
Smith Channel, I formed my fuel Supphes
running short 4, as ofd aley Ivanhae one" had taken
me to proced to Raunsgate
off lioop E/c to margali, allowed
on animal, I was told to
report to "Lynx" where I subsequenty
took hant in operations M.H. under
Captain Telbs.
Before clising my report, I
should wish to express appreciaten of
the action of the R.S.M. of the Bedford
embark atim f the 1200 men at Braye
feomaury who on the occasion filthe
Beach, tooh Complete Control fall unlitary
onboard maintained mapufecents
discipline any Sign of panie with that
number of livops anbound, might have
had serious woult Once afain the
Commissioned officers were conspicions kg
Tach of assistance
Th Cimil RN. ould

Details

- 2 -
I
376
-
aircraft attacked which for the quickly rest of made off and we were not again directly
353
us by our
extremely phosphorescent water. and I believe the aircraft detected
the night. The sea surface was
At 2256 a M.T.B. proceeding very fast struck us
glancing blow on the Starboard quarter. This craft did not a stop
or answer any signals but appeared to carry a green light
shining skywards. He was quickly lost in the darkness - marks
and splinters left behind showed that he was painted a dark
grey.
At Dunkirk itself the offing was lit by the burning
oil tanks making ship very conspicuous and as the beaches were
at this time obliterated by heavy smoke from these fires, I
anchored to the Westward at 0110 1st June and waited daybreak.
0350 weighed anchor and entered Dunkirk harbour. At CLUIO, in
company with H.M.S. "Locust". 0500 berthed alongside and
commenced embarking troops - severe air raids in progress all
the time. Two raiders shot down by A.A. fire.
0620 let go and cleared harbour having embarked about
70 soldiers, mostly E. Yorks Regiment. 0750 attacked by enemy
bomber, opened fire and hit him with bursts from Lewis gun. No
received great assistance in this attack from the troops who
mounted their Bren guns on deck. Observed one aircraft shot down
by gunfire from H.M. Ships.
We were now compelled to go slow as our main engine
circulating pumpawas damaged and engines getting extremely
overheated.
1000 took in tow for Ramsgate a disabled motor launch.
1300 entered Ramsgate harbour and disembarked troops. 1315
left Ramsgate for Sheerness going dead slow owing to condition
of engines. 1547 passed W/T signal to C. in C. for H.N.S.
"Ivanhoe" (in tow). 1916 entered Sheerness hargour and secured
to buoy.
During the whole of the operation, I cannot speak too
highly of the conduct of the ship's company. Without exception
they were calm and cool carrying out their duties with ourge
and zeal under most trying conditions.
I wish to specially mention Sub Lieut J.G. Llewellyn
R.N.V.R. for his devotion to duty and coolness; Coxswain F.
Thompson R.N.P.S. for his leadership of the crew; Ordinary
Signalman J.L. Wells R.N.V.R. for quick and efficient and signalling;
R. Matthews R.N.P.S. Lewis Gunner for well controlled
accurate fire with most economical use of amminition. Also,
Engineman Macallister, R.N.P.S. for keeping the engines running and controlling
D. Seaman R.N.P.S. (Helmsman) and H. Topte,
leaks.
I have the 'honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) J.S. ROE
Lieutenant R.N.V.R.
4th June, 1940.

Details

Reseue Yuy Lady Brassey 435
Sate 144 Junes1940
410
fir
I Frederich John Hopyood was in charyes the try
Lady Brassey when ar 10.40 am yr Commonder
yaloe was put on board the Hospital ship
sx David lying ar anchor off the detached mole
with Engins trouble. He then told me to go bach
into harbour see if D-S. Noebrech bying arthe
admiralty Reir was ready to be assisted off Wehad
just left the Hospital ship about 11.30 on when we
received instructions from the examination steamer
to proceed to the assistance of Transport Prague
Salamander, r Ivanhoe of toinstruct Salvage
vessel Forde to proceed that was lying at anchor in
the Drons. We left Dres about noon y spoke the
Forde off Deal about /. Pm γ proceeded on course
when nearing the Form bray I could see a craft
that appeared to be the Regue off the N.W.Jordurin
broy. spoke the master who requested me to
make fast, r also what was his position I told
him he was close to the Forth brioy. Wegor, fast
as /. 20 Rm r truing as 30 pm. About 1.45pm
I had ashed the master if he could hold the
we eased tourng for the pilot they on board
loster in the ship V replied yes, r draught 25 feet
We then proceeded on passay to Drver. When
nearing the Rort we received instructions 2.30 to Rm
anchor Rrague in the Downs ar bach about to the
We turned around r proceeded gynamo trouble
Drons -X During Whilst this possing time Engineer through the Drons better Y off
Walmer hailed that we had
take the we ship were to anchor in Bamsgab Channel were
asking toground why they urshed to beach
told closing the vessel. I the vessel and
V on Ramsgate channel then hacleditem we

Details

H.M.M.T.B. No. 102.
431
at Portsmouth.
458
7th June, 1940.
H.M.M.T.B. No. 102
430
and 5th June, 1940
at Portsmouth
7th June, 1940.
vor. Having received orders
300 for Dunkirk in accordance
r,
buoy in the Dunkirk approach
n me and the land, and, therefor
I have the honour to submit a letter
de outside the channel.
my proceedings between the dates 30th
ast quay in Dunkirk harbour. I
ay, 1940 and 5th June, 1940.
man J.P. Vilford, R.N.V.R. took
rted to Captain Dennant R.N.
I have the honour to be
derson and Commander Blwood
e dituation.
Sir,
attacked by 3 M.E.110's in
used - own speed 2 knots.
our of the beaches we returned
Your obedient Servant,
d Commander Elwood and embarked
ChSDreyes
Dover I was stopped by
and took him back towards
ir way to Dunkirk.
Licutenant in Command.
he Vice Admiral,
Dover.
J, 31st May.
those orders, arriving off La
pies to:- Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth,
" and reported to Rear
The Captain, H.M.S. "HORNET".
k him along the beaches, being
"KEITH".
of crashed Hurricane. Pilot
to subsequent identification
IITH" and reported short of fuel.
diers to various transports.
ing 1800.
signalled instructions from
xi H.M.S. "IVANHOE" being
lecessfully bombed.
0755. Approahced H.M.S. "KEITH" who appeared to be not under
mtrol, id Staff she and had one 0800. just wounded went been alongside torpedo-man. bombed. and took Approached off Rear two Admiral tugs to lake-walker order them
, assist H.M.S.
"KEITH". J.U.87 dive attacking, many bombs bombs falling in
lose astern, nearest 0805. Thirty-five 10 yards, observed delay action of smaller
to water.
0810. H.M.S. "KEITH" again bombed - considerable damage
pparent.
Alongside Dunkirk - intermittent shelling in harbour and
ad western arm 6830. 0915. of inner Sailed harbour. for Dover with Rear Admiral Wake-Walker
taff on board.
1100. Secured alongside H.M.S. "SANDHURST".
Sunday, 2nd June.
Having been given 24 hours for Engine Room maintenance, ******* I
reported ready

Details

H.M.M.T.B. No. 102.
431
at Portsmouth.
7th June, 1940.
ter of Proceedings between 30th May, 1940 and 5th June, 1940
Thursday, 30th May.
0530. Secured in Submarine Basin, Dover. Having received orders
om the Chief of Staff, Dover, I sailed at 1300 for Dunkirk in accordance
th those orders. on approaching No. Mm. buoy in the Dunkirk approach
annel, I noticed some shell splashes between me and the land, and, therefor
tered course and steered along the North side outside the channel.
At 1430 I came alongside the East quay in Dunkirk harbour. I
sembarked, and my First Lieutenant, Midshipman J.P. Wilford, R.N.V.R. took
e boat outside to await my return. I reported to Captain Dennant R.N.
received his orders to take Commander Henderson and Commander Blwood
orig to the beaches to La Panne to review the dituation.
on passage to La Panne we were attacked by $ M.E.110's in
ose formation from ahead. No dama e was caused - own speed 2 knots.
At 2000 on completion of our tour of the beaches we returned
Dunkirk, disembared Commander Henderson and Commander Elwood and embarked
British soldiers and sailed for Dover.
At 2115 about 10 miles S.E. of Dover I was stopped by
umander Le.Mesurier in the D.C. Motor Boat and took him back towards
inkirk to pass messages to three tugs on their way to Dunkirk.
At 0030 secured in S/M basin.
(31)
Friday, 31st May.
At 0130 I received my orders for Friday, 31st May.
At 1100 I proceeded in accordance with those orders, arriving off La
mne at 1240. I went alongside H.M.S. "KEITH" and reported to Rear
miral Wake-Walker. He embarked and we took him along the beaches, being
ielled off La Panne, and then back to H.M.S. "KEITH".
At 1445 went to pick up pilot of crashed Hurricane. Pilot
is dead bus parachute was recovered, leading to subsequent identification
the officer.
At 1500, returned to H.M.S. "KEITH" and reported short of fuel.
1530. Towing boatloads of soldiers to various transports.
1640. Sailed for Dover, securing 1800.
Saturday, 1st June.
0600. Proceeded in accordance with signalled instructions from
ce Admiral, Dover.
0750. Arrived Dunkirk. Passed H.M.S. "IVANHOE" being
lecessfully bombed.
0755. Approahced H.M.S. "KEITH" who appeared to be not under
mtrol, she had just been bombed.
id Staff and one 0800. wounded torpedo-man. Approached two tugs to order them
vent alongside and took off Rear Admiral lake-walker
assist H.M.S. "KEITH". J.U.87 dive attacking, many bombs bombs falling in
lose astern, nearest 0805. Thirty-five 10 yards, observed delay action of smaller
le water.
0810. H.M.S. "KEITH" again bombed - considerable damage
pparent.
6830. Alongside Dunkirk - intermittent shelling in harbour
id
western arm 0915. of inner Sailed harbour. for Dover with Rear Admiral Wake-Walker and
taff on board.
1100. Secured alongside H.M.S. "SANDHURST".
Sunday, 2nd June.
Having been given 24 hours for Engine Room maintenance, I
reported ready

Details

Details

134
13
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 13.
132
Operation "DYNAMO"
Narrative of Events.
30/5
Thursday, 30th May.
40. As an example of the difficulty of any one man
appreciating the situation at Dunkirk and the beaches during
the night, at 0030/30 the S.N.O. on the French Coast reported
that he had no destroyers. In fact, at that time, all
available destroyers, namely 10, in the Dover Command, were
either on, or on passage to or from, the coast, and the
remaining 5 were at Dover discharging troops, embarking
ammunitition, fuelling, etc. and were to sail within the next
4 hours.
Simultaneously the V.C.I.G.S. reported that the
beaches were well organised, the troops in good heart, and
there had been no bombing since dark, but that there was still
a great shortage of small craft - urgently required. This
last fact was well known to the Vice Admiral, Dover.
41. Commander-in-Chief, Nore, was requested to send as
much grass hawser as possible to Ramsgate, as quickly as
possible, for supplying the skoots, to haul boats off the
beaches, thus speeding up the boat work to compensate for the
shortage of boats, which would continue for at least another
24 hours.
42. At 0500 the 7 modern destroyers remaining with Vice
Admiral, Dover - ICARUS, IMPULSIVE, INTREPID, IVANHOE, HAR-
VESTER, HAVANT and JAVELIN - sailed to Sheerness in accordance
with Admiralty instructions. The MONTROSE and MACKAY sailed
for repairs.
43. Meantime the Vice Admiral, Dover, had been much
exercised regarding the possibility of the continued use of
Dunkirk harbour for personnel vessels and was anxiously
awaiting the report from VANQUISHER, who had been sent to
investigate the reported obstruction. VANQUISHER'S report
was received at 0610 stating entrance was practicable but that
obstruction exists towards outer inside end of the EASTERN ARM.
Pending amplifying reports, the sailing of personnel vessels
to Dunkirk was resumed, although at this time there were still
4 personnel vessels presumed to be in the vicinity of Dunkirk
Harbour, whose movements and whereabouts throughout the night
still remained obscure.
The Vice Admiral asked R.A. Dover, who was in HEBE,
whether personnel ships could, in fact, still use Dunkirk. In
the meantime a series of signals from Rear Admiral Dover, and
destroyers off the coast, were received, stating that the
beaches were filling up rapidly and more ships and boats were
urgently required there. Although it was known that the
destroyers could use Dunkirk, it appeared at this time that the
best division of transport was to send the great majority of
destroyers to the beaches, where urgent demands could not be
ignored, and the personnel vessels to Dunkirk Harbour, only an
occasional destroyer being sent to Dunkirk from the reduced
number now available for the operation.
44/

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135
14
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 14.
133
Operation "DYNAMO"
-
Narrative of Events.
30/5
Thursday, 30th May. (Continued).
44. At Dunkirk there were no air attacks in the early
morning and all was quiet. Later, when ships began to arrive
in quantity, in view of the massive target presented by a
number of ships alongside the East pier at a time, the S.N.O.,
Dunkirk ordered destroyers alongside only one at a time. At
about 0800 a store ship arrived at Dunkirk with provisions but
no water. This caused so much congestion on the pier that
unloading was abandoned when half complete, and the store ship
filled with troops. A certain amount of water was obtained
from destroyers.
45. During the forenoon the Military constructed a long
pier of lorries with deck planking, into the sea off Bray. This
was an excellent piece of work, but was insufficiently stable
for use by such craft as paddle steamers, nor even smaller
power craft in a lop. It was invaluable later for embarking
troops into small boats. As regards general embarkation off
the beaches, it was later learnt that it was 0 common occurrence
for processions of small boats loaded with troops to be cast
adrift when empty and allowed to float away to seaward, owing
to the lack of sufficient naval ratings as boat-keepers. For
the same reason many of the smaller pulling boats were swamped
and sunk due to overloading by uncontrolled "rush" of soldiers.
Both these faults were remedied later.
46. Matters proceeded smoothly throughout the day owing
to the mist and there being a big smoke cloud over Dunkirk
which prevented the enemy bombers attacking the ships in large
numbers.
In order to increase the rate of embarkation through
the bottle-neck of the East Pier gangway, the troops were
urged to quicken their pace and eventually thousands of troops,
tired and without food and water for days, broke into the
double and kept it up the whole length of the pier for more
than two hours.
47. The attempt to maintain an adequate rate of lift
using only the older destroyers was by now shown to be
impracticable. The destroyers were lifting about 17,000,
personnel vessels about 9500 in the 24 hours. Remaining
vessels were estimated to be worth about 15,000 per day. This
gave a total lift of about 43,000 per day. The situation
called for E lift of at least 55,000 per day. Verbal
representations being made to C.M.S., authority was received
for the return to the Dover Command of the modern destroyers
released the night before.
Accordingly Commander-in-Chief, Nore, at 1531 gave
orders to HARVESTER, HAVANT, IVANHOE, IMPULSIVE, ICARUS and
INTREPID to proceed at once to Dunkirk. Subsequently some of
these destroyers were diverted to the beaches.
48/

Details

138
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 17." 136
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
31/5
Friday, 31st May.
51. The Admiralty informed the Vice Admiral that the
policy of H. M. Government was that both British and French
troops be given an equal opportunity of being evacuated in
British ships and boats.
52. Personnel ships had been sailed the previous evening
and throughout the night of the 30th/31st to provide for a
continuous flow into Dunkirk harbour. But at 0320 the S.N.O.
reported that once again the majority of these Personnel ships
had failed to enter the harbour during the dark hours. MALCOLM,
however, left Dunkirk with 1,200 troops at 0300, during heavy
shelling, on relief by IVANHOE. S.N.O. Dunkirk, however,
continued to call for more ships. No more destroyers were
available and there were no means of accelerating the arrival
of the vessels despatched there. By 0700 the Vice Admiral
had no news of the fate of the personnel ships that had sailed
the previous evening and during the night, None of these
ships had reached the U.K. to unload, and it appeared probable
that these ships may have concentrated in the narrow waters
close to Dunkirk, inviting a repetition of the heavy air
attacks with consequent damage and loss to transports which
had occurred on the two previous occasions when personnel
vessels, together with other ships, had been concentrated in
large numbers in the approaches to Dunkirk.
At this time there were no less than 9 personnel
vessels and 3 hospital carriers known to be on the round trip
U.K. - Dunkirk and back, and one other personnel vessel had
been ordered to sail during the night, but horwhereabouts was
unknown and it was feared that she had refused to sail.
In
addition, 3 other personnel vessels were under orders to sail
between 0900 and 1030. Pending the return of the ships en
passage, and while the coal-burners were being rebunkered, the
further sailing of personnel vessels was in suspense.
Note: Owing to the casualties to Personnel vessels at
this stage, coal burning cross channel steamers had to be
used for some of the trips and short endurance necessita-
ted coaling between trips which could not be done in the
vicinity of Dover, thus preventing a quick turn round.
53. During the night a considerable amount of enemy
minelaying activity by air was reported. Shelling was heavy
during the evening and night, and operations were greatly
hampered. Nevertheless, with the cessation of shelling at
about 0300, very good progress was made and by full dawn the
beaches were very nearly clear of troops. At 0530 attacks on
Dunkirk harbour and the beach from Dunkirk to Bray developed
more strength and the bombardment of Dunkirk continued.
Nevertheless, the S.N.O. reported that the embarkation there
was proceeding satisfactorily but stressed the need for more
ships and constant fighter protection. At this time French
troops began to appear at Dunkirk pier and on the beaches, and
were embarked with the British troops.
54. At 0600 VIMY sighted submarine off the N.W.
Goodwins/

Details

149
147
14536
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 26
Operation "DYNAMO" - arrative of Events,
1/6
Saturday 1st June (continued).
Personnel vessel PRAGUE attacked by enemy aircraft
when on return from Dunkirk in position 2 miles 315° from V.
Buoy loaded with troops. She was eventually taken in tow and
beached in the Downs opposite Sandown Castle.
Destroyer HAVANT attacked by enemy aircraft off
Dunkirk, hit by bombs and sank.
Personnel vessel SCOTIA attacked by aircraft on way
back from Dunkirk loaded with troops, Ship sank but crew and
troops mostly picked up, the majority being taken by the ESK.
Gunboat MOSQUITO attacked by enemy aircraft at about
1200 and sunk.
Trawler WESTWARD HO. Slight damage by near misses
from aircraft.
Destroyer WORCESTER at 1630 - 1700 damaged by enemy
bombing attack on leaving Dunkirk. Proceeded to Dover under
own steam.
Corvette KINGFISHER damaged by enemy bombing attack
and rendered unseaworthy in rough weather.
Minesweeper SANDOWN damaged by shell fire in boiler
room.
Destroyer IVANHOE damaged by aircraft bombing attack.
Taken in tow and proceeded to Sheerness.
Destroyer VIVACIOUS damaged by aircraft bombing attack
returned to Dover under own steam.
Bearing
Personnel vessel MONA'S ISLE. On way to Dunkirk
straddled by enemy shore batteries at No.5 Buoy and subsequent-
ly attacked by dive bombers - all near misses. Ship proceeded
to Dunkirk - embarked troops. Advised by Senior Naval Officer,
Dunkirk, to wait until high water as ship was fully loaded and
returned at 0400, arriving Dover on June 2nd at 0150. Ship
was found to be making water in No.2 stokehold and steam pipes
to be leaking.
F.A.A. Training Yacht GRIVE after leaving Dunkirk,
was blown up by a mine.
Minesweeper SKIPJACK was off La Panne engaged in
embarking troops. Continuous air attacks were made on the ship
from 0530. No fighters were seen except for about 5 minutes.
250 - 300 troops had been embarked by 0845 when ship was hit
several times. Orders were given to abandon ship and within
about 2 minutes she turned turtle. Most of the troops were
lost, having been put below. Those in the water were machine-
gunned.
Destroyer BASILISK was embarking troops off La Panne
and

Details

APPENDIX I.
160
to
Operation "DYNAMO"
Narrative of Events.
162
-
LIST OF H.M. SHIPS, PERSONNEL SHIPS AND HOSPITAL CARRIERS
TAKING. PART.
A.A. CRUISER:
CALCUTTA
DESTROYERS:
ANTHONY
HARVESTER
MALCOLM
VIVACIOUS
BASILISK
HAVANT
MONTROSE
WAKEFUL
BLYSKAWICA
ICARUS
SABRE
WHITEHALL
CODRINGTON
IMPULSIVE
SALADIN
WHITSHED
ESK
INTREPID
SCIMITAR
WINCHELSEA
EXPRESS
IVANHOE
SHIKARI
WINDSOR
GALLANT
JAGUAR
VENOMOUS
WOLFHOUND
GRAFTON
JAVELIN
VANQUISHER
WOLSEY
GRENADE
KEITH
VERITY
WORCESTER
GREYHOUND
MACKAY
VIMY
(40)
SLOOPS:
BIDEFORD
GUNBOATS:
LOCUST
MOSQUITO
UNESWEEPERS:
ALBURY
HEBE
QUEEN OF THANET
BRIGHTON QUEEN
HALCYON
ROSS
BRIGHTON BELLE
KELLETT
SALAMANDER
DEVONIA
LEDA
SALTASH
DUNDALK
LYDD
SKIPJACK
DUCHESS OF FIFE
MARMION
SANDOWN
EMPEROR OF INDIA
MEDWAY QUEEN
SNAEFELL
EL
FITZROY
NIGER
SPEEDWELL
GLENAVON
ORIOLE
SUTTON
GLENGO
PANGBOURNE
SHARPSHOOTER
GOSSAMER
PLYNLIMMON
WAVERLEY
GRACIE FIELDS
PRINCESS ELIZABETH WESTWARD HO
A/S VESSELS:
ARLEY
COMFORT
MARETTA
BOTANIC
CONIDAW
NAUTILUS
BROCK
FYLDEA
POLLY JOHNSON
CALVI
GULZAR
SANGASSO
CHICO
JOHN CATLING
STARLIGHT RAYS
re
SPECIAL SERVICE CRESTED EAGLE
GOLDEN EAGLE
ROYAL EAGLE
ESSELS:
"LL" TRAWLERS: INVERFORTH LORD INCHCAPE OUR BAIRNS THOMAS BARTLETT
it
A/S TRAWLERS:
ARGYLLSHIRE
KINGSTON ANDALUSITE STELLA DORADO
ore
BLACKBURN ROVERS
KINGSTON OLIVINE
THURINGIA
CAYTON WYKE
LADY PHILOMENA
WESTELLA
an
GRIMSBY TOWN
SAON
WOLVES
ue
KINGSTON ALALITE
SPURS
OLVINA
all
INE RECOVERY
FIDGET
JACKETA
SILVER DAWN
RIFTERS:
FISHER BOY
LORD CAVAN

Details

Details

Details

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
APPENDIX. VI.
179
to
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
177
5
Enemy aircraft destroyed by ships' fire.
Ship.
Locality.
Time.
Polish T.B.D. BLYSKAWICA
Dunkirk Roads.
H.M.S. VIVACIOUS
0315/27
Dunkirk Roads.
H.M.S. VIVACIOUS
1130/27
Dunkirk Roads.
H.M.S. WOLFHOUND
1140/27
Dunkirk Roads.
H.M.P.M/S MEDWAY QUEEN
1500/27
North Goodwin.
HcM.Sc MONTROSE
Dawn/28
Near Kwinte Buoy.
M.T.B. 16
1500/28
Bray.
1530/28
H.M.S. SABRE and other ships
Dunkirk Harbour.
1630/29
H.M.S. BIDEFORD
Dunkirk Roads.
1700/29
H.M.S. EXPRESS
Dunkirk Roads.
1700/29
H.M.S. MOSQUITO
Bray.
1900/29
S.S. LEVENWOOD (Store ship}
Bray.
S.S. LEVENWOOD ( - do
1210/31
Bray.
1220/31
H.M. Skoot AMAZONE
Dunkirk Roads.
1440/31
H.M.S. HEBE
La Panne.
1700/31
af
H.M.S. SCIMITAR and other
ships
Bray.
1700/31
S.S. LADY OF MAN (Trassport) Dunkirk Roads.
1700/31
nd
H.M.Y. ARONIA
La Panne.
1830/31
H.M.S. WHITSHED
Dunkirk Roads.
1930/31
H.M.S. SALTASH
Bray.
2000/31
S.S. NEPHRITE (Store ship)
On Route X.
2030/31
H.M.Y. GRIVE
Dunkirk Roads.
2030/31
H.M.Y. ARONIA
Dunkirk Harbour.
0500/1
H.M.S. IVANHOE
La Panne.
0530/1
is
H.M.S. LYDD
Bray.
0600/1
H.M.S. HARVESTER
Dunkirk Harbour.
0600/1
H.M.S. HARVESTER and
other ships
Dunkirk Roads.
0610/1
H.M.Ships CODRINGTON,
3
HARVESTER and others
Off Gravelines.
0750/1
S
H.M.S. SKIPJACK
La Panne.
0900/1
H.M.S. MALLARD
On Route X.
1015/1
H.M.S. CALCUTTA
Between W and Y Buoys.
1020/1
H.M.P. M/S MEDWAY QUEEN
West of Dunkirk.
1600/1
H.M.Y. ALOUETTE
Off Gravelines.
1700/1
H.M.Y. CRISTOBEL II and
other ships
La Panne.
1730/1.
H.M.S. WORCESTER
Dunkirk Roads.
2000/1
TOTAL: 35 enemy aircraft definitely destroyed by ships'
gun fire between 0300/27 and 2000/1.
ery
In addition over the same period 21 others were heavily
damaged by ships' fire (and seen in distress but
NOT seen to crash definitely) of H.M. Ships HARVESTI
IVANHOE, VIVACIOUS, WINCHELSEA, WOLFHOUND, SABRE,
LOCUST, FITZROY, LYDD, MALLARD, MOSQUITO, WOLSEY,
EXPRESS, JAGUAR, GLEN AVON, ORIOLE, H.N.Y. ARONIA,
as
Storeship NEPHRITE and French M.T.B.24.
)p]
Note: On 30th May flying conditions were bad and few
enemy aircraft operated. After the 1st June
operations proceeded only between dusk and day.
i

Details

260
2
Royal Naval Hospital,
Cha tham.
Dynamo 251,
B14/0/1276
263
6th
June,
1940.
259
H.M.S. GRIVE - REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS. 262
to GRIVE
(Report from Sub Lt. J.K.B. Miles, R.N.V.R.,
dated 6th June, 1940.)
the movements of
1 The Hon. L.J.O. Lambart
bn
II.
5m Portsmouth on Wednesday
to notify the changes in
80
and which may possibly
y in compiling CR ualty list
No. 0221/80.
ers to proceed from
VICE ADMIRAL, DOVER.
5-40) S/Lt. F.B. Hobson
seen the Medical Officer
Forwarded. It is suggested that
e of which he was
recommendations for awards to officers should
meantime Captain Lambert
be made on the contents of this letter, and
Lee-on-Solent as an
after further reference to Sub Lieut. Miles
operations and he joined
as regards ratings. I would like to add
that Captain the Hon. Lionel Lambart was 67
years of age and was one of the happiest men
th at 1530 on the
in England when he came to say goodbye before
2400 awaiting further
sailing for Dover.
re at 0800 30th and
mander-in-Chief Dover,
the evening tide at
Hames
00 and we proceeded
Portsmouth.
ach with our two whalers
10th June, 1940.
Admiral.
ed however that for the
d carry this method was
CADMIRAL
VE" remained about two
ver A.M. 31st with
n air raid on the town
13JUN 1940
but the beach remained
SV-R
attack at the Eastern
guns.
at 1400 31st, "GRIVE
bout 2000, and took O
psoy 400 troops Irom the Jetty, more might have been
e 2891 but there was a very severe air raid and as the
This were three abreast at the jetty Captain Lambart
theade 1 to withdraw and reduce the target. This air maid
BMS'S med out to sea and just after clearing the harbour
1th0 uconfidentally thought that "GRIVE'S" after 12 pounder
£8006 for an enemy machine. Returning to Dover by
Heanr 6. June, "GRIVE" landed her troops, and although having
ounds of ammunition per gun, set out again at 0300.
IBB-0 moon
a NORBE. Joproaching Dunkirk about 0800 "GRIVE" proceeded in
spett to a signal to the assistance of H.M.S. "IVANHOE",
gruer Accourival found another vessel alongside already. I
EBHI SETho armanted to Captain Lambart that I could see a group
contien anrine owne on the jetty and he accordingly proceeded alongside
ca Bk them off undergoing very heavy bombing attacks
in De Domenthe babunately left us unharmed although one salvo dropped
Lunde the jetty while we were on the inside. We
mcvoe.dh edot missenrom the harbour and proceeded to sea, a tremendous
was proceeding all this time.
and
[over

Details

260
2
Royal Naval Hospital,
Chatham
263
6th June, 1940.
The Commander-in-Chief,
H.M. Ships & Vessels.
Portsmouth.
to GRIVE
Sir,
I have the honour to report the movements of
H.M.S. "GRIVE", commanded by Captain The Hon. L.J.O. Lambart
g
D.S.O., R.N., from her departure from Portsmouth on Wednesday
29th May, 1940, and also especially to notify the changes in
officer personnel which took place and which may possibly
have caused confusion or uncertainty in compiling CA ualty list
At the time of receiving orders to proceed from
Portsmouth to Dover (i.e. 1300. 29-5-40) S/Lt. F.B. Hobson
R.N.V.R. was unwell and had already seen the Medical Officer
at R.N.B. Portsmouth, in consequence of which he was
immediately put ashore, but in the meantime Captain Lambert
had obtained Lt. Branwell R.N. from Lee-on-Solent as an
additional officer for the pending operations and he joined
the ship just before sailing.
H.M.S. "GRIVE" left Portsmouth at 1530 on the
29/5 29th May and anchored off Dover at 2400 awaiting further
orders. Captain Lambart went ashore at 0800 30th and
after receiving orders from the Commander-in-Chief Dover,
decided to sail at 1400 and utilise the evening tide at
Dunkirk.
30/5
Dunkirk was reached about 1900 and we proceeded
to take off troops from the East beach with our two whalers
and two motor boats, it was evidenced however that for the
number of troops which "GRIVE" could carry this method was
not an economic proposition. "GRIVE" remained about two
and a half hours and returned to Dover A.M. 31st with
just under 300 troops. There was an air raid on the town
during the period of "GRIVE'S" stay but the beach remained
untouched except for some artillery attack at the Eastern
end, directed I think, against A.A. guns.
Setting out again from Dover at 1400 31st, "GRIVE"
31/5
this time entered Dunkirk Harbour about 2000, and took O
nearly 400 troops from the jetty, more might have been
taken, but there was a very severe air raid and as the
ships were three abreast at the jetty Captain Lambart
decided to withdraw and reduce the target. This air maid
continued out to sea and just after clearing the harbour
it was confidentally thought that "GRIVE'S" after 12 pounder
accounted for an enemy machine. Returning to Dover by
0100 lst June, "GRIVE" landed her troops, and although havin,
8
only 5 rounds of ammunition per gun, set out again at 0300.
1/6
Approaching Dunkirk about 0800 "GRIVE" proceeded "IVANHOE" in
to a signal to the assistance of H.M.S. I
but response arrival found another vessel alongside already.
of on the jetty and he accordingly proceeded attacks alongsidle
then on reported to Captain Lambart that I could see a group
troops them off undergoing very heavy bombing
and which we fortunately took left us unharmed although one salvo dropped lle
withdrew just from the harbour and proceeded to sea, a tremendouss
outside the jetty while we were on the inside.
ned
air battle was proceeding all this time.
[over

Details

- 2 -
12
she if she was spared further direct attack it seemed tug likely
By now H.M.S. "IVANHOE" was in tow with a and
261
who had earlier taken troops and survivors off H.M.S. "IVANHOE",
would make home, in the meantime H.M.S. "HAVANT,"
264
was hit and on fire and did not look likely to last, she was
half-hull down and listing badly to port. "GRIVE" got
alongside and took off all the troops and "IVANHOE" survivors
together with wounded and her medical officer, another vessel
had "HAVANT" in tow. "GRIVE" then proceeded to Dover having
1300. about 700 on board including many wounded, she arrived about
At this stage Captain Lambart put Lt. C.E. est R.N.R.
of the ship at the beach and in harbour and alongside
ashore, his work had been tremendous and his skilful manouevring
H.M.S. "HAVANT" contributed enormously to "GRIVE" 8" success,
but he had done his share, and as a man of over sixty had
earned a rest.
Nevertheless Captain Lambart himself would not rest
and having called the crew together, who had been simply
magnificent, told them of his intention to start off again
1/6
immediately and take part in the operation at 2200. that night.
They were all as determined as he, and "GRIVE" sailed about 160
having first taken on provisions and ammunition.
Before sailing we were reinforced by S/Lt. Meyer.
R.N.V.R. from Dover, and also we put ashore the 4th Engineer
Officer (T.124), Mr. Terry, whose nerves were not standing
the strain, incidentally he had already lost his ship once in
this war, the H.M.Y. "PRINCESS".
Lt. Branwell was throughout a tremendous value and
showed great energy and efficiency. "GRIVE" proceeded slowly
to the rendezvous and whilst proceeding along the South side
of the channel to Dunkirk we heard an aeroplane in the
vicinity though could not see anything, a few minutes later
(about 22307 there was a tremendous explosion and "GRIVE" was
literally blown to pieces and sank in a few seconds. I
think it is probably that the 'plane we heard was actually
sowing magnetic mines in the paths being used by shipping ano
"GRIVE" was an immediate victim.
Together with three others of the ships company I
was picked up by a boat from a drifter and I believe about
a dozen others were picked up by another drifter and 3 or 4
more by a destroyer. The ships proceeded to Dunkirk and
took off troops and we were all landed at Ramsgate.
I trust this report, sir, though not necessary is not
tedious, but having regard to the personality of my fine old
Captain and to the fact that so far as I know I am the
only surviving officer I felt it my duty and thought that
you would wish to have an account of the matter.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) J.K.B.Miles.
S/Lt. R.N.V.R.
ide
pped
dous
[over

Details

262
Royal Naval Hospital,
265
Chatham.
6th June, 1940.
The Commander-in-Chief,
H.M.Ships & Vessels.
GRIVE
Portsmouth.
Sir,
83
I have the honour to report the movements of
H.M.S. "GRIVE", commanded by Captain The Hon. L.J.O.Lambart
D.S.O., R.N., from her departure from Portsmouth on Wednesday
29th May, 1940, and also especially to notify the changes in
officer personnel which took place and which may possibly
have caused confusion or uncertainty in compiling casualty lists.
At the time of receiving orders to proceed from
Portsmouth to Dover (i.e. 1300. 29-5-40) S/Lt. F.B.Hobson
R.N.V.R. was unwell and had already seen the Medical Officer
at R.N.B. Portsmouth, in consequence of which he was
immediately put ashore, but in the meantime Captain Lambert
had obtained Lt. Branwell R.N. from Lee-on-Solent as an
additional officer for the pending operations and he joined
the ship just before sailing.
H.M.S. "GRIVE" left Portsmouth at 1530 on the
29th May and anchored off Dover at 2400 awaiting further
orders. Captain Lambart went ashore at 0800 30th and
after receiving orders from the Commander-in-Chief Dover,
decided to sail at 1400 and utilise the evening tide at
Dunkirk.
Dunkirk was reached about 1900 and we proceeded
to take off troops from the East beach with our two whalers
and two motor boats, it was evidenced however that for the
number of troops which "GRIVE" could carry this method was
not an economic proposition. "GRIVE" remained about two
and a half hours and returned to Dover A.M. 31st with
just under 300 troops. There was an air raid on the town
during the period of "GRIVE'S" stay but the beach remained
untouched except for some artillery attack at the Eastern
end, directed I think, against A.A. guns.
Setting out again from Dover at 1400 31st, "GRIVE"
this time entered Dunkirk Harbour about 2000, and took off
nearly 400 troops from the jetty, more might have been
taken, but there was very severe air raid and as the
ships were three abrenst at the jetty Cantain Lambart
decided to withdraw and reduce the target. This air maid
continued out to sea and just after clearing the harbour
it was confidentally thought that "GRIVE'S" after 12 pounder
accounted for an enemy machine. Returning to Dover by
0100 1st June, "GRIVE" landed her troops, and although having
only 5 rounds of ammunition per gun, set out again at 0300.
response to a signal to the assistance of H.M.S. "IVANHOE", I
Approaching Dunkirk about 0800 "GRIVE" proceeded in
but arrival found another vessel alongside already.
of on the jetty and he accordingly proceeded attacks alongside
then on reported to Captain Lambart that I could see a group
and troops took them off undergoing very heavy bombing
just outside the jetty while we were on the inside.
hich we fortunately left us unharmed although one salvo We dropped
withdrew from the harbour and proceeded to sea, a tremendous
air battle was proceeding all this time.
[over

Details

- 2
Royal Noval Hospital 263
By now H.M.S. "IVANHOE" was in tow with a tug and
if she was spared further direct attack it seemed likely
266
she would make home, in the meantime H.M.S. "HAVANT,"
The
who had earlier taken troops and survivors off H.M.S. "IVANHOE",
was hit and on fire and did not look likely to last, she was
half-hull down and listing badly to port. "GRIVE" got
longside and took off all the troops and "IVANHOE" survivors
together with wounded and her medical officer, another vessel
had "HAVANT" in tow. "GRIVE" then proceeded to Dover having
1300. about 700 on board including many wounded, she arrived about
At this stage Captain Lambart put Lt. C.E. est R.N.R.
ashore, his work had been tremendous and his skilful manouevring
of the ship at the beach and in harbour and alongside
H.M.S. "HAVANT" contributed enormously to "GRIVE success,
but he had done his share, and as a man of over sixty had
earned a rest.
Nevertheless Captain Lambart himself would not rest
and having called the crew together, who had been simply
magnificent, told them of his intention to tart off again
immediately and take part in the operation at 2200. that night.
They were all as determined as he, and "GRIVE" sailed about 160
having first taken on provisions and ammunition.
Before sailing we were reinforced by S/Lt. Meyer.
R.N.V.R. from Dover, and also we put ashore the 4th Engineer
Officer (T.124), Mr. Terry, whose nerves were not standing
the strain, incidentally he had already lost his ship once in
this war, the H.M.Y. "PRINCESS".
Lt. Branwell was throughout a tremendous value and
showed great energy and efficiency. "GRIVE" proceeded slowly
to the rendezvous and whilst proceeding along the South side
of the channel to Dunkirk we heard an aeroplane in the
vicinity though could not see anything, a few minutes later
(about 22307 there was a tremendous explosion and "GRIVE" was
14
.iterally blown to pieces and sank in a few seconds.
I
think it is probably that the 'plane we heard was actually
sowing magnetic mines in the paths being used by shipping and
"GRIVE" was an immediate victim.
Together with three others of the ships company I
was picked up by a boat from a drifter and I believe about
dent
a dozen others were picked up by another drifter and 3 or
more by a destroyer. The ships proceeded to Dunkirk and
took off troops and we were all landed at Ramsgate.
I trust this report, sir, though not necessary is not
tedious, but having regard to the personality of my fine old
Captain and to the fact that so far as I know I am the
only surviving officer I felt it my duty and thought that
you would wish to have an account of the matter.
way
I have the honour to be, Sir,
further
Your
obedient
servant,
at
30th
(Signed)
J.K.B.Miles.
Mrs
commander
S/Lt. R.N.V.R.
1400
the
at
ded
[over

Details

269-
266
heavy bombing attachs which fortunately left us
unharmed attough one salud dropped just outside
-
the jetty while we were on the inside We withdrew
from the harbour of proceeded to sea, a tremendous
air battle was proceeding all this time. By now
H.M.S. Ivanhoe was in Tow with a tug O it she
was spared further direct attach it seemed likely
she would make home, in the meantime H.M.S. Hawant,
who had earlier taken troops D survivors off
H.M.S. Ivanhoe, was hit Q on fire o did not
look likely to last, she was half -hull down
Q listing badly to port. Grive got alongside
o took off all the troops of Ivanhoe survivors
together with wounded Q her medical officer,
another vessel had Havant in tow. Grive then
proceeded to Dover having about yoo on board
in cluding many wounded, she arrived about 1300
at this stage Capt. hambart put ht. C.E. West R.N.R.
ashore, his work had been tremendous Q his
skil full manovering of the ship at the beach
of in harbour o alongside H.M.S. Havant
contributed enormously to grives success, but
S
he had done his share o as a man of over
n
sixty had earned a rest nevertheless Capt. Lambart
himself would not rest s having called the
d
re
crew together , who had been simply magnificient,
told them of his intention to start off again
immediately Q take part in the operation at
S
2200. that night They were all as determined
hi
or
as he D grive sailed about 1600 having just
taken on provisions D ammunition.
que
Before sailing we were rempred by s/Lt
si
Weyer R N.U.R. from Dover of also we put
[over

Details

10
302
About from seaward this time saw a Belgian fishing boat 200
tigate. down the Zuidcoote Pass. BASILISK appear on inves- scene
Was first of a dozen such boats which to
tion. appeared; on their way to Dunkerque to assist in shortly evacua-
As mists and clouds dispersed many aircraft appeared
scene, and fighters constantly came low over us. Often on
they were Spitfires, but our ships were not taking any
chances and opened fire indiscriminately on them.
Hoisted signal "Cease Fire" and blew syren to attract
attention, but our own machine gun aft in KEITH continued
firing - once firing started they could not hear the
"cease fire" gong.
KEITH now had only about 30 rounds of H.A. ammunition left,
SO decided would shortly transfer flag to BASILISK and send
(29)
KEITH into Dunkerque to fill up and return to Dover.
Before I could do this a very heavy bombing attack develop-
ed, first of all in and around Dunkerque itself. IVANHOE
was hit and entirely enveloped in smoke just off entrance;
2 hours later saw her being towed back to Dover. HAVANT
was sunk near the entrance.
(24)
Not long afterwards a compact formation of 30-40 JU 87's
appeared from the S.W. Everyone opened fire on them and
enemy spread out. Fire seemed effective and thought it
was driving them away, so left bridge for a moment.
KEITH attacked by 3 D/Bs: one bomb burst 10 yards astern
and helm jammed when hard over; two others near misses.
Ship soon under control in hand steering: 1 man hurt.
1900
Attacked by 3 more D/Bs: one bomb down after funnel and
(25)
exploded below; several casualties.
Owing to danger of fire, foremost torpedo tubes were fired As
to get rid of torpedoes. Holes in side from bomb.
ship could not steam let go anchor, and shortly after
(80)
MTB 102 came alongside. Could do no good in KEITH, so
transferred to the MTB with my staff and 1 wounded man.
Sent two nearby tugs to assist KEITH and then made for
Dunkerque. KEITH again attakked and hit under bridge:
heavy list to port, but H.A. gun still firing. She was
twice more and her men were taken off by a tug, which the
hit picked up men from BASILISK and SKIPJACK: both sunk:
latter also sunk at this time. Tug also was bombed down and and
about 30 of KEITH'S men lost, and planes came
machined gunned men in water.
MTB to see General Alexander (now in command Tennant.
bombed most of the way in, but managed to dodge after them.
0915
Landed Gort's departure), but he was away and so was
Learnt that plan was to continue evacuation during the next
(31)
(26)
night withdraw from their new positions at dawn and for several
from western beaches and Dunkerque; rear guard retire were to
Dunkerque. to This meant continuing embarkation
hours spaces round local H.Q. full of ambulances and ounded
of daylight: feared heavy losses.
Open doctors doing what they could.
with ships still afloat had left Dunkerque, MTB so returned and, in to
make spite of more bombing and machine gunning, Dover
All contact with VA, Dover. Left in the reached
1130
in safety at 1130.
Embarkation Plan to take place between 2100 and of 0330 Dunkerque. and was to
for the night:-
(27)
be from this a large number of ships and small also being were being sent
the 1½ miles of beach to the east craft
For and sent over. Personnel ships RAF to
assembled Dunkerque itself to go alongside pier. were the
into their efforts between 1900 and and 0700 from over
period concentrate when ships would be on passage to
Dunkerque. cross-channel type used for normal ferrying
Personnel across ships to = France. Manned by and their loading alongside crews
troops been going into the harbour so were very
and had could carry 3,000 men, used
(28)
valuable; the pier. but Some they were large targets and were reluctance with

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
- 2 -
57
H.M.S. "Grafton".
Report of Enquiry (Continuation)
9553
1940
possible to elicit the cause of this damage.
9.
At 0400 approximately the ship was floating at about
normal draught, except for a small list about 5° - to
starboard and slightly down by the stern. Steam was main-
tained in No. 1 boiler.
10. Preparations were being made for "Grafton" to be taken
in tow. "Ivanhoe" came alongside. As, however, she was on
her way to Dunkirk to evacuate troops it was decided to abandon
"Grafton". "Ivanhoe" then took on board Officers and men
remaining in "Grafton". "Ivanhoe" stood off and fired about
8 rounds of 4.7" shell at "Grafton" and then proceeded to
Dunkirk. On "Ivanhoe's" return passage from Dunkirk at about
1600 she passed close to the spot where she had left "Grafton"
and there was no sign of the latter though "Wakeful's" bow was
seen still standing up (see Para. 3 of my report No.2/2 AB/40
of 10th August, 1940).
11. From the information elicited it is clear that from the
material point of view "Grafton" stood up very well to damage
received and the sea being slight, it seems that had there been
any vessel available to take her in tow, there was a reasonable
possibility of the ship reaching a British port.
12. A small point in connection with material which may be
worth noting was that the explosion caused by the torpedo tore
out four aluminium alloy scuttle frames two on the port side
in the after cabin flat and two on the starboard side in the
fore cabin flat. Scuttle frames of this material appear to be
too weak to withstand heavy shocks.
13. No arrangements had been made to destroy the Asdic
dome : . C.B.s in the chest in the Captain's cabin sank in the
ship. S.P.'s, Secret Mine Chart and Charts were thrown over-
board in a weighted bag.
14.
I was assisted in my enquiry by Commander John Domvile
Auchmity Musters R.N. and Commander (E) William Evelyn Cavendish
Davy R.N.
I am,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
aBedford
The Secretary
of the Admiralty.
Vice Admiral.
C. E. 7831/1922.

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 13.
Operation "DYNAMO"
Narrative of Events.
Thursday, 30th May.
40. As an example of the difficulty of any one man
appreciating the situation at Dunkirk and the beaches during
the night, at 0030/30 the S.N.O. on the French Coast reported
that he had no destroyers. In fact, at that time, all
available destroyers, namely 10, in the Dover Command, were
either on, or on passage to or from, the coast, and the
remaining 5 were at Dover discharging troops, embarking
ammunitition, fuelling, etc. and were to sail within the next
+ hours.
Simultaneously the V.C.I.G.S. reported that the
beaches were well organised, the troops in good heart, and
there had been no bombing since dark, but that there was still
a great shortage of small craft - urgently required. This
last fact was well known to the Vice Admiral, Dover.
41. Commander-in-Chief, Nore, was requested to send as
nuch grass hawser as possible to Ramsgate, as quickly as
ossible, for supplying the skoots, to haul boats off the
beaches, thus speeding up the boat work to compensate for the
hortage of boats, which would continue for at least another
14 hours.
42. At 0500 the 7 modern destroyers remaining with Vice
dmiral, Dover - ICARUS, IMPULSIVE, INTREPID, IVANHOE, HAR-
ESTER, HAVANT and JAVELIN - sailed to Sheerness in accordance
ith Admiralty instructions. The MONTROSE and MACKAY sailed
'or repairs.
43. Meantime the Vice Admiral, Dover, had been much
xercised regarding the possibility of the continued use of
unkirk harbour for personnel vessels and was anxiously
waiting the report from VANQUISHER, who had been sent to
nvestigate the reported obstruction. VANQUISHER'S report
as received at 0610 stating entrance was practicable but that
bstruction exists towards outer inside end of the EASTERN ARM.
ending amplifying reports, the sailing of personnel vessels
o Dunkirk was resumed, although at this time there were still
personnel vessels presumed to be in the vicinity of Dunkirk
arbour, whose movements and whereabouts throughout the night
till remained obscure.
The Vice Admiral asked R.A. Dover, who was in HEBE,
hether personnel ships could, in fact, still use Dunkirk. In
he meantime a series of signals from Rear Admiral Dover, and
estroyers off the coast, were received, stating that the
eaches were filling up rapidly and more ships and boats were
rgently required there. Although it was known that the
estroyers could use Dunkirk, it appeared at this time that the
est division of transport was to send the great majority of
estroyers to the beaches, where urgent demands could not be
gnored, and the personnel vessels to Dunkirk Harbour, only an
ccasional destroyer being sent to Dunkirk from the reduced
umber now available for the operation.
44/

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 14.
peration "DYNAMO"
-
Narrative of Events.
'hursday, 30th May. (Continued).
44. At Dunkirk there were no air attacks in the early
orning and all was quict. Later, when ships began to arrive
n quantity, in view of the massive target presented by a
umber of ships alongside the East pier at C. time, the S.N.O.,
Dunkirk ordered destroyers alongside only one at a time. At
bout 0800 a store ship arrived at Dunkirk with provisions but
10 water. This caused so much congestion on the pier that
inloading was abandoned when half complete, and the store ship
filled with troops. A certain amount of water was obtained
from destroyers.
45. During the forenoon the Military constructed a long
pier of lorries with deck planking, into the sea off Bray. This
vas an excellent piece of work, but was insufficiently stable
for use by such craft as paddle steamers, nor even smaller
power craft in a lop. It was invaluable later for embarking
troops into small boats. As regards general embarkation off
the beaches, it was later learnt that it was c common occurrence
for processions of small boats loaded with troops to be cast
adrift when empty and allowed to float away to seaward, owing
to the lack of sufficient naval ratings as boat-keepers. For
the same reason many of the smaller pulling boats were swamped
and sunk due to overloading by uncontrolled "rush" of soldiers.
Both these faults were remedied later.
46. Matters proceeded smoothly throughout the day owing
to the mist and there being a big smoke cloud over Dunkirk
which prevented the enemy bombers attacking the ships in large
numbers.
In order to increase the rate of embarkation through
the bottle-neck of the East Pier gangway, the troops were
urged to quicken their pace and eventually thousands of troops,
tired and without food and water for days, broke into the
double and kept it up the whole length of the pier for more
than two hours.
47. The attempt to maintain an adequate rate of lift
using only the older destroyers was by now shown to be
impracticable. The destroyers were lifting about 17,000,
personnel vessels about 9500 in the 24 hours. Remaining
vessels were estimated to be worth about 15,000 per day. This
gave a total lift of about 43,000 per day. The situation
called for & lift of at least 55,000 per day. Verbal
representations being made to C.N.S., authority was received
for the return to the Dover Command of the modern destroyers
released the ight before.
Accordingly Commander-in-Chief, Nore, at 1531 gave
orders to HARVESTER, HAVANT, IVANHOE, IMPULSIVE, ICARUS and
INTREPID to proceed at once to Dunkirk. Subsequently some of
these destroyers were diverted to the beaches.
48/

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 17.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
Friday, 31st May.
51. The Admiralty informed the Vice Admiral that the
policy of H. M. Government was that both British and French
troops be given an equal opportunity of being evacuated in
British ships and boats.
52. Personnel ships had been sailed the previous evening
and throughout the night of the 30th/31st to provide for a
continuous flow into Dunkirk harbour. But at 0320 the S.N.O.
reported that once again the majority of these Personnel ships
had failed to enter the harbour during the dark hours. MALCOLM,
however, left Dunkirk with 1,200 troops at 0300, during heavy
shelling, on relief by IVANHOE. S.N.O. Dunkirk, however,
continued to call for more ships. No more destroyers were
available and there were no means of accelerating the arrival
of the vessels despatched there. By 0700 the Vice Admiral
had no news of the fate of the personnel ships that had sailed
the previous evening and during the night. None of these
ships had reached the U.K. to unload, and it appeared probable
that these ships may have concentrated in the narrow waters
close to Dunkirk, inviting a repetition of the heavy air
attacks with consequent damage and loss to transports which
had occurred on the two previous occasions when personnel
vessels, together with other ships, had been concentrated in
large numbers in the approaches to Dunkirk.
At this time there were no less than 9 personnel
vessels and 3 hospital carriers known to be on the round trip
U.K. - Dunkirk and back, and one other personnel vessel had
been ordered to sail during the night, but herwhereabouts was
unknown, and it was feared that she had refused to sail. In
addition, 3 other personnel vessels were under orders to sail
between 0900 and 1030. Pending the return of the ships en
passage, and while the coal-burners were being rebunkered, the
further sailing of personnel vessels was in suspense.
Note: Owing to the casualties to Personnel vessels at
this stage, coal burning cross channel steamers had to be
used for some of the trips and short endurance necessita-
ted coaling between trips which could not be done in the
vicinity of Dover, thus preventing a quick turn round.
53. During the night a considerable amount of enemy
minelaying activity by air was reported. Shelling was heavy
during the evening and night, and operations were greatly
hampered. Nevertheless, with the cessation of shelling at
about 0300, very good progress was made and by full dawn the
beaches were very nearly clear of troops. At 0530 attacks on
Dunkirk harbour and the beach from Dunkirk to Bray developed
more strength and the bombardment of Dunkirk continued.
Nevertheless, the S.N.O. reported that the embarkation there
was proceeding satisfactorily but stressed the need for more
ships and constant fighter protection. At this time French
troops began to appear at Dunkirk pier and on the beaches, and
were embarked with the British troops.
54. At 0600 VIMY sighted submarine off the N.W.
Goodwins/

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 26
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
Saturday 1st June (continued).
Personnel vessel PRAGUE attacked by enemy aircraft
when on return from Dunkirk in position 2 miles 315° from V.
Buoy loaded with troops. She was eventually taken in tow and
beached in the Downs opposite Sandown Castle.
Destroyer HAVANT attacked by enemy aircraft off
Dunkirk, hit by bombs and sank.
Personnel vessel SCOTIA attacked by aircraft on way
back from Dunkirk loaded with troops. Ship sank but crew and
troops mostly picked up, the majority being taken by the ESK.
Gunboat MOSQUITO attacked by enemy aircraft at about
1200 and sunk.
Trawler WESTWARD HO. Slight damage by near misses
from aircraft.
Destroyer WORCESTER at 1630 - 1700 damaged by enemy
bombing attack on leaving Dunkirk. Proceeded to Dover under
own steam.
Corvette KINGFISHER damaged by enemy bombing attack
and rendered unseaworthy in rough weather.
Minesweeper SANDOWN damaged by shell fire in boiler
room.
Destroyer IVANHOE damaged by aircraft bombing attack.
Taken in tow and proceeded to Sheerness.
Destroyer VIVACIOUS damaged by aircraft bombing attack
returned to Dover under own steam.
Personnel vessel MONA'S ISLE. On way to Dunkirk
straddled by enemy shore batteries at No.5 Buoy and subsequent-
ly attacked by dive bombers - all near misses, Ship proceeded
to Dunkirk - embarked troops. Advised by Senior Naval Officer,
Dunkirk, to wait until high water as ship was fully loaded and
returned at 0400, arriving Dover on June 2nd at 0150. Ship
was found to be making water in No.2 stokehold and steam pipes
to be leaking.
F.A.A. Training Yacht GRIVE after leaving Dunkirk,
was blown up by a mine.
Minesweeper SKIPJACK was off La Panne engaged in
embarking troops. Continuous air attacks were made on the ship
from 0530. No fighters were seen except for about 5 minutes.
250 - 300 troops had been embarked by 0845 when ship was hit
several times. Orders were given to abandon ship and within
about 2 minutes she turned turtle. Most of the troops were
lost, having been put below. Those in the water were machine-
gunned.
Destroyer BASILISK was embarking troops off La Panne
and/
daylight/

Details

APPENDIX I.
to
Operation "DYNAMO"
-
Narrative of Events.
LIST OF H.M. SHIPS, PERSONNEL SHIPS AND HOSPITAL CARRIERS
TAKING. PART.
RUISER:
CALCUTTA
YERS:
ANTHONY
HARVESTER
MALCOLM
VIVACIOUS
BASILISK
HAVANT
MONTROSE
WAKEFUL
BLYSKAWICA
ICARUS
SABRE
WHITEHALL
CODRINGTON
IMPULSIVE
SALADIN
WHITSHED
ESK
INTREPID
SCIMITAR
WINCHELSEA
EXPRESS
IVANHOE
SHIKARI
WINDSOR
GALLANT
JAGUAR
VENOMOUS
WOLFHOUND
GRAFTON
JAVELIN
VANQUISHER
WOLSEY
GRENADE
KEITH
VERITY
WORCESTER
GREYHOUND
MACKAY
VILY
BIDEFORD
TS:
LOCUST
MOSQUITO
EEPERS:
ALBURY
HEBE
QUEEN OF THANET
BRIGHTON QUEEN
HALCYON
ROSS
BRIGHTON BELLE
KELLETT
SALAMANDER
EL
DEVONIA
LEDA
SALTASH
DUNDALK
LYDD
SKIPJACK
DUCHESS OF FIFE
MARMION
SANDOWN
EMPEROR OF INDIA
MEDWAY QUEEN
SNAEFELL
FITZROY
NIGER
SPEEDWELL
GLENAVON
ORIOLE
SUTTON
GLENGOWER
PANGBOURNE
SHARPSHOOTER
GOSSAMER
PLYNLIMMON
WAVERLEY
GRACIE FIELDS
PRINCESS ELIZABETH
WESTWARD HO
ESSELS:
ARLEY
COMFORT
MARETTA
BOTANIC
CONIDAW
NAUTILUS
BROCK
FYLDEA
POLLY JOHNSON
CALVI
GULZAR
SARGASSO
CHICO
JOHN CATLING
STARLIGHT RAYS
AL SERVICE CRESTED EAGLE
GOLDEN EAGLE
LS:
ROYAL EAGLE
TRAWLERS: INVERFORTH LORD INCHCAPE OUR BAIRNS THOMAS BARTLETT
RAWLERS:
ARGYLLSHIRE
KINGSTON ANDALUSITE STELLA DORADO
BLACKBURN ROVERS
KINGSTON OLIVINE
THURINGIA
CAYTON WYKE
LADY PHILOMENA
WISTELLA
GRIMSBY TOWN
SAON
WOLVES
KINGSTON ALALITE
SPURS
OLVINA
RECOVERY
FIDGET
JACKETA
ERS:
SILVER DAWN
FISHER BOY
LORD CAVAN

Details

Details

Details

Details

Ship sailed from Dover at 0850 on 29th May, did a days minesweeping
and arrived off Dunkirk, lit by the red flames of the burning oil tanks
at 0040 on 30th May. On this occasion troops were embarked off BRAY
DUNE in our own boats and canvas punts. There were no incidents of
note, and we sailed at 0515, arriving at Dover at 1015 on Thursday
morning. All boats were left on the beach by order from Rear Admiral
Dover.
Third trip. Sailing from Dover at 1330 with a party of signalmen
for LA PANNE, we arrived off BRAY at 1830. Admiral Wake Walker came
on board for passage to LA PANNE, where we transferred him to H.M.S.
"WORCESTER" and enchored at 1930. I can recall no. features of this
trip, which was eclipsed by the incidents of the following one.
we
proceeded at 0118 and arrived at Dover at 0600.
Fourth trip. In order to comply with Vice Admiral Dover's
0446/30 12 hours were spent at Dover.
A
smallamotor-boat,
the
"Handy
Billy! was requisitioned. We left at 1800 and anchored as ordered,
one mile west of LA PANNE and 4 cables from the shore, at 1207.
Sub-Lieutenant M.Phipps proceeded to search the shore in "Handy Bill
and reported no answer to his hails. Inside an hour, however, the
situation had changed, and thousands were massing abreast the ship.
UI called for more boats by searchlight up and down the immic coast,
and eventually was much assisted by H.M.S. "IVANHOE" who lent me a
motor-boat. The vital need now was for more boats. About this time
Lieutenant-Commander McLelland swam off from shore with a message for
Dover which he was just able to gasp out before collapsing. The
troops had been forcedout of LA PANNE and were marching West.
We
also embarked a Major, 2nd in Command 2nd Coldstream Guards, and on
his advice ordered the bulk of the troups to move West on Dunkirk in
small groups.
I decided to remain where I was and to embark the wounded and such
troops as refused to move on. "IVANHOE" remained with me.
At this time a paddle minesweeper most gallently grounded herself
close inshore to save as many as possible. I do not know har name.
At 0500 as I had expected a flight of Messerschmidt 109's appeared
from Eastward, flew low over the beaches and sprayed ships and men
with machine-gun fire. The silvery tracer bullets were clearly
visible in the morning light. Our fire did something to disperse
these machines and casualties did not appear to be heavy.
At 0600 Captain D in H.M.S. "CODRINGTON" asked me my intentions
End as I had 675 troops on board I replied I was proceedingt He
ordered me to Dunicirk to "Fill up".
On our way there we went alongside H.M.S. "SKIPJACK" who required
8oz.
chloroform. We then berthed on East Arm just beyond the break,
and very quickly embarked some 170 French troops. The enemy was now
bombing the town and massing off the harbour entrence. As I went
astern "IVANHOE" was hit as she steamed full speed past the pierhead.
We set course west, and were about to turn North at 5W Buoy when we
were attacked by some five Junkers 87 dive bombers. These were
followed by nine or ten otheres the a few minutes later. It was
at
this time that H.M.S. "HAVANT" was hit. During these
attacks
I
attribute our escape to the coolness and precision with which Lieut-
enant .Menisty and Yeoman of Signals J.Young ( C/J X 131436
observed each aircraft as it turned to the attack, and assisted me in
handling the ship. The salvoes sonbanneck of four small bombs and
one large one fell very close; on two occasions it was only our swing
during the flight of the bombs that saved us. The 0.5" machine-gun
fired until all the feree springs fell off. The 4" guns were hamp-
ered by the swing of the ship.
This was a most trying time for the troops between decks who could
not tell whether or not we were hit. A great deal was done to calm
them by P.O. Std. A.Hockney ( L 14824 ) who actually sat on the ladder
to the messdeck and sang to the soldiers.

Details

17.
'Dell
Leonard Travers,
Able Seaman a D/JX.133219, H.MS. Glengowe
Able Seaman James Wallis, C/SSX.27313, H.M.S. Keith.
Able Seaman Edwin George Webster, C/JX.142167, H.M.S. Kingfisher.
Able Seaman George John Woodger, C/J.45802, H.M.S. Keith.
Able Seaman Frederick William Jacobs, C/J.100758, R.F.R., B.23901,
H.M.S. Malcolm.
Able Seaman James Kidd, R.F.R., D/SSX.13321, H.M.S. Jaguar.
Able Seaman Frederick James Slack, C/J.93546, R.F.R., B.21781, H.M.S.
Crested Eagle.
Able Seaman George Tilbury, c/ss.7850, R.F.R., B.17336, H.M.S.
Crested Eagle.
Able Peaman Richard Philip Smith, R.N.V.R., БЕЗДХХЗЛАЙ MD/X.1950,
H.M.S. Codrington.
Signalman Harold Oscar Carter, C/SSX.17317, H.M.S. Locust.
Signalman Charles Raymond Craig, D/JX.141848, H.M.S. Bideford.
Signalman Harry Guy, C/JX.150713, H.M.S. Calcutta.
Signalman Eric Ernest Roden, C/J.103654, H.M.S. Locust.
Signalman Stanley Thompson, C/JX.133505, H.M.S. Kingfisher.
Signalman Leslie David Ball, R.M.V.R.? LD5/X.3548, H.M.S. Codrington.
Signalman James Stanley Duffy, R.N.N.R.A,C/TDX.1412,
Signalman Ronald Henry Walters, R.N.V.R., C/LDX.4178.
queen of Thanet.
Signalman John Albert Williamson, R.NV.R., LD/X.4036, H.M.S. Glenaven
Stoker First Class Jack Chadwick, D/KX.81834, HLM.S. Jaguar.
Stoker First Class Samuel Comben, P/K.62179, H.M.S. Vimy.
Stoker First Class Charles Irvine, C/KX.86537, H.M.S. Sabre.
Stoker First Class William Reginald Gordon Jones, C/KX.92890, H.M.S.
Wolsey.
Stoker First Class Percy William Spray, P/KX.87052, Newhaven Rosa Life Boa
Sick Berth Attendant Eric James Littlewood Gibson, D/MX.56025, Ivanhoe. H.M.S.
Sick Berth Attendant (R) Alfred Bassford, c/x.8080, R.N.A.S.B.R.
Sick Berth Attendant Albert William Keller, R.N.A.S.B.R., D/X.6785,
H.M.S. Havant.
Sick Berth Attendant James Timothy Tomlinson, R.N.A.S.B.R.? P/X.6941.
H.M.S. Vivacious.
Sick Berth Attendant Edward Welch, R.N.A.S.B.R., P/SBR/X.7341, H.M.S. Esk.
Sick Berth Attendant John Yeoman, R.N.A.S.B.R., P/X.7093, H.M.S. Express.
Ordinary Seaman Noel Edward Holmes Berry, D/JX.158456, H.M.S. Jaguar.
Ordinary Seaman Arthur Thomas Burton, P/JX.182142, H.M.S. Portsdown.
Ordinary Seaman Dominic Kenny, D/SSX.30221, H.M.S. Shikari.
Shaw
Ordinary Seaman William Lyons, D/SSX.30211, H.M.S. Shikari. are
Brigana aire

Details

Page 2.
HICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940.
WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS.
CRUISER.
TTTA
ROYERS.
ONY
INTREPID
VENOMOUS
LISK
IVANHOE
VERITY
INGTON
JAGUAR
VIMY
JAVELIN
VIVACIOUS
ESS
KEITH
WAKEFUL
ANT
MACKAY
WHITEHALL
TON
MALCOIM
WHITSHED
ADE
MONTROSE
WINCHELSEA
HOUND
SABRE
WINDSOR
ESTER
SALADIN
WOLFHOUND
NT
SCIMITAR
WOLSEY
US
SHIKARI
WORCESTER
LSIVE
VANQUISHER
P.
EFORD
VETTES.
LLEMOT
MALLARD
SHELDRAKE
GFISHER
SHEARWATER
WIDGEON
BOATS.
UST
#
MOSQUITO
ESWEEPERS.
ROSS
URY
HEBE
SALAMANDER
GHTON BELLE
KELLETT
SALTASH
GHTON QUEEN
LEDA
SANDOWN
ONIA
LYDD
SHARPSHOOTER
HESS OF FIFE
MARMION
MEDWAY QUEEN
SKIPJACK
DALK
SNAEFELL
PEROR OF INDIA
NIGER
SPEEDWELL
CZROY
ORIOLE
SUTTON
ENAVON
PANGBOURNE
WAVERLEY
ENGOWER
PLINLIMMON
WESTWARD HO
SSAMER
PORTSDOWN
CIE FIELDS
PRINCESS ELIZABETH
WHIPPINGHAM
LCYON
QUEEN OF THANET
(Continued)
Sunk.

Details

Page 8
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
M.S.
GRAFTON
- Commander (Killed Cecil E. C. Robinson, R.N.
when ship was torpedoed).
May, Bray beach. Dover 1100/28 after which she of 27th
GRAFTON landing embarked them at 277 troops during the night
to board, Leaving she Bray just after midnight returned 850
M.T.B. from a sunken ship. lying stopped picking up survivors by a
troops on at 0250, while was hit by 2 torpedoes fired with
was blown and the ship's back appeared to be broken.
The stern off of the ship abaft the after magazine bulkhead
all the ship's company that could be spared. The remainder
sea, the troops were transferred to S.S. MALINES and then
An hour later, the ship rolling heavily in a rising
transferred sinking. later to IVANHOE when GRAFTON was slowly
Recommendations.
FICER.
Surgeon-Lieutenant Joseph Wishart Shield, M.B., B.Ch. R.N.V.R.
Worked indefatigably among the many wounded and
with complete disregard for his own safety, visited
damaged compartments in the stern searching for
wounded before he could possibly have known that the
ship would not sink at once.
C.,,D,S.C.
Recommended for decoration.

Details

Page 12
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. HAVANT - Lieutenant Commander Anthony Frank Burnell-Nugent
D.S.C., R.N
first trip, while alongside home 1,500 troops in all. On the the
HAVANT 2 trips made she 3 brought trips including 2 to the beaches.
3rd embark during an intense Dunkirk pier waiting for On
assistance. off offall the troops (about to
IVANHOE Having amidships taken and on fire so steamed out she saw her
to struck aerial bombardment, troops
including subjected many wounded) to HAVAN proceeded for Dover, 500
bombing bombs in the from hore batteries. She level
soon and bombardment intense di bombing, high and low but wa
by 2 which fell engineroom, and then a large delay was action hit
bomb, about 50 yards ahead of ship, exploded
right underneath her.
Further bombing caused more underwater damage and
HAVANT finally rolled over and sank after the troops and
crew had transferred to AEGIR
Recommendations.
OFFICER.
Lieutenant Commander Anthony Frank Burnell-Nugent, D.S.C., R.N.
Evacuated troops from the beaches and from Dunkirk
during heavy bombardment. When his ship had been heavily
damaged by bombs, made every endeavour to save her when
still subject to intense aerial attack, though without
success.
D.S.C,
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS.
Chief Stoker M. Gallon, P/K. 59221.
ing
ered
The Engineer Officer and 2 E.R.A.s having been killci
and all the other E.R.A.S having been wounded, this
rating became in charge of the engineroom department.
He showed great initiative and resource by letting the
steam out of the boilers at a critical time, thereby
saving the ship from running on to a sandbank opposite
Dunkirk. He subsequently showed great calmness and
presence of mind in doing all he could to save the ship
and to keep the Captain informed of the state of affairs
DSM D.S.M.
below. He was the last rating to leave the ship.
Recommended for decoration.
Sick Berth Attendant A. Keller D/X.6785.
When faced with a large number of wounded under
heavy fire, carried out his duties with the utmost calm,
M
deliberation and efficiency.
P.S.M.M
Recommended for mention.
Petty Officer Steward J. Lysaght, D/L.13388.
IDSM
This rating showed great initiative and resource in
getting wounded men from HAVANT to AEGIR. He took charge
well and set a fine example.
Recommended for decoration.

Details

Operation "DYNAMO" Recommendations of Personnel.
Page 16,
.M.S. IVANHOE. - Commander Philip Henry Hadow. R.N.
when bringing Made returning home 1 trip a to total to Dover Dunkirk of about beach 2,900 and troops. 2 to Dunkirk pier,
subjected to heavy level with 1,000 troops on board On 1st June
of IVANHOE casualties and of flooded. aircraft, further one Off Amongst received bomb Dunkirk attacks The 26 but exploded other killed ship dive considerable all damage, by eventually these and near bombing a large bombing 30 Nos. attacks the wounded. number damage attacks reached base 1 attacks and were of from 2 developed Sheerness the Boiler avoided. by 2 foremost near a large Rooms and misses in she spite funnel number becam was
use the enemy. floats to simulate hits appears to have The misle
two occasions, of smoke though her speed was only of level 7 knots. bombers on
Recommendations.
OFFICERS:
Commander Philip Henry Hadow, R.N.
Handled his ship with skill during evacuation
from Dunkirk and the beaches, and skilfully brought
her home when severely damaged by bombing in spite
of subsequent heavy bombing attacks by large numbers
of aircraft.
Recommended for mention.
Lieutenant (E) Andrew Cormack Mahony, R.N.
By his coolness and energy set a fine example
M
to his department when dealing with the damage below
after the ship had been bombed. He rapidly assessed
the damage, and by his efforts succeeded in getting
way on the ship in the shortest possible time.
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS:
Sick Berth Attendant Eric James Littlewood Gibson, MX. 56025.
Displayed outstanding zeal and energy throughout.
Without the assistance of any Medical Officer he
dealt most efficiently and untiringly with the
wounded, many of whom were badly maimed and some of
whom he extricated unaided from a pile of corpses
and debris.
Recommended for mention.
Chief E.R.A. Richard Edward Cox, C/M.34441.
Showed great zeal and energy throughout and by a
cool appreciation of the situation was largely
responsible for getting steam on the main engines
after the ship had been damaged by bombing.
Chief/

Details

Page 17.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
IVANHOE (continued).
is
Chief Stoker Henry Joseph Prendergast. C/R. 62741.
Displayed untiring efforts in attempts to assess
the damage caused by bombing. Made repeated attempts
M
to enter No.2 Boiler Room, but was unable to do so or
account of escaping stemm and was finally dissuaded
from repeating the attempts.
Recommended for mention.
Able Seaman James Pearce Clare, R.F.R., C/J.99666.
1
This rating after the explosion and during the
subsequent bombing attacks was largely responsible
S.M. M
for keeping up the spirits of the ship's company by
his cheerfulness, willingness and coolness.
Recommended for mention.
Lng
cred
SPS
5
om

Details

Page 92.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. GRIVE - Captain. the Hon. Lionel Oliver Lambart, D.S.O., R.N.
Sub. -Lieutanant - John Kenneth Barton Miles, R.N.V.R. (Retired). -
the only surviving officer.
GRIVE left Portsmouth 1530/29th May, arrived Dover
2359/29 and sailed for Dunkirk 1400/30, where for 2½ hours
she embarked troops from the East beach with her own boats,
arriving back at Dover a.m. 31st with just under 300 troops.
GRIVE left Dover again at 1400/31, entered Dunkirk
harbour at 2000/31 and embarked 400 troops during a very
in
severe air raid. GRIVE arrived back at Dover 0100/1, landed
her troops and although having only 5 rounds of ammunition
left per gun, sailed again at 0300/1.
Reaching Dunkirk 0800/1 GRIVE went alongside the pier
and took off a group of troops during heavy bombing. Leaving
harbour GRIVE went alongside HAVANT, which had been hit by a
bomb, and was on fire, and took off all her troops and
wounded, together with IVANHOE's survivors. GRIVE arrived
Dover 1300/1 with 700 on board.
At this stage Captain Lambart put Lieutenant C.E. West,
R.N.R. (an officer of over 60) ashore, as he had done
e
magnificent work handling the ship "and had earned a rest".
Captain Lambart himself, who was 67, would not rest; he
assembled his crew, informed them he intended to start off
again immediately. The crew were equally determined and,
having provisioned and ammunitioned, the ship sailed at
1600/1.
n
When approaching Dunkirk about 2230 GRIVE apparently was
mined and was blown to pieces.
This account is taken from the narrative of Sub.-Lieut.
Miles, the only officer saved.
Recommendations.
OFFICERS:
ps,
23
uring
Captain. the Hon. Lionel John Olive Lambart, D.S.O., R.N. (Retired)
stered
ivors
For gallantry and exceptional endurance and
was
devotion to duty.
whom
Port. M.
Recommended for posthumous decoration.
Sub. -Lieutenant John Kenneth Barton Miles, R.N.V.R.
For gallantry in action.
DSC D.S.C
Recommended for decoration.
a
ip
1008
evec
in.

Details

Page 8
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
I.S. GRAFTON - Commander Cecil E. C, Robinson. R.N.
(Killed when ship was torpedoed).
GRAFTON embarked 277 troops during the night of 27th
May, landing them at Dover 1100/28 after which she returned
to Bray beach. Leaving Bray just after midnight with 850
troops on board, she was hit by 2 torpedoes fired by a
M.T.B. at 0250, while lying stopped picking up survivors
from a sunken ship.
The stern of the ship abaft the after magazine bulkhead
was blown off and the ship's back appeared to be broken.
An hour later, the ship rolling heavily in a rising
sea, the troops were transferred to S.S. MALINES and then
all the ship's company that could be spared. The remainder
transferred later to IVANHOE when GRAFTON was slowly
sinking.
Recommendations.
TICER.
Surgeon-Lieutenant Joseph Wishart Shield, M.B., B.Ch. R.N.V.R.
Worked indefatigably among the many wounded and
with complete disregard for his own safety, visited
damaged compartments in the stern searching for
wounded before he could possibly have known that the
ship would not sink at once.
Recommended for decoration.

Details

Page 12
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
I.S. HAVANT - Lieutenant Commander Anthony Frank Burnell-Nugent
D.S.C., R.N.
HAVANT made 3 trips including 2 to the beaches. On the
first 2 trips she brought home 1,500 troops in all. On the
3rd trip, while alongside Dunkirk pier waiting for troops
to embark during an intense aerial bombardment, she saw
IVANHOE struck amidships and on fire so steamed out to her
assistance. Having taken off all the troops (about 500
including many wounded) HAVANT proceeded for Dover, but wa
soon subjected to intense di- bombing, high and low level
bombing and bombardment from lore atteries. She was hit
by 2 bombs in the engin room and then a large delay action
bomb, which fell about 50 yards ahead of ship, exploded
right underneath her.
Further bombing caused more und rwater damage and
HAVANT finally rolled over and sank after the troops and
crew had transferred to AEGI
Recommendations.
FFICER.
Lieutenant Commander Anthony Frank Burnell-Nugent, D.S.C., R.N.
Evacuated troops from the beaches and from Dunkirk
during heavy bombardment. When his ship had been heavily
damaged by bombs, made every endeavour to save her when
still subject to intense aerial attack, though without
success.
Recommended for mention.
ATINGS.
Chief Stoker M. Gallon. P/K.59221.
The Engineer Officer and 2 E.R.A.s having been killi
and all the other E.R.A.S having been wounded, this
rating became in charge of the engineroom department.
He showed great initiative and resource by letting the
steam out of the boilers at a critical time, thereby
saving the ship from running on to a sandbank opposite
Dunkirk. He subsequently showed great calmness and
presence of mind in doing all he could to save the ship
and to keep the Captain informed of the state of affairs
below. He was the last rating to leave the ship.
Recommended for decoration.
Sick Berth Attendant A. Keller D/X.6785.
When faced with a large number of wounded under
heavy fire, carried out his duties with the utmost calm,
deliberation and efficiency.
Recommended for mention.
Petty Officer Steward J. Lysaght. D/L.13388.
This rating showed great initiative and resource in
getting wounded men from HAVANT to AEGIR. He took charge
well and set a fine example.
Recommended for decoration.

Details

Page 16.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. IVANHOE. - Commander Philip Henry Hadow. R.N.
Made 1 trip to Dunkirk beach and 2 to Dunkirk pier,
bringing home a total of about 2,900 troops. On 1st June
when returning to Dover with 1,000 troops on board she was
subjected to heavy level bombing attacks by a large number
of aircraft, but all these attacks were avoided.
Off Dunkirk dive bombing attacks developed and
IVANHOE received considerable damage from 2 near misses
and one bomb exploded near the base of the foremost funnel
casualties 26 killed and 30 unded
Amongst other damage, Nos. 1 and 2 Boiler Rooms became
flooded. The ship eventually reached Sheerness in spite
of further attacks by a large number of level bombers on
two occasions, though her speed was only 7 knots. The
use of smoke floats to simulate hits appears to have mislei
the enemy.
Recommendations.
OFFICERS:
Commander Philip Henry Hadow, R.N.
Handled his ship with skill during evacuation
from Dunkirk and the beaches, and skilfully brought
her home when severely damaged by bombing in spite
of subsequent heavy bombing attacks by large numbers
of aircraft.
Recommended for mention.
Lieutenant (E) Andrew Cormack Mahony, R.N.
By his coolness and energy set a fine example
to his department when dealing with the damage below
after the ship had been bombed. He rapidly assessed
the damage, and by his efforts succeeded in getting
way on the ship in the shortest possible time.
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS:
Sick Berth Attendant Eric James Littlewood Gibson, D/MX.56025.
Displayed outstanding zeal and energy throughout.
Without the assistance of any Medical Officer he
dealt most efficiently and untiringly with the
wounded, many of whom were badly maimed and some of
whom he extricated unaided from a pile of corpses
and debris.
Recommended for mention.
Chief E.R.A. Richard Edward Cox, C/M.34441.
Showed great zeal and energy throughout and by a
cool appreciation of the situation was largely
responsible for getting steam on the main engines
after the ship had been damaged by bombing.
Chief/

Details

Page 17.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
I.M.S. IVANHOE (continued).
Chief Stoker Henry Joseph Prendergast. C/R.62741.
Displayed untiring efforts in attempts to assess
the damage caused by bombing. Made repeated attempts
to enter No.2 Boiler Room, but was unable to do so or
account of escaping steam and was finally dissuaded
from repeating the attempts.
Recommended for mention.
Able Seaman James Pearce Clare, R.F.R., C/J.99666.
This rating after the explosion and during the
subsequent bombing attacks was largely responsible
DSM
for keeping up the spirits of the ship's company by
his cheerfulness, willingness and coolness.
Recommended for mention.

Details

Page 92.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. GRIVE - Captain, the Hon. Lionel Oliver Lambart, D.S.O., R.N.
Sub. -Lieutanant - the John Kenneth Barton Miles, R.N.V.R. (Retired). -
only surviving officer.
GRIVE left Portsmouth 1530/29th May, arrived Dover
2359/29 and sailed for Dunkirk 1400/30, where for 2½ hours
she embarked troops at from the East beach with her own boats,
arriving back Dover a.m. 31st with just under 300 troops.
GRIVE left Dover again at 1400/31, entered Dunkirk
harbour at 2000/31 and embarked 400 troops during a very
severe air raid. GRIVE arrived back at Dover 0100/1, landed
her troops and although having only 5 rounds of ammunition
left per gun, sailed again at 0300/1.
Reaching Dunkirk 0800/1 GRIVE went alongside the pier
and took off a group of troops during heavy bombing. Leaving
harbour GRIVE went alongside HAVANT, which had been hit by a
bomb, and was on fire, and took off all her troops and
wounded, together with IVANHOE's survivors. GRIVE arrived
Dover 1300/1 with 700 on board.
At this stage Captain Lambart put Lieutenant West,
R.N.R. (an officer of over 60) ashore, as he had done
magnificent work handling the ship "and had earned a rest".
Captain Lambart himself, who was 67, would not rest; he
assembled his crew, informed them he intended to start off
again immediately. The crew were equally determined and,
having provisioned and ammunitioned, the ship sailed at
1600/1.
When approaching Dunkirk about 2230 GRIVE apparently was
mined and was blown to pieces.
This account is taken from the narrative of Sub,-Lieut.
Miles, the only officer saved.
Recommendations.
OFFICERS:
Captain. the Hon. Lionel John Olive Lambart, D.S.O., R.N. (Retired)
For gallantry and exceptional endurance and
devotion to duty.
Recommended for posthumous decoration.
Sub. -Lieutenant John Kenneth Barton Miles, R.N.V.R.
For gallantry in action.
Recommended for decoration.

Details

2ª
in only his wake 12 feet and all following, I ran aground, and soundings showed & depth 1.
of round the ship, an alarming position, as
navigation where marks were visible to enable mo to fix my position, no or to
determine the deep water channel lay. It was two hours later,
the rising effect tide, that I succeeded in getting afloat, no doubt with 01
disastrous worked back on the propellers. Being now completely bewildered,
and await daylight.
I towards the Nisuport Bank buoy to get a definite departure
Just as dawn was breaking the sounds of an engagement were
heard, and flashes seen in the North-East, and when we reached the
locality, shouts for help were heard from all directions. Stopping to
lower three boats, I was then interrupted by S.O.S. Signals from an
undetermined craft a mile or 80 to starboard. Leaving the boats to
their rescue work, I steamed alongside what proved to be the destroyer
"Grafton", who, in company with H.A.S. Wakeful" had been torpedoed by
enemy motor torpedo boats. One of the latter craft, still in the vicini
departed on my arrival, possibly misled by the appearance of my two-
funneled ship.
With some injury to my port bow and superstructure I was able
to hold position alongside "Grafton" and embark over & thousand
survivors of the troops and ships companies, Unfortunately, many had
been killed and injured, including the Captain of "Grafton" and Military
Officers, when the ship was torpedoed. At this point, H.M.S. "Ivanhoe
came to assist and completed the work of rescue, demolishing the wreck
by gunfire. Recovering my boats, except one which had been damaged when
"Ivanhoe" picked up my 3rd Officer and boats' crow, I proceeded direct
for Dover. Having no Medical Officer and very little equipment, I regret
that the injured could only be given amatour attention, but the best was
done for them. Great credit is due to my Purser, Mr. Walter Messenger,
who, with the help of & single R.A.M.C. orderly whose name, unfortunately
I do not know, worked under unploasant conditions and with limited means
on behalf of the injured men.
At Dover the survivors were landed and the ship re-conditioned.
A Medical Officer and two orderlies were appointed, and & troop of soldiers
with Lewis gun equipment attached to the ship. Charts were obtained, and
the ship sailed for Dunkirk, this time by the "X" route over the Sandettie
Bank.
At Dunkirk more havoc had been wreaked overnight, and the enemy
pressure was more intense. Wrecks littered the fairways and harbour,
but the quay was still available, and after some confused ordering, I
was able to get alongaide and embark at thousand troopa despite the
shelling from tank guns and the diversions of two air raids, in which our
gunners were able to participate. The low level of the water and my
deep draught compelled me to limit the embarkation to at bare full
complement, although I should have liked to take the complete army.
Other ships were, however, available, and ao I returned to Folkestone.

Details

246
From:- Lt. D. Van Gessel, R.N.V.R.
Date:- 5th June, 1940.
To:- Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
1st June. Was told to go to assistance of "Ivanhoe" and
"Queen of Thanet". We contacted with tug
"Java" who had survivors on board from the
"Queen of Thanet". We set out and found
"Ivanhoe" seriously bombed. The captain asked
us to get medical help, etc. etc., which we
We did. helped with more serious wounded, but they
were in such & condition that removal seemed
unwise. In consultation with Captain of
"Ivanhoe" we decided to take off the survivors
(mostly soldiers) and took them ashore.
On next journey we took into Margate an N.T.B.
with one survivor out of 8. The boat was
badly damaged, but was docked alongside Pier.
On these journeys was accompanied by Lt. Dancy.
31st May.
Was out in tug "Doria" trying to find lifeboats
Deal an M.T.B. bound for Convoy duties caught
reported floating near the Goodwins, when off
fire. After helping crew we took S.O.7 into
Dover submarine basin. Commander of S.O.7
is reporting matter.
N.B. Survivors of "Ivanhoe" were landed at
more could be done and she proceeded in tow
Margate. We only left "Ivanhoe" when nothing
to Chatham.
Queen Rand

Details

415
9.
burst close to us and threw us off our feet. Henderson was
wounded in the neck and the back and after dressing him, sent him
onboard a destroyer for passage to England.
I should like to pay my tribute to Commander Henderson who
proved himself a loyal and gallant Officer, and who was quite
unmoved however black things night look. His cheerfulness and
sangfroid was an example to everyone. Coupled with his name I
should like to mention Paymaster Lieutenent Brockett.
A signal was sent to V. Dover informing him that lights
would be exhibited on the Piers at Dunkirk in order that ships
might make the entrance at night.
Despite this only one ship enetered Dunkirk during the
dark hours and that was the destroyer "IVANHOB".
Saturday 1st June.
Ships continued to arrive and embarkation proceeded
satisfactorily.
More air attacks were experienced and our losses
mounted up. KRITH and IVANHOE were bombed and MOSQUITO on
her way to entering the port WAS bombed and sunk. The enemy
carried out very severe bombing attacks on vessels which were
loaded with troops and which were on their way home.
It was therefore decided not to continue the daylight ear
barkation but to carry on the evacuation at night only.
At 2130 I proceeded to the mouth of the harbour in & motor
by & Dutch Naval Officer with a Dutch naval crew
boat and led commanded ships into harbour and allocated to then their berths, any
2300 all the night had grown pitch dark, and sometimes once as
By were endtering the port of Dunkirk at
as 6 or 7 craft leaving at the same time. All were without
whilst others were can be too high for the seamenship displar- along-
lights, and no praise Sloops, Transports and other craft coming collision.
side ed by Destro ers, the Mole. I did not witness & single Embarkation
and leaving French troops had collected at the were sent
Pier A large in the number Western of Harbour and the requisire vessels
thither
her propellers The Dutch Motor and her speed was reduced to 6 knots. sccordingly
to embark them. Boat collected a long length of net I round

Details

Details

9
- 2 -
From 1500 onwards heavy bombing took place on beaches,
Dunkirk and ships during which "Malcolm" was
straddled and machine gunned.
630
Proceeded alongside "Clan Macalister" (she had
brought a number of A.L.C's which were then in
use embarking soldiers from shore. I had
previously ordered her to remain off the beach
and fill up with troops) who had been hit by a
bomb and was on fire aft. Embarked the soldiers
and wounded members of the crew from "Clan
Macalister" and instructed her that she might
return as soon as she could get under way. By
this time I had approximately 600 soldiers and a
number of wounded on board.
800
Proceeded to Dover via route Y.
940
Spitfire aircraft crashed near ship in position
VXWY 1902. Aircraft broke into small fragments
with no trace of survivors.
200
Secured alonguide "Icarus" at Admiralty Pier,
disembarked soldiers and wounded.
128
Secured at Eastern Arm, embarked 140 tons of oil
fuel and ammunition.
618
Proceeded by route X.
310
Arrived Dunkirk
333
Secured at E. Fier. Embarked approximately 1000
soldiers.
352
Slipped and proceeded to Dover via route X.
05
Berthed alongaide transport at Admiralty Pier.
Disembarked soldiers. "Shikari" alongaide me
also disembarking.
08
Slipped and proceeded.
10
Alongaide Eastern Pier Dunkirk. Embarked
approximately 1000 soldiers.
00
Slipped
50
Secured alongside "whitehall" at Admiralty Pier
and disembarked soldiers including two German
prisoners who were put in the forecastle cable
locker.
23
Proceeded.
50
Delayed trying to pick up light on No.6 W. Buoy,
Snow Bank. Finally, hearing No.7 W. whistle buoy
ship's estimated position being just North of
and assisted by use of andice, cleared Snouw Bank.
12
Spoke "Ivanhoe" off Dunkirk.
20
Spoke S.N.O. Dunkirk, entered.

Details

14
i
17
- 2 -
From 1500 onwards heavy bombing took place on beaches,
Dunkirk and ships during which "Malcolm" was
straddled and machine gunned.
630
Proceeded alongside "Clan Macalister" (she had
brought a number of A.L.C's which were then in
use embarking soldiers from shore. I had
previously ordered her to remain off the beach
and fill up with troops) who had been hit by a
bomb and was on fire aft. Embarked the soldiers
and wounded members of the crew from "Clan
Macalister" and instructed her that she might
return as soon as she could get under way. By
this time I had approximately 600 soldiers and a
number of wounded on board.
800
Proceeded to Dover via route Y.
940
Spitfire aircraft crashed near ship in position
VXWX 1902. Aircraft broke into small fragments
with no trace of survivors.
200
Secured alongside "Icarus" at Admiralty Pier,
disembarked soldiers and wounded.
128
Secured at Eastern Arm, embarked 140 tons of oil
fuel and ammunition.
518
Proceeded by route X.
320
Arrived Dunkirk
333
Secured at E. Pier. Embarked approximately 1000
soldiers.
352
Slipped and proceeded to Dover via route X.
05
Berthed alongaide transport at Admiralty Pier.
Disembarked soldiers. "Shikari" alongside me
also disembarking.
08
Slipped and proceeded.
10
Alongaide Eastern Pier Dunkirk. Embarked
approximately 1000 soldiers.
00
Slipped
50
Secured alongside "Whitehall" at Admiralty Pier
and disembarked soldiers including two German
prisoners who were put in the forecastle cable
locker.
23
Proceeded.
50
Delayed trying to pick up light on No.6 W. Buoy,
ship's estimated position being just North of
Snow Bank. Finally, hearing No.7 W. whistle buoy
and assisted by use of asdics, cleared Snouw Bank.
12
Spoke "Ivanhoe" off Dunkirk.
20
Spoke S.N.O. Dunkirk, entered.

Details

25
- 2 -
From 1500 onwards heavy bombing took place on beaches,
Dunkirk and ships during which "Malcolm" was
straddled and machine gunned.
1630
Proceeded alongside "Clan Macalister" (she had
brought a number of A.L.C's which were then in
use embarking enldiers from shore. I had
previously ordered her to remain off the beach
and fill up with troops) who had been hit by a
bomb and was on fire aft. Embarked the soldiers
and sounded members of the arew from "Clan
Macalister" and instructed her that she might
return as soon as she could get under way. By
this time I had approximately 600 soldiers and a
number of wounded on board.
1800
Proceeded to Dover via route Y.
1940
VISA 1902. Aircraft broke into small fragments
Spitfire aircraft crashed near ship in position
with no trace of survivors.
2200
Secured alongside "Icarus" at Admiralty Pier,
disembarked soldiers and wounded.
30th 0128
Secured at Eastern Arm, embarked 140 tons of oil
fuel and ammunition.
0518
Proceeded by route X.
0820
Arrived Dunkirk
0833
Secured at E. Pier. Embarked approximately 1000
soldiers.
0852
Slipped and proceeded to Dover via route X.
1205
Disembarked soldiers. "shikari" alongside me
Berthed alongaide transport at Admiralty Pier.
also disemberking.
1308
Slipped and proceeded.
1610
Alongaide Eastern Pier Dunkirk. Embarked
approximately 1000 soldiers.
1700
Slipped
1850
secured alongside "whitehall" at Admiralty German Pier
prisoners and who were put in the forecastle cable
disembarked soldiers including two
looker.
2123
Proceeded.
bout 2350
Delayed trying to pick up light on No.6 W. Buoy, of
ship's Bank. Finally, hearing No.7 W. whistle Bank. buoy
estimated position being just North
and Snow assisted by use of andies, cleared Snous
0112
Spoke "Ivanhoe" off Dunkirk.
0120
Spoke S.N.O. Dunkirk, entered.

Details

454
COPY.
Rescue Tug "LADY BRASSEY".
Saturday, 1st June, 1940.
Sir,
I, Frederick John Hopgood, was in charge of the tug
"LADY BRASSEY" when at 10.40 Selle Lt.-Commander Laloe WAS
put on board the Hospital ship "ST. DAVID" lying at anchor
off the detached Mole with engine trouble. He then told me
to 80 back into harbour and see if S.S. "ROEBUCK" lying at
the Admiralty Pier was ready to be assisted off. We had
just left the Hospital ship about 11.30 SeMe when we
received instructions from the examination steamer to proceed
to the assistance of Transport "PRAGUS", "SALAMANDER" and
"IVANHOE" and to instruct Salvage vessel "FORDE" to proceed
that was lying at anchor in the Downs. We left Dover about
noon and spoke the "FORDE" off Deal about 1 p.m. and
proceeded on course when nearing the Fork buoy I could see a
craft that appeared to be the "PRAGUE" off the N. W. Goodwin
buoy. I spoke the Master who requested me to make fast, and
also what was his position. I told him he was close to the
Fork buoy. We got fast at 1.20 p.m. and towing at 1.30 p.m.
About 1.45 Dalla we eased towing for the pilot to get on board.
I had asked the Master if he could hold the water in the ship
and replied yes, and draught 25 feet. We then proceeded
on passage to Dover. When nearing the Port we received
instructions to anchor "PRAGUE" in the Downs at about 2.30 p.m.
We turned around and proceeded back to the Downs. During
this time the En ineer reported Dynamo trouble. Whilst
passing through the Downs and off Walmer we were hailed that
we had better take the ship to anchor in Ramsgate Channel
and on closing Ramagate channel we were told to ground the
vessel. I then hailed them asking why they wished to beach
the vessel and was told that they found they could not hold
the water and that she must be beached. We then turned the
vessel in towards the Conspicuous House and grounded her on
Sandwich Flats at 11.30 Date We then received a signal to
return off Deal for the Salvage Officer Lt. Commander Laloe.
We then received instructions about proceeding to Dunkirk
by signal. Lt. Commander Laloe came on board and I
informed him we should like to inspect the Dynamo before
leaving. He agreed and sent a message to that effect to
V.A.D. and whilst we were at anchor he would proceed to the
"PRAGUE" by motor boat this would now be about 5.40 p.m.
On the return of the Salvage Officer we reported the
Dynamo appeared satisfactory, but the engineer could not make
a very good exam on account of the steam. Lt. Commander
Laloe then told me that we should have to tow the "PRAGUE"
further in shore and that he would go on shore to report.
At 8.15 Dalla we have up anchor and got fast to the "PRAGUE"
and towed her in shore Sast of Sandown Castle at 9 p.m.
About 9.30 Dame we anchored the tug for further instructions
from Salvage Officer.
Sunday, 2nd. Hove up anchor 7.45 a.m. and spoke to
Lt. Commander Laloe who was required on the telephone ashore
and who was on the Dapper. We went alongside of Dapper and
Brought Salvage Officer off the signal station when he was
landed by Motor Boat. At 8.45 n.m. I received instructions
from the Salvage Officers to return Dover and arrived along-
side the Pier at 10.15 Bettle Took on board coal, and
engineer overhauled Dynamo.
Yours faithfully,
(SGD.) F. J. HOPGOOD.
To K.H.M.
Master.
Signed Tuesday, 11th June.

Details

60
10 last lookout to leave the bridge was seriously wounded
the chest. Other ratings wounded were in the after supply
rty and were hit by bullots which penetrated the after
ireen, and on the Fore Mess Decks and in the Signal
stributing Office were hit by bullets penetrating the deck
ads. All aircraft made off, presumably when they had
pended their ammunition, and course was set for Dunkirk
company with Greyhound and Verity, who had by this time
rived from the eastward.
On arrival at Dunkirk there
is no berth available alongside the gier, four destroyers
bing alongside already, so I anchored off and waited for
berth to be vacated. At 1730 Gronade sailed and I proceeded
longside in her place. Smoke floats and a whaler for placing
ham were then handed over to the Naval Officer in charge of
mbarkation. About 1000 troops were embarked and I sailed,
1th Jaguar in company, by route Y, arriving at Dover after
n uneventful passage at 0100 on May 29th.
At 0400 after disembarking troops
moved out to No.11. buoy to repair damage which had been
aused during the machine gun attacks. The pipe from B gun
and two copper pipes in the engine room which had been fractured
y the detonation of near bomb misses, were sent to Sandhurst
or repair and efforts were made by the ship's staff to repair
the D/C coil. By 1300 the ship was once again ready for sea
accept for the D/G goil, which was temporarily repaired later
in the day.
At 0500 on May 30th Impulsive
iailed for Sheerness in company with Javelin, Intrepid, Ivanhoe,
Coarus, Havant and Harvester, arriving and securing to No.10
moy at 0900. At 1600 orders were received to proceed with
all despatch to Dunkirk, and Ivanhoe, Icerus, Impulsive and
larvester sailed in company by route X. On arrival, Impulsive
proceeded alongaide the East Pier, the inshore berth, and
ambarked 1300 troops. This was the largest number embarked
and I did not consider there was room for any more. The passage
back to Dover by route X was uneventful and at 2400 the ship
secured alongside Admiralty Pier, after a long wait in the
outer harbour for a berth to become vacant.
At 0400 on May 31st, the ship
8. Dunkirk by route I, with orders to enbark troops
sailed Dunkirk for beach, and arrived off the beach at 0700. Although
from thousands of soldiers on the beach there were very
few whaler. The only power boat in the neighbourhood, in
there boats were to bring them off. Impulsive had no power boats and a
large came alongside. This boat, towing a cutter difficult
only one War Department motor boat with Colonel Hutchings and
charge, Impulsive's whaler, did magnificent work under
conditions and between 0800 and 1315 had transferred approx-
imately 450 troops from the beach to the ship.

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- 66
SECRET.
Page III
REPORT 07 PROCEEDINGS - H.M. & "VINY"- No. 154/6/35 Dated 2/6/40.
29.
Having embarked about 650 Troops, slipped and
proceeded D.E. Doyer via Rute "Y". at 1807.
30.
While lying alongside 1 ying conditi ns were DOOR WIDE
to OF cloud and rain, but several bombers and reconnal ssance
aircraft were seen and engaged, No attacks were made on the ships
alongside,
31.
Arrived in Dover and secured alongside Admiralty Pier
at 2350. Disembarked Trops,
Wednesday 22th May 1940
32.
Slipped from Admiral ty Pier at 0305 and proceeded
alongside "Prester" alongside "War Sepoy".
33.
Delay vas experienced ADE to ongestion at the oiler
and "Viry" sailed in company 1th brester" and "Anthony" at
ours Dr Dunkirk via Bute *y* only 86 tonsof fuel had been
embarked wing to the dei av. in oiling.
Sd. Title off VSE ceeded stemate int timed amkirk 0941 was at 1040 received passed at 1mpo plant
letter Dr S.N.O. Dunkirk to "Ivanhoe" and sailed immediately
Dr Sheerness
35.
Arrived Sheerness $ 1545 and secured P.R. 6 Booy.
36.
On rrival Lieut Condr. If Ewart Ventworth R.N. joined
the ship and took over command.
VIGE AD MIRAL 1940
Lieutenant
(In (bmand).
20

Details

Dynamo 320
22007
SECRET
Hello & "Icarus"
10th June 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to forward this letter of proceedings
in accordance W 1th your letter No.B14/0/1101/40 of 4th June 1940.
of
Tuesday 28th Have
"Icarus" in company with "Intrepid" and "Ivanhoe" arrived
at Dover from Flymouth at 9500 and proceeded to secure to 110.3
Buoy while waiting orders.
Wednesday 80th Have
0145. "Icarus" sailed fro Dunkisk in company with "Javelin",
"Intrepid" and "Ivanhoe".
0545. Care to with the port anchor off Dunkirk writing for a
clear borth in the harbour.
0600. "Javelin" and "Icarus" weighed and receeded alongside
the Eastern Am, "Icarus" inside and embarked troops.
0800.
Blipped and proceeded to Dover.
1130. Secured in Dover and diserbarked troops.
1315. Slipped and in the absence of other orders returned to
Dunkirk, using " youte.
1510. Came to with the port anchor off WYDCOOTE under orders
of "Codrington". I anchored as close as pos ible inshore to
out down the length of the boats trips but later grounded
with the turn of the tide: no damage occurred and later on
the Schoot "Doggers Bank" towed my stern clear without
difficulty. On enchoring I had Lowered all boats, motor boat and both
whalere and also four Carlay floats, two large and two
small. It bad been of intention to try to get close
enough to the shore to be able to float the Carley floats
ashore on the end of a line and then haul then back to the
ship, leaving the notor boat to do the towing of the
shalers. It was 11 fortunate that the shelving beach and
not allow DD to get close enough to carry out this in
practice. I Loung that actually the Carley floate were
little used by the troops who were unhandy in the floats.
Air raids occurred during this embarkation period, the
first between 1600 and 1630, another at 1730 and again at
18308 in fact they appeared to be coming over at hourly
It during the first of these raids that "Jaguar" was
intervals with great regularity.
damaged to stand by "Jaguar" but "Express" was
was and the 8a.Sa Ulan Hacallister" hit art. I was
proceeding her before 1 had got under say: "Codrington" and
playing had her hoses on the stern where a fire broken out.
alongside meanshile proceeded to olan Macallister" had WILB
After this first

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SECRET
209
Page Se
The attack developed slowly, both our guns firing but
apparently not deterring him meh. At the nonent I Judged that
x was about to drop his babe 2-8 mde a very large alteration of
course to port and this salvo nissed. The enery plane then
sircled shood and round again to the port quarter for his second
itteck. This time I reduced speed elightly and saited tittil be
DDB about to drop his salve. In this attack 1 - certain that
N smoke screen outsed the pilot to mis 8 bed estimation of m
course because 08 be was nearly in the bonb release position I
BOW him give quite a considerable alteration of course to part
and I therefore increasedto full speed again and put the rudder
and 8' starboard and the second salvo fell clear to port.
the enemy then circled round sheed and to part as
efore. Some of our salvos seemed to be reasonably alose but be
as not to be deterred and approached for the third time. Code
gain it seemed to be the smoke that put him off ml I used the
time avoiding tactics as before and the third salvo missed to
port: these were mall So having expended all his bonbs
the enemy them retired to the southward. During each attack the
hip was machine-gunned but there - apparently DD comunities.
I returned to Dovor without further incident and
erthed at 8060 to disembark treeps.
Thursday 30th -
"Icarus" remained alongside until 0100 miting for
orders and summition and then processed alongside the Bantorn
and BD I complete berthed at the outer and until "Anthony" had completed
in to with fuels Both the fuelling borths were full
at 0800.
0500g to sheepmene under orders of "Javelin" "Impulsive". in company
0915. with Secured "Javelin", to No.II Budy Sheerness. Completed with fuel
Proceeded "Intrepid", "Ivanhoo" and oil
1715.
and committion. proceeded via "X" route to Dunkirk under and orders
of "Ivanhoe" in "Ivemboo" and "mpulaive" were the first off
Slipped and company with "yvenhoe" "Inpulsive" detailed
beach to attend to the on centeard, and the to the
"Harvester". the harbour itself, "Harvester" second beach
beseing eastword. Dunkirit: "Icarus" some salvees case being unpleasantly new the
under fire from shore gune due shile to
that trajectory.
MacAlister" mede a good I beacon approached GO she as
close was at to enchor the beach near the 8.8 Bray as possible "disn Beach and sand still drogged burring. a Dan Buy having with bent a
a
1
action
bombed before candle works been and be the effected "A" no while lantern sailing bracket time with "Icarus" to the "Icarus" for on either and two beach 10 Dunkirio propellor shalers as be was motor-boat change was possible lying being shaft 088: shelled to was at two Inform out or theerness officers make and then of the Dunkirk that good authorities and came alls these there was on possible board being had slow defects had of to -
the stepe asked slow were rate if being 10 of yould cabarication taben by the authorities I one informed Bells but I would that make if entters This a signal signal did
not to I V.A.Dover improve by explaining about informed the situation or that boats at were Bray being Beach. sent and the
would and improve was in the morning.
shortly after.

Details

Dynams 320
217
SECRET
214
H.H.S. "Icarus"
10th June 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to forward this letter of proceedings
in accordance W 1th your letter No.B14/0/1101/40 of 4th June 1940.
of
Tuesday 28th Hay.
"Icarus" in company with "Intrepid" and "Ivanhoe" arrived
at Dover from Plymouth at 2300 and proceeded to secure to No.3
Buoy while waiting orders.
Wednesday 29th May.
0145. "Icarus" sailed fro Dunkisk in company with "Javelin",
"Intrepid" and "Ivanhoe".
0545. Came to with the post anchor off Dunkirk waiting for a
clear berth in the harbour.
0600. "Javelin" and "Icarus" weighed and receeded alongside
the Eastern Arm, "Icarus" inside and embarked troops.
0800. Slipped and proceeded to Dover.
1130. Secured in Dover and disembarked troops.
1315. Slipped and in the absence of other orders returned to
Dunkirk, using "y" route.
1515. Came to with the port anchor off SUYDCOOTS under orders
of "Codrington". I anchored as close as pos ible inshore to
out down the length of the boats trips but later grounded
with the turn of the tide: no darage occurred and later on
the Schoot "Doggers Bank" towed my stern clear without
difficulty. On anchoring I had lowered all boats, motor boat and both
whalers and also four Carley floats, two large and two
small. It had been my intention to try to get close
enough to the shore to be able to float the Carley floats
ashore on the end of a line and then haul them back to the
whalers. It was 11 fortunate that the shelving beach and
ship, leaving the motor boat to do the towing of the
not allow no to get close enough to carry out this in
practice. I foung that actually the Carley floats were
little used by the troops who were unhandy in the floats.
Air raids occurred during this embarkation period, the
first between 1600 and 1630, another at 1730 and again at
1830; in fact they appeared to be coming over at hourly
It during the first of these raids that "Jaguar" was
intervals with great regularity.
damaged to stand bgt "Jaguar" but "Express" was
was and the 8.8. "Clan Hacallister" hit aft. I was
proceeding her before 1 had got under Macallister" say: "Codrington"
playing had her hoses on the stern where a broken out.
alongeide meanwhile proceeded to Clan fire had and was
After this first.

Details

SECRET
216
Page Se
The attack developed slowly, both our gune firing but
parently not deterring him much. At the moment I judged that
3 was about to drop his boobs I made a very large alteration of
owse to povt and this salvo missed. The enemy plane then
ircled ahoad and round again to the port quarter for his second
stack. This time 1 reduced speed slightly and saited until be
as about to drop his salve. In this attack I B certain that
/ smoke screen caused the pilot to make a bad estimation of my
ourse because as he was nearly in the borb release position I
SW him give quite 8 considerable alteration of course to port
ad I therefore increasedto full speed again and put the rudder
and a' starboard and the second salvo fell clear to part.
The enemy then aircled round ahead and to part as
sfore. Some of our salvos seemed to be reasonably close but be
as not to be deterred and approached for the third time. Case
and avoiding tactics as before and the third salvo missed to
gain it seemed to be the smoke that put him off and I used the
be then retired to the southward. During each attack the
ort: these were small boybe. So having expended all his Sombe
hip enemy was machine-gunned but there were apparently no casualties* and
I returned to Dover without further incident
erthed at 8060 to disembark troops.
Thursday 30th Mays
"Icarus" remained alongside until 0100 writing for
rders m and ammunition with fuel. Both the fuelling borths had were completed
and then proceeded alongside the Eastorn full
nd to 80 I complete berthed at the outer and until "Anthony"
t 0800.
500g Sheerness under orders of "Javelin" "Impulsive". in company
Proceeded to "Intrepid", "Ivanhoe" and with oil
915.
with Secured "Javelin", to No.III Duey Theermess Completed fuel
715.
and Slipped annamition and proceeded company via with "X" "Ivenhoe" route to Dunkirk ware "Impulsive" detailed under and orders off
of "Ivanhoe" in "Ivembe" and "Impulsive" the first
beach to attend to the on eastward, the and the to the
"Harvester". harbour itself "Harvester" second beach
assing eastward. Dunkirk: "Icarus" some the case near the
guno due while to
Mat trajectory.
Se Se "glan MedAlister" still made burning a good : beacon approached an she as
elose been candle 788 before be the effected at "A" no to Lantern ancher sailing bracket time the beach to The new "Icarus" on for either and two 19 Dunicipks propellor whalers us motor-boat change mark shaft and and was dropped at out theerness of a action Dan good and Bacy having these there with had being defects slow bent had a to
work.
with the beach was was being off: shelled two officers and the Dunkirk authorities came was on board of -
bombed and while "Icarus" then that if alls entters possible did
the stope asked slow rate if 18 of one Dalla but I would that make a signal
not were being THE about or at Bray being Beach. sent This and signal the
34 improve TOTAL THE THE boats were
Shortly after.

Details

down the Lemigues
Dypamo 320
221
SECRET
Hello . "Iderus"
10th June 1960.
Sir,
I have the honour to furnard this letter is proceedings
1 accordance W 18h your letter No.H14/0/1101/40 of 4th June 1360.
&
Tuentay 938h
"Zourus" in company with "Intrepid" and "Ivanhoe" arrived
at Dover STORE Mymuth at 8300 and proceeded to secure to 20.0
Budy shile waiting orders.
Enduciday 27th Days
0165.
"Icarus" coiled too in corpony with "Jevolin",
"Intrepid" and "Ivanhoo".
0045.
Care to with the post enchor off Dunkisk uniting for a
clear borth in the hurbour.
0000.
"Javelin" and "Ionum" weighed and received alonguide
the Santam 120g "Icures" inside and experied troops.
0000.
Slipped and procerded to Daver.
1150.
Secured in Dover and dischorted troops.
1815.
slipped and in the absence of other orders returned to
Dunicis, using "g" route.
1510.
Care to with the post enchor are reported usler orders
of "Codrington". 1 enchored an close on poe this inshoro to
out down the Length of the bonto tatge but later groended
with the turn of the that 20 dacingo occurred and later on
the School Togers Benk* tened by otem claims without
sholers ond also four Coultry floots, two Inno office tuo
difficulty. Co unchoring 1 had Lowered all boato, color boat and and both
enough the end of 8 Line and then hour of the the
coall. to the share to be able to flont the than Carley book floats to
It had Deen of intection to try to got
schere loaving 00 the notor bont to do the touthing bench
not allow 100 round that naturally the carley in the vare
sholerew IS to got alone mach to earry flonts
chip. use E fortunate that the stelving out this in are
proctice. used 1 w the troope who used unherwity period, floots. the
Air 10.00 first little intervals 18 une redds between in during shot with commed the this 1000 great stret and appeared (meting Visa regularity. 1630, of this theme to another cubstation be reide contre at his that 1730 over cit. "Jagurs" and at hourly ugain 1 can von at
proceeding damaged and to the stand type 1 and "Jagom" got under but Encallister* "Express" say: "Codrington" una and use
THE to stem "cton share & give had broken out.
After this first

Details

Can
237
(3)
CJ.110503,Lee,John Stuart, Able Seemon, Royal Fleet Reserve.
For outstanding ability, initiative, coolness and devotion to
duty in his capacity as Gunlayer OZ the after 4.0" H.A.Cun,
and also when going alongside H.M.S. Ivanhoe on June Ist.1040.
Able Seaman Lee also showed gront devotion to duty when
embarking French troops on the nights of June 2nd.-Srid.and
June 8 3rd.mith.
During the embarkation of troops from La Panne
and Dunkirk the whole of the ship's company of H.ll. Speedwell
performed their daties in a nost satisfactory namer and it
has been found extremely difficult to single cut any but the
above mentioned individuals. It is considered that the Engine
Room dopartment as a whole are deserving of the highest praise
for their consistant coolness and devotion to duty.
2th.
VICE ADMIRA
THE COMMANDING OFFICER
17 JUN 1940
15 JUN 1940
*
*
DOVER
H.M.S." SPEEDWELL"

Details

Dynam.
-2-366
EVACUATION OF B.E.F. FROM DUNKIRR.
Report of Proceedings.
From...The Commanding Officer, H.H.S. "JAVELIN".
Date... 7th June,1940.
No. 450.
To...The Flag Officer Commanding Dover.
Submitted:
"JAVELIN" proceeded in company with Captain (D)
First Destroyer Fictilla in "CODRINGTON" and arrived off
Dunkirs at 1315 on 28th my.
2.
At 1830 "JAVELIN" and "JAGUAR" were ordered to
embark troops from BRAY PLAGE.
men were S. embarked in PJAVELINA by 1800 Dm boats ware turned
Both ships sent all boats inshoro and some 700
over to "GRAFTON", the Senior Dificer in the vicinity.
commending 4. one Officer and four rating 8 is attached.
A copy of by letter No. 60/65 of 4th June
were being 5. subarited but: all the bonbs fall Wide.
Several bombing attacks took Mace hile troops
"JAVELIN proceeded to Dover in company 1th
Captain (D) First st Destroyer Mosilla at 1880 securing alongside
the Adminity gior to discribe Y troms at 2250/20.
ms onlend to CaRD "INTRAPID" "IVANHOE"
at: 0 Instructions and are received to procest by route *I* but
"ICARUS" % "YAX under his orders and proceed to Dinkirs
by this ronto route FY/1 the only one then known in JAVELIN to any
45. could not be NET and STATE VSTD avoid taken
further dealy. At 04:5 "GRAFTON" vas aighted in A sinking mmtts
condition your & and "TWANHOE" WAS detached to rendor any assistance
possible. 9. On arriwal off BAY Dinkirk. Cuptain Sixteenth Destroyer
Motilla ordered all destroyors to
harbour at C. 0805 and secured Mongside the breakmater 08:5 to
*JAVELIN Vas overtimity ordered to enter at
enbark troops. Unbarkation as completed at 08:0 whon "JAVELIN"
returned to Dover arriving it 1840. Severe beauting took place
as the ship left.
disenbarking trops "JAVELIN" was ordered
to oil at East Jesty After and proceed storuss 80 Dunktrk really. with "HAVANT" as
in CONTRADY as goon Ships as proceeded the at Dovor. 806 but at 034 "JAVELIN"
received instructions to return in for to anting this report is regretted
and It is the to The the dolay that that your 10.B 4/0/ 10 /40 has only
Just boon received.
ADMIRAL
Commander (A.F.Pugsley.) in Command.
20JUN1940
*
are
DO HR

Details

- CONFIDENTIAL
359.
Blu/o/
H.M.S. "IVANHOE"
20th June, 1940.
296
290
Sir,
With reference to Flag Officer Commanding,
Dover's No.B14/0/1101/40 dated 4th June, 1940, and to my report
of proceedings dated 4th June, 1940, I beg to submit the names
of the following officers and ratings who are recommended for
decoration or for mention in despatches.
Lieutenant Alan PHIPPS, Royal Navy. (No previous decorations).
Throughout the operation this officer, by his
cheerfulness and disregard of personal danger, set a high
example to the men. On the early morning of Saturday, 1st June,
when the situation ashore was obscure due to heavy bombardment,
he immediately volunteered to proceed ashore to find out what
was happening. After the ship had been struck he was tireless
in his efforts to disembark the soldiers and look after the
well-being of those who remained on board, and it was due to his
leadership that the fires were so quickly got under control.
Lieutenant (B) Andrew Cormack MAHONY, Royal Navy. (No previous
decorations)
This officer, by his coolness and energy, set a
fine example to his department when dealing with the damage below
after the ship had been struck. He rapidly assessed the damage,
and by his efforts succeeded in getting way on the ship in the
shortest possible time.
Eric James Littlewood GIBSON, Sick Berth Attendant, D/MX. 56025.
(No previous decorations).
This rating displayed outstanding zeal and energy
throughout. Without the assistance of any medical the officer he
whom most badly maimed and some of whom he extricated deserves unaided
dealt efficiently and untiringly with wounded, many of
from were a pile of corpses and debris. His conduct the
highest praise.
Chief
Artificers
Blass
Richard Edward COX, C/M.34441
Engine
Room
(No previous decorations).
Showed great zeal and energy throughout, and by
getting a cool appreciation main engines
of the situation after was the largely ship had responsible been struck. for
Chief Stoker Henery Hoseph PRENDERGAST, C/K.62741. (No decorations) previous
Displayed untiring efforts in attempts No. 2 Boiler to assess Room,
the damage. He made do repeated so on account attempts of escaping to enter steam, and was
finally but was unable dissuaded to from repeating the attempts.
James Pearce CLARE, Able Seaman, Royal (No Fleet previous Reserve, decorations). C/J.99666.
This rating, after the explosion and during the
/subsequent

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Details

WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY
CHAP. VI
out because of the men in the water. By the time the Lydd had picked up
10 survivors, the destroyer Grafton, loaded with about 800 troops from Bray
beach, also arrived and ordered the Lydd to circle round her. The Gossamer
went on to Dover.
In the meantime, the Comfort had reached the stern portion of the wreck of
the Wakeful, and finding that it had fallen over¹, went alongside the Grafton
to warn her of the danger of torpedoes. It was then about 0240, and the
Grafton having first sighted a small darkened vessel about 3 cables on the port
quarter, signalled it to pick up survivors. Almost at once a torpedo hit the
Grafton's port side and exploded; a second explosion followed, thought to be
a shell or grenade hit, which wrecked the Grafton's bridge killing her Captain,
Cdr. C. E. C. Robinson, R.N., and 3 others. The torpedo blew off. the Grafton's
stern, abaft the after magazine bulkhead, and broke her back, but she still
floated on an even keel. A German submarine, U.69 had fired the torpedo.
The torpedo explosion almost swamped the Comfort; she rose, and Cdr.
Fisher was washed overboard. He seized a rope's end, but with the Comfort
going full speed ahead soon had to let go. The Comfort came round in a wide
circle until within about 50 yards of the stricken Grafton, whereupon the
Grafton and Lydd, mistaking her in the darkness for an E-boat, opened a heavy
raking fire with 4-inch and Lewis guns.²
Comfort cut in half
When the firing ceased Cdr. Fisher, who had reached the bow of the Comfort,
endeavoured to get abord; but the Lydd, having circled round to finish off
the supposed E-boat, bore down at full speed and, ramming the Comfort amid-
ships (it was then about 0307), cut her in half. Some of the Comfort's crew
attempted to spring aboard the Lydd, but the Lydd, mistaking them for boarders,
opened up with rifle fire. Two men were, however, taken off the rammed vessel
and it was then discovered that she was the Comfort. Altogether, the number
saved from this most tragic occurrence, shrouded in the darkness of the night,
were only 5, of which 4 were survivors from the Wakeful. As the Grafton then
appeared able to look after herself, the Lydd set course for Ramsgate.
When the Comfort went down Cdr. Fisher again sank, but he came to the
surface and, after swimming about until 0515, was picked up by a boat lowered
from the Norwegian S.S. Hird, which was en route from Dunkirk to England
with about 3,500 troops and refugees on board.
Grafton sunk
In the meantime, at 0400, the personnel ship Malines, which was returning
empty from Dunkirk, heard S OS signals; she placed herself alongside the
torpedoed Grafton and transferred the destroyer's 800 troops. "The Master
handled his ship with extreme skill," reported the acting Captain of the Grafton,
Lieut. H. C. J. McRea, R.N.
It was now 0430, just before sunrise, and the destroyers Javelin, Icarus,
Vanquisher, Intrepid and Ivanhoe, en route from Dover to Dunkirk, sighted the
sinking Grafton. The Ivanhoe went to her assistance and embarked the
I On the 30th May the corvette Sheldrake was ordered to destroy the Wakeful's asdic
apparatus. She found the Wakeful completely capsized with her stern resting on the
bottom. As, by then, information was received that the area had been mined, the Shel-
drake, to minimise the risk, sank the wreck by gunfire and a pattern of depth charges.
2 Later the Grafton's fire was shifted to another vessel further away on the port quarter,
which was observed to blow up with a bright flash. This may well have been the E-boat.
37

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. VI
seriously wounded. Ivanhoe The Grafton fired 3 was shells by into then her listing at 500 heavily, and had her
end awash; the where she berthed alongside the yards range and after
proceeded troops. to Dunkirk, east pier and embarked then
assist ships in
Following the distress.¹ loss of the Grafton, destroyers were ordered not to stop to
Mona's Queen sunk by mine
the Vanquisher had anchored ahead of the The Intrepid, waiting for a and
In the meantime the Javelin off and Malo Icarus beach. had entered Dunkirk harbour,
was loaded with water mine and troops. sank in Then, at about 0530, the Mona's which
anchored off the fresh harbour, for the personnel vessel Mona's Queen, berth,
and whaler 31 and of the the crew. Intrepid's motor picked up the Master, Captain A. Holkham
Queen blew up on a magnetic boat two minutes. The anquisher's
The German minelaying effort
the night 28th/29th May, was maintained with great intensity during the
Minelaying by the enemy and during the dark hours probably took place during
following two nights. Not only was the Dunkirk road mined, including the
Zuydcoote Pass, but also Route X and the area round the Kwint buoy. Folke-
stone and Dover Harbour entrances were also mined. In spite of the large
number of mines laid, only one British ship other than the Mona's Queen
known for certain to have been sunk by magnetic mines - the Fleet Air Arm was
yacht Grive which was sunk on 1st June. On that date, also, the hospital
by a LL. trawler sweeping close at hand. The A/S trawlers Thuringia, estella
carrier St. David was damaged at anchor off Dover when a mine was exploded
and Blackburn Rovers were believed at the time to have been sunk by moored
mines laid by a U-boat, although at first it was thought that the last two at
rate had been torpedoed. If the enemy had been able to lay moored contact any
mines different². by aircraft, instead of magnetic mines, the results would have been very
Allied air cover, 29th May
hostile The remainder of the long list of naval losses on this day was caused by
and Dunkirk- was up of The 10 to 28th 44, miles 4 Dunkirk bombers. the squadrons; May, Furnes- of smallest Dunkirk, led area The on Cassel³. 25. actually was the except odds covered All 29th which fighter the for to largest a a Hurricane our further patrols fighters number strengthening were patrol had of concentrated fighters at encountered midday of on the within any covering fighter on one the a patrols radius patrol a 27th line
mately 1450. the following times 0440 during 0610, the 0720 day by fighter patrols at approxi- 1400,
patrols 1620, 1700 1800, 1930 2030, 2000 0925, 1030 1200, 1300 Command
the day; covered the line North Goodwins - 2110³. Coastal throughout
down by Me. all three 109's aircraft at about of 1130³. one of the Coastal Gravelines - Command Ostend patrols were shot
2 I Appendix 0.6.
2 R.A.F. V.A. Dover's Narrative, letter, p.326. No. A.14/0/876/40, p.3, paras. 7(a) and 7 (c).
38

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. VI
and returned to harbour; the remainder Chantecler reached and the La Panne at 0500/30.
Dutch eel-boats Johanna and Chantecler M.B. Golden Lily also The
and Ramsgate " compass at which 2200/29. was reached situated The the over beaches, the was engine. however, only capable revolved at 0900 of slowly 4 knots, round and and left her
she had no charts, lost way 30th Later darkness, and returned to
and brought back 30 troops. her in the Downs in the get over on May,
round"¹. She The Johanna did not on the 30th
Ramsgate on the morning of the May. on that day she was towed
to the beaches by the skoot Jutland.
Troops transported on 29th May
reduction in the number of destroyers available and with failure to achieve
The 29th May closed with a formidable list of ships lost or damaged, a marked
the high rate of evacuation hoped for. The effect of the day's occurrences
even more marked next day, when instead of the 50,000 to 60,000 British was
troops which had been calculated as the probable achievement, only 48,000 odd
were in fact transported.²
Nevertheless, 47,310 troops (including some 2,000 casualties) were landed
in England on the 29th May (see Table 2), 13,752 having been lifted from the
beaches and 33,558 from the harbour. Only about 11 per cent of these were
French troops³, whose organised evacuation had not yet begun. (See Appen-
dices Y.2 to Y.5).
During the morning and forenoon of the 29th May, when there was no
bombing of Dunkirk harbour, 1Q personnel vessels⁴ lifted 14,760 troops from
the east pier; during the afternoon, in spite of the bombing, the Canterbury
lifted a further 1,960.
The development of beach evacuation is indicated by the fact that nearly
21 times the number of troops were lifted from the beaches on 29th May as
compared with the number lifted on the previous day. Seventeen destroyers
each made one round trip during the 24 hours of the 29th May and an eighteenth
destroyer, the Icarus, made two such trips. On these trips the 18 destroyers
embarked and transported to England 10,694 troops of which 6,198 were
lifted from the beaches and 4,506 from Dunkirk harbour. Nine minesweepers⁶
together lifted 2,426 troops from the beaches although one of them, the Albury
did not land her troops in England until the next day.⁷ Among other ships
which brought back troops from the beaches was the cruiser Calcutta with
1,200.
The record of troops landed in England now stood as follows :-
From the
From the
Total for
beaches
harbour
the day
26th May
Nil
Nil
Nil
27th May
Nil
7,669
7,669
28th May
5,930
11,874
17,804
29th May
13,752
33,558
47,310
I Report by Chantecler.
40,724. This figure probably puts does not include troops carried by foreign ships (See Prague,
3 2 D.R., D.R. p.11, which para. incidentally 38. the total of troops and casualties landed on 29th Table May 2). as
The Côte d'Argent, Killarney, King George V, Maid of Orleans, Manxman,
Javelin, Malcolm, Express, Verity, Wolsey and Marmion
Royal 5 The Daffodil, Anthony, Royal Codrington, Sovereign, Esk, Scotia, and Tynwald. Greyhound, Harvester, Intrepid, Worcester. Ivanhoe,
6 The Albury, Duchess Sabre, of Scimitar, Fife, Emperor Shikari, of Vanquisher, India, Fitzroy, Halcyon, Hebe, Leda,
and Sharpshooter.
7 See Table 3, in conjunction with the reports of ships' proceedings in Vol. II.
54

Details

WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY
CHAP. VI
Ships lost or damaged on 29th May
H.M. SHIPS SUNK
The destroyers Wakeful, Grafton and Grenade.
The armed boarding vessel King Orrry
The Special Service Vessel Crested Eagle.
The Paddle Minesweepers Waverley and Gracie Fields.¹
The Personnel Vessels Normania,1 Lorina, Fenella and Mona's Queen.
The trawlers Polly Johnson and Calvi.
The danlayers Comfort and Nautilus.
The drifter Girl Pamela².
H.M. SHIPS DAMAGED AND PUT OUT OF ACTION.
The destroyers Saladin, Greyhound, Intrepid, Montrose, Mackay, Gallant
and Jaguar.
The sloop Bideford.
The minesweeper Pangbourne (required dockyard repairs).
The personnel vessel Canterbury.
The hospital carrier Isle of Guernsey.
OTHER VESSELS
SUNK A.L.C.16, the S.S. Clan Macalister (6,900 tons), the M/B's Minikoi,
Viewfinder, Bobeli, Hanora, Sceneshifter and Queen of England.
DAMAGED AND PUT OUT OF ACTION The tug Sun V.
Destroyers of the "H," "I" and "J" Classes withdrawn
As a result of the heavy casualties and losses amongst the destroyer force,
particularly the misfortunes which befell those of the larger and more modern
types, a consultation was held between the Admiralty and the Vice-Admiral,
Dover, on 29th May, which led to a decision to withdraw the 7 destroyers of
the "H", "I" and "J" Classes from "Dynamo"3; they were the only
modern destroyers remaining with Vice-Admiral, Dover. All destroyers of
the "G" class⁴ were already out of action.
There remained available for "Dynamo" 15 destroyers : :-
Esk
Malcolm
Verity
Express
Whitehall
Vanquisher
Anthony
Winchelsea
Sabre
Keith
Worcester
Scimitar
Codrington
Windsor
Shikari
Excluding any casualties, this number of destroyers might be expected to
maintain a flow of one destroyer per hour to the coast and would lift 17,000
troops in 24 hours⁵. It is noteworthy that in spite of their unsuitability for
the work of troop carrying, the 39 destroyers so employed in Dynamo"
brought off more troops-96,000-than any other type of ship (see Table 1).
The 45 personnel vessels brought off 87,000; the 36 minesweepers 46,000;
the 39 skoots 22,000 ; and among the smaller vessels, the 51 drifters brought
off 12,000.
I Actually sank on 30th May, as a result of damage received on 29th May.
2 In collision with the Lydd off Dunkirk harbour on the night of 28th/29th May.
3 The Icarus, Impulsive, Intrepid, Ivanhoe, Harvester, Havant and Javelin.
4 The Gallant, Grafton, Grenade and Greyhound.
5 D.R. p.11, para. 37.
55

Details

CHAP. VI
THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
Ramsgate at 2200/29. situated over the engine. capable of 4 knots, also and left
Dutch eel-boats Johanna The Chantecler was only M.B. Golden Lily The
and returned to harbour; and the remainder Chantecler reached and the La Panne at 0500/30.
and brought back lost troops. her in the Downs in the get over on May,
and round"¹. She 30 The Johanna did not on the 30th and
compass which was reached the beaches, however, revolved at 0900 slowly round her
Ramsgate on the morning on that day she was towed
she had no charts, of way the 30th May. Later darkness, and returned to
to the beaches by the skoot Jutland.
Troops transported on 29th May
reduction in the number of destroyers and with failure to
The 29th May closed with a formidable available list of ships lost or damaged, a marked
the high rate of evacuation hoped for. The effect of the day's occurrences achieve
even more marked next day, when instead of the 50,000 to 60,000 British was
were in fact transported.²
troops which had been calculated as the probable achievement, only 48,000 odd
Nevertheless, 47,310 troops (including some 2,000 casualties) were landed
in England on the 29th May (see Table 2), 13,752 having been lifted from the
beaches and 33,558 from the harbour. Only about 11/2 per cent of these were
French troops³, whose organised evacuation had not yet begun. (See Appen-
dices Y.2 to Y.5).
During the morning and forenoon of the 29th May, when there was no
bombing of Dunkirk harbour, 1Q personnel vessels⁴ lifted 14,760 troops from
the east pier; during the afternoon, in spite of the bombing, the Canterbury
lifted a further 1,960.
The development of beach evacuation is indicated by the fact that nearly
2½ times the number of troops were lifted from the beaches on 29th May as
compared with the number lifted on the previous day. Seventeen destroyers⁵
each made one round trip during the 24 hours of the 29th May and an eighteenth
destroyer, the Icarus, made two such trips. On these trips the 18 destroyers
embarked and transported to England 10,694 troops of which 6,198 were
lifted from the beaches and 4,506 from Dunkirk harbour. Nine minesweepers6
together lifted 2,426 troops from the beaches although one of them, the Albury
did not land her troops in England until the next day.⁷ Among other ships
which brought back troops from the beaches was the cruiser Calcutta with
1,200.
The record of troops landed in England now stood as follows :-
From the
From the
Total for
beaches
harbour
the day
26th May
Nil
Nil
Nil
27th May
Nil
7,669
7,669
28th May
5,930
11,874
17,804
29th May
13,752
33,558
47,310
I Report by Chantecler.
3 D.R., which incidentally puts the total of and casualties landed on 29th Table May 2). as
2 D.R. p.11, para. 38.
40,724. This figure probably does not include troops carried by foreign ships (See Prague,
4 The Côte d'Argent, Killarney, King George troops V, Maid of Orleans, Manxman,
Royal Daffodil, Royal Sovereign, Scotia, and
Javelin, Malcolm, Sabre, Scimitar, Verity, Wolsey and Worcester. Marmion
5 The Anthony, Codrington, Esk, Express, Tynwald. Greyhound, Harvester, Intrepid, Ivanhoe,
6 The Albury, Duchess of Fife, Emperor Shikari, of Vanquisher, India, Fitzroy, Halcyon, Hebe, Leda,
and Sharpshooter.
7 See Table 3, in conjunction with the reports of ships' proceedings in Vol. II.
54

Details

WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY
CHAP. VI
Ships lost or damaged on 29th May
H.M. SHIPS SUNK
The destroyers Wakeful, Grafton and Grenade.
The armed boarding vessel King Orrry
The Special Service Vessel Crested Eagle.
The Paddle Minesweepers Waverley and Gracie Fields.¹
The Personnel Vessels Normania,1 Lorina, Fenella and Mona's Queen.
The trawlers Polly Johnson and Calvi.
The danlayers Comfort and Nautilus.
The drifter Girl Pamela².
H.M. SHIPS DAMAGED AND PUT OUT OF ACTION.
The destroyers Saladin, Greyhound, Intrepid, Montrose, Mackay, Gallant
and Jaguar.
The sloop Bideford.
The minesweeper Pangbourne (required dockyard repairs).
The personnel vessel Canterbury.
The hospital carrier Isle of Guernsey.
OTHER VESSELS
SUNK A.L.C.16, the S.S. Clan Macalister (6,900 tons), the M/B's Minikoi,
Viewfinder, Bobeli, Hanora, Sceneshifter and Queen of England.
DAMAGED AND PUT OUT OF ACTION The tug Sun V.
Destroyers of the "H," "I" and "J" Classes withdrawn
As a result of the heavy casualties and losses amongst the destroyer force,
particularly the misfortunes which befell those of the larger and more modern
types, a consultation was held between the Admiralty and the Vice-Admiral,
Dover, on 29th May, which led to a decision to withdraw the 7 destroyers of
the "H", "I" and "J" Classes from "Dynamo"3; they were the only
modern destroyers remaining with Vice-Admiral, Dover. All destroyers of
the "G" class4 were already out of action.
There remained available for "Dynamo" 15 destroyers :-
Esk
Malcolm
Verity
Express
Whitehall
Vanquisher
Anthony
Winchelsea
Sabre
Keith
Worcester
Scimitar
Codrington
Windsor
Shikari
Excluding any casualties, this number of destroyers might be expected to
maintain a flow of one destroyer per hour to the coast and would lift 17,000
troops in 24 hours⁵. It is noteworthy that in spite of their unsuitability for
the work of troop carrying, the 39 destroyers so employed in ' Dynamo "
brought off more troops-96,000-than any other type of ship (see Table 1).
The 45 personnel vessels brought off 87,000; the 36 minesweepers 46,000 ;
the 39 skoots 22,000 ; and among the smaller vessels, the 51 drifters brought
off 12,000.
I Actually sank on 30th May, as a result of damage received on 29th May.
2 In collision with the Lydd off Dunkirk harbour on the night of 28th/29th May.
3 The Icarus, Impulsive, Intrepid, Ivanhoe, Harvester, Havant and Javelin.
4 The Gallant, Grafton, Grenade and Greyhound.
5 D.R. p.11, para. 37.
55

Details

FRIDAY, 31ST MAY
CHAP. VIII
Thereupon, at about 0050 on the 1st June Lt. Cdr. McClelland informed
Dover that he was closing down the telephone line as the headquarters were now
being abandoned.
While this decision was being arrived at further batteries had come into
action on the town of La Panne, and by 0100 the rate of fire on the beach was
increased. Lt. Cdr. McClelland says that he had by that time lost touch with
Major-General Montgomery, who had left earlier and subsequently embarked
in the Codrington at Dunkirk at 0525 on the 1st June.
By 0130 it was low water, and about half a mile walk to the end of the piers
which were now high and dry. While walking there with the intention of
assisting in the embarkation of the few men who had not been ordered to march
to Dunkirk, Lt. Cdr. McClelland was twice knocked down by shell bursts a
splinter smashed the box signalling lantern he was carrying, and another
slightly injured his ankle. Several houses on the front were now blazing
fiercely.
On reaching the embarkation point Lt. Cdr. McClelland was told that no
boats had been in for over half an hour, and that the naval beach party had
left-apparently in accordance with his orders that they were to leave in the
last boat.¹ As will be seen later, the beach parties at Bray also embarked early
on the 31st May.
There being neither ships nor boats now at the beaches, Lt. Cdr. McClelland
ordered a general retirement westward of all the groups on the beaches with
the object of getting them inside the defended perimeter outside Bray-Dunes
before 0400.
At 0200, two or three miles down the beach towards Bray, three ships2 at
anchor and some troops had been trying unsuccessfully to attract their attention
by firing their rifles. Further on, as other large groups were waiting for boats,
Lt. Cdr. McClelland decided to swim off and report on the situation. He
managed to get close enough to the Gossamer, which was anchored 4 cables
from the shore, to pick up a lifebelt on a line brought to him by one of the ship's
company.
He was just able to gasp out his message to the Captain of the Gossamer
before collapsing, but he had told of the 4th Division's change of plan and of
the state of the beaches and had asked that Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker and
Vice-Admiral Dover be informed. The former was evidently informed at
0215³, and at 0235, the Gossamer signalled V.A. Dover that 6,000 British were
marching from La Panne through Bray on Dunkirk⁴.
Being very exhausted and no longer able to walk because of the pain from
the wound in his ankle, Lt. Cdr. McClelland remained in the Gossamer.⁵
Sub.-Lieut. E. C. Croswell's report on La Panne confirms that of Lt. Cdr.
McClelland. He says On Friday [31st May] embarkation at La Panne was
slowed up as shelling caused some ships to move westward to Bray-Dunes.
The rest camp in the rear of La Panne beach and a small arms ammunition hut
were hit during bombing attacks which continued throughout Friday, and ships
also suffered shell fire
On Friday evening German gunners found the range
of the beach and were aided by 2 observation balloons which we did not manage
I Lt. Cdr. McClelland's report (R.O.III, p.392).
2 The Codrington, Ivanhoe and Gossamer.
3 M.017978/41, p.21.
4
Appendix H.20.
5
Lt. Cdr. McClelland received a mention in despatches.
77

Details

FRIDAY, 31ST MAY
CHAP. VIII
After about an hour the Margate life-boat, the Lord Southborough, appeared.
All destroyers were now under way, and as the life-boat was returning to Margate
the party went back in her¹. She reached Margate at 1450 on May 31st.
Thus, by about 0830 on the 31st May all the beach parties of which there are
any records had returned or were on their way to England.
Devonia is beached
At 1035 Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker had informed V.A. Dover that he would
beach a ship in the hope of improving conditions for boat work, which was then
being made difficult by a lop and he instructed Cdre. Stephenson accordingly.
Cdre. Stephenson, then in the yacht Bounty off. La Panne, boarded the
minesweeper Devonia at 1600 and gave orders to beach the ship. The
Devonia, already much damaged by near misses at 1230, was beached at
full speed off La Panne, and at 1930, on account of the shelling and bombing,
she was abandoned. Fortunately by 1700 the weather off the beaches had
much improved.
Casualties to H.M. Ships
With the exception of the Devonia none of H.M. ships was lost on this day,
but the following were slightly damaged : the Vivacious was damaged by a
shell hit and had 3 dead and 12 wounded; the Hebe received slight damage
from a near miss; the Wolsey was in collision with the P/V Roebuck; the
Impulsive damaged a propeller on uncharted wreckage; the Malcolm was in
collision with Dunkirk pier; and the Scimitar was in collision with the Icarus
and later with a drifter².
Air patrols
During the 31st May Fighter Command carried out patrols, as on the 30th
May, at an average strength of three to four squadrons. Eight patrols in all
were flown, involving 289 sorties. The periods in the day when the Dunkirk
area was not covered were 0620-0800, 0830-1110, 1510-1615, and 1745-1915³.
Coastal Command patrolled the line North Goodwins-Gravelines-Ostend
throughout the day, patrols being of one section strength, involving in all
37 sorties⁴.
Shortly before 0930 the Air Ministry intercepted a meassage indicating that
the enemy air force had been ordered not to attack the town or harbour of
Dunkirk but to concentrate attacks on shipping at sea, or leaving the coast³.
It was at about 1230 that, off La Panne, the Devonia received extensive
damage to her hull from 4 near misses, but the first major attack on our ships
occurred about 1415-1430 when one of our squadrons estimated the enemy
strength as about 100 aircraft (bombers and fighters). Rear-Admiral Wake-
Walker says, "a terrific air battle took place overhead and it seemed to go
against us". Actually, we lost 9 aircraft and claimed 7 enemy shot down.6
Air attacks then followed at half-hourly intervals between 1530 and 1730,
and at about 1717 the Ivanhoe, Whitehall and Express off Dunkirk harbour
were attacked by about 50 bombers. The Whitehall received some damage
and the Express slight damage from near misses. At this time also the Hebe
was attacked off La Panne by 4 bombers and was damaged by near misses ;
I Cdr. Richardson's report (R.O.III, p.370).
2 Probably either the Gervais Rentoul or the Eileen Emma which both returned damaged
as the result of collisions.
3 R.A.F. Narrative, p.334.
4 R.A.F. Narrative, p.336.
5 M.017978/41, p.17.
6 R.A.F. Narrative, p.335.
83

Details

CHAP. IX
THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
east of Dunkirk. deserted. The too, empty, small seen that the beach to the
enemy tanks or As the light grew, at 0330, it was position against
The Rear-Admiral, lorries in along the Keith, the beach, with the was Basilisk for supporting fire
and going instructions Panne back was westward, to to England move though westward as intended. sea to were was Dunkirk However, moving whilst ships westward those were boats which a still had loading off Bray vanished were by under La
to the men anchored the
had been hit by shell fire. she grounded aft and continued at daylight, and at about
her motor boat and two She closed the shore ship as the Panne, using
The minesweeper Speedwell whalers was to ferry troops a little to the west of La
shortly after low water, fire by aircraft of the thus to embark 0500,
and the ship, until minesweeper took off 100 her off. She sailed at boats,
under machine-gun the enemy Albury towed troops on shore, the troops
for Dunkirk. On the way she troops from the Ivanhoe 0730
made repeatedly damaged up her by but a number bomb unsuccessfully as of the troops Speedwell bombed. to 972 was and steaming The left minesweeper for past Dover her. at 0950 Salamander At Dunkirk after which being was she
anchored a mile east of Bray Dunes, similarly engaged in embarking troops was
with her boats, and she sailed for Dunkirk astern of the Keith and Skipjack
soon after 0600. At Dunkirk she came in for two air attacks in one of which,
at about 0820, she was damaged by a near miss, but she reached Dover on one
boiler at 1530 and disembarked 479 troops. It was her last trip. A mile east
of Bray, too, the minesweeper Sutton embarked 453 troops from the beaches
before sailing at 0600 for Dover. She was bombed and machine-gunned, but
the only man hit was one wounded soldier. The minesweeper Dundalk was
anchored nearer to La Panne, also embarking troops. Having no motor boat,
the Speedwell and Salamander both lent a hand to tow her whalers. From
0500 onwards she was subjected to air attacks at regular intervals, and about
0800 she decided to proceed to Margate," where she arrived at 1215 with
280 troops. Still further east, the minesweeper Halcyon was anchored off La
Panne embarking troops swimming off to the ship, paddling in rubber boats,
and in her whalers, during which she had one officer (Lieut. N. Thurston, R.N.)
mortally wounded and suffered some casualties amongst the crew from machine
gunning by enemy aircraft.
Off Bray, the destroyer Sabre was embarking 451 troops and the minesweeper
Niger 310, pressing into service carley floats and lifebelts with which men swam
from the beach. Daylight showed a minesweeper and a paddle minesweeper
ashore, and the Rear-Admiral hailed a tug which was on its way homeward
with soldiers on board, and told him to go in and try to tow off the minesweepers.
However, the tugs had been sent over from England with pulling boats in tow
and told to load up, and they regarded themselves as transports only, whereas
Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker, who knew nothing of these instructions, naturally
regarded them as tugs. It was not until a gun was trained on the tug and an
R.N.V.R. Sub.-Lieutenant put on board to take charge, that the master's
anxiety to get away was overcome.
A welcome addition to the evacuation craft consisted of the first of a dozen
Belgian fishing boats which now appeared on the scene from seaward down
the Zyuidcoote Pass.¹
Early liftings from Dunkirk
At 0241 Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker had given orders for all small craft to
I Probably the 10 Belgian trawlers from Brixham, referred to in Section 176.
86

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CHAP. IX
THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
side by two further hits, within a few inches of the to port, which the
bomb hit. It seems probable for the that ship serious took a damage heavy list was now caused to
until the upper deck was with one anchor down. water. Steam was increased
lost and the ship stopped, depth charges set to safe and Torpedoes were gradually
no range on and all were jettisoned.
As the ship was now settling, the order Rear-Admiral to abandon Wake-Walker transferred
the Keith to M.T.B. 102 this moment a further series ship was given, and from
shook the ship with near misses amongst the men in the water.
the men left her. At which landed of dive bombing most attacks of
took off survivors and picked up men water. The skoot Hilda
About 0830 the tug St. Abbs came alongside in the and assisted by the tug Vincia
was bombed and sunk. As late as 1100 men were still struggling in the oil
rescued 7 ratings. An unidentified grey yacht which was picking up survivors
Lt. Gen. Laidsell, 2 officers, and 20 ratings. The minesweeper Salamander rescued
slick, and the motor barge Sherfield, which had arrived off the coast with a small
convoy of 2 X lighters and a motor launch, rescued 15.
At about 0940 aircraft again appeared, and the Keith was sunk in a salvo of
bombs from about 50 of the enemy. Three officers and 33 men were reported
lost.
Ten minutes later the St. Abbs, by this time off Dunkirk, was hit by bombs
and sank in 45 seconds. Of the 135 officers, ratings and trcops on board, 30
were left swimming in the water, including the Captain of the Keith, Capt. E. L.
Berthon, D.S.C., R.N., who was saved.
Meanwhile the Skipjack, which had been busy off Malo embarking troops
and fighting off continuous air attacks from 0530 which had reduced her
ammunition supply to about 12 rounds a gun, was dive-bombed at 0845 by 10
aircraft and hit by 2 bombs. A minute later 3 more bombs hit her. She
turned turtle and floated bottom upwards for about 2 minutes before finally
sinking. A few survivors were picked up by the Hilda and the St. Abbs. Nearly
all the 275 troops on board were below decks and had no chance to escape.
Enemy aircraft machine-gunned men in the water.
Ivanhoe damaged, Basilisk sunk.
Already, by this time, another destroyer had been put out of action. At
0800 off Dunkirk harbour, the Ivanhoe, with 1,000 troops on board which she
had embarked from La Panne, was dive-bombed and hit amidships. Damage
was severe and she had 26 killed and 30 wounded. The troops and wounded the
were transferred to the Havant, the Speedwell and the yacht Grive; and
proceeded to Sheerness. tug While within radius of 1 mile of No. 6 W buoy,
Ivanhoe, assisted by the Persia and escorted by the War Dept. M. L. Haig, 3
waves (each of 21 bombers) attacked the a Ivanhoe and other vessels in that area
for half an hour, but the Ivanhoe received no further damage.
and Dunkirk, the Basilisk the also Keith and bombed off La Panne. Three room,
At about the time that Ivanhoe were under attack off attacks Bray
were made. In the first was being exploded in No. 3 boiler out of
action; six other bombs auxiliary exploded steam underneath lines the ship, causing the upper
cutting the main and attack one bomb and putting all machinery deck
and the ship's sides to buckle.
Torpedoes and depth charges were jettisoned and at 0845 the ship was
floating on an even keel.
An hour later, while efforts were being made by the French trawler Jolie
90

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SATURDAY, 1ST JUNE
CHAP. IX
Mascotte to tow the Basilisk, the enemy returned to the attack but made no
hits. The French trawler slipped the tow and moved off to a safer distance.
At noon bombers returned for a third time, diving to about 400 feet.
Smothered by hits and near misses the Basilisk shuddered and heeled to star-
board, righted herself momentarily, but sank in about 3 minutes, settling on
the bottom on an even keel in some 4 fathoms. As soon as she was abandoned
the Whitehall completed her destruction by gunfire and torpedoes.
The Jolie Mascotte picked up 6 officers and 71 ratings, the Whitehall 2 officers
and 52 ratings. Other survivors got away in the motor boat and a whaler.
Second air attack, 0906 : sinking of the Havant
Meanwhile the Havant, after transferring 500 troops from the damaged
Ivanhoe, proceeded down Dunkirk Channel. At 0906, at the western end of
the channel, she was hit by 2 bombs which entered the starboard side of the
engine room killing every one in it. A third bomb dropped 50 yards ahead and
exploded as the Havant passed over it. Out of control and listing to port, the
ship continued to steam ahead towards the sandbanks opposite Dunkirk. The
engine room and No. 2 boiler room were on fire, there was a heavy escape of
steam and all auxiliary machinery was out of action, resulting in a failure of
the electric supply. It was impossible to enter the engine room, but Chief
Stoker M. Gallon, in spite of the fire, let the steam out of the boilers and the
ship was brought up in 4 fathoms by the starboard anchor.
The Saltash and Grive came alongside and the Havant's troops were trans-
ferred during almost continuous bombing. The Saltash took the Havant in
tow, but further concussion from near misses increased considerably the des-
troyer's list to port, so the majority of her ship's company were transferred to
the skoot Aegir. A bomb fell between the Havant and the Saltash followed by
another close to the Havant's port quarter. By 1000 the list had increased and
the decks were almost awash. 'Abandon ship" was ordered, the tow was
slipped and the remainder of the ship's company were transferred to the Aegir.
At 1015 the Havant rolled over and sank. 1 officer and 7 men were killed,
25 wounded.
Third air attack, 1009. Prague damaged
The enemy air attacks had not been confined to ships off the beaches. At
1009 the personnel vessel Prague, which had embarked about 3000 French
troops from Dunkirk harbour, was attacked by dive-bombers between W and V
buoys and suffered severe damage astern from 3 near misses which put the
starboard engine out of action.
The majority of the troops were transferred, whilst the ship continued to go
ahead on the port engine, to the Scimitar, the minesweeper Halcyon and the
paddle minesweeper Queen of Thanet, the later taking on board no less than
1,500 and the Scimitar 376; and at 1331 the tug Lady Brassey took the Prague
in tow to the Downs, where the remaining troops were transferred to the trawlers
Olvina and Lady Philomena. The Prague had ended her service in Operation
' Dynamo", for to save her from sinking she was beached off Sandown Castle,
Deal, at 1730 that day. In three trips, she had taken out from Dunkirk over
6,000 men.
Sinking of the Foudroyant
Before the morning was out yet a fourth destroyer, the French Foudroyant,
was sunk by air attack. The ship had sailed from England at 0800. She
91

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SATURDAY, 1ST JUNE
CHAP. IX
boiler and engine rooms badly holed, the steering gear jammed with the rudder
hard over, the ship took a heavy list to port. The crew of the pom-pom were
all killed or knocked out except Acting Leading Seaman Ronald Thirlwall, who,
although shockingly badly wounded in at least four places, kept the one un-
damaged barrel firing until ammunition was exhausted. The 0.5" gun aft was
also kept in action by Able Seaman C. A. L. Hirschfield, who went aft and
brought the gun into action single handed after all the crew were wounded.
With water pouring into the ship, the Mosquito was abandoned, the survivors
being picked up by the Rapid and two drifters. Among the killed was the
executive officer Lieutenant A. H. Mainwaring, R.N.
Fifth and sixth air attacks, 1500 and 1610
Between 1230 and about 1500 there was a lull in the air attacks on shipping,
and when attacks were renewed at the latter hour R.A.F. and Coastal Command
patrols were operating and no damage occurred.
About 1600 the French minesweeping trawlers Président Briand, Denis
Papin, Moussaillon and Vénus, were approaching Dunk'rk after landing troops
in England, when gunfire from a shore battery opposite 6 W buoy caused the
two former, who were ahead, to turn back. Ten minutes later, a formation of
9 enemy aircraft dived cn them, directing their bombs on the Vénus and the
Denis Papin. The latter apparently sank immediately with total loss of her
crew, and the Vénus in four minutes, after a direct hit. Whilst the other two
trawlers were engaged in rescuing the survivors of the Vénus, the Moussaillon
was hit and sank within a minute.
Losses from mines
On this black day mines were also taking their toll of shipping. Enemy
aircraft had been mining the inshore channels during the night 31st May-1st
June, and at 0313 Vice-Admiral Dover informed the Admiralty that he was
allowing ships evacuating troops to use Route Y as well as Route X. In the
early hours the corvette Sheldrake after a night spent in dodging M.T.B.
torpedoes", was skilfully directed by aircraft to a position between the West
Hinder and Kwint buoys, where she found wreckage with men clinging to it.
This was the remains of the trawler St. Achilleus which had been mined on
patrol. The Sheldrake rescued 11 men, but 4 of them died before they could
be got to harbour. About the same time, i.e. at 0330, the little Thames Estuary
cockle bawley boat Renown was blown to pieces with her crew of 3, on the way
back from Dunkirk.
The third ship to be sunk on this day was the F.A.A. training yacht Grive a
vessel which, on account of her untiring activity, could ill be spared. Having
disembarked 374 troops at Dover at 0100 on the 1st June the Grive sailed again
two hours later for Dunkirk without waiting to replenish ammunition, of which
she had only 5 rounds per gun remaining. On the way in to the harbour she
lent assistance to the Ivanhoe after the latter was bombed and damaged, went
alongside the jetty and embarked troops under heavy bombing. At 0800 she
left again. On the way out, she passed the sinking destroyer Havant with the
Ivanhoe's troops and survivors of the crew on board; these she transferred,
and arrived at Dover with 785 persons about 1300. Three hours later, her
indefatigable Captain (Capt. the Hon. L. J. O. Lambart, D.S.O., R.N. (Retired)
sailed once more for Dunkirk. But he never arrived, for at about 2230, when
a mile or so outside the harbour, the Grive was blown to pieces by a mine.
Nineteen survivors were picked up, but her Captain was not among them.
93

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SATURDAY, 1ST JUNE
CHAP. IX
SUNK BY E-BOAT TORPEDOES.
Trawlers Argyllshire, Stella Dorado.
SUNK BY MINES.
Trawler St. Achilleus, small craft Renown.
SUNK BY GUNFIRE.
Drifter Lord Cavan.
SUNK BY COLLISION OR OTHER MISADVENTURE.
Drifters Eileen Emma, Fair Breeze, Gervais Rentoul.
Yachts Amulree, Pellag II.
Barges Aidie, Barbara Jean, Duchess, Ethel Everard, Lark, Royalty.
Small craft, number unknown.
DAMAGED BY AIR ATTACK.
Destroyers Ivanhoe, Worcester.
Minesweepers Ross, Salamander, Westward-Ho.
Corvette Kingfisher.
Personnel vessel Prague.
DAMAGED BY MINE.
Hospital carrier St. David.
DAMAGED BY GUNFIRE.
One trawler, name uncertain.
DAMAGED BY COLLISION OR GROUNDING
Destroyer Vimy.
Personnel vessel Maid of Orleans.
The evacuation figures for the day
Little ships added their quotas to those of the big ships, though not without
casualties they suffered heavy losses from collision or other misadventure,
although in the circumstances it was not always possible to obtain details
(See App. B.I.)
On this day there were lifted from the beaches and from Dunkirk harbour :
by motor boats and the like 2334 persons, by hopper barges 1470, by tugs 736,
by yachts 1,831, by skoots 3,170, of which almost all were from the beaches,
by special service vessels 1,250, by drifters 2,968, and by trawlers 1,876 prac-
tically all of whom were lifted from Dunkirk harbour. French ships lifted
3,967, Belgian trawlers 402, and a Dutch yacht 114; all troops evacuated by
foreign ships were embarked in Dunkirk harbour, none coming from the beaches.
Though losses of ships had been highest this day the total of troops lifted was
the second highest of the operation, no less than 64,429 being landed in England.
Of these, 47,081 had been embarked in Dunkirk harbour and 17,348 from the
beaches.
95

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Details

Details

SIGNALS
APPENDIX E
8. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to Sabre
Last chance of saving B.E.F. is tonight. Proceed with all despatch to beach one
to three miles east of Dunkirk and embark troops using own boats. Route from
Dover is by No. 6 Calais buoy, south of Dunkerque B.W. buoy and French coastal
route. Return by Zuydcoote Pass Q.Z.F.3. and Q.Z.S.60. Other British ships
will be off the beach. You should leave at your discretion and anyhow not later
than 0330.
2305/27
SIGNALS RE BUILD UP OF DESTROYERS
Thursday, 30th May
9. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to ADMIRALTY, C.IN-C. NORE
Dover 30th May, departures: Javelin, Impulsive, Havant, Harvester, Icarus,
Intrepid, Ivanhoe, at 0515, for Sheerness.
0538/30
Note: This followed a decision to withdraw the 7 modern destroyers from Operation
Dynamo.
10. C.-IN-C. NORE to Harvester, Havant, Ivanhoe, Impulsive, Icarus, Intrepid (R) C.S.
S/H, V.A. Dover.
Raise steam forthwith and proceed to Dunkirk by Route x for X-ray.
1531/30
Note: The decision to withdraw. the modern destroyers was revoked.
11. ADMIRALTY to C.-IN-C. NORE (R) Ajax, Hotspur, V.A. Dover, Lynx
A spare destroyers crew is to be sent to Dover as soon as possible to provide
temporary reliefs in crews of destroyers operating off Belgian coast.
2341/30
APPENDIX E
SIGNALS RE BUILD-UP OF MINESWEEPERS
Note . 36 minesweepers took part in Operation Dynamo and were drawn from
the following flotillas: 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th, and 12th.
Sunday, 26th May
1. ADMIRALTY to C.IN-C. HOME FLEET, (R) A.C.O.S., V.A. Dover, M/S 1, M/S 6
Owing to casualties, 6 M.S.F. at Dover has been reduced to two effective ships.
Oil-burning fleet sweepers are urgently required there to maintain channel for
communication with B.E.F.
Request two ships of 1st M.S.F. may be spared from your command and sailed
to join 6 M.S.F. at Dover forthwith¹.
1833/26
I Hebe and Sharpshooter arrived Dover 1723/28.
Monday, 27th May
2. C.-IN-C. NORE to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
5th M.S.F. can sail from Harwich at daylight.
Would they be of use to you at Dunkirk.
2345/27
Reply
3.
No thank you very much.
0044/28
Tuesday, 28th May
Note: Admiralty message 1063/28 [not available] ordered the 7th and 8th M/S
Flotillas (which were at Rosyth) to Harwich, under the orders of the Vice-
Admiral, Dover.
4. C.-IN-C. NORE to F.O.I.C. HARWICH, (R) V.A. Dover, Admiralty
12th M.S.F. is to proceed to arrive off La Panne at 2200 today, Tuesday
5th M.S.F. is to proceed to arrive off beach between Zuydcoote and Malo-les-Bains
at 2200 today Tuesday
0939/28
T.O.R. 1036
163

Details

SIGNALS
APPENDIX o
I have sent Capt. Bush by M.T.B. with an appreciation.
There is little food or water in Dunkirk. This should be sent as soon as possible
Armies are quite unable to help or organise anything. Keep on sending any ships.
A good medical officer with staff should be despatched
1001/29
4. ADMIRALTY to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER C.-IN-C. PORTSMOUTH
Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker has been appointed as R.A., Dover for command
of seagoing ships and vessels off the Belgian coast, and is to hoist his flag in such
ship as V.A. Dover shall direct.
1748/29
5. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to SHIPS & AUTHORITIES NORE & DOVER (R) Admiralty
C.-in-C. Portsmouth, C.-in-C. Nore
My 1748/291, 1321/29 and 1832/29 to Hebe only :
Authority for operation Dynamo under V.A. Dover is as follows :
R.A. Wake-Walker has been appointed as R.A. Dover for command of seagoing
ships and vessels off the Belgian coast.
R.A. Dover has hoisted his flag in Hebe. Captain Tennant has been appointed
as S.N.O. Dunkirk and is responsible under R.A. Dover for all shore organisation.
1328/30
6. ADMIRALTY to SHIPS & AUTHORITIES IN AREA A (R) C.-in-C. Portsmouth C.-in-C. W.A.
During present operations on Belgian coast where many small craft are present,
destroyers are not repetition not to stop to render assistance to ships in distress. 1105/29
7. Ivanhoe to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
From S.N.O. Dunkirk-enemy shelling pier with shore batteries from S.E.
Request bombers to counter. Vital.
1105/29
and later
8. B.N.L.O., C.-IN-C. NORTHERN NAVAL FORCES to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
My
1105 cancel request. Consider possible retaliation would be to our dis-
advantage.
1200/29
SIGNALS RE EVACUATION 29TH MAY
9. MAJOR GENERAL LLOYD to MAJOR GENERAL DEWING, D.M.O., WAR OFFICE
Morale of troops landing is remarkably high partly no doubt due to arrival home.
Approximately half armed. Percentage of officers small. All drawn from units
promiscuously, mostly Third Corps
1204/29
10. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to GENERAL LINDSELL [Q.M.G.], S.N.O. DUNKIRK
Stores and supply craft have had to return undischarged owing to lack of assist-
ance from shore.
Must press you to organise parties for unloading purposes; Naval beach parties
will indicate when and where required.
1432/29
I V.A. Dover's 1748/29 cannot be traced. Probably Admiralty Message
1748/29 (see Appendix O, 9c) is meant.
G
177

Details

INDEX
Greatwood, Lt., 76.
Grenade, 28, 43-4 (damaged), 46, 50n (reported sinking), 55 (sunk).
Greyhound, 13 (bombards Calais) ; in Dynamo, 23, 27, 42 (damaged), 47 (remains in
action), 54n, 55n.
Grey Mist, 13.
Grimsby Town, 104, 110.
Grive, 38, 93 (sunk), 60, 90-1.
Grouse, 72n.
Guillemot, 114n, 117.
Gula, 71n.
Gulzar, 17, 60n, 114n, 118.
H.A.C., 71s.
Haig, 72n, 90.
Halcyon, 20, 28n, 45, 47n, 54n, 82, 86 (attacked), 91, 107n, 109, 114n, 117.
Hallett, Vice-Admiral T. J., (act. Cdre.), 49 (takes charge off Bray), 58, 79; leaves, 80 ;
effect of his arrival, 126.
Hancock, Capt. C. A., 29.
Handy Billie, 81.
Hanora, abandoned, 53 : sunk, 55.
Harris, Cdr. W. V. H., 13.
Harvester, 28n, 35-6, 47, 54n, 55n.
Harwich, F.O.I.C., 70; assistance to ships at, 94.
Havant, 46, 55n, 91 (sunk), 93.
Hawkinge, 5, 7.
Hebe, 44, 47n, 49, 50 (flag of R.A. Dover), 54n, 58 (hoists flag), 66, 67, 70, 76 (Whaler),
76n, 83 (slightly damaged), 84 (shoots down Heinkel).
Hebe II, 20, 24, 27, 28n.
Hemans, Lt. M. A., 81.
Henderson, Comdr. H. P., 22.
Hilda, 20, 29n, 32, 72n, 78, 90.
Hird, 37.
Hirschfield, A. B., C.A.L., 93.
Holford, Maj. C.F. L., R.M., 8.
Holkham, Capt. A., 38.
Holland, 111-2.
Holland, invaded, 1; surrenders, 2.
Holland-Martin, Lt. Cdr. D. E., 21.
Holmes, Maj.-Gen. W. G., 82.
Hondsrug, 20n, 24, 102, 114n, 116-7.
Hospital carriers, attacked, 16, 17, 43, 45, 104; space too valuable for them, 87.
Hound, 72n.
Howson, Capt. J. M.: S.N.O. Beaches, 49, 59; stops waste of boats, 60; returns to
Dover, 74; orders beach parties to embark, 79, 80; effect of his arrival, 126.
Hutchins, Lt. Col. R. L., 69-70.
Hythe, 32, 72n.
Icarus, 37-8 (damaged), 54 (makes two trips in 24 hours), 55n, 69, 83 (in collision), 87, 97
101 (in collision).
Impulsive, 20, 23, 27, 55n, 64n, 70, 83 (damages propeller).
Indépendence, 73n.
Ingénieur Cachin, 73.
Intrepid, 37, 38, 43 (damaged), 54n, 55n, 61n.
Inverforth, 34.
Ironside, General Sir Edmund (CIGS), 5.
Isle of Guernsey, 17, 45 (damaged).
Isle of Thanet, 19, 22n, 24, 28, 34 (sunk).
Ivanhoe, 37n-8, 54n, 55n, 77n, 83 (bombed), 86, 90-1 (damaged), 93.
Jackal, hunts submarine, 69.
Jacketa, 32n, 51n.
Jaguar, 28, 39, 41 (damaged), 42, 61n (in need of repair).
Java, 32, 42, 47.
Javelin, 28, 37-8, 54n, 55n, 61n, 105 (forbidden to sail).
Jeannie MacIntosh, 71n.
Jeune France, 62n, 73n.
200

Details

LIST OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS.
A.A. CRUISER.
CALCUTTA
DESTROYERS.
ANTHONY
INTREPID
VENOMOUS
BASILISK
IVANHOE
VERITY
CODRINGTON
JAGUAR
VIMY
ESK
JAVELIN
VIVACIOUS
EXPRESS
KEITH
WAKEFUL
GALLANT
MACKAY
WHITEHALL
GRAFTON
MALCOLM
WHITSHED
GRENADE
MONTROSE
WINCHELSEA
GREYHOUND
SABRE
WINDSOR
HARVESTER
SALADIN
WOLFHOUND
HAVANT
SCIMITAR
WOLSEY
ICARUS
SHIKARI
WORCESTER
IMPULSIVE
VANQUISHER
SLOOP.
BIDEFORD
CORVETTES.
GUILLEMOT
MALLARD
SHELDRAKE
KINGFISHER
SHEARWATER
WIDGEON
GUNBOATS.
LOCUST
MOSQUITO
MINESWEEPERS.
ALBURY
HEBE
ROSS
BRIGHTON BELLE
KELLETT
SALAMANDER
BRIGHTON QUEEN
LEDA
SALTASH
DEVONIA
LYDD
SANDOWN
DUCHESS OF FIFE
MARMION
SHARPSHOOTER
DUNDALK
MEDWAY QUEEN
SKIPJACK
EMPEROR OF INDIA
NIGER
SNAEFELL
FITZROY
ORIOLE
SPEEDWELL
GLENAVON
PANGBOURNE
SUTTON
GLENGOWER
PLINLIMMON
WAVERLEY
GOSSAMER
PORTSDOWN
WESTWARD HO
GRACIE FIELDS
PRINCESS ELIZABETH
WHIPPINGHAM
HALCYON
QUEEN OF THANET
Sunk.
(Continued)

Details

ST OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS.
A.A. CRUISER.
CALCUTTA
DESTROYERS.
ANTHONY
INTREPID
VENOMOUS
BASILISK
IVANHOE
VERITY
CODRINGTON
JAGUAR
VIMY
ESK
JAVELIN
VIVACIOUS
EXPRESS
KEITH
WAKEFUL
GALLANT
MACKAY
WHITEHALL
GRAFTON
MALCOLM
WHITSHED
GRENADE
MONTROSE
WINCHELSEA
GREYHOUND
SABRE
WINDSOR
HARVESTER
SALADIN
WOLFHOUND
HAVANT
SCIMITAR
WOLSEY
ICARUS
SHIKARI
WORCESTER
IMPULSIVE
VANQUISHER
SLOOP.
BIDEFORD
CORVETTES.
GUILLEMOT
MALLARD
SHELDRAKE
KINGFISHER
SHEARWATER
WIDGEON
GUNBOATS.
LOCUST
f
MOSQUITO
MINESWEEPERS.
ALBURY
HEBE
BRIGHTON BELLE
ROSS
KELLETT
BRIGHTON QUEEN
SALAMANDER
LEDA
DEVONIA
SALTASH
LYDD
DUCHESS OF FIFE
SANDOWN
MARMION
DUNDALK
SHARPSHOOTER
MEDWAY QUENEN
EMPEROR OF INDIA
SKIPJACK
NIGER
FITZROY
SNAEFELL
ORIOLE
GLENAVON
SPEEDWELL
PANGBOURNE
GLENGOWER
SUTTON
PLINLIMMON
GOSSAMER
WAVERLEY
PORTSDOWN
GRACIE FIELDS
WESTWARD Ho
HALCYON
PRINCESS ELIZABETH
WHIPPINGHAM
QUENN OF THANET
Sunk.
Conti

Details

COPY.
EXTRACTS FROM LOG.
(2)
157
s.t. "PERSIA"
C May.
Underweigh at 7-15 a.m. Assisted French Destroyer off
iralty Pier to sea, finished 8-0 a.m., made fast at Quay. Took in
tons of coal and 15 tons of water. Underweigh at 10-30 p.m. with
rges "GLENWAY" and "SARK" for Dunkirk.
st June.
Stern barge carried away at 2-10 a.m., connected up again
5-15 a.m. Arriving East Quay Dunkirk at 8-0 a.m. Air raid was on:
Received orders to tow barges 1 mile east of Pierhea and let them sail
ashore. During these movements we had bombs droped all round us, and
I noticed one of our Destroyers hit, which proved to be the "IVANHOE".
I at once steamed full speed towards her, and found she had been hit.
I was told to get her in tow, and we had her in tow in a few minutes.
During the tow the concussions of the bombs and gunfire caused our
towing hawser to carry away. Only a few minutes had elapsed when
we had another hawser on board the Destroyer and were towing her towards
Dover. For over two hours we were being bombed and fired on by German
'planes, until our own 'planes came in sight and then the Enemy flew
off. Towing by the shore batteries they fired about 15 rounds at us,
but all missed their object. Abreast of the North Goodwin Light
Vessel we received orders from the Destroyer to tow on to Sheerness.
In the vicinity of the Oaze we were met by a Government Tug, and he
made fast alongide and assisted us to tow same to Chatham Dockyard.
Another Tug came to assist us at Garrison Point. We finished with
the Destroyer at 9-15 p.m., ran to Sheerness and made fast to a Buoy
at 10-0 p.m.
2nd June.
Underweigh at 7-30 a.m. Went alongside Sheerness Dockyard,
awaiting orders, etc. Left Sheerness at mid-day with oil tender for
Margate Roads and lifeboats for Ramsgate. We had a nasty Easterly
breeze and could not proceed very fast. We made Margate 8-0 p.m. and
Ramagate 9-15 p.m. Then ran to Deal and anchored 10-0 p.m.
3rd June.
Underweigh at 6-0 a.m., making for Dover. Arriving alongside
Admiralty Pier at 7-0 a.m. Standing by.
4th June.
Lying alongside Quay. 'Standing by'.
5th June,
Left Dover at mid-day with small motor craft,a breast of
South Foreland, heavy swell, had to return to Dover with craft, made
same fast to Quay. Reported this to "ing's Harbour Master. Awaiting
orders. 3-45 p.m. received orders for Gravesend. Left Dover at
4-0 p.m., arriving at Gravesend 10-40 p.m.
(Signed) H. Aldrich.
Master of Tug "PERSIA".

Details

327
30592
port on Proceedings of M.T.B. 68
Page 2
ficer on board and patrolled beaches between Dunkirk and La Panne
ganising the beaching of drifters, trawlers etc., at Braye and the
stribution of small craft as they arrived.
Considerable shelling from direction of La Panne at times.
Searched for pilot of "Hurricane" brought down about 2 miles
if beach, but unable to find any remains.
Continuous air raids on town and beaches but not so intense
3
previous day. Little dive bombing.
2035.. Fuel running low. Returned to Dover.
2050. Overtook M.T.B's 67 and 107 and proceeded in company.
2205. Secured Dover. Two feet of water in after compartment and
in engines causing considerable trouble.
aturday, 1st June.
0740.
Took officers into Downs to board merchant ship.
0900.
Secured Dover.
1430.
Sailed for Portsmouth to be slipped with M.T.B. 67.
2040.
Secured Portsmouth.
o0o0o0o
3 to subsequent identification
I have the honour to be,
EITH" and reported short of fuel.
ldiers to various transports.
Sir,
ring 1800.
Your obedient Servant,
Clasbreyer
signalled instructions from
Licutenant in Command.
ed H.M.S. "IVANHOE" being
who appeared to be not under
e Vice Admiral,
off Rear Admiral Make-Walker
Dover.
roached two tuga to order them
dies to:- Portsmouth,
"HORNET".
attacking, many bombs falling
ay action of smaller bombs in
bed - considerable damage
ermittent shelling in harbour
ear Admiral Wake-Walker and
"SANDBURST".
Engine Room maintenance, I
reported ready
.......

Details

119
I
114
as he sheeld off at speed, I was also
handicapped by lach of day light liqualling
deslares, my answer was not seen, Y I crus
apparation as, when ch allerged by a V class
fined on until he was able to accertain
my nationality.
on arrival at Dunkerh, I
closed the Beach at malo des Bains The
CMB. was hust unhand head the beach,
pro jecting propellors (b) the humber of from
owing (d) to a minimum speed of Y Knot F
lines land to the shore by off lying versils
However by putting my bones to two laye
Steam launches apround hear the beach, l
was able to load up three true with
Trench took, whom I ferried int & trawlers I
\ difflin discharged The funth time
proceeded at speed for (ams/ ali they
tooh off 57 French Tolding, 3 Butish where officers
were disem banked
During the Continums an
naids while we were at malo has Bains
beach, the Conduct of two of the w D. Palinfs
inboard "Narg . was very poor : I had is
threatin both with arrust. The master however,
did every thing he was wed with at ques ten,
proved Emli whalle The next morning, June 9 qmil 2ml
l
enly of at full speed. I was again
aim sailed for Dunkarh proceding alt endepend. ached by
chride was ho 6 Burg Dunkish Was, l
a hit measer was hot hil. arrived off Dunkish,
to enter harbond saw Hms Ivanhoe an five
Saw the beaches almost empty while whing

Details

120
in No 1 Briles wom in tow of Persia
closed him & ashed if he wanted
The Captain ashed we to exent
which I did
after circling him
as awaraft were active I
enemy he had slipped his tow '&a
that be procuding at about 12kh Ivanhoe "Pesse
astern but at ho 6 Bud,
told we to instruct "Peria to new
tow was being be connected rouke
for As half an hour, three "Sanhae", waves of
every bombers, attached
transports sentifo ing muscellanems
when 2 miles the 6 W. Budy. both
all all possible at 30 knot with anicraft
funo to m not, keep them at with
ing, whether every hey
large Continu all circled what was tug
Convay of the damaged des troyer about
third resul with a barge in tors
tug (Incia orDonal with hosh al
of hoops Inaccurate bombing usult
one salvo falling wal' Persia".
appeared from S.W. but was soon di
Subsequently a sample
the um ander the tup was made
heal "W Bud, another tug bound for
incident. I had any 3 have of ammy
was ant acted x sent to a des to aif
distress was Hills Banck
Finally heal horth
"Ivanhoe. ashed we to Contenue esca
Sheetness or unfit D.Y. typs arrived.
nek.

Details

- 2 -
I
376
A
353
aircraft which for the quickly made off and we were not again directly
attacked rest of the night. The sea surface was
extremely phosphorescent and I believe the aircraft detected
us by our water.
At 2256 a M.T.B. proceeding very fast struck us a
glancing blow on the Starboard quarter. This craft did not stop
or answer any signals but appeared to carry a green light
shining skywards. He was quickly lost in the darkness - marks
and splinters left behind showed that he was painted a dark
grey.
At Dunkirk itself the offing was lit by the burning
oil tanks making ship very conspicuous and as the beaches were
at this time obliterated by heavy smoke from these fires, I
anchored to the Westward at 0110 1st June and waited daybreak.
0350 weighed anchor and entered Dunkirk harbour. At OLUIO, in
company with H.M.S. "Locust". 0500 berthed alongside and
commenced embarking troops - severe air raids in progress all
the time. Two raiders shot down by A.A. fire.
0620 let go and cleared harbour having embarked about
70 soldiers, mostly E. Yorks Regiment. 0750 attacked by enemy
bomber, opened fire and hit him with bursts from Lewis gun. No
received great assistance in this attack from the troops who
mounted their Bren guns on deck. Observed one aircraft shot down
by gunfire from H.M. Ships.
We were now compelled to go slow as our main engine
circulating pump was damaged and engines getting extremely
overheated.
1000 took in tow for Ramsgate a disabled motor launch.
1300 entered Ramsgate harbour and disembarked troops. 1315
left Ramsgate for Sheerness going dead slow owing to condition
of engines. 1547 passed W/T signal to C. in C. for H.N.S.
"Ivanhoe" (in tow). 1916 entered Sheerness hargour and secured
to buoy.
During the whole of the operation, I cannot speak too
highly of the conduct of the ship's company. Without exception
they were calm and cool carrying out their duties with ourge
and zeal under most trying conditions.
I wish to specially mention Sub Lieut J.G. Llewellyn
R.N.V.R. for his devotion to duty and coolness; Coxswain F.
R. Matthews R.N.P.S. Lewis Gunner for well controlled
Signalman J.L. Wells R.N.V.R. for quick and efficient and signalling;
Thompson R.N.P.S. for his leadership of the crew; Ordinary
accurate fire with most economical use of unminition. Also,
Engineman Macallister, R.N.P.S. for keeping the engines running and controlling
D. Seaman R.N.P.S. (Helmsman) and H. Topte,
leaks.
I have the 'honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) J.S. ROE
Lieutenant R.N.V.R.
4th June, 1940.

Details

Reseue Yuy Lady Brassey 435
Sats 144 June4940
410
fir
I Frederich John Hopyood was in charges the try
Lady Brassey when ar 10.40 am yr Commonder
yaloe was put on board the Hospital ship
sx David lying ar anchor off the detached mole
with Engins trouble. He then told me to go bach
into harbour see if D-S. Noebrech bying arthe
admiralty Reir was ready to be assisted off Wehad
just left the Hospital ship about 11.30 on when we
received instructions from the examination steamer
to proceed to the assistance of Transport Prague
Salamander, r Ivanhoe of to instruct Salvage
vessel Forde to proceed that was lying at anchor in
the Drons. We left Drer about noon y spoke the
Forde off Deal about /. Pm γ proceeded on course
when nearing the Form bray could see a craft
that appeared to be the Regue of the
broy. spoke the master who requested me to
make fast, r also what was his position I told
him he was close to the Forth brioy. Wegor fast
as 1.20 Rm r truing at 30 pm. About 1.45pm
I had ashed the master if he could hold the
we eased tourng for the pilot they on board
loster in the ship V replied yes, r draught 25 feet
We then proceeded on passay to Drver. When
nearing the Rort we received instructions 2.30 to RM
anchor Rrague in the Downs ar bach about to the
Druns -X During Whilst possing through the better off
We turned around this time γ proceeded oream Drons trouble
Walmer hailed that we had
take the we ship were to anchor in Ramsgab Channel were
asking toground why they urshed to beach
told closing the vessel. I then the vessel and
V on Bamagate channel hacleditem we

Details

H.M.M.T.B. No. 102.
431
at Portsmouth.
458
7th June, 1940.
H.M.M.T.B. No. 102 &
430
and 5th June, 1940
at Portsmouth
7th June, 1940.
vor. Having received orders
300 for Dunkirk in accordance
r,
buoy in the Dunkirk approach
n me and the land, and, therefor
I have the honour to submit a letter
de outside the channel.
e my proceedings between the dates 30th
ast quay in Dunkirk harbour. I
ay, 1940 and 5th June, 1940.
man J.P. Wilford, R.N.V.R. took
rted to Captain Dennant R.N.
I have the honour to be
derson and Commander Blwood
e dituation.
Sir,
attacked by 3 M.E.110's in
used - own speed 2 knots.
Your obedient Servant,
our of the beaches we returned
d Commander Elwood and embarked
Licutenant ChSDreyer in Command.
Dover I was stopped by
and took him back towards
ir way to Dunkirk.
he Vice Admiral,
Dover.
J, 31st May.
those orders, arriving off La
pies to:- Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth,
" and reported to Rear
The Captain, H.M.S. "HORNET".
k him along the beaches, being
"KEITH".
of crashed Hurricane. Pilot
to subsequent identification
ITH" and reported short of fuel.
diers to various transports.
ing 1800.
signalled instructions from
xi H.M.S. "IVANHOE" being
lecessfully bombed. 0755. Approahced H.M.S. "KEITH" who appeared to be not under
mtrol, she had just vent been alongside bombed. and took off Rear emiral lake-walker
id Staff and one 0800. wounded torpedo-man. Approached two tugs to order them
assist H. M. S.
"KEITH". J.U.87 dive attacking, many bombs bombs falling in
lose astern, nearest 0805. Thirty-five 10 yards, observed delay action of smaller
to water.
0810. H.M.S. "KEITH" again bombed - considerable damage
pparent.
6830. Alongside Dunkirk - intermittent shelling in harbour
ad western arm 0915. of inner Sailed harbour. for Dover with Rear Admiral Wake-Walker and
tarr on board.
1100. Secured alongside H.M.S. "SANDHURST".
Sunday, 2nd June.
Having been given 24 hours for Engine Room maintenance, I
reported ready

Details

H.M.M.T.B. No. 102.
431
at Portsmouth.
7th June, 1940.
ter of Proceedings between 30th May, 1940 and 5th June, 1940
Thursday, 30th May.
0530. Secured in Submarine Basin, Dover. Having received orders
om the Chief of Staff, Dover, I sailed at 1300 for Dunkirk in accordance
th those orders. on approaching No. N.W. buoy in the Dunkirk approach
annel, I noticed some shell splashes between me and the land, and, therefor
tered course and steered along the North side outside the channel.
At 1430 I came alongside the East quay in Dunkirk harbour. I
sembarked, and my First Lieutenant, Midshipman J.P. Wilford, R.N.V.R. took
e boat outside to await my return. I reported to Captain Dennant R.N.
received his orders to take Commander Henderson and Commander Blwood
brig to the beaches to La Panne to review the dituation.
on passage to La Panne we were attacked by $ M.E.110's in
ose formation from ahead. No dama e was caused - own speed 2 knots.
At 2000 on completion of our tour of the beaches we returned
Dunkirk, disembared Commander Henderson and Commander Elwood and embarked
British soldiers and sailed for Dover.
At 2115 about 10 miles S.E. of Dover I was stopped by
umander Le.Mesurier in the D.C. Motor Boat and took him back towards
inkirk to pass messages to three tugs on their way to Dunkirk.
At 0030 secured in S/M basin.
(31)
Friday, 31st May.
At 0130 I received my orders for Friday, 31st May.
At 1100 I proceeded in accordance with those orders, arriving off La
mne at 1240. I went alongside H.M.S. "KEITH" and reported to Rear
miral Wake-Walker. He embarked and we took him along the beaches, being
ielled off La Panne, and then back to H.M.S. "KEITH".
At 1445 went to pick up pilot of crashed Hurricane. Pilot
is dead but parachute was recovered, leading to subsequent identification
the officer.
At 1500, returned to H.M.S. "KEITH" and reported short of fuel.
1530. Towing boatloads of soldiers to various transports.
1640. Sailed for Dover, securing 1800.
Saturday, 1st June.
0600. Proceeded in accordance with signalled instructions from
ce Admiral, Dover.
0750. Arrived Dunkirk. Passed H.M.S. "IVANHOE" being
lecessfully bombed.
0755. Approahced H.M.S. "KEITH" who appeared to be not under
mtrol, been bombed.
she had just vent alongside and took off Rear Admiral lake-walker order them
id Staff and one 0800. wounded torpedo-man. Approached two tugs to
) assist H. M.
"KEITH". J.U.87 dive attacking, many bombs bombs falling in
lose astern, nearest 0805. Thirty-five 10 yards, observed delay action of smaller
le water.
0810. H.M.S. "KEITH" again bombed - considerable damage
parent.
6830. Alongside Dunkirk - intermittent shelling in harbour
id western arm 0915. of inner Sailed harbour. for Dover with Rear Admiral Wake-Walker and
taff on board.
1100. Secured alongside H.M.S. "SANDHURST".
Sunday, 2nd June.
Having been given 24 hours for Engine Room maintenance, ******* I
reported ready

Details

FLAG OFFICER IN CHARGET IN
571
17JUN1940
*
HARWIOH
H.M.S. "Watchful"
547
Great Termouth.
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 Tarmouth for Ramagate,
to
neaded
to
pash
You ar
she
543
From:- Lt. P.R. Dancy, R.N.V.R.
Date:- 5th June, 1940.
To:-
Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
14
up
oldenLity 30th & 31st May. Two separate trips to Dunkirk, where all
ML 27305
available troops were boarded and discharged at
Ramsgate.
1st June. Boarded destroyer "Ivanhoe" after she had been
bombed off Dunkirk - rendered all assistance for 4
hours aboard; many dead and dying. Sventually
obtained medical assistance and took off remainder
illed
of troops.
ng
an
Before to to Bridge; he thanked me and for base assistance to an
leaving the Captain (Commander R.N.) sent
has
hour
officer, given and which I did. Later I discharged
for me requested go me to give my name troops at
a all
to to
Margate Jetty.
2nd, 3rd & 4th June. Sundry trips in "Haloyone" - ordinary
routine work.
1. Mann,
Ived