Details

Details

CONSTANT NYMPH
M/C
Dr. B.A. Smith, Owner/Skipper
30th May
1530
Left Ramsgate in tow of the Sk.
Jutland, which also towed a cutter,
2130ca
a whaler, and the eel-boat Johanna.
Arrived some miles east of Dunkirk.
Towed the cutter and whaler to the
beach after the Jutland had anchored.
Ferried several loads of French
troops to the Jutland.
-
Shifted nearer to Dunkirk and ferried
British troops.
31st May
0300ca
The Jutland having filled with troops(1)
proceeded.
0500ca
The Constant Nymph, with the cutter
and whaler, then attached herself to
a "similar ship", a skoot(2)
[i.e. the Twente] and commenced
filling her with troops.
0800ca
The skoot was full; (3) the cutter
was aground under a stranded barge;
the Constant Nymph's propeller was
fouled and her petrol tank empty.
Constant Nymph's crew were transferred
to the skoot, and the M/B and whaler
were turned over to a drifter.
The skoot proceeded.
1730ca(4) The skoot arrived Margate and
disembarked her troops. She then
Constant Nymph was eventually found
proceeded to Ramsgate.
stranded at Broadstairs and was
returned to her owner.
[On 1st June, Dr. Smith was appointed to the
M/C Count Dracula (q.v.)]
Nil
(2) Dr. Ramsgate report and the only
(1) states 205 troops (but see Jutland). that
R.N.V.R. 2 cannot Smith officers remember states Dr. on Smith board this why were he was is the rather was the a names Lieut. BO "Laudania", deaf sure of R.N.R. the and of 2 the states officers. and name a that S/Lt. he
"Laudania".
He did not ascertain that the so-called "Laudania" A.W. was in
It 1B considered commanded by Lieut. R.N.V.R.), McMullon for the
R.N.R., fact the (lst skoot Lieut. Twente, was s/Lt. Adderley all the
The following following Twente requisite reason: is the only conditions; skoot them. which indeed satisfies s/Lt. no other R. N. V.R. skoot
satisfies more than one of
(b) (a) (c) Officers She She a M/B embarked disembarked and - "a a Lieut. troops cutter about about and R.N.R. 400 whaler" dawn troops and a 31st [or at wargute at at about at assisted Ramagate] by
(a) [D.R. 1800 She after mentions left on the May. a troops a
(3) Margate name which report evidently states that Twente disembarked 350
on arrival.
(4) Margate report states 1845.
204

Details

CONSTANT NYMPH
M/C
30th May
1530
Dr. B.A. Smith, Owner/Skipper
Left Ramsgate in tow of the
Jutland, a which also towed Sk.
2130ca
Arrived Towed some miles east of Johanna.
whaler, and the eel-boat a cutter,
beach after the Jutland had anchored. the
the cutter and whaler Dunkirk. to
Ferried several loads of French
-
troops to the Jutland.
Shifted nearer to Dunkirk and ferried
British troops.
31st May
0300ca
The proceeded. Jutland having filled with troops(1)
0500ca
The Constant Nymph, with the cutter
and whaler, then attached herself to
a "similar ship", a skoot(2)
[i.e. the Twente] and commenced
filling her with troops.
0800ca
The skoot was full; (3) the cutter
was aground under a stranded barge;
the Constant Nymph's propeller was
fouled and her petrol tank empty.
Constant Nymph's crew were transferred
to the skoot, and the M/B and whaler
were turned over to a drifter.
The skoot proceeded.
1730ca(4) The skoot arrived Margate and
disembarked her troops. She then
proceeded to Ramsgate.
Constant Nymph was eventually found
stranded at Broadstairs and was
returned to her owner.
[on 1st June, Dr. Smith was appointed to the
M/C Count Dracula (q.v.)]
Nil
(1) Ramagate report states 205 troops (but see Jutland).
(2) Dr. Smith states this was the"Laudania", and that the only
2 officers on board were a Lieut. R.N.R. and a S/Lt.
R.N.V.R. Dr. Smith is rather deaf and states that he
cannot remember why he was BO sure of the name "Laudania".
He did not ascertain the names of the 2 officers.
It 1B considered that the so-called "Laudania" was in
fact the skoot Twente, commanded by Lieut. A.W. McMullon for the
R.N.R., (lst Lieut. was s/Lt. Adderley R.N. V.R.),
The following reason: only skoot which satisfies all the
following Twente requisite is the conditions; indeed no other skoot
satisfies than one of them.
(b) (a) Officers more - a Lieut. R.N.R. about dawn and a 31st s/Lt. May, cutters"]. R.N.V.R. assisted by
(c) (a) She She a 1800 M/B embarked disembarked on and 31st Margate "a May. cutter troops about [to and return 400 whaler" troops to her [or at base Margate "2 at Ramagate] at about
[D.R. name She after mentions which left the evidently a the a
(3) Margate report states that Twente disembarked 350 troops
on arrival.
(4) Margate report states 1845.
204

Details

FERVENT
M/L
Lt.Cdr. W.R.T. Clements,
Mr. D. Kirkaldie, Coxswain. R.N.R.
[Lt. Cdr. Clements states that on 31st May he transferred from
the Sk. Jutland to the Fervent.]
1st June(1)
1310
Left Ramsgate with a whaler in tow;
in company H.M.S. Nelson's M/B
(Lieut. H.L. Holman, R.N.V.R.)
Proceeded via U, V and W buoys towards
Dunkirk beaches.
-
8 miles from Dunkirk, attacked by 5
bombers. 'About 130 bombs dropped.
Fervent's engines badly shaken.
Proceeded homewards. Half an hour
later, attacked by 3 bombers.
-
In the Downs, went alongside the tr.
Jacinta (q.v.) which was drifting
with the tide, and was found to be
deserted but apparently seaworthy
(see Nelson's M/B).
[Lt. Cdr. Clements allowed the
trawler to drift to a safe anchorage
and then anchored her].
-
Fervent arrived Ramsgate.
Nil.
Authority - R.O.II, p.563.
R.O.III, pp.269, 322, 324.
W.W.
The following award was made:
Mention in Despatches.
Mr. D. Kirkaldie.
(1) states that this was 31st (2) May. to H.M.S. This is
Lt. Cdr. Clements incorrect (see footnote gives 1st
Nelson's almost certainly M/B). Mr. Kirkaldie in his report June,
the correct date.
314

Details

JEUNE FRANCE (D1.1213)(1
French M.F.V.
30th May
Disembarked about 174 troops in
England. (See under Chasse-Maree)
31st May
1335
Routed from the Downs to Dunkirk by
2200
the Destroyer Leopard (see under
Margaux (D.692)).
Cdr.
in
3rd June
-
Disembarked 12 troops in England. (2)
The
Golden
esl-boats, whic Estimated total 186
separated from
Having no charts, the Johanna secured
to B ship near the North Goodwine,
and stayed there the night.
May
Ballo
Returned to Remegate.
1530ca
In company with the M/B Constant
and a outter and a whaler, was towed
to Dunkirk beaches by the sk.
Jutland. (1)
2330
The Jutland enchored 2 miles east of
Dunkirk, The Constant Nymph towed
in the outter and whaler. About
200 troops were ferried to the
Jutland and the Johanna, the letter
assisting to load the former.
May
0300
Proceeded with 10 troops on board
[whether in company with, on to
of, the Jutland is not closs].
1100ca
Disamberged TO
8/16 Cares-Russ then the
Total 10
Authority - R.O.III, pp.302, 308, 329.
(1) Believed to be referred to in D.R. as the "Dame Franche".
No vessel named the "Dame Franche" is known by the
Ministere de la Marine Marchande, Paris.
(2) D.R.
the
May.
9202
92

Details

JOHANNA
Dutch eel-boat
S/Lt. A. Carew-Hunt, R.N.
[s/Lt. Carew-Hunt was previously in the M/B
Lieberstraumwhich broke down].
29th May
2200
Left Ramsgate in company with the
M/B Golden Lily [a Lieut. Cdr. in
command of her] and the eel-boat
Chantecler.
The Golden Lily out-distanced the two
eel-boats, which also became
separated from each other.
-
Having no charts, the Johanna secured
to a ship near the North Goodwins,
and stayed there the night.
30th May
a.m.
Returned to Ramsgate.
1530ca
In company with the M/B Constant Nymph
and a cutter and a whaler, was towed
to Dunkirk beaches by the sk.
Jutland. (1)
2330
The Jutland anchored 2 miles east of
Dunkirk. The Constant Nymph towed
in the cutter and whaler. About
200 troops were ferried to the
Jutland and the Johanna, the latter
assisting to load the former.
31st May
0300
Proceeded with 10 troops on board
[whether in company with, or in tow
of, the Jutland is not clear].
1100ca
Arrived Ramsgate. Disembarked 10
troops.
S/Lt. Carew-Hunt then rejoined the
Liebestraum].
Total 10
Authority - - R.O.III, pp.302, 308, 329.
(1) The Johanna sent in 2 reports; in one she says she was
towed over on the 29th, in the other on "Thursday"
[i.e. 30th May]. It is considered that the correct
date was the 30th May.
93

Details

JOSEPH MARIE
French M/S trawler
(107th Section)
A. Le Calvez, Maitre
de Manoeuvre. (1)
25th May
-
In company with the M/S La Trombe II,
was attacked by seven bombers off the
May
0500
Dyck Light Vessel. The La Trombe II
and the Dyck Light vessel were both
1500
sunk. The Joseph Marie, assisted
by 3 English vessels, rescued the
2200ca
crews and proceeded to Dunkirk.
26th May
-
Under fire in harbour; 2 fatal
casualties, 1 serious. The captain
was slightly wounded.
-
-
The Joseph Marie continued to sweep the
approach channels to Dunkirk.
29th May
-
In Dunkirk harbour, the Joseph Marie
28th May
1000
was bombed and sunk.
1730
Sailed for Dunkirk.
-
Arrived
Donkirk.
to
the
east.
Nil
29th May
0250
No troops found. Decided to return.
0830
Arrived Ramsgate.
Authority - French Admiralty record, Folio No.11.
buoy.
Air
attack.
Arrived La Panne. Embarked French
troops. Air attack.
Proceeded with about 275 troops on board.
1830ca
Encountered the P.M/S Gracie Fields
which had been damaged by bombs.
While the Gracie Fields, (out of
control) steamed round in a circle,
the Jutland took off some of her
troops from the port side. Another
ship [the M/S Pangbourne did the
same on her starboard side.
2130oa
Proceeded on homeward voyage.
30th May
0630
Arrived Ramagate. Disembarked 300
troops.(1)
Tita sarwell and GROW relieved by
Lt. Cdr. Clements
fresh crew.
1530ca(3) Left Ramagate for Dunkirk beaches,
towing the Johanna(2)
the M/B Constant Nymph and at whaler
and W outter.
2330ca
Arrived Dunkirs beaches. Embarked
troops, assisted by the Constant
Nymah and Johanna.
51st May
Took in tow 5 boats which were adrift,
03000a
and proceeded.
(1) (2) Not Johanna mentioned sent in in 2 D.R. reports. In one she says she was towed
over the Jutland on 29th May, in the other on the "Thursday correct
(3) Lt. 30th May, lat Officer of the Sutland,
date night" was [i.e. 30th when Lt. Cdr. clements was under
by May]. It is that in command.
Lt. J.Bela Odr. Clements, P.N.V.R., that the Jutlant 186 osfied for
THE
returned
(1) Chief boatswain's mate.
103

Details

JUTLAND
Skoot
Lieut. G.L. Barwell, R.N. (Retd.)
Lt. Cdr. W.R.T. Clements, R.N.R.
(30th-31st May)
Lt. L. Hutchinson, R.N.R. (1st
Lieut).
27th May
0500
Lt. Barwell in command. Proceeded.
1500
from Sheerness to the Downs.
Sailed for Dunkirk via West Hinder Light
2200ca
and Kwinte Bank buoy.
A hospital ship coming from Dunkirk
signalled "Dunkirk has fallen".
[See Canterbury] Then another ship
made the same signal adding "I am
returning". Jutland replied "I am
proceeding".
-
Waited 3 hours near Nieuport Bank buoy
for orders. Then, in company with
the sk. Patria decided to return.
28th May
1000
Arrived in the Downs.
1730
Sailed for Dunkirk.
-
Arrived Dunkirk. Shifted 4 miles to the
east.
29th May
0250
No troops found. Decided to return.
0830
Arrived Ramsgate.
1000
Sailed for Dunkirk.
1715
Off Middel Kerke Bank buoy. Air attack.
-
Arrived La Panne. Embarked French
troops. Air attack.
-
Proceeded with about 275 troops on board.
1830ca
Encountered the P.M/S Gracie Fields
which had been damaged by bombs.
While the Gracie Fields, (out of
control) steamed round in a circle,
the Jutland took off some of her
troops from the port side. Another
ship [the M/S Pangbourne] did the
same on her starboard side.
2130ca
Proceeded on homeward voyage.
30th May
0630
Arrived Ramsgate. Disembarked 300
troops. (1)
Lt. Barwell and crew relieved by
Lt. Cdr. Clements (ex-Tilly) and a
fresh crew.
1530ca(3) Left Ramsgate for Dunkirk beaches,
towing the eel-boat Johanna(2)
the M/B Constant Nymph and a whaler
and a cutter.
2330ca
Arrived Dunkirk beaches. Embarked
troops, assisted by the Constant
Nymph and Johanna.
31st May
Took in tow 5 boats which were adrift,
0300ca
and proceeded.
(1) (2) Not Johanna mentioned in D.R. In one she says she was towed
sent in 2 reports. on 29th the on the "Thursday correct
(3)
Lt. date over night" was by [i.e. the 30th Jutland 30th May, May ]. when Officer Lt. It Cdr. of Clements the Jutland, sailed was in under for command.
J. Bald R.N.V.R., lat says that the Jutland 1st June.
Lt. Dunkirk Cdr. on Clements, 31st May and returned on
104

Details

JUTLAND - Continued.
31st May
-
(contd.)
On nearing Ramsgate, the tow was cast
off and taken over by a M/B. The
Jutland then took the disabled skoot
Rian in tow.
Within 1/2 mile of Ramagate, the
Rian was left at anchor.
1100
The Jutland arrived Ramsgate.
Disembarked 205 French troops. (1)
Lieut. Barwell, with his original
crew then re-assumed command of the
Jutland. Lt. Cdr. Clements took
command of the M/L Fervent. The
Jutland remained in harbour for the
remainder of 31st May.
1st June
-
Proceeded to Ramsgate roads and anchored
Later, because she was considered
too slow for use at Dunkirk, the
Jutland was ordered to proceed to
London.
Total 505
Authority - R.O.II, pp. 89, 204, 562.
R.O.III, pp. 262, 308, 324, 329, 484.
the
of
1st of the Alice,
of
the
Folge,
The Keap Licut.
her, and took
over from Lieut. Culmer.
[The Alice had been damagedin thesiv
attack and had been abandoned. Her
crew, an Army and 4 soldigre,
had transferred to the Keap Falgo.]
The Kann Falgn proceeded due north
La Panne, over the
into Nisuport roade.
in
the
Downs.
to and the
to the
took no
(1) Ramsgate Lt. Cdr. Clements says "several states hundred that
troops". Dr. Smith and British troops to board.
report. of the Constant Nymph the Jutland;
he he ferried considers French that she had about 400 troops on
105

Details

Skoot
PATRIA
Lt. Cdr. N.L.J. Pisani, D.S.C.,
Lt. Kirby, R.N.R., R.N. 1st (Retd.) Lieut,
1500
24th May
Patria R.N. commissioned with a crew
crew left. Barracks, Chatham, and the from Dutch
25th May
Sailed from Gravesend to Sheerness.
27th May
0300
Sailed for the Downs in company with 5
other skoots.
1045ca
Anchored off Deal.
1330
On receipt of route orders from N.C.S.O.
Dunkirk. Ramsgate, sailed via route Y for
-
At dusk was off the Traepegeer Bank
buoy, in company with the P/V Dorrien
Rose. Several H/C's and transports
passed homeward bound and signalled,
"Dunkirk has fallen; return".
-
Closed Nieuport Bank buoy. Two M.T.B's
circled the Patria and the Dorrien
Rose and refused to answer signals or
hails. One of them then closed the
Dorrien Rose and told her to anchor
and await orders. The Patria closed
the Dorrien Rose and was joined by the
Sk. Jutland.
28th May
0245
The 3 ships proceeded and
1200ca
anchored in the Small Downs.
-
The Patria sailed by route X for
Dunkirk in company with the sk. Tilly
2315ca
Entered Dunkirk roads and endeavoured
to obtain orders, those issued being
quite indefinite, and giving embarka-
tion points from Dunkirk east pier
to La Panne.
Numerous wrecks and the dark pall of
smoke from Dunkirk made navigation
very precarious, and in an endeavour
to locate a warship for orders, both
the Patria and Tilly closed the wreck
of the French destroyer Adroit, east
of Dunkirk.
-
Observed large bodies of men on
Dunkirk east pier, silhouetted against
the fires. Entered the harbour,
secured alongside and embarked troops.
The Tilly secured alongside the Patria
and the P.M/S Medway Queen outside
Conditions on the pier became chaotic
the Tilly.
and Lt. Cdr. Pisani landed and
regulated the flow of troops.
29th May
0200ca
The flow of troops ceased, but the
Left Patria harbour, taking in tow (alongside)
embarked a few odd parties.
0330ca
Tilly, which had a foul propeller. cleared
the the harbour the Tilly her
Outside her propeller and proceeded under
0845
Arrived own power. in the Downs. Ordered to
1430
Arrived Margate. Margate. Disembarked 200
troops. (1)
(1) Margate report. Lt. Cdr. Pisani states 280. 381

Details

RIAN( 1)
Skoot
Lt. Cdr. J.I. Miller, D.S.O.,
R.N.
Lt. R.H.W. Jackson, R.N.V.R.
(1st Lieut)
[There is no report of proceedings of this
skoot. The following account has been
compiled from the reports of the vessels
mentioned].
28th May
1745ca
Left Deal for Dunkirk with 5 skoots
in company, including the Tilly, the
Patria, the Twente and the Bornrif.
There is little information about the
Rian's activities at Dunkirk, but
30th May
p.m.
on the night of 30/31st May - she left
Dunkirk for Ramsgate with troops on
board.
Her engines were in a bad state and
2 of the crew of the Ramsgate
life boat [the Prudential were
embarked to assist in navigating her.
Near Ramsgate, the skoot Jutland
found the Rian with her engines
disabled. She took Rian in tow and
anchored her within 2 mile of
Ramsgate Pier.
31st May
1120
The Rian arrived at Ramsgate and
disembarked 257 troops. (2)
Total 257
(1) Rian was a Dutch vessel of 232 tons gross (Lloyds Register)
She is not mentioned in D.R's list of ships nor in the
Director of Sea Transport's list of skoots. She was
however a Dutch skoot.
(2) Ramsgate report.
23

Details

Skoot
TILLY
Lt. Cdr. W.R.T. Clements, R.N.R.
Lt. Cdr. C.M. Ramus, R.N.R.
Lt. L.H. Holman, R.N.V.R., lst
Lieut.
27th May
1035
Arrived in the Downs, from Southend,
1500
Lt. Cdr. Clements in command.
Left for Dunkirk, via West Hinder,
Dyck and Middelkerke buoys, 5 small
motor vessels [ the skoots,
Brandaris, Hondsrug,
2300
Jutland and Twente in company.
8/9 miles from Dunkirk, an "armed
merchant cruiser" the P/V Canterbury
escorting two hospital carriers
[the Isle of Thanet and the Worthing],
signalled, "Dunkirk has fallen and
is in enemy hands. Keep clear".
One of the 5 small motor vessels
with which Tilly had sailed in
company was in charge of Lt. Barwell
[i.e. the Jutland], and she was now
2 a mile distant. The Tilly
repeated the above signal to her.
-
Proceeded towards Dunkirk, but when
close to Nieuport buoy altered course
for the Downs. On passage, met the
Sk. Brandaris which, having received
the same information was also
returning.
28th May
1745
Left Deal for Dunkirk, followed by 6
small motor vessels.
Proceeded via "U", and "W" buoys,
followed close astern by 5 other
skoots, including the Patria, the
Twente, and the Rian.
2300ca
Off Dunkirk.
2400ca
Entered Dunkirk harbour with Patria.
Moored alongside the mole, outside
the Patria. The M/S Medway Queen
berthed outside the Tilly.
Embarked troops.
29th May-
0330ca
Full of troops, the Tilly was towed
out stern first by the Patria, and
proceeded, followed by Patria.
0845
Arrived Ramsgate. Disembarked 107
troops. (1)
[Lt. Cdr. Clements left the Tilly,
and (on 30th May) took command of the
Sk. Jutland].
Lt. Cdr. C.M. Ramus took command of
the Tilly.
p.m.
Proceeded via X route to Dunkirk,
towing 2 cutters.
30th May
a.m.
Off Bray. Sent cutters ashore for
troops which were embarked.
Left the cutters to assist other ships.
-
0940
Arrived Proceeded. Ramsgate. Disembarked 295
troops. (2)
(1) D.R.
(2) Ramsgate report. D.R. gives 294.
235

Details

Skoot
TWENTE
Lt. Cdr. H.G. Boys-Smith,
Lt. N.J. Mountfield, R.N.R. R.N.V.R.
(lst Lieut.)
25th May
p.m.
Sailed from Tilbury to Sheerness.
27th May
p.m.
Sailed from Sheerness to Dunkirk via
West Hinder Buoy, in company with
other skoots.
28th May
0330
When approaching beaches, was ordered
by a Naval M/L to return to
Ramsgate.
0400
Air attack.
a.m.
Arrived Ramsgate.
1745ca
Sailed for Dunkirk via U, V, W, buoys.
2345ca
Arrived Dunkirk harbour. Embarked 380
troops, which were ferried off by
drifters.
-
Proceeded. "Fierce fires were blazing
all over Dunkirk, lighting up the
sea".
29 th May
a.m.
Arrived Ramsgate. Disembarked 390
troops. (1)
a.m.
Sailed for La Panne, via West Hinder
Buoy.
p.m.
Air attack. In the vicinity of
Middel Kerke buoy, the P.M/S
Gracie Fields was bombed and hit
amidships. She was "unable to stop
her engines". Her "upper deck [was]
enveloped in clouds of steam.
Operation of going alongside had to be
performed whilst both ships were
proceeding ahead. Secured alongside.
Terrible mortality and shambles on
board. Transferred as many injured
and others as the Twente would hold".
Another skoot [the Jutland], secured
on the other side of the Gracie
Fields and took off the remainder.
-
Proceeded to Ramsgate.
30th May
0400ca
Arrived Ramsgate. Disembarked 399
troops. (1)
Entire ships company relieved for
24 hours. The Twente sailed
immediately with a relief crew,
commanded by Lt. A.W. McMullan, R.N.R.
with S/Lt. Adderley R.N.V.R. as
1st Lieutenant.
2230
Arrived off Dunkirk roads. Anchored.
31st May
0500
Embarked 400 troops, assisted by a
"motor boat and two cutters"
[actually these were the M/B
Constant Nymph, with a cutter and a
whaler]. Proceeded.
[a.m.
As the Twente had not returned, Lt. Cdr.
Boys-Smith took command of the 2
W.D/M.L's Kestrel and Grouse]
(1) D.R.
248

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Page 99
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
Yacht BYSTANDER (Echo John Sounding Yacht) - Sub. Lieutenant Henry
Beresford Barge, R.N.V.R. V.
Recommendations.
RATING:
Able Seaman (Cook) J. H. Elton, LT/JX.180250 (R.N. Patrol Service)
off the Dunkirk, KING this ship proceeded to remove 0200/30/5 the
Employed as Cook in this yacht. At when
dinghy, with ORRY, then sinking in the fairway. The crew of ft.
effect Elton and one other as crew, launched 8 to
attempted a weak to swim to the yacht, but they were personnel in
a rescue. Most of the KING ORRY's
dived was obvious many would drown. Elton done
that it state owing to the arduous service they had such
of the into the water and assisted and supported thereupon
hour swimmers as he could find for more than half as many
loads whilst the dinghy, rowed by the other rating, an
water Elton put many men on to life-rafts and towed the
of men, returned to the BYSTANDER. Whilst in with
by on swimming. The last men he brought back to the yacht them
a life-raft, were towed by Elton in the water
as a tow-rope with one hand on the raft and one hand acting on
the dinghy - a remarkable feat of endurance. He was
responsible for rescuing about 25 Officers and men. In
supplied hot tea and food to all the 97 men on board
addition to the above, Elton, in his capacity as Cook,
within half an hour of leaving the scene of the wreck,
the cooking utensils, etc, normally sufficing for 7.
He provided dry clothes and blankets and generally
tended the rescued, many of whom were suffering from
shock. This rating was unsparing in his efforts and
acted with great gallantry without regard to his own
safety.
Recommended for decoration.
Motor Boat CONSTANT NYMPH: - Chargehand B.A. Smith, Little Ship Club,
(Owner of Motor Boat).
Recommendation.
Chargehand B. A. Smith, Little Ship Club.
Chargehand Smith proceeded with a crew of 2 Naval
Stokers who had never been to sea, in tow p.m. 30th May
for the beaches. Took in a whaler and cutter, and
during the night ferried off about 800 men to 2 skoots
the JUTLAND and LAUDANIA, who were thus filled up.
CONSTANT NYMPH then collected a number of odd boats
trying to row off to ships filled with soldiers, and
collected them and towed them to offshore vessels.
During thiss time fairly continuous bombing and shelling
were encountered. Chargehand Smith remarks that being
deaf and with a lot to do prevented him noticing these
annoyances. Continued work until all fuel was
exhausted, and the boat was sent to a supply drifter
for repair and refuelling, Chargehand Smith being
ordered back to Margate This civilian showed great

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240
From:- Lieut. J. Bald, R.N.V.R.
4
Date:- 5th June, 1940.
To:-
Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
31st May.
I was detailed to join H.M.S. "Jutland" (commanded
by Lt. Commdr. Clements) as first officer. The ship
proceeded on orders to Dunkirk and returned on the
following morning (1st June) to Ramsgate with 180
French troops on board. A detailed report of this
R.N.R. passage has already been made by Lt. Commdr. Clements,
2nd June.
Spent day fitting out and provisioning M.V. "Paulette"
but as ship was not ready to proceed to sea by the ordered
time I was not able to leave for Dunkirk.
3rd June.
Took command of M/V "Sea Roamer", 20 ton private
0930 yacht, and proceeded with provisioning, arming and
getting ship ready for sea. Stood by ship until -
1830
Orders received to proceed to Dunkirk.
1840
Under way with 1st officer of H.M.S. Tilly aboard.
1850
Officer placed aboard H.M.S. Tilly; first course
for Dunkirk set.
2330
Fixed Green Light in position 57° 09 42N, 2° 09 42E
extinguished, also Dunkirk Channel Buoys obscured by
smoke from burning town. Decided to proceed at "dead
slow" on a direct course to Dunkirk.
4th June.
0040
Off Eastern beaches of Dunkirk. No signs of B.E.F.
0050
Took off two French soldiers from derelict Dutch
schoot "Horst". Proceeded to patrol beach, at distance
of about 100 yds out, for about 21/2 miles N. of Dunkirk.
Megaphone was used for hailing shore, but no sign of
B.E.F.
0230
Still no signs of any troops, so proceeded on return
voyage.
0300
Bad engine trouble off No. 6 W Buoy Dunkirk channel.
0315
Taken in tow by H.M.S. Minesweeper NF 15.
0650
Arrived back at base.
Rest of day spent standing by.
5th June.
Operations complete order.

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Dynams
Dipramo 323.
329
302
Kingmead,
Riding Mill,
Northumberland.
Friday 7th June, 1940.
Sir,
g
I have the honour to submit the following account of my
movements from Tuesday 28th May until Wednesday 5th June.
On my arrival at Sheerness I found a convoy of sixteen
motor boats being prepared to assist in the evacuation of Flanders.
I took charge of a small boat "LIEBESTRAUM" and we
proceeded for Dover towing whalers, at about 1730 on Tuesday.
285
About six miles outside Sheerness we broke down and were picked
up by the Trawler "ASAMA" who towed us to Deal and then back to
Ramsgate where we arrived on Wednesday morning.
23/5
At Ramsgate I reported on the state of my boat and was
appointed to the Dutch eel boat "JOHANNA" which had a diesel engine
and was capable of about 6 knots. The crew consisted of a Leading
Hand and four ratings and three Dutchmen, who owned the boat and
could not speak English. We set out in convoy that night with a
Motor boat under the Command of a Lieutenant Commander and other
eel boat commanded by Sub-Lieutenant T.K. Edge-Partington R.N.
Finding the second eel boat only capable of 4 knots the motor boat
left her behind and soon after left me. I had no charts so after
casting around for a bit I secured alongside a ship, the name of
which I did not find out, near the North Goodwin and stayed there
for the night. Sub. Lt. Edge-Partington in the 'Chanticler' with great
determination took his boat across, navigating by an extremely
faulty compass and managed to bring troops back to Dover.
The next morning, Thursday, I returned to Ramsgate and 30/5
succeeded in joining up with the Dutch Schoot "Jutland" who towed
me that evening. We had an uneventful crossing and
anchored across about two miles east of Dunkirk at 2330. The Cutter and
Whaler went ashore. The Whaler returned to report that the cutter
I volunteered to the Captain of the Schoot to go
was and see aground. what I could do but before we had got back the Petty Officer
had succeeded in floating the boat.
this time the beach was swarming wi th shore French because soldiers of
I could not get of the water. I summoned heros" my and "Courage mes French
By my boats within 100 yards of the limited store of
the shallowness and with cries of "En Avant mes water. My efforts were
enfants" I I had to go and fetch them for miles and I leap
to my aid tried to tempt them into the myself. My first
unavailing and took so me into the only deep of patch the hole I waded
into the water neck. Struggling out in rush and ashore. I
went in up to my to my waist the French came it threateningly. on a This was
Seeing me only up revolver and brandish get to the boats only
compelled them to draw down my a bit but when crew they and I had to lift them a on few
were quietened strong enough to trips get and in so brought my off about 200 in all, each time
board. I had to go We did into six the water time and to get go. them. I only At had 0230 ten the Frenchmen Captain on of the
Schoot reckoned it was it was a bit choppy and all had to go below.
They board all the suffered "JOHANNA" from as sea sickness I on the sent way back. back
boat on the our "LIEBESTRAUM" return Sheerness to Ramsgate and in I arrived the was Motor at boat 2230 "THARKS" to on Friday. Sheerness in On in 31/5
my old 1500 I left boats all of which reached
charge Saturday of at a convoy of 12 motor Ramsgate.
1/6

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- 334
On the return voyage, after passing Nieuport Bank
Buoy, we saw two ships ahead of us bombed, one with 8 bombs,
the other with sixteen bombs.
There was no indication that either had been hit,
but as we drew nearer it could be seen that one was in
difficulties, and in reply to a signal we went alongside.
This ship was the GRACIE FIELDS, and while she continued to
steam round in a circle, we took off troops, & number
Dynam 199.
323
14/0/1215
329
CONFIDENTIAL
To - - VICE-ADMIRAL COMMANDING DOVER
( Copy for C. in C.)
From - C.O. JUTLAND.
NARRATIVE REPORT ON OPERATIONS DYNAMO.
(MAY 26th - JUNE 3rd 1940 )
(

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(5)
the 334
On the return voyage, after passing Nieuport Bank
Buoy, we saw two ships ahead of us bombed, one with 8 bombs,
the other with sixteen bombs.
There was no indication that either had been hit,
but as we drew nearer it could be seen that one was in
difficulties, and in reply to a signal we went alongside.
This ship was the GRACIE FIELDS, and while she continued to
steam round in a circle. we took off troops, & number
324
330
CONFIDENTIAL
VICE-ADMIRAL COMMANDING DOVER,
Sir,
OPERATIONS *DYNAMO*
Having been in command of the dynamo ship JUTLAND. I
have the honour to submit the following narrative report of
operations May 26th - June 3rd.
On May 26th, JUTLAND was at Sheerness awaiting orders.
In the early hours of May 27th, acting on orders received,
We proceeded to the Downs where at 1500 the same day. orders
were received to go to Dunkirk by & certain route.
This route was via the Test Hinder Light and Kwinte
Bank Buoy.
While on the South-Westerly course from this buoy at
about 2200 a hospital ship steeming away from Dunkirk
signalled us Dunkirk fallen.
message and added 12. I an returning" to which I replied
Shortly afterwards. another ship signalled a similar
# # Later, in the proximity of the
I was signalled to close another
ship. Here I had hopes of receiving more detailed orders.
her that PATRIA was contacted an R. A. F. motor boat which had
also closing this ship and I learnt from
gone for she had While waiting there, I sought orders from
a destroyer orders. that nessed and was advised to wait there.
street roadal understarhead.
A. rature. hours and after consultation withdraw
WAY authorizes 2 Date Be INTERNATED da good Alternative but to

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(5)
be 334
On the return voyage, after passing Nieuport Bank
Buoy, we saw two ships ahead of us bombed, one with 8 bombs,
the other with sixteen bombs.
There was no indication that either had been hit,
but as we drew nearer it could be seen that one was in
difficulties, and in reply to a signal we went alongside.
This ship was the GRACIE FIELDS, and while she continued to
steam round in a circle, we took off troops, & number
324
* 330
CONFIDENTIAL
VICE-ADMIRAL COMMANDING DOVER,
Sir,
OPERATIONS 'DYNAMO'
Having been in command of the dynamo ship JUTLAND, I
have the honour to submit the following narrative report of
operations May 26th - June 3rd.
On May 26th, JUTLAND was at Sheerness awaiting orders.
In the early hours of May 27th, acting on orders received,
We proceeded to the Downs where at 1500 the same day. orders
were received to go to Dunkirk by a certain route.
This route was via the West Hinder Light and Kwinte
Bank Buoy.
While the South-Westerly course from this buoy at
about 2200 on hospital ship stegming away from Dunkirk
signalled us Dunkirk fallen.
message and added 18 I am returning" to which I replied
Shortly afterwards. another ship signalled a similar
I # Later, in the proximity of the
Nieuport am proceeding. I was signalled to * close another
ship. Here Bank I had Buoy, hopes of receiving more detailed orders.
her PATRIA was contacted an R. A. F. motor boat from
also closing this ship and I learnt which from had
gone that she had While waiting there, I sought orders there.
a destroyer for orders. that passed and was advised to wait
Planes were heard overhead.
some three hours and after consultation withdraw
with PATRIA, After we waiting felt we had no alternative but to

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(5)
the 334
Buoy, the other we saw two ships ahead of us bombed, one with 8 bombs, Bank
On the return voyage, after passing Nieuport
with sixteen bombs.
but as we drew nearer it could be seen that one in
There was no indication that either had been hit,
This ship was the GRACIE FIELDS, and while she continued to
difficulties, and in reply to 8 signal we went alongside. was
steam round in a circle. we took off troops. & number
-327
to 333
(4)
exceptions to that procedure and they each rowed their boat
back to the beach single-handed.
I saw little hope of achieving with these men what their
own officers could not do, so I had the boats made fast until
a few had collected and then, manning the largest with by own
crew, sent them to POW ashore towing the others, with orders to
let go the others on reaching the shore for the troops to man
themselves and to row back the large boat with troops.
On reaching the shore. 30 many troops crowded into this
boat, and none would get out. that there seemed little likelihood
of the boat ever being able shove off the beach.
It was about an hour later when a French officer took
charge and threatened to shoot anyone who did not get out of
shore. the boat when ordered to, that the boat managed to leave the
In the meantime. troops had been coming out to us in
other boats made avaliable to them by the fact that the wind
was gradually blowing the empty boats in to the shore.
I had taken JUTLAND in to about sixty yards from the
shore where we were lying in eight feet of water.
After while an enemy air attack developed. In our
vicinity a bombs were dropped immediately in rear of the
beaches but four the attack seemed to be directed chiefly at the
westward one bomb set on fire. One plane dived to masthead height hit.
receiving lying off; in the after magazine, another ship farther
ships the next ship to the westward of us
or lower being over a nearby ship but, I think, failed to score a
about fifty JUTLAND French rifles - whom I had stationed on deck,
replied with her only and newly found armament the -
remainder of the troops being in the hold.
partly off to the gradually ceased. I estimated we that I
Partly due boat problem again. the supply of troops had some coming
to the presence of hostile aircraft and
275 to the ship board and it was at this juncture returning. decided
to make troops sure on of what we had got and set course for

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- 334
On the return voyage, after passing Nieuport Bank
Buoy, we saw two ships ahead of us bombed, one with 8 bombs,
the other with sixteen bombs.
but as we drew nearer it could be seen that one was in
There was no indication that either had been hit,
difficulties, and in reply to & signal we went alongside.
This ship was the GRACIE FIELDS, and while she continued to
steam round in a circle, we took off troops, & number
seriously wounded.
After about 45 minutes when this was almost
completed ( another dynamo ship was taking off troops on her
starboard side ) a destroyer indicated that she wanted to come
alongside and at 2130 we proceeded, passing through the Downs
harbour. in an early morning fog, up the Ramsgate Channel and into
As soon as the troops were disembarked, precaration
was made for the next trip. Army provisions were put aboard
and two Lewis guns mounted.
For the next trip, officers and nen 1 not engine
room men who could work in three watches ) were relieved to
get some sleep.
I understand that on that trip of the 30th/31st,
JUTLAND brought off troops from the beaches to the East of
Dunkirk Pier.
On her return it was reported that she required
fuel and that fact and the state of the tide kept her in
harbour that day.
With the original crew. I took over again from the
understand the ship's speed was not considered suitable
Ramsgate Road, standing by for further orders; but I
relief crew, and on the 1st June was at anchor in the
for taking that in the final operations. and after standing to
by for further part period. JUTLAND was ordered to return
London a after reporting to F. 0. 1. C., I handed Dock. over
the ship where. to the Chief Dock Master, Surrey Commercial
obtaining a detailed receipt.
floats were sent any and many survivors were picked
up. Bombs were being dropped continually around the
ship and the Paddl e-steamer during this operation, and
two Machino-gun attacks were carried out, I have
nothing but the utmost praise for all concerned, the
never been in action before. Continual Anti-aircraft
majority of whom are very young and had certainly
signal for Fighter assistance, which arrived later in
fire vis kent up by the Twelve Pounder. I sent a
the evening.

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Dynam 199.
8/4/0/1215
à
87
CONFIDENTIAL
To - VICE-ADMIRAL COMMANDING DOVER
( Copy for C. in C.)
From - C.O. JUTLAND.
NARRATIVE REPORT ON OPERATIONS DYNAMO.
(MAY 26th - JUNE 3rd 1940 )
lawo
pow - slews Skut Who was anspping ashin,
Pacific they fashi than luck A
View and was it : belowed about the for
Proceded at the spend have & heary an
skoot of this party 5 anin a the has Whise
hail directed are Guld has Ideas
for the beach were is awouns
I/c nituition see is line is Ret 9 auch r.
Here Me Guamanding from brade a Inius

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89
88
CONFIDENTIAL
VICE-ADMIRAL COMMANDING DOVER,
Sir,
OPERATIONS 'DYNAMO'
Having been in command of the dynamo ship JUTLAND. I
have the honour to submit the following narrative report of
operations May 26th - June 3rd.
On May 26th, JUTLAND was at Sheerness awaiting orders.
In the early hours of May 27th, acting on orders received,
we proceeded to the Downs where at 1500 the same day. orders
were received to go to Dunkirk by a certain route.
This route was via the West Hinder Light and Kwinte
Bank Buoy.
While on the South-Westerly course from this buoy at
about 2200 a hospital ship steaming away from Dunkirk
signalled us Dunkirk fallen.
Shortly afterwards, another ship signalled a similar
message and added " I am returning " to which I replied
" I am proceeding. " Later, in the proximity of the
Nieuport Bank Buoy, I was signalled to " close If another
ship. Here I had hopes of receiving more detailed orders.
PATRIA was also closing this ship and I learnt from
her that she had contacted an R. A. F. motor boat which had
gone for orders. While waiting there, I sought orders from
a destroyer that passed and was advised to wait there.
Planes were heard overhead.
After waiting some three hours and after consultation
with PATRIA, we felt we had no alternative but to withdraw
from - Hum Skurt Who are dripping ashin,
and Pacific they Kashi them luid of
their was y 1 believed, about the for
stert of this party 0 are it he Renue.
Proceded at How spend has the Whisle truy
diract for the beach Were as awouns & our
hail are Guld has Ideas
Ill citaition are Is him is Ret 9 auchor.
Here the Then was a Perius

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92
(4)
91
exceptions to that procedure and they each rowed their boat
back to the beach single-handed.
I saw little hope of achieving with these men what their
own officers could not do, so I had the boats made fast until
a few had collected and then, manning the largest with my own
crew, sent them to row ashore towing the others, with orders to
let go the others on reaching the shore for the troops to man
themselves and to row back the large boat with troops.
On reaching the shore. so many troops crowded into this
boat, and none would get out, that there seemed little likelihood
of the boat ever being able shove off the beach.
It was about an hour later when a French officer took
charge and threatened to shoot anyone who did not get out of
the boat when ordered to, that the boat managed to leave the
shore.
In the meantime, troops had been coming out to us in
other boats made avaliable to them by the fact that the wind
was gradually blowing the empty boats in to the shore.
I had taken JUTLAND in to about sixty yards from the
shore where we were lying in eight feet of water.
After a while an enemy air attack developed. In our
vicinity four bombs were dropped immediately in rear of the
beaches but the attack seemed to be directed chiefly at the
ships lying off; the next ship to the westward of us
receiving one bomb in the after magazine, another ship farther
westward being set on fire. One plane dived to masthead height
or lower over a nearby ship but, I think, failed to score a hit.
JUTLAND replied with her only and newly found armament -
about fifty French rifles - whom I had stationed on deck, the
remainder of the troops being in the hold.
Partly due to the presence of hostile aircraft and
partly to the boat problem again. the supply of troops coming
off to the ship gradually ceased. I estimated We had some
275 troops on board and it was at this juncture that I decided
to make sure of what we had got and set course for returning.
pan - Hum SRd Who we dripping ashin,
and Pacific beary Kishi than with of
Vein was & : belowed. about the how
Proceded at How spend have the White heary
Heat of this party 0 anin at La Pame.
direct for the beach Were is auouns a our
hail are Guild has Ideas
Ik nituition was is him is Pat & Auch or.
Here the Guamanding Then was a Perius

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(5)
35
I
92
On the return voyage, after passing Nieuport Bank
Buoy, we saw two ships ahead of us bombed, one with 8 bombs,
the other with sixteen bombs.
There was no indication that either had been hit,
but as we drew nearer it could be seen that one was in
difficulties, and in reply to a signal we went alongside.
This ship was the GRACIE FIELDS, and while she continued to
steam round in a circle, we took off troops, a number
seriously wounded.
After about 45 minutes when this was almost
completed ( another dynamo ship was taking off troops on her
starboard side ) a destroyer indicated that she wanted to come
alongside and at 2130 we proceeded, passing through the Downs
29/-
in an early morning fog, up the Ramsgate Channel and into
harbour.
30/4
As soon as the troops were disembarked, preparation
was made for the next trip. Army provisions were put aboard
and two Lewis guns mounted.
For the next trip, officers and men ( not engine
room men who could work in three watches ) were relieved to
get some sleep.
I understand that on that trip of the 30th/31st,
JUTLAND brought off troops from the beaches to the East of
Dunkirk Pier.
On her return it was reported that she required
fuel and that fact and the state of the tide kept her in
harbour that day.
With the original crew, I took over again from the
relief crew, and on the 1st June was at anchor in the
Ramsgate Road, standing by for further orders; but I
understand that the ship's speed was not considered suitable
for taking part in the final operations, and after standing
by for a further period. JUTLAND was ordered to return to
London where, after reporting to F. O. 1. C., I handed over
the ship to the Chief Dock Master, Surrey Commercial Dock,
obtaining a detailed receipt.
from - Mum SRA Who we aribbing ashin,
and Pacific being Kair then luch of
View was is : believed about the have
skast of this party 0 sun at he Pause.
Proceded at How spend have the White they
dirict for the beach Were is auouns 4 our
hail are Guld has Ideas Thenking.
I/c nituition see is line as Rrt 9 auchor.
Here the Then was a think

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Dynoms 190.
204
191
REPORT ON WORK DONE ON DUNKIRK BEACH BY "CONSTANT NYMPH" 30/31 MAY, 1940.
CHARGE HAND. - B.A. Smith., Little Ship Club (Owner of motor boat).
CREW.
-
STOKERS ALLEN AND MIXIKUE from Sheerness.
We left Ramsgate about 3.30 Pollo on 30th May, 1940, in tow of
H.M.S. "Jutland" (A Dutch boat taken over by Navy) after lying outside the
Harbour from 9.30 a.m., during which time we had done a little ferrying work
between ships.
We were towed with a whaler and cutter on same tow.
Arrived at our station some miles east of Dunkirk Harbour about
9.30 p.m. and towed whaler and cutter to beach as soon as "JUTLAND" had
30/5
anchored slight mist.
At first we could only find Frenchmen on the beach and took off
several boat loads, then a British officer waded and swam to "CONSTANT NYMPH"
while running slowly up and down the beach line in about 3 feet 5 inches
waiting for the boats to be filled and keeping a look out for British troops,
In spite of darkness and slight mist, the fires on shore and fine
night made bodies of men show up against the sand.
On hearing from British officer that thousands of our men. were a
little nearer Dunkirk, we worked further up and got mainly British for some
time; not many wounded.
One nice fire which was a leading mark was blown out by another
bomb later on in the night, but we were fairly well at home by then and it
caused no delay.
Having filled "JUTLAND", the motor-boat with whaler and outter
turned over to "LAUDANIA",a similar ship, and filled that. "JUTLAND" left
31/5
about 3 a.m.
I am informed by Captain of "LAUDANIA" that these ships hold about
450 men each, making a total of 900 men taken off.
About 8 a.m. "LAUDANIA" was full and the cutter was aground under
a stranded lighter and her crew could not get her off, Captain of "LAUDANIA"
told me to get the crew if I could not get the outter, and this was done.
Certain odd boats were found on the beach by troops of both nations,
any found trying to row to ships in our area were collected and towed to ship,
mk
and efforts made to use them again if serviceable. These efforts were usually
hampered by Frenchmen not tying up to the ship when boarding and letting the
boat drift.
Bombing in the district seemed fairly continuous, some explosions
shook the boat a good bit, but nothing seemed very near.
Anti-aircraft fire seemed to come from the beach in many cases,
tracer bullets from that line were often to be seen.
There was some heavy shelling, apparently directed by planes
dropping Very lights over the ships, one crump was either very near or very
big as the boat trembled as if she had grounded.
Being deaf and having a lot to de prevented my noticing the bombing
much but my crew seemed to think it was increasing with daylights
About 8 a.m. on Friday, 31st May, 1940, having used all fuel and
got rope in the propeller, I was ordered to turn over the motor boat and
whaler to a Drifter believed to have fuel and mechanics, and go aboard
"LAUDANIA" which left at once with all orews and arrived Margate about 5 p.m.
Both Allen and Medkle, the two young Stoker ratings who were my
crew, worked steadily and efficiently throughout the ten hours or so of
working on the beach and were always on the look-out for swimmers or odd craft to
be picked up.
These lads had hover been to sea and were only enlisted in January
1940, they informed me.
(sa) B.A. Smith.
6th June, 1940,

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Page 3.
OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS (continued)
PORTSMOUTH A/P YACHTS
AHOLA
CARYANDA
NONETA
ANLAH
EILA II
SERIOLA
ANKH
LAHLOO
THELE
BOUNTY
MASAYRU
MISCELLANEOUS H.M. SHIPS (small craft)
A.L.C. 5
GREY MIST (Dan-laying
A.L.C. 15
Vessel)
-
A.L.C. 16
# GRIVE (F.A.A. Yacht)
A.L.C. 17
KINDRED STAR (Drifter)
ALOUETTE II
# KING ORRY (Armed Boarding
(Echo Sounding Yacht)
Vessel)
# AMULREE (Harbour Defence
LLANTHONY (Examination
Patrol Craft)
Service Vessel)
ARONIA (Yacht)
LORMONT (Armed Boarding
BEN AND LUCY (Drifter)
Vessel)
BLUEBIRD (M.B.)
MONARDA (Drifter)
BYSTANDER
MONA'S ISLE (Armed Boarding
(Echo Sounding Yacht)
Vessel)
CALETA (Harbour Defence
ST. OLAVES (Rescue Tug)
Patrol Craft)
TARRET (A/S Yacht)
CHRYSTOBEL II (Harbour
THRIFTY (Drifter)
Defence Patrol Craft )
V. 4 ("Vernon' s" pinnace)
"DOLPHIN'S" MOTOR-BOAT
VELIA (Armed Trawler)
EVELYN ROSE Trawler)
VERNON I
"EXCELLENT'S" A/A MOTOR-BOAT
VIVIANA (A/S Trawler)
GAVA (Trawler)
Ambleve.
Escaut.
transferred
GLALA (Harbour Defence Patrol
Meuse.
from
Craft)
Sambre.
Semoise.
page 9.
yser.
DUTCH SKOOTS (Commissioned with Naval Crews)
ABEL TASMAN
DOGGERSBANK
PACIFIC
PASCHOLL
AEGIR
FREDANJA
PATRIA
ALICE
FRISCO
PRINCESS JULIANA
AMAZONE
GORECHT
REIGER
ANTJE
HEBE
RIKA
ATLANTIC
HILDA
RUJA
BART
HONDSRUG
BORNRIF
HORST (Abandoned)
SAN ANTONIO
SURSUM CORDA
BRANDARIS
JAVA
TILLY
CARIBIA
JUTLAND
TINY
DELTA
KAAPFALGA
TUNG
DEMOK I
LENA
TWENTE
DENEB
ORANJE
VREDE
DESPATCH II
ORANGE YREESWIJH
ZEUS
(Continued)
# Sunk

Details

Page 99.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.Yacht H. BYSTANDER (Echo Sounding Yacht). - Lieutenant Henry
John Beresford Barge, R.N.V.R.
Recommendations.
RATING:
Able Seaman (Cook) J. H. Elton, LT/JX,180250 180250 (R.N. Patrol Service)
off Dunkirk, this ship proceeded to remove the
Employed as Cook in this yacht. At 0200/30/5 when
dinghy, with Elton and one other as crew, launched to
the KING ORRY, then sinking in the fairway. The crew 8 of ft.
effect a rescue. Most of the KING ORRY's personnel
attempted to swim to the yacht, but they were in such
a weak state owing to the arduous service they had done
that it was obvious many would drown. Elton thereupon
dived into the water and assisted and supported as many
of the swimmers as he could find for more than half an
hour whilst the dinghy, rowed by the other rating, with
loads of men, returned to the BYSTANDER. Whilst in the
water Elton put many men on to life-rafts and towed them
by swimming. The last men he brought back to the yacht
on a life-raft, were towed by Elton in the water acting
as a tow-rope with one hand on the raft and one hand on
the dinghy - a remarkable feat of endurance. He was
responsible for rescuing about 25 Officers and men. In
addition to the above, Elton, in his capacity as Cook,
supplied hot tea and food to all the 97 men on board
within half an hour of leaving the scene of the wreck,
the cooking utensils, etc. normally sufficing for 7.
He provided dry clothes and blankets and generally
tended the rescued, many 01° whom were suffering from
shock. This rating was unsparing in his efforts and
CGM
acted with great gallantry without regard to his own
safety.
luring
stered
Recommended for decoration.
ivors
was
whom
Motor Boat CONSTANT NYMPH: - Chargehand B.A. Smith, Little Ship Club,
(Owner of Motor Boat).
Recommendation.
Chargehand B. A. Smith, Little Ship Club.
D.S.M.
Chargehand Smith proceeded with a crew of 2 Naval
Stokers who had never been to sea, in tow p.m. 30th May
for the beaches. Took in a whaler and cutter, and
during the night ferried off about 800 men to 2 skoots
the JUTLAND and LAUDANIA, who were thus filled up.
CONSTANT NYMPH then collected a number of odd boats
trying to row off to ships filled with soldiers, and
collected them and towed them to offshore vessels.
During thiss time fairly continuous bombing and shelling
were encountered. Chargehand Smith remarks that being
deaf and with a lot to do prevented him noticing these
annoyances. Continued work until all fuel was
exhausted, and the boat was sent to a supply drifter
ordered back to Margate This civilian showed great
for repair and refuelling, Chargehand Smith being

Details

Operation BYSTANDER "DYNAMO" (Echo Sounding - Recommendations of Personnel. Page
99.
Yacht
Recommendations. John Beresford Yacht) Barge, - Sub R.N.V.R. Lieutenant Henry
RATING:
Able Seaman (Cook) Employed J. H. as Elton, Cook LT/JX. 180250 (R.N. Patrol Service)
ed
off the Dunkirk, KING ORRY, this then kind At when
dinghy, effect a with rescue. Elton Most and one other as The 8 of ft.
attempted to swim of the KING crew, launched to
that it was obvious the arduous they were in such
a weak state owing to to the yacht, but ORRY's personnel
dived into the water many and would assisted drown. service
hour of the whilst swimmers the as he could find for and supported thereupony
loads of men, returned dinghy, rowed by the more other an
water Elton put to the BYSTANDER. rating, with
by swimming. The many last men on to life-rafts and Whilst in the
on a tow-rope were towed by Elton in the to the yacht
life-raft, men he brought back towed them
responsible a remarkable feat of endurance. one hand
the as a dinghy - with one hand on the raft and water acting on
supplied hot above, Elton, in his capacity as men.
addition to the for rescuing about 25 Officers and He was In
within tea and food to all the 97 men Cook,
the half an hour of leaving the scene of on the board
He cooking utensils, etc. normally sufficing for wreck, 7.
provided dry clothes and blankets and
shock. This rating was unsparing in his efforts and
tended the rescued, many of whom were suffering generally from
safety. acted with great gallantry without regard to his own
Recommended for decoration.
C&M
Motor Boat CONSTANT NYMPH: - Chargehand B.A. Smith. Little Ship Club,
(Owner of Motor Boat).
Recommendation.
Chargehand B. A. Smith, Little Ship Club.
Stokers who had never been to sea, in tow p.m. 30th and May
Chargehand Smith proceeded with a crew of 2 Naval
during the ferried off about 800 men to 2 skoots
for the beaches. Took in a whaler and cutter,
CONSTANT the JUTLAND NYMPH night and then LAUDANIA, collected who were a number thus of soldiers, filled odd boats up. and
During and continuous bombing that being
collected them towed them to offshore and shelling
trying to row off to ships filled with vessels.
Dsm
were thiss time fairly Smith remarks these
deaf encountered. and with a lot Chargehand to do prevented him fuel noticing was
annoyances. exhausted, and Continued the boat work was until to all a supply drifter
ordered for repair back and to refuelling, Margate.

Details

5)
1
also
0001
/
MESSAGE.
OUT
SECRET.
To
C. in C. Nore 445
DATE
Repeated F.O.i/c London 62.
22.5.40.
V.A.Dover.
P/L by T/P.
mont
From Admiralty.
to
IMMEDIATE.
even
91009
1. From the following list of Dutch Coasters lyin
THE
DC
[[tw
in the Port of London four in ballast and of about 200-300
Беппат
IOW
1ftw
tons are to be sent immediately to Victualling Wharf
Subject
.S
Deptford to Load military supplies. These will be manned
Lftw
VOSST
by naval crews after arrival at Deptford, and will work
under the War Office.
in
3370
orit
2. As many of the remainder which are in light
to
ROBBIT
condition are to be taken over and manned by naval crews.
.H
ed
of
3. C. in C. Nore is requested to arrange for the
ru
organisation and assembly of these vessels which when
Aven to
.TOVO
ready will be placed at the disposal of V.A.Dover.
.a
4. Names of ships to be reported as they become
aleasev
200
ready for service.
.T
5. Arrangements are being made for sets of charts
to be sent to Chart Depot Sheerness.
6. Further signal will be made re disposal of
Dutch crews and provision of personnel for manning.
7. It is a matter of great important that these
Jal
bas
ships should be got ready as soon as possible.
Cortnol
BRABANT
BART
Virged
8.
TWENTE
ANTJE
HONSDRUG
TILLE
.Ja8A
BRANDARIS
REIGER
DELTA
das
LENA
PRINCESS
JULIANA
BORNEO
B.W.O.V
CARIBIA
ORANGE
LIBERTY
GORECHT
BERNINA
S.W.O.A
68
VREDE
RIKA
FIDUCIA
LIMBURG
B.M.O.A
JUNIOR
BORNRIF
0.8.0
PATRIA
AMSTELROOM
DENEB
MARTHA
,agO
.0.0
EXPRESS
MERCURIUS
AEGIR
.4.V.8
JUTLAND
1704/22.
D.O.D.(H)
.a.r.a
A.C.N.S. (A)
D.T.D. (3)
(15 apin)
1st S.L.
D.T.D. Basement
A.C.N.S.
2nd S.L.
0.8.0. to 1st S.L.
D.P.S. (2)
Controller
N.A.2nd S.L.
Deputy Controller
00s.(4)
I.S.P.S.
Ass. Controller Bath
O.D.(3)
Hydrog.
5)
S.V.P. Cdr. Stephenson Room 59
I.P.(3)
4th S.L.
W.R.Bath

Details

Wt48360/0584 2/40 1,500 pads JC&SLtd Gp674/34
oT
MESSAGE.
1335/27/May.
RECEIVED
RECEIVE
From Combrax, Chatham.
DATE 27.5.40.
DATE
TIME 1420.
CORRECTION receive
P/L BY T/P.
1635/30.
*MORT
Addressed Admiralty. Repeated C.in C., Nore.
Your 2019/24 to C.in C., Nore.
ELEMARO
Name of ship. Name of
Name of
Date of
Commanding
1st Lieut.
Commissionir
and
Officer.
remmo0
ORANGE
Lt.H.P.Crispin.R.N. Lt.K. W.Ratledge. 23rd May,
severe
/BART.
Lt.E.G. Ball.R.N. Lt.J.R.Dean,R.N.V.R.23rd May.
tood
HONSDRUG.
Lt.F. T.Renny,R.N.R.Lt.E. N.Rose.R.N.V.R. 24th Ms
901770
DELTA.
Lt.Cdr.D.F.Lawrence,Lt.E.Little,R.N.R. 24th May,small
R. N.
JUTLAND.
Lt.G.L.Barwell,R.N. Lt.L Hutchinson, 24th May,
WAID
R.N.R.
PATRIA.
Lt. Cdr.H.L.J.
Lt.J.Dupree,
24th My.
address
Pisani, R.N.
R.N.V.R.
TWENTE.
Lt.Cdr.H.G.Boys-
Lt.N.J. Mountfield,
25th May.s to
9d
Smith, R.N.R.
of
R.N.V.R,
TILLY.
Lt.Cdr.W.R.T.
Lt. L.H.Holman,
25th May
motal
Clements R. N.R.
R.N.V.R.
VLENA.
Lt.Cdr.R.P.C.
Lt.R.Morton,
25th Maycame
VITTE
Hawkins, R.N.
R.N.V.R.
loaded
BRANDARIS.
Cdr.C.Euman, R. N.
Lt.W. F.Flowerdew,
25th May.
RNR
se
BORNRIFF.
Lt.A.N. Blundell,
Lt.S.C.Minard,
25th May
R.N.R.
R.N.V.R.
AEGIR.
Lt.W.B.Whitworth.
Lt.R.W.Thomson,
25th May,
R.N.
R.N.V.R.
K.O.A
ANJE or ACTJE.Lt. M.Buist, R.N.
Lt.A.J.Anderson,
26th May.
R.N.V.R.
to
.0
REIGER.
Lt.A. Tyson, R.N.
Sub.Lt.R.Perks,
26th May
R.N.V.R.
to
.0
HILDA.
Lt.A.Gray,R.N.
Lt.H.J.Berry,
26th May 1
M
R.N.V.R.
.0.0
DOGGER BANK. Lt.D. T. Macbarnet,
Lt.P.G.C.Dickens,
26th May
R.N.
R.N.
9.4.0
arracks
A.M
VEREDE.
Lt.Cdr.R.T.Lampard, Lt.J.K.Hamilton,
26th May
R.N.
R.N.
.M
M
CARIBIA.
Lt.M.G.Morris,R.N.R.Lt.D. H.Swift,R.N. 26th May harge
RIKA
Lt.Cdr.T. T.Youngs, Lt.M.E. Melbourne,
27th May
R.N.R.
R.N.V.R.
GORECHT.
Sub Lt.D.M. Edwards, Sub Lt.G.I.Russell, 27th May
R.N.R.
R.N.V.R.
PRINCESS
Lt.Cdr.C.Gwinner,
Lt.R.N.Irving,
27th May
R. N.
R.N.R.
JULIANA.
Lt.Cdr. J.I.Millor, Lt.R.H.W.Jackson,
No date.
RION.
R.N.R.
R.N.V.R.
crews
TINY......
Vessels referred to in A.L. M/M.S. 0393 /40 dated 30/5/40
G.
30/5/40/.....

Details

29
From
Flag Officer in Charge, London.
P.L.A. Building, E.C.3.
To
Head of M. Branch, Admiralty.
(Copy to:- Secretary to Commander In Chief,
The Nore, ref.477.c.c./40 of 13/6/40.)
Date
15th June 1940.
No.414/15/40.
Subject
"DYNAMO".
With reference to M.010027/40, the following
are the dates on which the crews of the Dutch Coasters
taken into service for operation "Dynamo" were returned
to their Depots.
Dates of commissioning were notified in
message 2. 1335 D of 27th May from Combrax, Chatham.
Name.
Date paid off.
Name.
Date paid off.
Bornriff.
6th June.
Orange.
6th June.
Bart.
Aegir.
5th June.
11th June.
Honsdrug.
5th June.
Antje.
5th June.
Delta.
5th June.-
Reiger.
6th June.
5th June.
Jutland.
5th June.
Hilda.
ked
Dogger Bank.
5th June.
Patria.
6th June.
Twente.
5th June.
Vrede.
6th June.
copy
6th June.
Caribia.
5th June.
Tilly.
Lena.
5/6
Not returned Rika.
5th June.
to London.
Gorecht.
7th June.
Brandaris
(at Sheerness)
11/10
5th June.
Princess Juliana.
Tiny.
6th June.
Rion.
6th June.
Java.
Rign
to
Secretary to
Rear Admiral.
Flag Officer in Charge.

Details

Subject
DUTCH SCHUYTES.
The Secretary to
From THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, PORTSMOUTH.
Date
26th July, 1940.
No. 8520/601
49
To
The Head of M. Branch, Admiralty.
Former:- Head of M. Branch M. 010027/40 of 12th June, 1940.
-do-
M.010027/40 of 17th July,1940.
The attached statement regarding the dates of
commissioning and paying off Dutch Schuytes is forwarded.
2. All those remaining in the command after
Operation Dynamo, except RUJA, were kept in commission
for operations Cycle and Aerial and were not paid off
until receipt of Admiralty Telegram 2258/25th June.
3. Among those Schuytes commissioned elsewhere
and paid off in the Portsmouth command were:-
TWENTE
-
Lost through enemy action.
Paid off from 12th June.
HONSDRUG
JUTLAND
CARIBIA
in
-
Paid off at Poole, 2nd July.
)
4. NOORSTAD and PINGUIN were commissioned at
Portsmouth on 15th June, for operation Cycle.
5. All Schuytes in this command were paid off at
Poole, and the Naval Officer-in-Charge has been requested
to forward to you direct the dates of paying off (if
known) of:-
RUJA, NOORSTAD, PINGUIN, GORECHT, DOGGERS BANK.
6.
Correspondence regarding the manning of the
RION, JAVA and TINY, is also enclosed.
Glane
for Paymaster Captain, R.N
Enclosures:-
Secretary.
1. Statement.
2. Portsmouth No. 8520/602 (Minute II) and Minute III.
*****
of 16th July, 1940.
,
placed onboard was P.M. 27th May 1940.
Nevernmith
R.N. BARRACKS, PORTSMOUTH. NOSR-IN CHIEF
DRAFTING COMMANDER
19th July 1940.
for COMMODORE.
20 JUL 940
*
*
PORTSMOUTH

Details

Subject
DUTCH SCHUYTES.
The Secretary to
From THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, PORTSMOUTH.
Date
26th July, 1940.
No. 8520/601
49
To
The Head of M. Branch, Admiralty.
was
Former:- Head of M. Branch 1.010027/40 of 12th June, 1940.
-do-
M.010027/40 of 17th July,1940.
to
The attached statement regarding the dates of
commissioning and paying off Dutch Schuytes is forwarded.
2. All those remaining in the command after
Operation Dynamo, except RUJA, were kept in commission
of
for operations Cycle and Aerial and were not paid off
July
until receipt of Admiralty Telegram 2258/25th June.
3.
Among those Schuytes commissioned elsewhere
and paid off in the Portsmouth command were:-
as
to
ca
TWENTE
-
Lost through enemy action.
Paid off from 12th June.
HONSDRUG
in
)
JUTLAND
-
Paid off at Poole, 2nd July.
was
CARIBIA
)
4. NOORSTAD and PINGUIN were commissioned at
Portsmouth on 15th June, for operation Cycle.
539.
Poole, 5. and the Naval Officer-in-Charge has been requested
All Schuytes in this command were paid off at
to forward to you direct the dates of paying off (if
known) of:-
RUJA, NOORSTAD, PINGUIN, GORECHT, DOGGERS BANK.
6. Correspondence regarding the manning of the
RION, JAVA and TINY, is also enclosed.
Glane
for Paymaster Captain, R.N
Secretary.
Enclosures:-
1. Statement.
2. Portsmouth No. 8520/602 (Minute II) and Minute III.
of 16th July, 1940.
placed , onboard was P.M. 27th May 1940.
Nevernmith
R.R.N. R.N. BARRACKS, PORTSMOUTH.
NOSR-IN- CHIEF
DRAFTING COMMANDER
1919th 19th July 1940.
for COMMODORE.
20 JUL 940
*
*
PORTSMOUTH

Details

ИI
- 2 -
1555 40M 2/40 S.E.R. Ltd. Gp. 671.
ADMIRALT")
7.
A/P Trawler STAUNTON, the loss of which was
REFERENCE SHEET.
announced on 29th July, 1940, is to be regarded as formall public
paid off as from 27th July, 1940.
(M.014856/40)
Head of Military Branch.
To
The Secretary to
8.
H.D.P.C. MIRAGE (S.S.B.A
487(16)) commissioned
The Commodore,
4th July, 1940.
R.N. Barracks,
(M.012037/40).
12th August
1940.
Portsmouth.
A fast motor launch, purchased with the steam
M.010027/40
Information required, or notified.
9.
danlaying yacht HELIOPOLIS (S.S.B.A. 533(8)) has been
the service number M. B. 4026 and also named BANKBLOCK,
CONFIDENTIAL.
12836/40)
It is requested that it may be stated whether
10.
Reference S.S.B.A. 517(17) the following informatic
there off dates of the undermentioned "Dynamo"? coasters,
is any further information available Dutch concerning
is promulgated concerning the commissioning and paying
commissioned the paying with Portsmouth crews for operation
of Dutch Coasters employed in evacuation operations.
NAME.
COMMISSIONED
PAID OFF
RUJA (Understood paid off at Poole but Naval known). Officer
DESPATCH II
in Charge, Poole states date is not
25th May, 1940.
2nd July,1940,
HORST
25th May, 1940.
Not yet report
SURSUM CORDA
25th May, 1940.
Not yet report
AMAZONE
ABEL TASMAN
25th May, 1940
Sunk by enemy
action. Paid
HORST
14th June,1941.
KAAPFALGA
(S.S.B.A.522)
SURSUM CORDA
ALICE
25th May, 1940.
3rd July, 1940,
PACIFIC (Arrived Poole 29th June).
25th May, 1940.
Beached and
abandoned at
R.N. Barracks, Portsmouth's manned No.5241/200 by D
FREDANJA
Panne, 29th
HEBE II
25th May, 1940.
3rd July, 1940.
Portsmouth of 19th July Commodore, crew 1940 ex-JAVA. states that May TINY it be had stated been when this crew
25th May, 1940.
Lost through
TINY?
action. Paid OFFICE
JABA
from 11th June
DEIVED
RUJA
25th May, 1940.
Paid off 5th
JAVA
25th May, 1940.
Not yet
W.Aushin
25th May, 1940.
FRISCO FRISO
6th June 541(6)
<S.
of Military Branch.
PACIFIC
25th May, 1940.
5th July, 1940.
SAN ANTONIO
25th May, 1940.
Not yet report
PASCHOLL
25th May, 1940.
3rd July, 1940.
Do
AMAZONE
25th May, 1940.
19th June, 1940.
ZEUS
25th May, 1940.
WIGA ? wesa
25th May, 1940.
Not yet report
II
25th May, 1940.
3rd July, 1940.
ATLANTIC
2nd July, 1940.
Joses
RION
RIAN
25th May, 1940.
27th May, 1940.
2nd July, 1940.
un
NORSTAD
Sune,1940
nderstood were taken up for trials with
PINGUIN
15th June, 1940.
VESTLARM,
GORECHT
15th June, 1940.
.M.S. VERNON.
9th June, 1940.
29th July' 1940,
when up
DOGGERS BANK
9th June,
B. 19407(17))
4th July, 1940.
TWENTE
B.
9th
($.8.8.517(17)))
29th July, 1940.
for Head of Military Branch.
Outch
Lost through
enemy action.
2018M
were paid HONDSRUG, off 2nd July, JUTLAND, 1940. and CARIBIA (s.s.B.A. off 12th 517(17)) June,
NOTE. The above losses have not announced.
(M.010027/40)
1940.
Circulation as for Specist Broret Branch Acquaint No. 539.

Details

II
No. 6200/200D.
59
EDIATE.
HEAD OF MILITARY BRANCH, ADMIRALTY.
Serial No. 593.
CREWN
SPECIAL SECRET BRANCH ACQUAINT.
It is regretted that
below:- part of the crews returned to Definity at the cessary. for such action within each Admiralty Department as may be
dates for these coasters can be
The following information is circulated for guidance
"RUJA"
7th June,
"AMAZONE"
for Head of Military Branch.
12/14th
31st August, 1940.
"HORST"
5th June,
"SURSUM CORDA"
H. 34 is to be transferred to the 7th Submarine Flotill
1/2 June,
1821/30)
"PACIFIC"
4th July,
2.
R/S
57
on "TINY" joined that ship on 23rd May, 1940, the and
With reference to paragraph 2,
Secreting is
13th June, 1940.
U.C. Poole.
56
IURS
Head of Military Branch
whether
Never
cretary The Naval to Officer-in-Charge, Poole.
R.N. Barracks, Portsmouth.
12th August 1940
M.010027/40
YCLE as
19th August, 1940.
Drafting Com
for COMMODO
CONFIDENTIAL.
as paid
s
been
Information is requested whether the
peration CYCLE as a tender to H.M.S. PEMBROKE
itch Coaster AEGIR, commissioned for
>
VB
Chuthann
T was paid off at Poole. An inquiry has
is and it 5
en received from Commodore, R.N. Barracks,
hatham concerning the paying off date, and
wintere in
t is understood that all Dutch Coasters in
he Portsmouth Command were paid off at Poole.
hand B we
Information is also requested
oncerning DUURSWOLD and WESTLAAN, which it is
in
pose
15th June, 1940.
nderstood were taken up for trials with
15th
Dru
1940.
I.M.S. VERNON.
VESTLAAN,
9th(8.8.8.4.517
29th July,
JUTLANK
4th July, 1940.
(Ig)
when up
29th July, 1940.
(s.s.B.A.517(17))
for Head of Military Branch.
Lost through
Dute
enemy action.
NDNINONDSRUG, of he off off 2nd July, JUTLAND, 1940. and CARIBIA (s.s.B.A. off 12th 517(17)) June,
2d y
fhe above losses have not announced.
(M.010027/40)
1940
on on on on as for Special Secret Branch Acquaint No. 539.

Details

VESSERHAMER
OWNER
ЯДИМО
REMARKS JM882V
ABDE BEAUCLARK
Lifeboat
ABEL TASMAN
Dutch
JoodsTid везихойса
AEGIR
Dutch
ALICE
.I.А.И.Я
security
Dutch
AMAZONE
Dutch
ANTJE
Dutch
$8009711
OJ benefits
BART
.00 .K.B .0 & .9
"D"
Dutch
BORNRIFF
Dutch
BRENDARIS becreach
Isodetts ВОИТВАН
Dutch
CARIBIA
SHTYH
Dutch
TOS Wasmotat OK
antil 7838 SHIE
DELTA
(A) STACHERS
STATEMENT mott
Dutch
DESPATCH II benefits S
Dutch enta Itall Isvor
DOGGER BANK (bensuder
(a) STAORSTAR
Dutch
of Бептитея
office? nstbens0
STAOSHIRE
FERDANTA
Dutch .btd .00 18.8
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Details

240
From:- Lieut. J. Bald, R.N.V.R.
Date:- 5th June, 1940.
To:-
Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
31st May.
I was detailed to join H.M.S. "Jutland" (commanded
by Lt. Commdr. Clements) as first officer. The ship
proceeded on orders to Dunkirk and returned on the
following morning (1st June) to Ramsgate with 180
French troops on board. A detailed report of this
passage has already been made by Lt. Commdr. Clements,
R.N.R.
2nd June.
Spent day fitting out and provisioning M.V. "Paulette"
but as ship was not ready to proceed to sea by the ordered
time I was not able to leave for Dunkirk.
3rd June.
Took command of M/V "Sea Roamer", 20 ton private
0930 yacht, and proceeded with provisioning, arming and
getting ship ready for sea. Stood by ship until -
1830
Orders received to proceed to Dunkirk.
1840
Under way with 1st officer of H.M.S. Tilly aboard.
1850
Officer placed aboard H.M.S. Tilly; first course
for Dunkirk set.
2330
Fixed Green Light in position 57° 09 42N, 2ª 09 425
extinguished, also Dunkirk Channel Buoys obscured by
smoke from burning town. Decided to proceed at "dead
slow" on a direct course to Dunkirk.
4th June.
0040
Off Eastern beaches of Dunkirk. No signs of B.S.F.
0050
Took off two French soldiers from derelict Dutch
schoot "Horst". Proceeded to patrol beach, at distance
of about 100 yds out, for about 2½ miles N. of Dunkirk.
Megaphone was used for hailing shore, but no sign of
B.E.F.
0230
Still no signs of any troops, SO proceeded on return
0300
voyage. Bad engine trouble off No. 6 W Buoy Dunkirk channel.
0315
Taken in tow by H.M.S. Winesweeper NF 15.
0650
Arrived back at base.
Rest of day spent standing by.
5th June.
Operations complete order.

Details

Dispanes 18t.
30
REPORT.
285
Sub Lieutenant A. Carew-Hunt, R.N.
29th May - Report on the crossing of the
"Johanna".
The "Johanna" with a crew of five Englishmen
and three Dutch fishermen set out being towed by the
Dutch Schoot "Jutland". The "Johanna" was a Dutch sel
boat of 50 feet drawing 7 feet capable of about 6 Ints.
After an uneventful crossing we arrived off
Dunkirk just after dark and proceeded about two miles
to the Eastward where we anchored at about 10-30.
The cutter and whaler went in towed by a small
motor boat. After an hour the whaler returned and
reported that the cutter was fast aground.
I went in in the whaler and tried to find the
cutter which had been floated again by the coxswain.
Some Frenchmen had arraved on the beach and
shouting wildly for help. Owing to the lowness of
were the tide and the nature of the bottom we were unable to
get within a hundred yards of the shore. and
not
was the enough water in compelled the to The make and water exhortations wade to the brandish they ashore soldiers began in a to menacing come to English them. rush out. When for revolver I the had French they boats to which saw were get and that into I I
was succeeded in calming them a bit.
We made five trips in all taking off about
200 to the "Johanna" and the Schoot. In every case
had I had to to lift them on board as they appeared to be and worn we out.
men ashore to get the men off, and in many cases
The about 2-30. We had a very quiet journey kissed
operation took about three hours
both on both ways cheeks and by by a large number of grateful "Poilus"
started back at far the worst experience was being
(Signed) A. Cares-Hunt
Sub Lieut. R.N.

Details

324
325
-2-
299
3
$
further eastward but saw no signs of life on the
tracer bullets were used in the Lewis gun and several
and accordingly returned towards the harbour. On
hits were observed by small puffs of smoke coming from
nearing the eastern mole we saw large vessels lying
the Heinkels - presumably caused by the tracer bullets.
the mole and a great number of troops waiting for
It in remarkable why the Heinkels used the "Fervent"
embarkation. It now became clear that the inform
as their target when there were so very many large and
that Dunkirk was in the enemy's hands was not coΓΓe
small transports about - but not within a mile.
and we proceeded into the harbour. We were direct
Eventually they flew off without scoring a direct hit.
at first to go alongside the inside end of the easta
The ongines of the "Fervent" were badly damaged and very
mole, but before we had comple ted making fast an
nearly all the glass aboard was broken. I later found
Army Officer informed us that a large vessel require
a piece of shrapnel in my inside pocket. Half an hour
the berth and we were accordingly directed to
later I was again attacked - by three Heinkels and
immediately drove them brigh with the Lewis gun. About
up the harbour. After proceeding about of
30 bombs were dropped. The method of bombing on this
we made fast to the East Pier outside the motor
occasion was different to the first attack. On the
"Patria and shortly afterwards the "Medway Queen'
first occasion the five Heinkels hovered above and dropped
berthed outside Just as we were going alongsis
bombs but on the second attack the 8 Heinkels came towards
picked up a wire on the propeller. Isdid not
me on my port beam dropping bombs about every 15 yards.
that the propeller was badly fouled and therefore
Owing to the damaged engines considerable difficulty was
determined to take on board any troops that could
met in getting back to Ramsgate. I pay tribute to the
acco modated on the Patria or the "Medway Queen"
coxswain of the "Fervent" who on more than one occasion
during the next 11/2 hours embarked about 120 men
steered her between salvos of bombs and keeping a cool
hatches. Lieutenant-Commander Pisani, R.N., in
head under the gravest of situationsand thus allowing me
of "Patria" undertook to tow my vessel out of the
(the only naval person on board) greater opportunities to
stern first, after which I intended to use my
put the Lewis gun to its greatest use and drive the
The towing operation was successfully performed
8 Heinkels off. He quickly and readily obayed all
instructions I gave him as to alterations of course and
vessels being made fast starboard side to port
at about 0330 on 29/5/40 we cleared the harbour.
speed. He is a civilian and his name is Douglas
Kirkaldie of 4 Kent Place, Ramsgate.
During the time we had been the harbour the
fire and explosions was more or less incessant
(Sgd) W.R.T.Clements.
was gun no shelling of the harbours After leaving
the engines were ahead and shortly af terwards back
Lieutenant-Commender, R.N.R.
cleared itself from the propeller. We arrived
Downs at about 0845 ithout further incident.
6th June, 1940.
the made seven trips to Dunkirk and back.
On the 30/5/40 I relieved the Commanding
of the motor vessel Jutland and proceed again
embarked some 200 troops, the whole voyage being
Dunkirk beaches and during the dark hours until
FIW
accomplished towed back to Ramsgate. Hostile aircraft beaches
without any particular incident.
was observed going on. Lots of shrapnel landed on
boato were and much shelling and bombing on the board
severe
casualties.
1310 on 31/5/40 I left Ramsgate in H.M.S. and
Fervent via 'U', 'V' and 'W' buoys to Dunkirk attach
(a motor launch) with a whaler in tow bear
When 5 Heinkels who hovered above and feet,
proceeded about 8 miles from Dunkirk I was dropped betwes
140 by H.E. bombs from a height of about 1000 Lewis
the "Fervent" were six rifles and one Army
the Lewis gun but it would only fire one ohank
I aimod which indicated that the gas regulating
a time there was not the proper
spring. got the tension on the spring correct.
set wrong I took the Lewis gin
commenced guesswork, firing the 5 Heinkels Firing and the drove Lewis gun and
extremely difficult because it had difficulty was
least another 3, 000 feet.
to be fired from my shoulder. The
increased by immense volumes of water
boat from the splash of the salvos of
water. Eight to ten bombs were in
salvo made a weird whistling noise.

Details

Laurno
Deprams 323.
13/34/0/1343
329
3
302
Kingmead,
Riding Mill,
Northumberland.
Friday 7th June, 1940.
Sir,
g
I have the honour to submit the following account of my
movements from Tuesday 28th May until Wednesday 5th June.
On my arrival at Sheerness I found a convoy of sixteen
motor boats being prepared to assist in the evacuation of Flanders.
I took charge of a small boat "LIEBESTRAUM" and we
proceeded for Dover towing whalers, at about 1730 on Tuesday.
About six miles outside Sheerness we broke down and were picked
up by the Trawler "ASAMA" who towed us to Deal and then back to
Ramsgate where we arrived on Wednesday morning.
At Ramsgate I reported on the state of my boat and was
appointed to the Dutch sel boat "JOHANNA" which had a diesel engine
and was capable of about 6 knots. The crew consisted of a Leading
Hand and four ratings and three Dutchmen, who owned the boat and
could not speak English. We set out in convoy that night with a
Motor boat under the Command of a Lieutenant Commander and/other
eel boat commanded by Sub-Lieutenant T.K.Edge-Partington R.N.
Finding the second eel boat only capable of 4 knots the motor boat
left her behind and soon after left me. I had no charts so after
casting around for a bit I secured alongside a ship, the name of
which I did not find out, near the North Goodwin and stayed there
for the night. Sub.Lt.Edge-Partington in the 'Chanticler' with great
determination took his boat across, navigating by an extremely
faulty compass and managed to bring troops back to Dover.
The next morning, Thursday, I returned to Ramsgate and
succeeded in joining up with the Dutch Schoot "Jutland" who towed
me that evening. We had an uneventful crossing and
anchored across about two miles east of Dunkirk at 2330. The Cutter and
Whaler went ashore. The Whaler returned to report that the cutter
was I volunteered to the Captain of the Schoot to go
and see aground. what I could do but before we had got back the Petty Officer
had succeeded in floating the boat.
I could By boats within 100 yards of the shore because
this time the beach was swarming with French soldiers of
the shallowness not get my of the water. I summoned my limited store of French
to aid and with cries of "En Avant mes heros" and "Courage mea
enfants" my tried to tempt them into the water. My efforts first were
unavailing into water took me into the only deep patch for miles
I and so I had to go and fetch them myself. My and I leap
went in the to neck. Struggling out of the hole I waded rush and ashore. I
Seeing up my to my waist the French came on in a This was
board. strong did six trips and brought off about 200 in all, of time the
were quietened enough to get in so my crew and I had to lift each
compelled to them down a bit but when they get to the boats only them a oh few
me only draw up my revolver and brandiah it threateningly.
I had We into the water and get them. At 0230 the Frenchmen Captain on
board the "JOHANNA" as it was a bit choppy and all had to go below.
Schoot to reckoned go it was time to go. I only had ten
They all suffered from sea sickness on the way back.
return to Ramagate I was sent back to Sheerness On in
charge Saturday of a convoy of 12 motor boats all of which reached Ramagate.
my at 1500 I left Sheerness in the Motor boat
old boat On the our "LIEBESTRAUM" and I arrived at 2230 "THARKS" on Friday. in

Details

Details

501470
1 Sick Quarters at Ramsgate 4 SION HILL
June 7th
19 40
To NAVAL OF FICER IN CHARGE
RAMSGATE
Submitted
Report on the Medical Organisation at Ramsgate Naval
Base during the evacuation of the B.E.F. from the
French coast.
In such an emergency a basis of procedure had to
be rapidly improvised and modified according to
circumstances. Collaboration between the Naval. medical
personnel and the RAMC was essential and after the first
day was found to be working smoothly and efficiently.
The suggestion that the floor of the Merrie England
base should be used as & Clearing Station was supported
by the NOIC, and traffic from the eastern pier head
ATO
was so organised. Very little delay was found in
rapidly clearing the wounded from ships as they berthed.
tels
Smaller boats were dealt with at the Dover steps further
down. A naval and military doctor was always available
at the pier head for some time before and after high
led
tide at which time many of the larger vessels entered
the harbour. A pier head rallying point was
established for medical personnel, and here stocks of
dressings, stretchers and medical essentials were kept.
Transport in the form of ambulances Military, ARP, and
St.John's was always available and ample. I would
RILEA
United
JUTLAND
FREDANJA
TYCAP
CRASTS
JAJA
FOAM QUEEN
PACIFIC
BORNRIO
PASCHOLL
REIGER
SUN IV
LINIRED STAR
PATRIA
QUEEN
BRANDARIS
TANIA
RUJA
RESTREL
DELFUSE
SUN XV
HOPPER-
HANDBRUG
BARGE 24
(INO GEORGE y
SWALLOW
DWARP
CAVA
GROUSE
BOURNRIFT
ROYAL DAFFODIL
FABIA
PRINCE OF WALES
CARISTA
BAN
CELLETT
BOX FRED
ROYAL SOVERSION
LENA
VIRINO
SALVINA
DUCHESS OF FIFE ORIOLE

Details

11/92
&
further contrard but care no signs 01 life on the Seach
and accordingly returned towards the harbonr. On
nearing the castern mold 20 saw Inrge vescolo lying at
the nole and a manu number of treops writing for
ID 31017 olcar that
this it was in the energia hereby 1813 not correct,
and 120 proceeded into the insbour. to 1210 Livected
at Signt to go alongaido the inside one of the cantern
nole, bud before 100 had completed reising fact m
Are Officer informed NO this a Icrge monsel required
the borth and we 0020 accordingly directed to 60 further
up the harbour. After presseding about * of a mile
DC rade Cast to the East Fier outside the notan yessel
"Houris" and shortly afterwards the "Moding Questi
healthed outside 110. Just as the 11020 going alongmide ne
plaked BD a wire on the propeller. 2 asa not consider
that No propeller was badly fould and therefore
determined so take 032 board any troops that could not be
accommodated on the "Patria" OF the "Meding" Cooon? and
during the next, 10 hours embasked about 100 nen below the
hatches. Pianni, 2.2., in charge
of "Patria" undertook to Com my vasnel out 02 the harbony
stem first, after which I intended to use to our engines.
The Coming operation was successfully personned - the two
ressolh being sede fast offe so port cide and
at about 0530 on 29/3/40 No. chanred the
During the time the had been to the herberr the Dound of
gun five and explosions use are or Lead incoment but there
was 1200 stating of the harbour, (Stay leaving the harbour
the engined were put atiend and shortly afternaired the the
cleared itself from the propellor. So arrived back Le the
Donta of about 0843 without.further incident. In all
the "Tilly" reute seven trige to Dunishir and back.
a the 30/5/40 I relieved the Consulting Officer
as the service resuel "Jutland" and proceed again to
Dirthick mill during the dari: hours until down
enharbed - SCO treege, the shole voyage being
accomplished without any particular incident. Five
boato were towad book to Ranagate. Kootile aireraft usna
observed and muh shelling and Senhing as the beaches
WILL going elle Loto of shouped Insted on Don't but no
acrers commition.
10 2520 on 81/5/10 $ left Remigue in LES.
"Tervent" (a mine Larmah] with #: wheter in tou and
proceeded vin 90% PVT and " buoys to Dentist Deaches.
When about & 0120 from Duninish I VICLIN hearby Attacked
by 3 Heinbain who howered above and Comped Setween 180 and
NO Hallo Smith from & height of about 1000 feat. Abound
the "Pervort" vera six riflectend 02/0 Army Legis 8"
: about the Legia gm but 12 would only fine one remit at
a time which indicated that the gus regulating vital
set would 02 Canza ma not the proper tenefits on the
specing. : took the Lovis gun carest and eventually.by
got the tension on the studing correct. then
string 0% the 5 Defabels and Grove there up at
lannt mother 5,000 foot. Firing the Jeria gun van
extremly childrent Decause It had DO resulting and had
to Date fired from 100 choulder. The UAD
increased by transhed volume 05 water filling in the
boat from the of the salven 05 Do: be Steving the
miter. selve name a using whictling noico. as percentage of
light to Sen Doctor TOTO In each salvo.
Each

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. IV
round trip from 80 to 172 miles, and the for route the had to be swept before it
and thence into the Dunkirk Impulsive, the THE
be used. Orders were therefore given the North Goodwin
route (the middle Route X), from road, and at 1140
commenced by the destroyer Vessel Patricia. This
advantage of shortening the round trip to 108 miles.
Halcyon, and the Trinity House from 172 route X had the great and
Helier¹ and Royal Daffodil, which left at 1054 under escort of the des- St.
Among the earliest ships to use the Dover northern Route Y were the P/V's
The convoy was joined en route by the hospital carriers St. Andrew and St.
troyer Vimy; in company was the destroyer Anthony, escorting the S.S. Kyno.2
Julien. Route Y was certainly, at that time, out of range of gunfire, but two
bombing attacks were made on the hospital carriers between the West Hinder
and Kwint Bank buoys, and when the convoy arrived off Dunkirk heavy air
attacks were in progress there. The Royal Daffodil and the St. Helier entered
the harbour, but the latter was ordered to withdraw, and she and the 2 hospital
carriers returned empty to the Downs under escort of the Vimy. The Royal
Daffodil embarked 840 troops before returning to Dover.
Sea and Air Patrols
The principal patrol line covered in the morning of the 27th May by Fighter
Command, was Calais-Dunkirk, as it was not known that the Calais garrison
had ceased fire. From 1450 onwards, however, Calais fell out of the picture,
and it became possible to concentrate fighter protection more exclusively on
the work of evacuation³. Sixteen squadrons, varying in strength from 9 to 20
aircraft, were engaged on these activities from 0500-2130; patrols were, how-
ever, limited to squadron strength. Most squadrons carried out 2 patrols,
and 287 sorties in all were flown during the day.4
To cover the passage of ships between Dunkirk and the Downs destroyer
patrols had been established to the northward during the forenoon, and Vice-
Admiral, Dover, asked for 6 additional destroyers to strengthen the Dover
forces. The Admiralty immediately ordered 4 destroyers from the Western
Approaches Command, and 2 from the Portsmouth Command, to proceed
to Dover.⁵
Ex-Dutch skoots for Dunkirk
Other vessels were on their way to Dunkirk during the day, among them
being 15 skoots⁶. Of these the Lena, Hebe II, and later the Oranje, arrived
off the beaches and embarked troops during the night of 27th/28th May the
Abel Tasman, Alice and Kaap Falga, loaded with ammunition and food,
arrived off La Panne early in the morning of 28th May; the Hilda and Doggers-
bank reached Dunkirk by noon the 28th May, and were sent to the beaches;
while the remainder⁷, in error, returned to the Downs, after having got within
a few miles of Dunkirk.
2 Off R buoy the Anthony, with the Kyno, was ordered back to the Downs and sub-
I Eleven of the St. Helier's crew had been replaced by naval ratings.
sequently 3 to Portsmouth. The Kyno took no further part in Operation "Dynamo".
R.A.F. Narrative, p. 319.
5 4 R.A.F. Narrative, P. 320.
Scimitar were sent.
Appendices D. 1 and D. 2. The Wakeful, Mackay, Worcester, Montrose, Shikari and
6 7 See Appendix F.
The Bornrif, Brandaris, Hondsrug, Jutland, Patria, Tilly, and Twente.
20

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. IV
from the St. Seiriol and Queen of the Channel, in addition to the drifters'
beaches during the night
dinghies, enabled these drifters of the to 27th/28th lift some May. 2,000 troops from Malo and Bray own
Results of S.N.O. Dunkirk's 2005/27
assembling off the beaches on 1 cruiser, 27th/28th May the Wolfhound,
As a result of the action taken the on night S.N.O. of Dunkirk's signals, there
3 Channel skoots and (the the Lena, St. Hebe Seiriol). other II and All small Oranje) these ships boats, were ordered to use Queen of thers, their own
Wolsey and 6 other destroyers¹, a
pulling boats, were yet available.
boats for ferrying, as no power cutters, whalers or other
S.N.O. Dunkirk's signals had therefore a big result; but owing to the diffi-
culty of passing orders at night in a shattered harbour his decision to divert
vessels to the beaches had unforeseen repercussions, and it was associated with
a false report that Dunkirk had fallen, and the failure of one personnel vessel
and 7 skoots to reach the beaches that night. The circumstances are described
below.
The P/V Canterbury, which had entered Dunkirk harbour at 2000, left at
2058 with 457 troops, including 140 stretcher cases. Before leaving, she was
ordered by the Sea Transport Officer to turn back ships attempting to
enter Dunkirk the order, evidently intended to divert ships to the beaches,
was misunderstood. In the Dunkirk road, the Canterbury passed the order
to the P/V Maid of Orleans and to the H/C's Isle of Thanet and Worthing, and
those vessels thereupon turned back to Dover. Later the order became
definitely garbled, for the skoot Tilly (which was in company with the 4 skoots
Hondsrug, Jutland, Patria and Brandaris) met the Canterbury (in company
with the 2 hospital carriers) 8 or 9 miles from Dunkirk, and received from her
the signal "Dunkirk is in enemy hands. Keep clear." This signal was
variously recorded by some of the other skoots, as Dunkirk has fallen. Re-
turn"; and all five of them, as well as the skoots Bornrif and Twente, did in
fact return to the Downs, although the Jutland and the Patria first closed
Nieuport Bank buoy in an unsuccessful endeavour to obtain more definite
information. Some of the skoots, in turn, promulgated this false report to
other ships, notably to the P/V Dorrien Rose; this ship, which received the
signal, unsafe to approach Dunkirk," did at first alter course to the north-
ward, but, shortly after, again set course for Dunkirk. It was subsequently
thought by some of the vessels concerned that the false information had been
passed by fifth columnists," though there is very little proof of this.³
Chronic shortage' of beaching boats
Such was the beginning of the great build-up of ships4 and of the inaugura-
tion of beach evacuation. The successful development of the latter was
necessarily good in into I the The of northern situation the dependent chronic having sector shortage changed on between the by continuation the south-west of beaching and of boats⁵. fine north-east weather, A wind would and and of any Wakeful the have strength making made went
from Dunkirk. The Windsor remained time they arrived, Anthony the Gallant had not yet returned
2 Portsmouth whither she had escorted on the patrol. S.S. Kyno. The
Canterbury's report.
4 3 See Appendices H.30 and H.32.
5 Appendices D, E and F.
D.R. page 3, para. 11.
24

Details

TUESDAY, 28TH MAY
CHAP. V
had all come under fire from the shore guns at Calais and Gravelines. At
0415 on the 28th May the Queen of the Channel, loaded with 904. troops, was
attacked by one aircraft; 3 or 4 bombs were dropped, which straddled the ship
abaft the mainmast and broke her back, the starboard propeller shaft and the
rudder. By good fortune the Dorrien Rose, en route for Dunkirk, was in the
vicinity and rescued the troops : the Queen of the Channel sank about 1/2 hour
later. The St. Seiriol, which left Dunkirk at about 0415 with 494 troops,
reached Folkestone in safety.
Civilian crews feel the strain
Some 45 personnel vessels were used during operation "Dynamo"
Of these eight were sunk, at least six were so damaged by bombing or gunfire
as to render them unfit for further use during the operation, and two were
damaged in collision. Nine of the largest of these personnel vessels had been
engaged prior to "Dynamo" in operations at Dunkirk, Calais and Boulogne,
and their Captains and crews were beginning to feel the strain when Operation
"Dynamo" started.
Thus it was that the Master of the Canterbury, which had already completed
2 round trips to Dunkirk in operation "Dynamo", reported, on the 28th May,
that he was too worn out to make a third trip. The P.S.T.O. went on board
and explained the gravity of the situation to the Master, and the Canterbury
sailed at 0930 the next day. On her return voyage from Dunkirk she was
bombed and damaged, and after landing her 1960 troops went into dock for
repairs. In the 3 trips she made the Canterbury brought back 4,416 troops;
her Master, Captain C. A. Hancock, was awarded the D.S.C.
Personnel vessels not to be employed during full daylight
On the 28th May, however, it had become apparent that development of
the German air threat over the evacuation area, and the increasing artillery
fire from shore batteries covering the sea approaches to Dunkirk, prohibited
the employment of personnel and similar vessels during daylight, until the
position was restored, and that evacuation from Dunkirk by day must for the
moment be confined to warships and small vessels².
It was not, therefore, until later in the day, that the P/V Royal Daffodil
sailed for Dunkirk, and eight other personnel vessels and a hospital carrier³
received their sailing orders during the afternoon and evening.
The northern Route Y was by this time in general use⁴, but ships proceeding
from Dover to Dunkirk were ordered to use the southern and shorter Route Z,
if the passage from Calais Bell buoy to Dunkirk could be made in darkness.
N.O.I.C. Ramsgate responsible for servicing skoots
In these circumstances some 20 skoots reached Dunkirk, or arrived off the
beaches during the day and evening of the 28th May; others were on the way.
Their speed varied, but most of them were very slow. Eight of them went
into Dunkirk harbour⁵, and four to Bray beach⁶. The Abel Tasman, loaded
with ammunition, the Alice and Kaap Falga, loaded with food, and three
I This number includes 3 store ships, 3 motor vessels and a few freighters, coasters and
tramps.
2 D.R. p. 4, para. 13.
3 The Scotia, Malines, Prague, Manxman, Royal Sovereign, Tynwald, Lochgarry, Killarney
and the H.C. Paris.
4 Appendix K.1.
5 The Caribia, Fredanja, Friso, Jutland, Tilly, Patria, Sursum-Corda, and Twente.
6 The Amazone, Doggersbank, Hilda, and Oranje.
29

Details

WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY
CHAP. VI
Mistral damaged
At 1555 a bomb struck the west quay and damaged the Mistral, killing 3 and
seriously wounding 4, including her captain.
Jaguar severely damaged
Meanwhile, at 1550, the Jaguar was ordered out of Dunkirk harbour, to act
as escort to the Lochgarry then waiting outside. While taking station ahead
of the Lochgarry at about 1630 the second air attack over Dunkirk took place¹.
Dive-bombers attacked with salvoes of 4 bombs. About 14 salvoes were
aimed at the Jaguar and one at the Lochgarry. A near miss severely damaged
the Jaguar, holing her near the waterline and putting her engines and steering
gear out of action; a list to port developed. The destroyer drifted helplessly
until, at 1645, she was in danger of drifting on to a wreck 50 yards away. The
destroyer Express then sighted her and taking her in tow alongside transferred
some of her troops. The skoot Rika, en route for La Panne beach, although
she had been severely shaken by bombs off Middelkerke buoy, closed the
Jaguar and took off 295 troops. The Jaguar eventually reached Dover at
2350 (in spite of further high level bombing attacks at 2014 and 2026), making
the last part of the passage under her own power. She was unable to take any
further part in ' Dynamo."
Clan Macalister sunk
In the attack which damaged the Jaguar, the Lochgarry was also damaged
by a near miss; she was, however, able to proceed, and did so unescorted.
Near 6 W buoy, she passed the S.S. Clan Macalister which, after having hoisted
out 6 motor landing craft earlier in the day and subsequently embarked troops,
had just been bombed and was on fire and sinking. The destroyer Malcolm
had already taken off, the wounded members of the Clan Macalister's crew and
some of her troops, and the minesweeper Pangbourne had embarked the re-
mainder. The Clan Macalister settled on the sea bed on an even keel with
her upper works above water, and remained on fire for days. For days also,
she acted as a target for enemy airmen, who thought she was still afloat.
Gracie Fields abandoned
Continuing on her way near Kwint Bank buoy, the Lochgarry saw the paddle-
minesweeper Gracie Fields (which was carrying about 750 troops from La
Panne beach) hit amidships by a bomb. The Gracie Fields, unable to stop
her engines, and with her upper deck enveloped in clouds of steam, continued
underway at 6 knots with her helm jammed with 15° starboard wheel on.
Nevertheless, the skoot Twente, which was on her way to La Panne beach,
secured alongside the circling Gracie Fields and transferred as many injured
and others as she could. The skoot Jutland, returning from La Panne beach
with 275 French troops, also secured alongside the Gracie Fields' disengaged
side and took off some more of her troops.
Later, at about 1830, the minesweeper Pangbourne (which had just been
holed on both sides above and below the waterline and had had 13 killed and
11 wounded by near misses off Bray beach) went alongside the Gracie Fields,
transferred about 80 British troops, and took her in tow. The M/S Kellett,
carrying 550 troops from Bray beach, led the Pangbourne, whose compasses
had been put out of action by bomb blast. At 0130 next morning the Gracie
I At 1630 hours, a renewed spell of Luftwaffe activity began,
fighters was on the line.
when none of our
(R.A.F. Narrative, p.327).
41

Details

WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY
CHAP. VI
Calcutta contacts Lord Gort
On receipt of this signal at 0345 the Calcutta, which had already been embark-
ing troops from La Panne beach, sent her boats in again, in charge of Mr. F.J.
March, Gunner. Mr. March made personal contact with Lord Gort about
8 miles inland, and placed the Calcutta at his disposal for his or his staff's evacua-
tion. Lord Gort, however, courteously refused to be evacuated at this
stage¹.
La Panne beach cleared of troops
Meanwhile the Calcutta was proceeding with the embarkation, having en-
listed the assistance of the minesweepers Sutton and Salamander, the tug Java,
five drifters2, and three motor launches³. By 1357 the Calcutta had embarked
1200 troops, with whom she proceeded to Sheerness.
In addition to the ships assisting the Calcutta, 7 minesweepers4, 4 skoots5,
and 5 destroyers⁶ also embarked troops from La Panne beach. Of the
destroyers, the Greyhound was bombed and severely damaged (see p.42).
The minesweepers embarked, in all, 3415 troops, the skoots 1137 and the des-
troyers 2100. The tramp Yewdale and the motor vessels Beal and Bullfinch
between them brought off 1,854. The assault landing craft A.L.C.15 ferried
about 750 troops from the beaches to off-lying ships, and finally transported
25 to Dover ; the A.L.C.5 also ferried troops throughout the day.
The paddle-minesweeper Oriole had beached herself at La Panne at about
0600, thus permitting about 2,500 troops to pass over her decks to be embarked
by other ships before she refloated at about 1800. In this connection, Sub-
Lieut. Croswell, who had been landed at La Panne at about 0600 with a small
beach party in the Harvester's motor skiff, says : " On the beach we found
14 boats which we launched. A line ferry was established from a paddle-
steamer [the Oriole] which was aground close inshore, and this steamer served
as a pier alongside which other boats were able to come.
Throughout
the
day embarkation continued."
Later in his report, Sub-Lieut. Croswell says " About 1400
bombing
commenced - there were no casualties though 8 heavy bombs fell within 100
yards of the place of embarkation. A supply ship [the danlayer Nautilus]
to the right of the beach was fired and destroyed by a near miss, and a destroyer
[the Greyhound] was hit by an incendiary bomb [in fact she was severely
damaged by a near miss] but continued in action. I joined up with the Army
Staff controlling evacuation - there were no other naval officers at La Panne.⁷
About 2300
I requested that piers should be built but was told nothing
could be done that night.
Lord Gort arrived on the beach on Thursday
morning [30th May] and asked what could be done to assist. I again sug-
gested erection of piers, and under Colonel Porter's direction this was begun,
the pier at La Panne being ready and in use by 1400".
I Calcutta's report.
2 The Golden Sunbeam, Lord Rodney, Lord Keith, Lord St. Vincent, and Lord Collingwood.
3 The Angler II, Nayland and New Britannic.
4 The Emperor of India, Gracie Fields, Halcyon, Hebe, Oriole, Princess Elizabeth and
Waverley.
5 The Reiger, Doggersbank, Jutland and Oranje.
6 The Shikari, Harvester, Anthony, Sabre and Greyhound.
7 Sub. Lt. Croswell was not given orders by his commanding officer to remain ashore.
He says as at La Panne there was no liaison between Army and Navy, I realised I could
do a much more useful job by remaining there," and he stayed there until 1st June. Com-
menting on this, Lt. Cdr. M. Thornton, R.N., Captain of the Harvester says: " This young
officer wisely accepted responsibility of missing his ship and then took charge of the beaches
and embarkation.
(C.W.23187/40.)
47

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

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

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. VII
heavy craft, nor even by small craft similar in a pier lop, was it was invaluable
ing troops into small boats. A was completed and commenced in use on the morning of later for embark-
the 30th May at La Panne, and by the the same day the the same same d the morning day the morning day
(See p. 47).
2 or 3 motor yachts and paddlers to
Bray; none proceeded east of the Bray pier, where the
Captain Howson goes on to say that arrived in the and afternoon anchored one Fortwo skoots and the weskoots and
waited many hours patiently. One tried or two without destroyers or sloops passed from had
the westward to La Panne, and he he success with a lamp to
Admiral Wake-Walker asking him to arrange for this. Captain Howson also
them to anchor off the pier. Eventually managed to get a signal to Rear- tell
sent an officer to Dunkirk to represent learned the urgent need for destroyers off Bray.
It was not until 2 days later that he that all the destroyers, etc., had
been given specific instructions as to which beach they were to anchor off.
Later a certain number of destroyers, sloops and skoots anchored off Bray and
the embarkation proceeded satisfactorily. Unfortunately, time after time,
owing to a lack of naval ratings, he saw a procession of boats going off loaded
with troops, only to be cast adrift and left floating empty out to seaward¹.
Later that evening Captain Howson got in touch with Rear-Admiral Wake-
Walker, then in the Worcester, and obtained permission to embark the following
day in a motor boat off the beaches SO as to prevent a recurrence of this waste
of beaching craft².
In spite of the difficulties and shortcomings emphasised in the above reports
great progress was being made. In fact, beach evacuation reached its peak
on this day; 29,500 troops were lifted from the beaches (as against 24,300
from the harbour) ; and some 50 ships, including destroyers, minesweepers,
skoots, trawlers, drifters, personnel and special service vessels, were engaged
continuously in the arduous work.
The armada grows, but service of ships to Dunkirk is slowed up
Meanwhile the build-up of ships continued, and some 31 additional craft
reached of Dunkirk and the beaches this day. They included two minesweepers
of the 8th M.S.F.³, the Fleet Air Arm training vessel Grive, 4 yachts and a drifter
the Dover M/S Command4, the corvette Kingfisher, (with the ex-Belgian
canal the boat Sambre in tow), the Yarmouth Examination Service yacht Laroc,
and M/V Scottish Co-operator, the S/M tender Dwarf, the drifters Fair Breeze
minesweeper barge Skipjack), the motor coasters Seine and Sheila, (in the coasting
Ocean Breeze, the ex-Belgian canal boats Ambleve and Escaut tow of the
the Viking, the ex-Dutch eel-boat Johanna (in tow Lady of the skoot Jutland),
water, and (R.N.L.I.) lifeboat Prudential (towing barges 7 Sark and with fresh
Ramsgate sailing barge Beatrice Maud, and the dumb Shetland. hopper The
the oyster dredging smacks Seasalter and Vanguard, the steam W.24,
borough, the punt Carama), and the Margate wherries loaded Lord South-
wherries. were The manned by their own crews, but (R.N.L.I.) naval lifeboat manned the
appeared on the scene. and picked up 244 troops. Another A/S patrol, to
Bray beach in error trawler Olvina, which should have been on ratings went
I At long last a dozen of the long awaited important motor contingent boats
R.O.III, p.396.
2 R.O.III, p.397.
4 3 The The Glen Avon and Glen Gower.
and 5 The the danlaying danlaying Constant yachts drifter Gulzar and Sargasso, the echo and Conidaw
Triton, Silver Pauleter Adventuress, and sounding Ma Black Joie. yachts Arrow, Chico Sunshine, Reda,
60

Details

Details

SIGNALS
APPENDIX G
7. It is a matter of great importance that these ships should be got ready as.
soon as possible.
Brabant1
Bart
8. Twente
Tilly
Antje
Hondsrug
Brandaris
Reiger
Delta
Lena
Princess Juliana
Borneo¹
Caribia
Oranje
Liberty
Vrede
Gorecht
Bernina
Fiducia'
Rika
Limburg'
Patria
Junior
Bornrif
Amstelroom
Deneb
Martha
Express
Mercurius¹
Aegiv
Jutland
1704/22
F.3. ADMIRALTY to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER, C.-IN-C. NORE, C.-IN-C. PORTSMOUTH, (R)
F.O.I.C. London, F.O.I.C. Southampton, F.O.I.C. Portland
Admiralty 1703/22 and 1704/22 to certain addressees only. The operation for
which these ships are being prepared will be known as Dynamo.
1944/22
APPENDIX G
SIGNALS RE LACK OF SMALL CRAFT
Sunday, 26th May
1. ADMIRALTY to A/S CHATHAM, A/S PORTSMOUTH, (R) C.-IN-C. Nore, C.-in-C. Portsmouth,
V.A. Dover
Investigate and report how many cutters and whalers can be made available for
immediate service under V.A. Dover.
2028/26
2. ADMIRALTY to C.-IN-C. PORTSMOUTH, VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER (R) Combrax Portsmouth,
Commandant 1st D.C. Fort Cumberland
8 A.L.C's. with crews complete are available and will be embarked in S.S. Clan
Macalister at Southampton a.m. 27th May.
2337/26
Monday, 27th May
3. (ADMIRALTY) D.S.V.P. to COMMODORE, SHEERNESS (R) C.-in-C. Nore V.A. Dover
About 40 motor launches have been ordered to Sheerness of which 30 should
arrive at daylight tomorrow Tuesday. The rest during the day. These will be
manned on arrival at Sheerness
Request you will inform V.A. Dover when
boats are ready for service.
2035/27
Tuesday, 28th May
Note: [At 0436. S.N.O. Dunkirk asked for all vessels to be sent alongside east
pier.]
4. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to S.N.O. DUNKIRK (R) Fighter Command
Further destroyers and small craft are being sent now to Dunkirk.
0630/28
SIGNALS RE BUILD-UP OF SMALL CRAFT
5. N.O.I.C. RAMSGATE to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
1st Mine Recovery Flotilla vessels Lord Cavan, Fidget, Jacketa, Silver Dawn
and Fisher Buoy. Tug Java. Drifters Lord Collingwood, Lord Rodney, Lord Keith,
Lord St. Vincent. Motor boats New Britannic, Walker I, Walker II, Angler, Nayland,
sailed Ramsgate for Dunkirk.
1550/28
I Was not available.
165

Details

INDEX
Johanna,54, 60.
John, and Norah, 71n.
39, 43-4. D.
G., 76.
G. de S. (P.S.T.O. 60. Dover), 48.
Jutland, 47n, 54,
Keith, at Boulogne, 9-10; In Dynamo, 55, 64, 66, 67 (flag of R.A. Dover), 71, 74, 76, 86,
Kaap Falga, 20, 29.
88-90 (sunk).
Kellett, 28n, 32, 41, 46, 97, 107n, 89. 109, 114n, 116-7, 119.
Kenward, Lt. (E) W. H., killed,
Kestrel, 72n.
Kingfisher, 60, 87, 89 (damaged), 114n, 116 (rammed), 117.
Killarney, 29n, 54n.
King George V, 54n, 94, 107n, 108-9, 114n, 116, 119.
King Orry, 16, 19, 28, 45 (sunk), 97 (damages Dunkirk pier).
Kingston Alalite, 34n, 110.
Kingston Andalusite, 34n.
Kingston Galena, 34n.
Kingston Olivine, 110.
Koeltz, General, 19.
Kuno, 20n, 24n.
Lady Brassey, 28n, 36, 91, 104.
Lady Haig, 72n.
Lady of Mann, 48n, 87, 107n, 109 (sent back empty), 114n, 118.
Lady Philomena, 34n, 91.
Lady Robinson, 94 (sunk).
Lady Rosebery, 71n.
Lady Sheila, 60.
Lady Southborough, 72n.
La Flore, 107n, 109.
Lahloo, 66, 71n.
Laidsell, Lt. Gen. W. G. (Q.M.G.), 8, 26, 59, 90.
Lambart, Capt. Hon. L. J. O., R.N. (ret.), lost, 93.
Lansdowne, 72n.
La Panne. See Beaches.
Lark, 71n, 95 (sunk).
Laroc, 60.
Leda, 28n, 32, 54n, 97, 114n, 116 (sinks Maréchal Foch), 118.
Lena, 20, 24, 27-8, 100, 116 (lost), 117.
Léopard, 73, 99, 107n.
Letitia, 73.
Lewes, Lt. Cdr. J. H., 45.
Lewis, Cdr. E. R., 106.
L.H.W.D., 114n.
L'Impétueuse, 62.
Llanthony, 71n.
Lloyd, General, 84.
Lochgarry, 29n, 39, 41.
Locust, 46, 58, 87, 107n, 108, 114, 116, 119.
Lord Barham, 71n.
Lord Cavan, 32n, 98 (sunk).
Lord Collingwood, 32n, 47n.
Lord Grey, 45.
Lord Hood, 71n.
Lord Howard, 23n, 107n.
Lord Howe, 13, 23n.
Lord Keith, 32n, 47n.
Lord Melchett, 85.
Lord Rodney, 47n.
Lord St. Vincent, 32n, 47n.
201

Details

Stuon
ORING
-3-
was sleep concerned. with my crew, the first since Sunday night so far as I
were cutter. lying in tow to "Jutland" with a whaler by09.30
We turned out on the morning of the 30th May and
boats taken Jutland was one of the Dutch diesel navy engine and
would over by the Navy and flying the white cargo and
for A.A.Defence.
ship. Both these ships carried Lewis guns fore and aft
carry about 450 men, H.M.S. "Laudania" was a similar ensign
in the mine fields, but we lay on tow to Jutland until 15.30
I do not know what delayed our start, probably alterations
outside the Harbour. At about 15.30 we got going and, with
off in order to carry officers from one ship to another lying
outside Ramsgate Harbour with occasional intervals of easting
in about six hours (an average of about 12 knots). This
our own engines running at about 6 knots, wentowed to Dunkirk
was a very uncomfortable trip as destroyers kept crossing and
passing at high speeds making a heavy wash and we had to try
and keep my boat sheered off to port while the cutter and
whaler were sheered off to starboard. Sometimes we came
together in spite of all our efforts but no damage was done
and the only injury sustained by anyone was when one of my
crew was at the wheel for a few minutes and a destroyer passed
very close and made such a wash that my boat was nearly put
of petrol cans.
on its beam ends and I bumped my shin badly on my deck cargo
beach eastwards for a few miles before "Jutland" dropped
We arrived at Dunkirk about dusk and turned along the
We were opening the batting at
this part shad be canny about
anchor. We cast off tow at once and I took the whaler and
hailing the shore as we did not
know whether ferry or our chaps
cutter in tow myself and dug out for the beach. It was
dark night and visibility was not too bad. At first we
slightly misty as well as dark but it was not really a
could find no life on the beach but after a short time
were there twe were
were hailed by Frenchmen and for a little while found
sheft
boat with them. The procedure was to tow the whaler and
Frenchmen only and made one or two full journeys back to the
cutter to the beach and swing them round and cast off tow
in about 3'6" (my draught being 2'6"). The whaler thon
dropped his grapnel and went in as close as he dared without
grounding the cutter and troops waded out to board them.
As soon as the two boats were full they called for the
motor bost and pulled up on the whaler's grapnel, I would
come past and take the whaler's boxes rope in passing and
swing out towards the ship which had to lie about three-
quarters of a miles out.
While the whaler and cutter were loading I patrolled
parallel with the beach, keeping as close as I dared without
take ground as it was the only motor boat in that area
grounding, it being essential that the motor boat should not
and the cutter and whaler had only four mon apiece aboard
except at great loss of time.
so that they were not in a position to row out to the ship,
While patrolling my job was to pick up any swimmers or
waders and any odd craft which had put out from the shore,
there were seve al of these. After the first few loads
had been taken to the ship, all Frenchmen, a British officer
waded out and was picked up by me and reported that at whole
Division of British were waiting to be taken off a little
nearer Dunkirk town than we had been working.

Details

0507
-4-
reported cutter to whaler, and took them all back to the up the
I and took him aboard, went back and picked full
further the Captain of Jutland that the ship,
to the was my leading mark as the British big fire
just in-shore up the beach and that I was going there, British a were
and the east of this. From then on we worked to this were point just
British; Jutland was filled roughly half and half British the
French came down the beach and mingled with
and French.
After we had been going to this point for about three
or four trips, a German bomber most inconsiderately dropped
the
a. large bomb on our large fire and blew it out like a candle,
this did not matter very much then as I had other leading
marks and the mass of troops had increased so that they were
quite visible on the beach.
have
By about03.00, 31st May, Jutland was full and she sailed
paffer
at once to avoid the dawn bombing, Jerry was trying to bomb
the ships as they left loaded and thus get the ships and the
way.
men, but his efforts throughout the 10 - 11 hours that I was
working on the beach were very poorly rewarded.
Jerry also had some big guns for which aeroplanes were
spotting, and they dropped verey lights over the ships, but
here again Jerry wasted ammunition without hitting anything
that I saw. One of the crumps came as a nasty shock as the
at least two bombs
explosion actually stopped my boat for a split second, and I
shook the boat, but
thought I had grounded as she quivered all over but in the
none stopped it.
next moment she went on again and the noise of the crump
followed the air push so that I knew it was nothing serious.
On Jutland leaving about03.00 on the 31st May I turned over
handania was
with the cutter and whaler to Laudania and by aboutos. she
filled about 3/4
this time I had used up all my deck cargo of petrol and the
too was full, making a total of about 900 men brought off. By
Birtish +1/4 Trouch
engine wanted more oil and the grease cups refilled, also
there was a certain amount of rotten rope round the propeller
german
shaft, this I had not been able to cut in time. My two crew
were both stoker ratings of four months' service in the Navy
only and being stokers were not issued with clasp knives, on
my stern-man shouting to me that an odd rope was getting round
our propeller, I had to leave the wheel and cut it with my
own sheadknife, if he had had a clasp knife he could have
done it in time, I was a moment too late.
The cutter had gone aground under a stranded lighter on
the windward side of same, a N.W.wind having got up a bit in
the morning, and as I could not get near enough to get the
cutter aff and the crew, also their young sailors, did not, how
to get off, I resoued the crew and brought them off to Laudania
Engine had been
in accordance with the Captain's instructions. My boat only
stalling, probably
just managed to gedouside Laudania with the last whaler load
due to cope, relf.
that she could take and the Captain ordered me off with my
starter now refused
crew and the crew of the whaler, the crew of the cutter being
service.
already on board, and turned over my boat and the whaler to a
Naval drifter which was said to have petrol and mechanics on
board so that they could be of use further.
The whole of us who had been on the beach work then had
our first stand-bysy since 21.30 the day before and my crew and
myself had not had anything to eat since 17.30 the day before
and nothing to drink since 15.30, and had been continuously
employed, as had the two Naval ratings who remained on each of
the naval rowing boats during the tow across.
Jerry started his usual effort when the ship left at
08.30 to09.00 on the 31st, but with no results, and plenty of
hot tea and bread and butter and jam and a chance to light a
pipe had made me perfectly indifferent to anything Jerry did.

Details

OPERATION DYNAMO.
VESSEL
OWNER
REMARKS
ABDE BEAUCLARK
Lifeboat
ABEL TASMAN
Dutch
AEGIR
Dutch
ALICE
Dutch
AMAZONE
Dutch
ANTJE
Dutch
BART
Dutch
BORNRIFF
Dutch
BRENDARIS
Dutch
CARIBIA
Dutch
DELTA
Dutch
DESPATCH II
Dutch
DOGGER BANK
Dutch
FERDANTA
Dutch
FRISCO
Dutch.
CORECHT
Dutch
Dutch
HEBE
HONSDRUG
Dutch
Dutch
HORST
Dutch
JAVA
Dutch
JUTLAND
Dutch
KAAPFALGA
Dutch
Aground on Brady beach.
LENA
Dutch
ORANJE
Dutch
PACIFIC
Dutch
PASCHULL
Dutch
PATRIA
PRINCESS JULIANA
Dutch
Dutch
REIGER
Dutch
RIKA
Dutch
RUJA
Dutch
SANANTINO
Dutch
SURSUM CORDA
Dutch
TILLY
Dutch
TWENTE
Dutch
VREDE
Dutch
WEGA
Dutch
ZEOS

Details

OPERATION DYNAMO
DUTCH. YESSELS.
VESSEL
OWNER
REMARKS
lamy
ABDE BEAUCLARK
Lifeboat
Mr.Bellamy (Dutch)
ABEL TASMAN
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy (Dutch)
AEGIR
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
ALICE
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
AMAZONE
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy
ANTJE
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
BART
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy
BORNRIFF
Dutch
Mr. .Bellamy
BRENDARIS
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
CARIBIA
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
DELTA
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy
DESPATCH II
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy
DOGGER BANK
Dutch
Mr.Bellemy
EN
Very
twing
FERDANTA
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy
FRISO
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
WI
GORECHT
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy
H H H
ZEO
HEBE
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
HONSDRUG
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy
HORST
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
JAVA
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
JUTLAND
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
KAAFALGIA
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy

Details

Durch Vessds:
B
OPERATION DYNAMO
VESSEL
OWNER
REMARKS
ABDE BEAUCLARK
Lifeboat
Mr.Bellamy (Dutch)
ABEL TASMAN
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy (Dutch)
AEGIR
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
ALICE
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
AMAZONE
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
ANTJE
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
BART
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
BORNRIFF
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
BRENDARIS
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
CARIBIA
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
DELTA
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
DESPATCH II
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
DOGGER BANK
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
FERDANTA
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
FRISO
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
GORECHT
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
HEBE
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
HONSDRUG
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
HORST
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
JAVA
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
JUTLAND
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
KAAFALGIA
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy

Details

Page 3.
r OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS (continued)
PORTSMOUTH A/P YACHTS
AHOLA
CARYANDA
NONETA
ANLAH
EILA II
SERIOLA
ANKH
LAHLOO
THELE
BOUNTY
MASAYRU
MISCELLANEOUS H.M. SHIPS (small craft)
A.L.C. 5
GREY MIST (Dan-laying
A.L.C. 15
Vessel)
A.L.C. 16
# GRIVE (F.A.A. Yacht)
A.L.C. 17
KINDRED STAR (Drifter)
ALOUETTE II
#
KING ORRY (Armed Boarding
(Echo Sounding Yacht)
Vessel)
# AMULREE (Harbour Defence
LLANTHONY (Examination
Patrol Craft)
Service Vessel)
ARONIA (Yacht)
LORMONT (Armed Boarding
BEN AND LUCY (Drifter)
Vessel)
BLUEBIRD (M.B.)
MONARDA (Drifter)
BYSTANDER
MONA'S ISLE (Armed Boarding
(Echo Sounding Yacht)
Vessel)
CALETA (Harbour Defence
ST. OLAVES (Rescue Tug)
Patrol Craft)
TARRET (A/S Yacht)
CHRYSTOBEL II (Harbour
THRIFTY (Drifter)
Defence Patrol Craft )
v. 4 ("Vernon's pinnace)
"DOLPHIN'S" MOTOR-BOAT
VELIA (Armed Trawler)
EVELYN ROSE (Trawler)
VERNON I
"EXCELLENT'S" A/A MOTOR-BOAT
VIVIANA (A/S Trawler)
GAVA (Trawler)
GLALA (Harbour Defence Patrol
Craft)
DUTCH SKOOTS (Commissioned with Naval Crews)
ABEL TASMAN
DOGGERSBANK
PACIFIC
AEGIR
FREDANJA
PASCHOLL
ALICE
FRISCO
PATRIA
AMAZONE
GORECHT
PRINCESS JULIANA
ANTJE
HEBE
REIGER
ATLANTIC
HILDA
RIKA
BART
HONDSRUG
RUJA
BORNRIF
HORST (Abandoned)
SAN ANTONIO
BRANDARIS
JAVA
SURSUM CORDA
CARIBIA
JUTLAND
TILLY
DELTA
KAAPFALGA
TINY
DEMOK I
LENA
TUNG
DENEB
ORANJE
TWENTE
DESPATCH II
ORANGE YREESWIJH
VREDE
ZEUS
Sunk
(Continued)

Details

DEXOS
OF
-3-
sleep with my crew, the first since Sunday night so far as I
was concerned.
We turned out on the morning of the 30th May and by09.30
were lying in tow to H.M.S. "Jutland" with & navy whaler and
cutter. Jutland was one of the Dutch diesel engine cargo
boats taken over by the Navy and flying the white ensign and
would carry about 450 men, H.M.S. "Laudania" was a similar
ship. Both these ships carried Lewis guns fore and aft
for A.A.Defence.
I do not know what delayed our start, probably alterations
in the mine fields, but we lay on tow to Jutland until 15.30
outside Remsgate Harbour with occasional intervals of casting
off In order to carry officers from one ship to another lying
outside the Harbour. At about 15.30 we got going and, with
our own engines running at about 6 knots, westowed to Dunicirk
in about six hours (an average of about 12 knots). This
was a very uncomfortable trip as destroyers kept crossing and
passing at high speeds making a heavy wash and we had to try
and keep my boat sheered off to port while the cutter and
whaler were sheered off to starboard. Sometimes we came
together in spite of all our efforts but no damage was done
and the only injury sustained by anyone was when one of my
crew was at the wheel for a few minutes and a destroyer passed
very close and made such a wash that my boat was nearly put
on its beam ends and I bumped my shin badly on my deck cargo
of petrol cans.
We arrived at Dunkirk about dusk and turned along the
beach eastwards for a few miles before "Jutland" dropped
anchor. We cast off tow at once and I took the whaler and
We did not know
cutter in tow myself and dug out for the beach. It was
whether Jerry over
slightly misty as well as dark but it was not really a
troops would be on
dark night and visibility was not too bad. At first we
the beach, as it was
could find no life on the beach but after a short time
a long way East of
were hailed by Frenchmen and for a little while found
about 20 wellowe ship
Frenchmen only and made one or two full journeys back to the
cammy hading the alone.
boat with them. The procedure was to tow the whaler and
cutter to the beach and swing them round and cast off tow
in about 3'6" (my draught being 2'6"). The whaler then
dropped his grapnel and went in as close as he dared without
ounding the cutter and troops waded out to board them.
As soon as the two boats were full they called for the
motor boat and pulled up on the whaler' S graphel, I would
come past and take the whaler's buoy rope in passing and
swing out towards the ship which had to lie about three-
quarters of a mile out.
While the whaler and cutter were loading I patrolled
parallel with the beach, keeping as close as I dared without
grounding, 1t being essential that the motor boat should not
take ground as 1t was the only motor boat in that area
and the cutter and whaler had only four men apiece aboard
so that they were not in a position to row out to the ship,
except at great loss of time.
While patrolling my job was to pick up any swimmers or
waders and any odd craft which had put out from the shore,
there were seve al of these. After the first few loads
had been taken to the ship, all Frenchmen, a British officer
waded out and was picked up by me and reported that a whole
Division of British were waiting to be taken off a little
nearer Dunkirk town than we had been working.

Details

Uson
I took him aboard, went back and picked up the full
cutter and whaler, and took them all back to the ship,
reported to the Captain of Jutland that the British were
further up the beach and that I was going there, a big fire
just in-shore was my leading mark as the British were just
to the east of this. From then on we worked to this point
and the French came down the beach and mingled with the
British; Jutland was filled roughly half and half British
and French.
39.
After we had been going to this point for about three
or four trips, a German bomber most inconsiderately dropped
a large bomb on our large fire and blew it out like a candle,
this did not matter very much then as I had other leading
marks and the mass of troops had increased so that they were
quite visible on the beach.
By about03.00, 31st May, Jutland was full and she sailed
at once to avoid the dawn bombing, Jerry was trying to bomb
the ships as they left loaded and thus get the ships and the
men, but his efforts throughout the 10 - 11 hours that I was
working on the beach were very poorly rewarded.
Jerry also had some big guns for which aeroplanes were
spotting, and they dropped verey lights over the ships, but
here again Jerry wasted ammunition without hitting anything
that I saw. One of the crumps came as a nasty shock as the
at least two bombs
explosion actually stopped my boat for a split second, and I
shook the boatbut
thought I had grounded as she quivered all over but in the
none stopped it.
next moment she went on again and the noise of the crump
followed the air push so that I know it was nothing serious.
On Jutland leaving about03.00 on the 31st May I turned over
with the cutter and whaler to Laudania and by about08. she
handania
wasfolled
too was full, making a total of about 900 men brought off. By
about 3/4 British
this time I had used up all my deck cargo of petrol and the
engine wanted more oil and the grease cups refilled, also
+1/4 Tranch
there was a certain amount of rotten rope round the propeller
shaft, this I had not been able to cut in time. My two crew
were both stoker ratings of four months' service in the Navy
only and being stokers were not issued with clasp knives, on
my stern-man shouting to me that an odd rope was getting round
our propeller, I had to leave the wheel and out it with my
own sheadknife, if he had had a clasp knife he could have
done it in time, I was a moment too late.
The cutter had gone aground under a stranded lighter on
the windward side of same, a W.wind having got up a bit in
the morning, and as I could not get near enough to get the
cutter Off and the crew, also their young sailors, did not% how
to get off, I rescued the crew and brought them off to Laudania
had
probably Engine due to sope,
been
statting
in accordance with the Captain's instructions. My boat only
just managed to Laudania with the last whaler load
that she could take and the Captain ordered me off with my
self starter now
crew and the crew of the whaler, the crew of the outter being
refused service
already on board, and turned over my boat and the whaler to &
Naval drifter which was said to have petrol and mechanies on
board so that they could be of use further.
The whole of us who had been on the beach work then had
our first stand-bysy since 21.30 the day before and my crew and
myself had not had anything to eat since 17.30 the day before
and nothing to drink since 15.30, and had been continuously
employed, as had the two Naval ratings who remained on each of
the naval rowing boats during the tow across.
Jerry started his usual effort when the ship left at
08.30 to09.00 on the S1st, but with no results and plenty of
hot tea and bread and butter and Jam and a chance to light a
pipe had made me perfectly indifferent to anything Jerry did.

Details

Page 3.
LIST OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY 4TH JUNE, 1940
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS (continued)
PORTSMOUTH A/P YACHTS
AHOLA
CARYANDA
NONETA
ANLAH
EILA II
SERIOLA
ANKH
LAHLOO
THELE
BOUNTY
MASAYRU
MISCELLANEOUS H.M. SHIPS (small craft)
A.L.C. 5
GREY MIST (Dan-laying
A.L.C. 15
Vessel)
A.L.C. 16
# GRIVE (F.A.A. Yacht)
A.L.C. 17
KINDRED STAR (Drifter)
ALOUETTE II
#
KING ORRY (Armed Boarding
(Echo Sounding Yacht)
Vessel)
# AMULREE (Harbour Defence
LLANTHONY (Examination
Patrol Craft)
Service Vessel)
ARONIA (Yacht)
LORMONT (Armed Boarding
BEN AND LUCY (Drifter)
Vessel)
BLUEBIRD (M.B.)
MONARDA (Drifter)
BYSTANDER
MONA'S ISLE (Armed Boarding
(Echo Sounding Yacht)
Vessel)
CALETA (Harbour Defence
ST. OLAVES (Rescue Tug)
Patrol Craft)
TARRET (A/S Yacht)
CHRYSTOBEL II (Harbour
THRIFTY (Drifter)
Defence Patrol Craft)
V. 4 ("Vernon's" pinnace)
"DOLPHIN'S" MOTOR-BOAT
VELIA (Armed Trawler)
EVELYN ROSE (Trawler)
VERNON I
"EXCELLENT'S' A/A MOTOR-BOAT
VIVIANA (A/S Trawler)
GAVA (Trawler)
GLALA (Harbour Defence Patrol
Craft)
DUTCH SKOOTS (Commissioned with Naval Crews)
ABEL TASMAN
DOGGERSBANK
PACIFIC
AEGIR
FREDANJA
PASCHOLL
ALICE
FRISCO
PATRIA
AMAZONE
GORECHT
PRINCESS JULIANA
ANTJE
HEBE
REIGER
ATLANTIC
HILDA
RIKA
BART
HONDSRUG
RUJA
BORNRIF
HORST (Abandoned)
SAN ANTONIO
BRANDARIS
JAVA
SURSUM CORDA
CARIBIA
JUTLAND
TILLY
DELTA
KAAPFALGA
TINY
DEMOK I
LENA
TUNG
DENEB
ORANJE
TWENTE
DESPATCH II
ORANGE YREESWIJH
VREDE
ZEUS
#
Sunk
(Continued)

Details

Details

Dynam 199.
8/4/0/1215
à
87
CONFIDENTIAL
To - VICE-ADMIRAL COMMANDING DOVER
( Copy for C. in C.)
From - C.O. JUTLAND.
NARRATIVE REPORT ON OPERATIONS DYNAMO.
(MAY 26th - JUNE 3rd 1940 )
name
from - slum Skut Who we anspping ashin,
and Pacific they fasti than luid A
their was is : belowed about the from
Proceded at then spend have & they
stert of this party 5 anin 4 the has Whise Renue.
hail, are Guld was Ideas Thinking.
directed for the beach were is auouns an
I/c nituition see is line is Ret 9 auch r.
Here Me from brade a thinks

Details

89
88
CONFIDENTIAL
VICE-ADMIRAL COMMANDING DOVER,
Sir,
OPERATIONS 'DYNAMO'
Having been in command of the dynamo ship JUTLAND. I
have the honour to submit the following narrative report of
operations May 26th - June 3rd.
On May 26th, JUTLAND was at Sheerness awaiting orders.
In the early hours of May 27th, acting on orders received,
we proceeded to the Downs where at 1500 the same day. orders
were received to go to Dunkirk by a certain route.
This route was via the West Hinder Light and Kwinte
Bank Buoy.
While on the South-Westerly course from this buoy at
about 2200 a hospital ship steaming " away from Dunkirk
signalled us Dunkirk fallen.
Shortly afterwards, another ship signalled a similar
message and added " I am returning " to which I replied
"
I am proceeding. " Later, in the proximity of the
Nieuport Bank Buoy, I was signalled to " close " another
ship. Here I had hopes of receiving more detailed orders.
PATRIA was also closing this ship and I learnt from
her that she had contacted an R. A. F. motor boat which had
gone for orders. While waiting there, I sought orders from
a destroyer that passed and was advised to wait there.
Planes were heard overhead.
After waiting some three hours and after consultation
with PATRIA, we felt we had no alternative but to withdraw
from - Hum Skurt Who are aripping ashin,
and Pacific they Kashi them luid of
View was of : belowed, about the four
stert of this party 0 are it he Pame.
Proceded at How spend has the Whiste truy
straight for the beach Were in awouns a our
hail we Guld has Ideas
Il citaition are Is him is Pet 9 auchor.
Here the Then was a Perius

Details

92
(4)
91
exceptions to that procedure and they each rowed their boat
back to the beach single-handed.
I saw little hope of achieving with these men what their
own officers could not do, so I had the boats made fast until
a few had collected and then, manning the largest with my own
crew, sent them to row ashore towing the others, with orders to
let go the others on reaching the shore for the troops to man
themselves and to row back the large boat with troops.
On reaching the shore. so many troops crowded into this
boat, and none would get out, that there seemed little likelihood
of the boat ever being able shove off the beach.
It was about an hour later when a French officer took
charge and threatened to shoot anyone who did not get out of
the boat when ordered to, that the boat managed to leave the
shore.
In the meantime, troops had been coming out to us in
other boats made avaliable to them by the fact that the wind
was gradually blowing the empty boats in to the shore.
I had taken JUTLAND in to about sixty yards from the
shore where we were lying in eight feet of water.
After a while an enemy air attack developed. In our
vicinity four bombs were dropped immediately in rear of the
beaches but the attack seemed to be directed chiefly at the
ships lying off; the next ship to the westward of us
receiving one bomb in the after magazine, another ship farther
westward being set on fire. One plane dived to masthead height
or lower over a nearby ship but, I think, failed to score & hit.
JUTLAND replied with her only and newly found armament -
about fifty French rifles - whom I had stationed on deck, the
remainder of the troops being in the hold.
Partly due to the presence of hostile aircraft and
partly to the boat problem again. the supply of troops coming
off to the ship gradually ceased. I estimated We had some
275 troops on board and it was at this juncture that I decided
to make sure of what we had got and set course for returning.
pan - slown SRd Who we dripping ashin,
and Pacific beary fashi than with of
View was a : belowed about the how
stert of this party 0 amin at La Pause.
Proceded at How spend have the White heary
direct for the beach Were as auouns & an
hail are Guild has Ideas
Ik nituition are is him is Rrt & auch or.
Here Me Then was a ferius

Details

(5)
Is
I
92
On the return voyage, after passing Nieuport Bank
Buoy, we saw two ships ahead of us bombed, one with 8 bombs,
the other with sixteen bombs.
There was no indication that either had been hit,
but as we drew nearer it could be seen that one was in
difficulties, and in reply to a signal we went alongside.
This ship was the GRACIE FIELDS, and while she continued to
steam round in a circle, we took off troops, a number
seriously wounded.
After about 45 minutes when this was almost
completed ( another dynamo ship was taking off troops on her
starboard side ) a destroyer indicated that she wanted to come
alongside and at 2130 we proceeded, passing through the Downs
29/-
in an early morning fog, up the Ramsgate Channel and into
harbour.
30/4
As soon as the troops were disembarked, preparation
was made for the next trip. Army provisions were put aboard
and two Lewis guns mounted.
For the next trip, officers and men ( not engine
room men who could work in three watches ) were relieved to
get some sleep.
I understand that on that trip of the 30th/31st,
JUTLAND brought off troops from the beaches to the East of
Dunkirk Pier.
On her return it was reported that she required
fuel and that fact and the state of the tide kept her in
harbour that day.
With the original crew, I took over again from the
relief crew, and on the 1st June was at anchor in the
Ramsgate Road, standing by for further orders; but I
understand that the ship's speed was not considered suitable
for taking part in the final operations, and after standing
by for a further period. JUTLAND was ordered to return to
London where, after reporting to F. O. 1. C., I handed over
the ship to the Chief Dock Master, Surrey Commercial Dock,
obtaining a detailed receipt.
from - Hum SRA Who we arbbing ashin,
and Pacific being Kaii then luch f
View was in : believed about the hour
Proceded at How spend have the White key
skast of this party 0 sein at ha Pause.
straight for the beach Were in auouns & me
hail, are Guld was Ideas
Ill nituition see is line is Rrt 9
Here the Emergency Then was a Perius

Details

Dynoms 190.
204
191
REPORT ON WORK DONE ON DUNKIRK BEACH BY "CONSTANT NYMPH" 30/31 MAY, 1940.
CHARGE HAND. B.A. Smith., Little Ship Club (Owner of motor boat).
GREW.
-
STOKERS ALLEN AND MIXIKE from Sheerness.
We left Ramsgate about 3.30 Pollo on 30th May, 1940, in tow of
H.M.S. "Jutland" (A Dutch boat taken over by Navy) after lying outside the
Harbour from 9.30 a.m., during which time we had done a little ferrying work
between ships.
We were towed with a whaler and cutter on same tow.
Arrived at our station some miles east of Dunkirk Harbour about
9.30 p.m. and towed whaler and cutter to beach as soon as "JUTLAND" had
30/5
enchored slight mist.
At first we could only find Frenchmen on the beach and took off
several boat loads, then a British officer waded and swam to "CONSTANT NYMPH"
while running slowly up and down the beach in about 3 feet 6 inches
weiting for the boats to be filled and keeping a look out for British troops,
In spite of darkness end slight mist, the fires on shore and fine
night made bodies of men show up against the sand.
On hearing from British officer that thousands of our men. were a
little nearer Dunkirk, we worked further up and got mainly British for some
time; not many wounded.
One nice fire which was a leading mark was blown out by another
bomb later on in the night, but we were fairly well at home by then and it
caused no delay.
Having filled "JUTLAND", the motor-boat with whaler and cutter
turned over to "LAUDANIA",a similar ship, and filled that. "JUTLAND" laft
about 3 a.m.
I am informed by Captain of "LAUDANIA" that these ships hold about
450 men each, making a total of 900 men taken off.
About 8 a.m. "LAUDANIA" was full and the cutter was aground under
a stranded lighter and her crew could not get her off, Captain of "LAUDANIA"
told me to get the crew if I could not get the outter, and this was done.
Certain odd boats were found on the beach by troops of both nations,
any found trying to row to ships in our area were collected and towed to ship,
mk
and efforts made to use them again if serviceable. These efforts were usually
hampered by Frenchmen not tying up to the ship when boarding and letting the
boat drift.
Bombing in the district seemed fairly continuous, some explosions
shook the boat a good bit, but nothing seemed very near.
Anti-aircraft fire seemed to come from the beach in many cases,
tracer bullets from that line were often to be seen.
There was some heavy shelling, apparently directed by planes
dropping Very lights over the ships, one crump was either very near or very
big as the boat trembled as if she had grounded.
Being deaf and having a lot to de prevented my noticing the bombing
much but my crew seemed to think it was increasing with daylights
About 8 a.m. on Friday, 31st May, 1940, having used all fuel and
got rope in the propeller, I was ordered to turn over the motor boat and
whaler to a Drifter believed to have fuel and mechanics, and go aboard
"LAUDANIA" which left at once with all orews and arrived Margate about 5 p.m.
Both Allen and Medkle, the two young Stoker ratings who were my
crew, worked steadily and efficiently throughout the ten hours or so of
working on the beach and were always on the look-out for swimmers or odd craft to
be picked up.
These lads had hever been to sea and were only enlisted in January
1940, they informed me.
(sa) B.A. Smith.
6th June, 1940,