Details

COMFORT Danlayer (Dover M/S Command) Skipper, J.D.Mair,
R.N.R.
28th May
1700
Left Dover for La Panne, the tr.
Nautilus in company.
29th May
0030ca
Near Kwinte Bank buoy, Comfort picked up
16 survivors of the d r. Wakeful,
including her captain, Cdr. R.L.
Fisher, R.N.oNautilus picked up 6
and proceeded on to Dunkirk.
The M/S Gossamer arrived and picked
up about 15.
The Comfort returned to the wrecked
destroyer to take off survivors
clinging to the stern. The dr.
Grafton and the M/S Lydd were close
to the wreck; Comfort went alongside
the Grafton to warn her of the danger
of torpedoes.
0250ca
At that moment the Grafton was torpedoed;
the Comfort was lifted into the air
and then momentarily swamped. Cdr.
Fisher was washed overboard.
The Comfort went off at full speed
and came round in a wide circle,
where upon, mistaking her for an
enemy M.T.B., the Lydd and the Grafton
opened a heavy fire.
0307
The Lydd then rammed the Comfort
amidships, cutting her in half. Some
of Comfort's crew attempted to leap
aboard the Lydd, and the Lydd mistak-
ing them for boarders, opened up with
rifle fire.
There were 5 survivors from the
Comfort, 4 of whom were originally
from the Wakeful.
0515
Cdr. Fisher who had been swimming
about was picked up by a boat from t
Norwegian S.S. Hird which was
returning from Dunkirk carrying ab
3,000 troops.
Authority - R.O.II, 498.
M.017681/40.
199

Details

DUCHESS
Sailing barge
(Wakeley Bros.
H.J. Wildish, Master.
and Co. Ltd.)
31st May
1000
2100
Left Dover in tow of the tug St. Abbs.
2145
Broke adrift from tow.
Taken in tow by the M/S Lydd.
been
1st June
0330
Arrived Dunkirk.
0400on
The master of the tug Cervia states
that he picked up the "boat and
crew of the barge Duchess that had
0900
100
anchored in the roads".
1010
2100
The barge was abandoned.
to
Ramagate,
106
troopa. (2)
31st May(3)
1130
Bailed from Ramsgate.
Authority
-
M.017681/40. Shelled by shore batteries when pessing
R.O.I, p.289. Nieuport. Turned away and zig-zagged
W.W.
out of range.
1600
Arrived Bray bench- Sent boats in.
2015
Proceeded to Ramagate with 535 troops.
Let June
0700
Arrived Remagete. Disembarked 535
troops.(2)
Proceeded to Sheerness for coal and
stores.
1630
Bailed from Sheerness.
2510
Arrived off Malo, Found no troops.
Directed to go to Dunkirk.
2nd Juno
I
Berthed alongside Donkiek pier.
Imbarked Col. Winterton and 550
troops.
0245
Sailed from Dunicize.
0900
Arrived Remagate. Diseabarked 550
troops.(4)
Proceeded to Margate roads for cool.
1945
Sailed from Margate.
2400
Arrived Donkirk and berthed slongside.
Embarked 390 French troops and
proceeded.
Juis
0645(5)
Arrived Ramagute. Disembarked 300
troops. (2)
Total 1801
thom Ln a minessesper (except on 3rd June),
D.E. 12. 30th my - but this appeare to be an
D.B. states 390
256

Details

Flare burning drifters - Continued
The following 1s a summary of the report of proceedings
of the F/B drifters furnished by Captai n A/P Dover:
26th May
Eileen Emma and Netsukis returned to
Dover from Dunkirk. The Gervais
Rentoul remained in Dunkirk.
Shipmates, Girl Pamela, Lord Howe and
Young Mun returned to harbour from
minefield patrols.
27th May
p.m.
17 F/B drifters sailed for Dunkirk from
Dover, 1.e. all except the Gervais
Rentoul and The Boys.
1800
On approaching the outer channel at
Dunkirk, enemy A/C dropped 16 bombs.
As the result of near misses, Boy Roy
(Skipper E.F. Dettman, R.N.R.)
commenced to sink and was beached in
Dunkirk harbour, (1) Paxton (Lt. Cdr.
R.M. Prior R.N. and Skipper A.M.
Lovis R.N.R.) started a severe leak
and was scuttled alongside the quay.(2)
2400
During the night the drifters evacuated
about 2000 troops from the beach 3
miles east of Dunkirk, using ship's
dinghies.
28th May
a.m.
The drifters (including the Gervais
Rentoul) returned to Dover and
disembarked about 2000 troops.
p.m.
The following drifters sailed for
Dunkirk, towing boats for beach work;
Eileen Emma, Girl Pamela, Golden Gift
Golden Sunbeam, Lord Howard, Lord
Howe, Midas and Netsukis.
2230
Girl Pamela (Skipper C. Sansom, R.N.R.)
was sunk by the M/S Lydd at the
entrance to Dunkirk.
29th May
a.m.
Forecast, Shipmates, Torbay II and
Young Mun sailed for Dunkirk.
"Drifters returned to Dover Wednesday
-
morning landing 1,600 men".
Gervais Rentoul sailed for Malo towing
p.m.
Netsukis and Lord Howard returned to
3 ex-Belgian canal boats.
Dover from Dunkirk with the crew of
the Girl Pamela, Girl Gladys,
Golden Sunbeam, Ut Prosim, and
Yorkshire Lasssailed for Dunkirk.
30th May
"800 troops landed at Dover from
a.m.
drifters returning from Dunkirk".
Gladys, Golden Sunbeam and
Yorkshire Girl Lass filled up with and troops
alongside east pier Dunkirk
Ut 65 were of the ship's company
sailed Prosim rescued 250 men, of which
for Dover.
about of the French destroyer Bourrasque
(1) D.R. gives date of sinking as 28th May.
322

Details

GIRL GLADYS
F/B drifter
Account
See under Flare burning drifter.
L
(A) At Skinner a Court or Enquiry held on 27th Augus 1940,
Sanson, reports the
00 follows:
29th May
2359ca
The 01:2 Prints in company with three
other drifters the lying with eagines
stopped outside the entronce to
Dunkirk harbour in a heavy pall of
smoke. An "escort vessel* coming
DUE of the harboon remied the 01ml
Pancia- She VG8 struck on the
storboard bow, end wast within 4
sinuter on an even keel 10 about 3
fothers.
(B) According to D.R.
The 01rl Pamela was loss on 29th My,
(0) The V/S was reports,
28th May
2318
Dollided with * drifter, understood to
be the 0151 Pasela, about ? miles
east or bunkare harboor entronce.
the Pase signted ahoad, crossing from :
part to starboerd about 20 yards assings
Line on the port boz". Lydd adde
that the crew vers taken on board
by another drifter, which was close
by.
(D) Centain Autiliary patrol, Dover, reportsi
28th May
2230
The Oirl Pamela. last in a line of
three drifters, VALUE passing the
entrance to Dunkin harbour on her
way to the beaches when one mammk
in collision with 80 secort vessel.
Visibility was extremely bad on
account or & thick pall of black
mass from burning oil tanks schore.
No occualties 2020 custained by
end before the ship was
613 Confidential Books weite
declarad by fire in the ship's
notion.
The drifters Netaukie and Lord Howard.
19th Esy
with the crew of the Girl pampla.
returned to nover from Donkirs
Authority
374

Details

GIRL PAMELA
F/B drifter
Ty. Skpr. G. Sanson, R.N.R.
Account of the loss of this ship are contradictory.
(A) At a Court of Enquiry held on 27th August 1940,
Skipper Sanson, reports the loss of his ship
as follows:
29th May
2359ca
The Girl Pamela in company with three
other drifters was lying with engines
stopped outside the entrance to
Dunkirk harbour in a heavy pall of
smoke. An "escort vessel" coming
out of the harbour rammed the Girl
Pamela. She was struck on the
starboard bow, and sank within 4
minutes on an even keel in about 3
fathoms.
(B) According to D.R.
The Girl pamela was lost on 29th May.
(c) The M/S Lydd reports:
28th May
2318
Collided with a drifter, understood to
be the Girl Pamela, about 2 miles
east of Dunkirk harbour entrance.
She"was sighted ahead, crossing from
port to starboard about 20 yards away,
fine on the port bow". Lydd adds
that the crew were taken on board
by another drifter, which was close
by.
(D) Captain Auxiliary Patrol, Dover, eports:
28th May
2230
The Girl Pamela, last in a line of
three drifters, was passing the
entrance to Dunkirk harbour on her
way to the beaches when she was sunk
in collision with an escort vessel.
Visibility was extremely bad on
account of a thick pall of black
smoke from burning oil tanks ashore.
No casualties were sustained by
Girl Pamela, and before the ship was
abandoned all Confidential Books were
destroyed by fire in the ship's
boiler.
The drifters Netsukis and Lord Howard,
29th May
returned to Dover from Dunkirk
with the crew of the Girl Pamela.
Authority - R.O. Case 6256.
R.O.I, p.289.
R.O.II, p.352.
M.017681/40
D.R.
375

Details

GOSSAMER
5th M.S. F.
S.O., 5th M.S.F.
Cdr. R.C.V. Ross, R.II.
28th May
1230
Sailed with all from Harwich for
company the (except the Saltash), viz:
ships of the Braye-Dunes,
Pangbourne and Leda.
Kellett, Albury, Ross, Lydd,
2115
The Kellett and the Leda stopped off
Braye-Dunes; the remaining ships
went on to Dunkirk. Thereafter, the
dently. ships of the flotilla acted indepen-
-
Gossamer secured alongside the east,
2215
pier and embarked troops.
Sailed with 420 on board.
-
Just outside the Zuidcoote Pass, the
P/V Manxman was seen aground. The
P/V Prague was stopped, without
charts; a chart was sent over to
her.
-
In the vicinity of Kwinte Bank buoy,
the survivors of the dr. Wakeful were
seen in the water. Her Captain
(cdr. R.L. Fisher) said she had been
torpedoed. Gossamer lowered 3
whalers and a skiff, which picked up
a few survivors in the darkness.
The skiff was left alongside a
drifter; the whalers eventually
found their way back to the Gossamer.
-
Proceeded.
29th May
0655
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 420 British
troops. (1)
0850
Sailed from Dover, and spent the day
minesweeping.
30th May
0040
Arrived off Dunkirk, which was lit by
the red flames of burning oil tanks.
-
Embarked troops from Braye-Dunes in
the ship's boats and canvas punts.
0515
Proceeded, having left all boats on
1015
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 487
the beach, as ordered.
Sailed from Dover with a party of
British troops. (2)
1330
Arrived signalmen Bray. for La Embarked panne. Dover
1830
Arrived (Adl. off R.A.
1930
Anchored, Dover and embarked troops.
to the dr.
31st May
0118
Arrived Dover. Disembarked Billie(3) 502 troops.
0600
1800
Requisitioned the M/B Panne. Handy
for La
(1) D. R. 561.
(2) (3) D.R. dates gives 451 this Billie
Cdr. Ross calls this the
did not return from Dunkirk.
397

Details

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

Details

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

Details

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

Details

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

Details

LYDD
5th M/S Flotilla
Lt. Cdr. R.C.D. Haig, R.N.
28th May
1200
Sailed company. from Harwich, 5th U.S.F. in
2155ca
Arrived Dunkirk. off Braye-Dunes. Ordered to
Secured alongside eastern jetty.
2250
Proceeded. Embarked about 400 troops.
2318ca
When about 2 miles east of the harbour
entrance, collided with a drifter
[Girl Pamela]. Her crew was taken
on board "another drifter" [actually
the dfrs. Metsukis and Lord Howard
The Girl Pamela subsequently sank.
29th May
0200
off Kwinte Bank Buoy sighted (by the
light of an Aldis lamp) the bow and
stern portions of the dr. Wakeful
above water with men clinging to
them. Lowered a whaler and two
carley floats. The M/S Gossamer
ordered Lydd to put out her lamp and
drop a depth charge; the latter
order could not be carried out
because of the men in the water.
When 20 survivors had been picked up
the Dr. Grafton appeared and ordered
Lydd to circle round her.
0307ca
An explosion occurred at the Grafton's
stern she had been torpedoed].
Lydd sighted, nearly stern on,
an'M.T.B." about 50 yards away on the
starboard beam [it was in fact the
dfr. Comfort]; Lydd opened fire with
2 Lewis guns and raked her up the
stern.
Grafton was then closed, but as she
did not need immediate assistance,
Lydd circled round to finish off the
"M.T.B." A dark object was sighted
and Lydd opened fire with Lewis guns
and 4-inch; the Grafton also opened
fire. Lydd then rammed the supposed
"M.T.B."; as she was hit, figures
sprang at the ship and it was
thought that an attempt was being
made to board - fire was therefore
opened with rifles. Two men were
taken off the vessel, and it was
then learnt that she was the Comfort.
Grafton still needed no assistance,
80 Lydd proceeded to Ramsgate, where
-
she disembarked 300 troops.
Left Ramsgate for Dunkirk by Y route.
-
1700
off Nieuport Bank buoy, air attacks
on ships, particularly the H/C
Arrived off Braye-Dunes. Sent boats
St. Julien.
1730
A call for assistance from the S.S.
inshore to embark troops.
1745
Macalister, which was on fire,
Clan was passed to the M/S Pangbourne
The which S/V Crested Eagle which on fire, had
had just arrived.
1800ca
Sp. bombed aft and was Lydd,
been beached herself close to
208

Details

LYDD - Continued.
1800ca
(contd.) 29th May
(contd.)
and the troops in her began Jumping
1930
overboard. Lydd's boats picked up a
large number; the M/S Albury arrived
2100
and also gave assistance.
2200
Lydd proceeded with 300 troops on board.
Off Middel Kirke buoy, the D.G. cable
which had been pierced by a bomb
splinter, caught fire and had to be
switched off.
2205
An S 0 S was received from the dfr.
Torbay II, which had a foul propeller.
30th May
0515
Lydd arrived Margate.
0855
Disembarked 300 troops. Proceeded to
Sheerness.
31st May
0230
Sailed by X route, the M/S's Sutton
and Ross in company.
0915
Anchored off Braye-Dunes. Embarked
troops.
1130
Sutton and ROSB transferred their
troops to Lydd, and "all proceeded
to Margate".
1730
Margate. Lydd disembarked 450 troops.
1915
Proceeded to W buoy.
2145
Ordered to assist tg. St. Abbs, one of
whose tow of 3 barges had broken
adrift. Lydd picked up this barge
[the S/B Duchess and towed it to
lst June
0330
Dunkirk. At about this time an
unidentified vessel [
]
blew up near the Whistle buoy off
Braye-Dunes. Embarked troops. Air
attack. One plane shot down by
Bren gun fire by the troops in Lydd.
0625
Proceeded by X route to Dover.
1120
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 252 troops.
1920
Proceeded by X route to Dunkirk.
2350
Anchored off Malo beach. Sent the M/B
inshore and brought off the Brigadier
of the brigade then embarking.
2nd June
0245
Proceeded with about 200 troops on
0600ca
Margate. board. Disembarked 200 troops.
Defect in D.G. coil prevented the Lydd
taking any further part in Dynamo.
Total 1,502.
Authority - R.O.I, p.289.
The following award was made:
Mention in Despatches.
Lieut. Cdr. R.C.D. Haig, R.N.
209

Details

Details

MINESWEEPER GROUPS
On the forenoon of 30th May, representatives of the
C. in C. of the B.E.F. attended a conference with the V.A.
Dover.
The Military officers gave daylight, 1st June, as the
latest date up to which the British rear guard of 4,000 men
could hold the eastern perimeter.
Inter alia, the conference reached agreement on the following:-
(1) that by 0130 on lst June, the British forces ashore
should be reduced to the rear guard of 4,000,
(2) that special boats and tugs should be accumulated
and reserved for service in the early hours of
1st June
(3) that the rear guard of 4,000, plus R.N. beach parties
should be lifted between 0130 and 0300 on 1st June.
Accordingly, on 31st May, V.A. Dover ordered [0400/31]
that the M/S's be organised in 3 groups as follows:-
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Spare Group
Gossamer
Halcyon
Niger
Kellett
Leda
Skipjack
Salamander
Saltash
ROBB
Speedwell
Fitzroy
Lydd
Albury
Dundalk
Sutton
Further, the M/S's were to rendezvous, empty, with
S.0's of groups, at W buoy at 2200/31; the Groups were then
to proceed so as to arrive off the beach east of Dunkirk at
2400/31 in the following positions:-
Group 1 - Braye Dunes Hotel
Group 2 - La Panne Light
Group 3 - Niger and Salamander off Rosendael just east of
Malo], Fitzroy and Sutton off "Battery",
02° 27" E. [2 miles west of Zuydecoote Church].
Spare Group - Kellett between Groups 1 and 3.
Saltash Lydd (if not required to complete groups) to lie
betweer. Groups 1 and 2.
off Bray.
Troops were to be brought off in 3 flights by waiting motor
boats, the operation to commence at 0130.
of 31st May, however, the to military hold the plan
on the afternoon it was no longer possible Instead, the
was changed, because position with 4,000 troops. withdrawn
original covering the La Panne area was to be flight
westward, easternmost and Division lifted in from the beaches by the special
of boats.
This change of plan the the special the between
Bray tows and the mile M/S's east into of La hour.
nommencement and 1 of the operation by 1
276

Details

MINESWEEPER GROUPS
on the forenoon of 30th May, representatives of the
C. in C. of the B.E.F. attended a conference with the V.A.
Dover.
The Military officers gave daylight, 1st June, as the
could hold the eastern perimeter.
latest date up to which the British rear guard of 4,000 men
Inter alia, the conference reached agreement on the following:-
(1) that by 0130 on lst June, the British forces ashore
should be reduced to the rear guard of 4,000,
(2) that special boats and tugs should be accumulated
and reserved for service in the early hours of
1st June
(3) that the rear guard of 4,000, plus R.N. beach parties
should be lifted between 0130 and 0300 on 1st June.
Accordingly, on 31st May, V.A. Dover ordered [0400/31]
that the M/S's be organised in 3 groups as follows:-
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Spare Group
Gossamer
Halcyon
Niger
Kellett
Leda
Skipjack
Salamander
Saltash
ROSS
Speedwell
Fitzroy
Lydd
Albury
Dundalk
Sutton
Further, the M/S's were to rendezvous, empty, with
S.0's of groups, at W buoy at 2200/31; the Groups were then
to proceed 80 as to arrive off the beach east of Dunkirk at
2400/31 in the following positions:-
Group 1 - Braye Dunes Hotel
Group 2 - La Panne Light
Group 3 - Niger and Salamander off Rosendael [just east of
Malo], Fitzroy and Sutton off "Battery",
02° 27' E. [2 miles west of Zuydecoote Church].
Spare Group - Kellett between Groups 1 and 3.
Saltash betweer. Groups 1 and 2.
Lydd (if not required to complete groups) to lie
off Bray.
Troops were to be brought off in 3 flights by waiting motor
boats, the operation to commence at 0130.
on the afternoon of 31st May, however, the military plan
wrighanged, because it no longer possible to hold the
was with 4,000 troops. Instead, the
La Panne area was to be withdrawn
westward, and lifted from the beaches by the special flight
of boats.
tows and the M/S's into plan the stretch opposite the beach between
This change of involved concentrating the special
Bray east of La Panne, and also advancing the
commencement of the operation by 1 hour.
276

Details

PANGBOURNE (N.37)
5th M.S.F.
Actg. Cdr. F. Douglas-
Watson, R.N.
2400ca
26th May
In company with the remainder of the
North Shields to Harwich.
5th M.S.F., less Saltash, sailed from
2300ca
27th May
Arrived Harwich.
1200
28th May
The Pangbourne sailed for Malo beach.
-
On arrival off the beach, was ordered
into Dunkirk harbour.
2145
Secured alongside the east pier, ahead
of the M/S Gossamer. When about
150 troops had been embarked, Cdr.
J.C. Clouston, R.N., N.O.I.C. on the
jetty, asked the Pangbourne to go to
the west pier, where, about 1½ miles
wounded. further up, were a number of badly
on arrival, about 1000 troops,
stretcher cases, and walking wounded
were found.
-
The tide was low and still ebbing, 80
gangways were rigged from the boat
deck to the wharf. About 450 troops,
stretcher cases and wounded were
embarked.
29th May
0030
Slipped and proceeded down harbour.
After rounding No.6 E whistle and
bell buoy, encountered 2 or 3 French
destroyers, stopped in the channel;
as a result, No.1 E buoy was over-
looked, and the Pangbourne grounded
on a sandbank north of Zuydcoote
Pass. Backed off and anchored until
buoys could be seen; then proceeded.
0300ca
Gunfire observed ahead, and several
destroyers passed proceeding towards
the French coast.
-
Passing the Kwinte buoy, one sunken
destroyer [the Wakeful] and another
badly down by the stern [the Grafton]
were also passed.
1000
Arrived Margate. Disembarked 400
troops. (1)
"The arrangements for disembarkation
of troops at Margate were most
efficient". (2)
1107
Slipped and proceeded to Dunkirk,
being joined by the M/S Lydd at N.
Lydd reported a submarine to tarboard;
Goodwin L.V.
1315
although it was not observed by
1321
1645/
a Several air attacks off Nieuport bank.
Pangbourne, submarine warning was broadcast.
1715
Two apparently blown from the deck of
exhausted British soldiers,
(1) (2) D.R.
Ty- Lieut. G.C. was the Pier Officer;
the P.S/Lt. M.K. Newman, Hamilton, R.N.V.R., R.N.V. R. was in charge of
office at Margate. in charge at Margate
he was assisted was the by signalman Sig. W.T. Burton.

Details

ROSE MARIE (D.R.78)
M/B (Owner,
F. Upton)
31st May
1100ca
28th May
Left Deal in tow of the skoot Hilda,
1210
Le
with 5 other M/B's and 2 lifeboats
also in the tow.
2140
On arrival off Dunkirk, 4 of the M/B's
were taken over by a motor launch.
1740
Two of the M/B's and the 2 lifeboats
were sent into the beaches.
29th May
0506
No other information, except that the
Rose Marie eventually returned to
0828
England. to rendezvous
with the M/S Gosssmer at N. Goodwin
L.V. The two M/S's swept the
channel between the Dyck and Middel-
Authority - TO.9436/40.
kerke buoys. No mines were found.
J.D.C.
Both M/S's commenced double Oropesa
sweep along route X, from W buoy
towards No Goodwin L.V. No mines
were swept.
2100
Gosssmer and Ross proceeded by route X
towards Dunkirk.
30th May
0210
Off 11 W buoy in Dunkirk channel,
closed the P/V Normania, which had
been bombed and was sinking by the
stern, and took off 53 survivors
including 43 troops [the G/B Mosquito
which had been towing the Normania,
also picked up survivors].
Proceeded.
0405
Anchored off Bray.
0630
Sailed by route X for Margate, with a
further 410 troops on board.
1032
Arrived Margate.
1240
Disembarked 453 troops. (2) Proceeded
to Sheerness to coal.
31st May
0248
Left Sheerness, the M/S's Sutton and
Lydd in company. by route X to
Dunkirk.
0815ca
Cdr. Apps slipped on the bridge, fell
heavily and broke a rib. The 1st
Lieutenant, Lieut. Gadd took command.
0910
Anchored off Zuydooote and embarked
troops.
The army had constructed an improvised
jetty of motor lorries and other
vehicles; unfortunately the wind
had got up during the night, causing
a wind of about 3, which made boat
work difficult. Beveral boats were
damaged when going alongside the
jetty, by striking under water
projections of the vehicles.
Consequently, after 2 hours, only
121 troops were embarked.
1110
Transferred 121 troops to the Lydd,
and proceeded in company with Button
and Lydd by route X.
1553
Rose anchored off Margate. Cdr. Appa
was landed by boat and taken to
hospital.
300.
3⁻
37

Details

ROSS (N.45)
5th M.S.F.
Actg. C.O.: Lt. K.A. Gadd,
R.N.R.
Cdr. J.P. Apps, R.N. (Retd.)
28th May
1210
Left Harwich in company with the 5th
M.S.F., less Saltash.
2140
Secured alongside east pier Dunkirk.
Embarked 353 troops.
2300ca
Slipped and proceeded to Margate by
route Y.
29th May
0606
Arrived Margate. Disembarked 383
troops. (1)
0828
Slipped and proceeded to rendezvous
with the M/S Gossamer at N. Goodwin
L.V. The two M/S's swept the
channel between the Dyck and Middel-
kerke buoys. No mines were found.
1530
Both M/S's commenced double Oropesa
sweep along route X, from W buoy
are
towards N. Goodwin L.V. No mines
were swept.
2100
Gossamer and Ross proceeded by route X
towards Dunkirk.
30th May
0210
Off 11 W buoy in Dunkirk channel,
closed the P/V Normania, which had
been bombed and was sinking by the
stern, and took off 53 survivors
including 43 troops [the G/B Mosquito
which had been towing the Normania,
also picked up survivors].
Proceeded.
0405
Anchored off Bray.
0630
Sailed by route X for Margate, with a
further 410 troops on board.
1032
Arrived Margate.
1240
Disembarked 453 troops. (2) Proceeded
to Sheerness to coal.
31st May
0248
Left Sheerness, the M/S's Sutton and
Lydd in company, by route X to
Dunkirk.
0815ca
Cdr. Apps slipped on the bridge, fell
heavily and broke a rib. The lst
Lieutenant, Lieut. Gadd took command.
0910
Anchored off Zuydcoote and embarked
troops.
The army had constructed an improvised
jetty of motor lorries and other
vehicles; unfortunately the wind
had got up during the night, causing
a wind of about 3, which made boat
work difficult. Several boats were
damaged when going alongside the
jetty, by striking under water
projections of the vehicles.
Consequently, after 2 hours, only
121troops were embarked.
1110
Transferred 121 troops to the Lydd,
and proceeded in company with Sutton
and Lydd by route X.
1553
Ross anchored off Margate. Cdr. Apps
was landed by boat and taken to
hospital.
(2) D.R. and Ross's report. Margate report states 300.
(1) Margate report. Ross states 353.
38

Details

ST. ABBS.
Tug. (Portland)
Lieut. T.E. Brooker, R.N.
(Retd.)
31st May
1000
Left Dover with 3 barges in tow, viz.
the A/B Thyra(1), and the S/B's H.A.C.
and Duchess.
2100
The S/B Duchess (1) broke adrift and
was taken in tow by a "sloop" [ the
M/S Lydd].
1st June
0030
Anchored about 6 miles from Dunkirk.
0330
Proceeded towards Dunkirk.
0600
Proceeded towards the beaches. Air
attack.
0630
Anchored. Thyra(2) towed H.A.C.
inshore to the beaches.
0730
Air attacks. Weighed.
0800
dr. Keith hit by bomb. St. Abbs
took off survivors, and picked up
others from ships boats and from the
water.
120
0830
The M/S Skipjack was hit by a bomb and
sank quickly. The M/S Salamander
which was also rescuing survivors
sailed for the harbour entrance. The
St. Abbs continued to rescue Keith's
survivors.
0900
The St. Abbs sailed for the harbour
entrance.
0930
St. Abbs blown up by bombs. She sank
"
in 45 seconds. About 130 ratings
and soldiers were on board; about
30 men were seen swimming in the
water after the St. Abbs sank.
Nil.
Authority - D.R. "losses". M.017681/40
The following awards were made:
D.S.M.
L/Stwd. E.S. Lawrence.
(1) Said by Mr. R.B. Henderson, Boatswain, R.N., in his report
to be the S/B Doris. Actually the Doris was in tow of
(2) Mr. Henderson says it was the Duchess.
the tug St. Fagan.
56

Details

ST. JULIEN
Hospital carrier
(G.W.Ry.)
Capt. L.T. Richardson,
Master.
26th May
1045
Left the Downs, the H/C St. Andrew in
company.
1300ca
Off Calais, met the P/V Maid of Orleans.
1830ca
The 3 ships were shelled by shore
batteries and all returned to Dover.
27th May
1112
Left the Downs, the P/V St. Helier
and the H/C St. Andrew in company.
1700ca
Air attack off Middelkerke Bank buoy.
-
Arrived off Dunkirk while an air attack
was in progress. Impossible to
remain in the vicinity, so the 3 ships
2200ca
returned to the Downs.
28th May
At anchor.
29th May
-
Sailed for Dunkirk escorted by a
£
destroyer.
1700
Air attack off Nieuport buoy. Damaged
by near misses. (1)
1800ca
Off Dunkirk. Air attacks continued;
impossible to enter the harbour or
remain in the vicinity.
Returned to the Downs.
30th May
At Dover.
31st May
0345
S/Lt. Radcliffe R.N.V.R. and 20 naval
ratings embarked.
0512
Left for Dunkirk.
0858
Arrived Dunkirk. Embarked wounded.
1016
Proceeded.
1st June
-
Arrived Newhaven. Disembarked 287
wounded.
Total 287
Authority - - R.O.III p.212.
T.M. 6213/40.
(1, D.R. bomb damage as 30th May - but 29th the M/S
Lydd gives confirms date of that the date of the bombing was May.
66

Details

SUTTON (continued)
1706
29th May
Left with La Panne for Dover, in
(contd.)
passage. Salamander. No R.A.F. company seen on
2300
Arrived off Dover. Air raid in
progress. Anchored. Observed a
plane at about 1500 feet, drop 3
magnetic mines about 2 cables ahead.
Sound of mines striking water clearly³
audible. Signalled position of
mines to V.A. Dover.
30th May
0600
Entered Dover and disembarked 193
troops. (1)
1052
Proceeded to Sheerness for repairs
to one boiler, which had been
damaged by a near miss.
31st May
0205
Left Sheerness in company with the
M/S's Lydd and Ross.
0812
Passed 4 planes wrecked on the beach
west of Dunkirk; two of them had
French markings.
0829
Passed Dunkirk harbour; huge fires;
continual gunfire, some from beach
west of Dunkirk [Mardyck].
0835
Hurricanes and Spitfires overhead,
proceeding homewards. One cargo ship
sunk alongside Dunkirk east pier
[i.e. the P/V Fenella]. Two French
destroyers and several cargo ships
sunk east of Dunkirk. Long columns
of troops marching westward into
Dunkirk. A column, 1 mile long, on
Zuydecoote beach (3 miles east of
Dunkirk).
0906
Anchored off La Panne. Embarked troops
using the M/B and whaler, and 2
army pontoons [probably A.L.C's]
Since the previous day, a pier of
lorries had been constructed, which
considerably expedited the loading
of boats, in spite of the risk of
damage to boats against the pier,
in a swell.
Collected troops from an overturned
1137
Transferred pontoon. 120 troops to the Lydd.
1150
Proceeded to N. Goodwin L.V. (Lydd
and Rose proceeded to Margate to
discharge troops.)
1538
Anchored at N. Goodwin L.V. (2)
1855
Sailed for Dunkirk in company with the
M/S Niger. Passed a great number
of small craft, destroyers and
2115
Passed paddlers. Dunkirk harbour. Heavy gunfire
Dunkirk from beach 2 miles west
on of harbour. Fires in Dunkirk more
2147
Anchored extensive. off Bray. No boats.
2235
A boat from the shore reported troops
further eastward; only boat
(1) (2) D.R.
According to D.R. the Sutton disembarked 110 troops on
31st May. This is evidently incorrect.
200

Details

VIEWFINDER
M/Y (Owner,
L.A. London).
S/Lt. F.N. Dann, R.N.V.R.
1930
28th May
Left Sheerness for Dover, leading a
convoy of 6 yachts all towing whalers.
Other convoys followed astern.
29th May
0130
Arrived Dover.
0600
Left Dover leading a column of 5 yachts
viz:- Advance, Hanora, Bobeli,
Elizabeth Green and one other (which
however turned back).
0700
Joined by the M/B Reda making a total
of 6 vessels in company.
1400ca
Off Gravelines, machine gunned from the
air.
1500ca
All six vessels arrived off La Panne.
Towed whalers full of troops to off-
lying ships.
1830
The Viewfinder was dragged aground by
Belgian soldiers and became a total
loss.
1900
S/Lt. Dann, took off troops in whalers
to the M/S Lydd. The Hanora fouled
a
her screw and was abandoned.
The Elizabeth Green took off the
Hanora's officer and crew and towed
them and Viewfinder's whalers to the
Lydd.
S/Lt. Dann continued to ferry troops
in a whaler.
2030
S/Lt. Dann handed his charts to the
Reda, and embarked in the Lydd.
2100
The Lydd proceeded.
30th May
0510
The Lydd arrived Margate.
Nil
[s/Lt. Dann then went to the M/Y Dianthus]
Authority - R.O.II, p.569.
276

Details

2.
WAKEFUL - Continued.
-
(conta.)
(contd.)
carried on to Dunkirk. When
Comfort had reached the wreck, the stern
Comfort her went alongside Grafton and to warn
and the M/S Lydd were nearby,
fallen over. The dr. Grafton
0250
At that moment, a torpedo hit the
of the danger of torpedoes.
Grafton in the wardroom and the
Comfort was lifted in the air and
then momentarily swamped. As the
Comfort bobbed to the surface again,
Cdr. Fisher was washed overboard.
He seized a rope's end, but the
Comfort was going full speed ahead
and he soon had to let go.
The Comfort then came round in a
wide circle and suddenly, in the
darkness, both the Lydd and the Graf-
ton opened a heavy fire on her.
When the firing ceased and Cdr.
Fisher, who had reached the bow of
the Comfort, was endeavouring to
find a rope's end, the Lydd bore
down at full speed and rammed the
Comfort amidships, cutting her in
half.
Cdr. Fisher was submerged but came
to the surface and swam about until
0515ca
he was picked up by the Norwegian
ship Hird(1), coming from Dunkirk
laden with troops.
Total 639
Authority - M.017689/40.
The following awards were made:
D.S.O.
Cdr. R.L. Fisher, R.N.
Mention in Despatches (posthumous)
Warrant Engineer H.J. Tucker, R.N.
(1) Not mentioned in D.R. 297

Details

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Details

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Details

42
43
Page
Page
Page
37
M/S Groups-contd
Page
37
Mary White
46
Ocean Gain
Page
6
23
M.A.S.B. 1, 4 & 5
30
Ocean Guide
Polly Johnston
Page
Lord Gainford
13
9
49
23
Popinjay
11
Rime
19
Lord Grey
2
M.A.S.B. 6 & 7
29
50-51
9
Ocean Lifebuoy
5
Powis Castle
22
Rinovia
23
Masona
23
52-53
11
Ocean Lux
16
Ocean Retriever
Preston North End
27
Rion
Lord Hailsham
8
15
26
Lord Hood
Master John
28
54
2
36
Prince Leo
River Annam
22
32
10
7
23
Ocean Scout
36A
36B
Lord Hotham
Mayflower
Ocean Spray
Princess Elizabeth
River Clyde
55
13
Lord Howard
10
May II
10
24
23
10
Princess Mary
River Spey
5
60
Lord Howe
Medway Queen
18
20
Ocean Sunlight
M/S Training Flotilla
9
15
Princessa
River Ytham
36A
15
Lord Inchcape
16
20
Ocean Swell
8
27
Riviere
Principal
36B
Melora
27
Muria
Ocean Toiler
27
Lord Irwin
36
Robert Hastie
11
Mentor
3
14
Myris
Proserpine
5
Ocean Treasure
28
Robert Stroud
36
26
Lord Keith
25
Merbreeze
19
12
Lord Lloyd
Myrtle
Prospect Ahead
Ocean View
29
Robin Hood
Mercury
2
28
13
14
12A
Providence
Ocean Vim
6
Robina
7
Lord Melchet
19
Mewslade
5
Ptarmigan
16
Ode
9
Rochebonne
2
Lord Middleton
12
Puffin
36B
M. H. Stephens
N.
5
31
Rodino
Lord Northcliffe
Ohm
16
Michael Griffiths
26
Nab Wyke
Punnet
19
18
Lord Nuffield
10
Okino
Rogate
9
27
25
Midas
37
Nairnside
Pyramus
30
Lord Plender
21
Oku
Roger Beck
3
3
24
11
Migrante
Lord Rodney
Nancy Hague
Pyrope
12A
Milford Duchess
37
Olivae
Romany Rose
23
8
14
2
Naneta
Rona
18
Lord Snowden
20
Olive Tree
Milford Duke
8
28
Ronso
Lord St. Vincent
11
Nautilus
16
2
Milford Earl
26
11
Olvina
9
Rooke
20
Lord Stamp
11
Navicula
Milford King
8
Olympia
35
2
Q.
Rosa
22
Lord Stanhope
12A
Negro
16
Ombra
17
Lord Stonehaven
2
Milford Prince
Milford Princess
Neil Mackay
3
Queen Empress
Rose
36
15
One Accord
13
28
Queen of Kent
Rosebud
8
Lord Wakefield
3
Neil Smith
Onetos
21
13
Roseden
20
Milford Queen
15
9
Queen of Thanet
28
30
Netsukis
Oracle
21
Lorinda
Lormont
11
Minna
10
3
Queen of the South I
Rose Emma
12
12
New Comet
13
23
Oriole
13
Queen of the South II
Rose Haugh
24
12
Lorna Doone
Mine Recovery Flotillas-
Newhaven N.B.
5
Orlando
18
Queen Worth
Rose Hilda
15
14
8
Lowther
Newland
28
36A
Orvicto
35A
Quest
Rose Valley
30
1
11
6
Loyal Friend
New Pride of Essex
Osako
14
Rosel
24
Lucifer
3
2
22
11
Quiet Waters
28
New Prince of Wales I
Osta
11
Rose Marie
3
Luda Lady
35
Minicoy
4
12
Our Bairns
11
Ross
10
Luda Lord
21
Minona
6
Newspray
12
28
Niger
Our Kate
12
Ross Ard
27
Lunar Bow
Mirabelle
3
16
Overfall
14
Rotha
15
30
Mirage
Night Hawk
28
R.
Lune
6
Oystermouth Castle
17
Rowan
24
Mireille
11
Night Raider
37
Racer
7
Lydd
10
Rowan Tree
29
28
Nimrod
19
Rachael Flett
26
Lydd II
30
Mist
Roxano
36B
Lydia Long
27
Mistletoe
22
Nirvana
2
P.
Radiant
36B
Royal Eagle
12A
32
9
Nobles
4
Pangbourne
10
Radnor Castle
2
Lydiard
M.L. 100
Royallieu
14
Lynx
10
Moed-en-Werk
36
Nodzu
23
Paragon
24
Rambler Rose
30
Royalo
14
Paramount
3
Raymont
35
Mollusc
16
Nogi
15
Ruby
5
Noontide
28
Pathway
11
Reaper
7
Monarch
Rugby
17
9
M.
Norbreeze
Patti
17
Reboundo
23
Runswick Bay
5
Monarda
12A
27
M.1
Paul Rykens
28
Rebuff
29
8
11
Nordland
37
Ryde
10
Mona's Isle
M.2
29
Paxton
10
Norina
Receptive
36
Monimia
16
37
16
S.
M.3
Paynter
7
Recono
8
Moonstone
32
Norlan
29
36
Red Gauntlet
3
Sabra
35
M.A. West
11
Moorgate
12
Norna
36A
Peacemaker
5
Red Sky
16
Sabreur
35
Madden
15
5
Norman Wilson
20
Pearl
Madeline
Moray
Pecheur
27
Reed
15
Sailor King
22
13
Magnolia
Morgan Jones
17
Norse
12A
29
Refraction
8
St. Abbs
9
8
29
Peggy Nutten
St. Achilleus
13
Maid Marion
Mount Ard
29
Northcoates
Pelagos
5
Refundo
8
2
Majesta
Mount Keen
Northern Chief
30
24
Pellag II
9
Regal
2S
St. Adrian
5
12
Northern Dawn
25
15
Regardo
13
St. Apollo
31
Majesty
22
Pelton
M/S Flotillas
Northern Duke
30
Ma Joie II
Pembroke
12
Regwa
15
St. Cathan
25
12
Northern Foam
30
Malacolite
30
Reids
36
St. Celestin
29
35
1
29
Pentland Firth
9
St. Cyrus
17
Mallard
Northern Gem
25
Perilia
16
Reigate
31
4
16
Northern Gift
30
Mangrove
Peter Carey
21
Reighton Wyke
21
St. Dominica
5
24
5
10
Manor
30
28
Relonzo
11
St. Donats
16
2
6
Northern Isles
Peter Hendriks
16
St. Elstan
25
Manora
10
Northern Pride
25
4
7
Peter Nell
29
Remexo
21
Remillo
35A
St. Fagan
9
Man-o'-War
30
30
25
8
Northern Princess
Phase
14
St. Katherine
12
Manx Prince
23
Northern Reward
30
34
Renascent
35
10
Philante
20
St. Kenan
25
Marano
10
30
35A
Rennet
11
Northern Sky
Philippe
23
St. Loman
25
Marauder
35
19
25
36
Renzo
Marcia
3
12
Northern Spray
Phyllis Rose
9
St. Magnus
26
13
Northern Sun
30
37
Resolve
Phyllisia
23
St. Melante
12A
Marconi
23
25
14
M/S Groups-
Phineas Beard
26
Resolvo
Northern Wave
14
St. Mellons
30
Mare
20
32
Resparko
14
Northlyn
Pict
21
St. Modwen
9
Maretta
1
24
North Ness
17
24
Restrivo
Picton Castle
7
St. Nectan
36A
Margaret Hyde
11
2,3
14
31
Retako
15
12A
Northward Ho
Pintail
8
St. Olaves
9
Margaret Rose
4-6
9
29
Returno
Marina
Northwind
Plantagenet
35
St. Olive
5
37
10-12
13
19
11
Revello
10
St. Sunniva
26
Marinus
9
16-20
15
Norwich City
Playmates
19
21
Reverberation
18
St. Tudno
12A
Marion
12
22-26
16
Notts County
Plinlimon
12A
Rezala
4
24
23
3
St. Wistan
17
Mariout
28,29
Nyula
Plumer
8
Rhodora
5
St. Zeno
31
Marmion
35
30-32
23
Poinavon
36
Richard Croft
Salamander
16
14
Marsoma
13
34
21
O.
Pointer
24
Rig
23
Salpa
2
Martinet
27
37-38
22
Oak
26
Pointz Castle
35
Righto
36B
Saltash
10
Mary A. Purdy
20
40-41
26
Oaklea
28
Polar V
35
Rigoletto
Mary Sturgeon
29
43
26
Ocean Breeze
11
Polar VI
28
44-45
27
Ocean Brine
22
29
Ocean Eddy
37

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30
ORKNEYS AND SHETLANDS COMMANDS-continued.
30A
KIRKWALL.
KIRKWALL
Base Ship.-Pyramus,
Armed (Trawlers.) Boarding Vessels.
SUMMARY OF MINOR FRENCH VESSELS.
Ship.
Type.
Crew.
Proposed
Service.
Ship.
Type.
Crew.
Proposed
[34] D Aquamarine A-
Service.
24th A/S Group (Trawlers).
[34] D Kingston Beryl D
At Portsmouth.
At Plymouth-contd.
Kirkwall.
[34] D Kingston
[34] Pentland Firth (S.O.) A D
Jacinth D
Chevxeuil A
-
Mine-
British
Auxiliary Patrol,
Pedrant
-
-
Trawler
British
sweeper
Portsmouth.
L/L Sweep.
[34] Arctic Explorer AD
Aberdeen.
Gaston Riviere
-
[34] D Kingston Onyx
Trawler
British
L/L Sweep.
La Capricieuse A
Mine-
British
Auxiliary Patrol,
[34] Hugh Walpole A D
Left Scapa 17 July.
A
sweeper
Portsmouth.
Andree et Louis -
Trawler
British
[34] P Kingston Peridot
L/L Sweep.
-
[34] Scalby Wyke A D
Aberdeen.
Patrol
British
D
Auxiliary Patiol,
Arras
Pessac
-
-
Boat
Portsmouth.
Auxiliary
British
Auxiliary Patrol,
[34] P Kingston
Portsmouth.
[34] Tekoura A D
-
Aberdeen.
Sapphire D
-
-
Patrol
British
Epinal
Auxiliary Patrol,
[34] P Kingston Topaz
Boat
Portsmouth.
Sauterne -
-
Auxiliary
British
Auxiliary Patrol,
Portsmouth.
D
[34] P Kingston
Diligente
-
Patrol
British
Auxiliary Patrol,
Boat
Portsmouth.
Turquoise D
Lucien Gougy
-
Auxiliary
-
Conversion
Under Pink.C.NorthernPat
W.L/L.
See
Amiens
-
Patrol
British
Auxiliary Patrol,
M/S Trawler (Ungrouped).
[34] D Northern Chief D
Boat
Portsmouth.
Groeland
-
Auxiliary
British
Auxiliary Patrol,
[34] Lune X D
-
Aberdeen. Repairs. Date
Lucienne Jean
-
Trawler
French
M/S Nore.
W.A.
uncertain.
[34] D Northern Duke
(L/L)
AD
Trawler
French
M/S Nore.
Poulmic
-
Auxiliary
1
[34] D Northern Foam D
Congre
-
-
1
Mine Watching,
(L/L)
Plymouth.
Beaulne-Verneuil
Boom
No
Asie A
-
-
Trawler
British
A/S trials,
[34] D Northern Gift D
Portsmouth.
Vessel
decision
La Frene
1
-
Tug
Contraband Control Service.
[34] D Northern Isles A D
Reine des Flots A
Trawler
British
A/S trials,
Portsmouth.
Peuplier - -
Tug
(Vessels of C.C. are being considered for reallocation to
other services.)
[34] P Northern
Quentin Roosevelt
Trawler
French
Auxiliary Patrol,
No
Princess A
Portsmouth.
Caporal Peugeot
Tug
decision
[34] P Northern Reward
Pierre Audre
-
Trawler
British
Auxiliary Patrol,
No. 4
1
-
Tug
Portsmouth.
[34] P Northern Sky A D
No. 5
-
Tug
La Nantaise A
-
Trawler
British
27 A/S Group.
C.C.S. Drifters.
[34] P Northern Sun A D
Phase
-
Marie Elena
-
Drifter
British
L/L Sweep.
At Falmouth.
Kirkwall
Rose Valley
Port Duties.
-
Lydd II D -
-
Kirkwall.
Commandant
Mine-
French
Nore.
At Plymouth.
Domine
sweeper
La Moqueuse
-
Mine-
French
Nore.
Rescue Tug.
Commandant
Mine-
French
Nore.
sweeper
Duboc
Conquerante
Patrol
British
Falmouth.
sweeper
-
Auxiliary Patrol,
St. Mellons D
-
Examination Vessels.
Coucy
Patrol
-
No decision.
Boat
W.A.
-
mood
Boat
Belle o' Moray
Belfort
Patrol
-
No decision.
Jaques Morgan
-
Trawler
British
Auxiliary Patrol,
-
-
W.A.
-
Boat
Beryl II - -
LERWICK.
Pomerol
-
-
Patrol
Polish
Tyne.
Nadine
-
Trawler
British
L/L Sweep.
Boat
Rambler Rose
Kirkwall.
Drifter.
Medoc
-
-
Patrol
Polish
Tyne.
Autioche
Trawler
British
L/L Sweep,
-
[33] Seabreeze
Boat
Strenuous
Listrac A
-
Trawler
British
A/S trials,
Dutch
-
(Flag F.O.I.C
Lerwick.
Jean Frederick
Trawler
Holyhead,
Plymouth.
Lemnos
Shetland)
L'Atlantique A
Trawler
British
A/S trials,
Notre Dame
Trawler
Dutch
Holyhead,
-
Aberdeen.
-
-
Repairs.
uncertain.
Date
Examination Service.
Plymouth.
De france
Jeanne Antoine
Trawler
No
Fear Not
Ambrose Pase A
Trawler
British
A/S trials,
decision
-
Lerwick.
Plymouth.
La Belle Poule
-
Schooner
No
decision
Heather Belle
-
Aiglon
-
Trawler
British
L/L Sweep.
-
L'Etoile
-
Schooner
No
decision
[34] St. Sunniva
Accommodation Ship.
Roche Velen
-
Trawler
British
L/L Sweep.
President T.
Survey
French
Nore.
Aberdeen.
Tissier
Ship
SULLOM VOE.
Louis et Marie
Trawler
British
L/L Sweep.
Notre Dame
f
Drifter
de Lourdes
No
Base Ship-Fox.
Nazareth
-
Trawler
British
L/I. Sweep.
decision
Armed Boarding Vessel.
Harbour Defence Patrol Craft.
Cambre
-
Drifter
Monique Audrer
Trawler
British
L/L Sweep.
[34] P Discovery II Under See Pink V.A.C. List. Northern Patrol.
[23] Aliped VF
-
Sullom Voe.
[23] Learig F
-
-
(C38488)

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42
43
Page
Page
Page
Lord Wakefield
3
Merbreeze
Page
21
Groups-continued
Northward Ho
Page
16
Mercury
M/S
27
Northwind
14A
27
Lorinda
Mewslade
3
Phase
Page
Laurel
11
43
29
Lormont
10
44-45
Norwich City
9
Lavatera
Philante
30
12
13
M. H. Stephens
14A
15
46
Notts County
19
Lavinia L
23
Lorna Doone
Philippe
34
4
Michael Griffiths
9
Nyula
19
Laws
30
Lorraine
17
14B
Louis Botha
17
Midas
49
10
23
Learig
16
5
Phineas Phrontes Beard
17
50-51
24
Migrante
2
Leda
4
Lovania
10
Phyllis Rose
5
28
Lowther
14A
Milford Duchess
52-53
Leeds United
23
3
Phyllisia
12
Leeward
28
Milford Duke
54
26
Loyal Friend
8
8
0.
Pict
37
Leicester City
3
Milford Earl
55
13
Oak
Picton Castle
32
S
Lucifer
20
Luda Lady
16
Milford King
56
19
Oaklea
26
Pintail
24
Lephreto
8
24
Luda Lord
2
Milford Prince
57
8
13
Ocean Breeze
28
Plantagenet
31
Leprechaun
25
Le Tiger
Lunar Bow
28
Milford Princess
58
12A
20
Ocean Brine
11
Playmates
29
8
Letna
32
Lune
30
Milford Queen
60
10
Ocean Eddy
22
Plinlimon
11
15
M/S 61 Training Flotilla
37
Plumer
21
Leyland
Lydd
16
35
Millwater
15
20
Ocean Gain
23
Libra
30
Minna
36A
9
Poinavon
12A
36A
Lydd II
Ocean Guide
Murama
23
35
Lydia Long
30
14
Ocean Lifebuoy
Pointer
8
Libra (Dutch)
27
5
36
Libyan
32
Mine Recovery Flotillas-
Muria
4
Ocean Lux
Pointz Castle
14A
Lydiard
Murmansk
35A
24
Polar V
Lichen
Lynx
10
12
Ocean Retriever
35
17
1
12
Polar VI
Liddoch
12
2
11
Myris
Ocean Scout
35
20
Lyric
36A
Poolzee
Liffey
Minicoy
Ocean Spray
36A
24
22
N.
23
Popinjay
Lilac
M.
Minona
35
Ocean Sunlight
22
Lily Oak
28
4
Nab Wyke
9
Powis Castle
Lincoln City
26
M.1
9
Mirabelle
6
14
Ocean Swell
27
Nairnside
27
Preston North End
26
19
M.2
29
Mirage
17
7
Ocean Toiler
12
Prince Leo
Lincolnshire
Namur
36B
M.3
9
6
37
Ocean Treasure
24
Mireille
Nancy Hague
12
Princess Beatrix
36A
Lizzie Birrel
M.A.C. 1 & 2
36
11
8
Ocean View
Llanthony
8
Mist
19
Princess Elizabeth
Naneta
10
Loch Aline
18
M.A.C. 6 & 7
36
28
12
Ocean Vim
5
Mistletoe
Natal II
Princess Mary
15
M.A.C. 5
14
22
8
Ode
12
Princessa
8
Loch Alsh
16
Mitres
Navicula
16
Ogano
3
Principal
27
Loch Buie
15
M.A. West
11
M.L. 100
14A
Negro
Loch Eribol
16
Madden
15
14
28
Ohm
26
Proserpine
28
M.L. 101, 102
Neil Mackay
Madeline
13
9
9
Okino
37
Prospect Ahead
29
Loch Hope
23
M.L. 107
Neil Smith
26
10
Oku
24
Providence
6
Lochinvar
20
Magnolia
8,19
Moed-en-Werk
Netsukis
36
23
Olivae
14
Provider
26
Loch Inver
14
Mahela
14A
Mollusc
New Comet
16
Newhaven N.B.
5
Olive
24
Ptarmigan
9
Loch Laggan
12
Maid Marion
2
Monarch
9
36A
Olive Tree
28
Puffin
31
Loch Leven
16
Majesta
12
Monarda
Newland
11
Olvina
9
Punnet
18
14A
Loch Long
37
Majesty
21
Mona's Isle
New Pride of Essex
11
New Prince of Wales I
Olympia
35
12
Pyramus
30
Loch Melfort
32
Ma Joie II
12
Monimia
Ombra
16
12
Pyrope
12A
16
Loch Moidart
17
Malacolite
35
Montano
Newspray
4
14B
One Accord
3
Loch Monteith
9
Mallard
31
Niblick
Moonstone
32
16
Onetos
14
Loch Oskaig
25
Mangrove
24
Moorgate
Niger
12
4
Night Hawk (Trawler)
4
Onward
9
Q.
Loch Park
Manor
2
3
Moravia
14
28
Oracle
13
Loch Rannock
5
Manora
4
Night Hawk
13
Queen Empress
Moray
14B
37
Oriole
Loch Tulla
28
Man-o'-War
18
Queen of Kent
21
25
Night Raider
Morgan Jones
23
19
Orlando
Lois
Nimrod
Queen of Thanet
21
10
Manx Prince
17
35
Mount Ard
29
Lombard
2
Orvicto
4
Nirvana
Queen of the South I
12
Marano
14A
35
Mount Keen
24
Nobles
4
Osako
London Pride
8
Queen of the South II
12
13
Marauder
9
3
29
Marcia
Moyle
8
Loon
Nodzu
23
Osta
4
Queen Worth
6
23
Oswaldian
Lord Ashfield
Nogi
15
17A
Quest
28
26
Marconi
Lord Austin
14A
M/S Flotillas-
Noontide
28
Othello
8
Quiet Waters
19
Mare
Lord Barham
14
27
Our Bairns
1
29
Norbreeze
12
14A
Maretta
Lord Beaconsfield
10
4
16
Nordhav I
14B
Our Kate
14A
26
Lord Collingwood
Margaret Hyde
15
5
16
Nordland
37
Overfall
14A
R.
11
Margaret Rose
37
13
Norina
37
Oystermouth Castle
7
Lord Essenden
19
Lord Gainford
Maria Joao
6
9
29
Racer
26
7
21
Norlan
37
Marie
Rachael Flett
Lord Grey
18
8
23
Norland
19
36c
11
Lord Hailsham
Marina
36A
P.
Radiant
2
9
10
Norna
2
Marinus
10
16
Radnor Castle
4
Lord Hood
12
10
Norman Wilson
20
Lord Hotham
14A
Marion
11
4
13
Norse
12A
Pangbourne
24, 36A
Raetia
30
Lord Howard
32
Mariout
12
Rambler Rose
35
Northcoates
29
Paragon
3
35
Lord Howe
10
Marmion
Northern Chief
30
Paramount
Raymont
7
11
13
Lord Inchcape
10
Marsoma
Pathway
Reaper
15
M/S Groups-
25
17
27
Northern Dawn
2
Martello
14A
30
Patti
28
Reboundo
29
Lord Irwin
24
1
Northern Duke
Martinet
Paul Rykens
Rebuff
12
Lord Keith
14
12A
7
20
2,3
30
Receptive
36c
Lord Lloyd
13
Northern Foam
11
Mary A. Purdy
Paynter
12
29
4-6
Northern Gem
25
25
14A
5
Recoil
16
Lord Melchet
Mary Sturgeon
28
Northern Gift
30
Peacemaker
Lord Middleton
13
Mary White
7
15
37
Northern Isles
30
Pearl
Recono Red Gauntlet
13
27
17
Lord Northcliffe
19
M.A.S.B. 1, 4 & 5
10-12
15
Pecheur
29
Lord Nuffield
9
14
Northern Light
26
16
14A
Red Sky
14A
36B
M.A.S.B. 6-10
Peggy Nutten
8
Northern Pride
25
15
Reed
Lord Plender
19
1st M.A.S.B. Flotilla
14
16-20
24
15
Northern Princess
30
Pelagos
12
Refraction
14
Lord Rodney
25
9
22-26
2nd Masona M.A.S.B. Flotilla
14
28-29
Northern Reward
30
Pelton
Refundo
28
30
Lord Selborne
11
12A
17
Master John
29
30
Northern Sky
30
Pembroke Pentland Firth
17
Regal
S
Lord Snowden
16
25
12A
Regardo
14B
Lord St. Vincent
2
Mayflower
23
31
Northern Spray
Perilia
14A
21
Lord Stamp
11
28
Northern Sun
30
Peter Carey
28
Regwa
May II
32
22
Lord Stanhope
2
7
34
Northern Wave
25
29
Reids
Medway Queen
26
Melora
16
Northlyn
29
Peter Hendriks
Lord Stonehaven
2
10
37-38
North Ness
23
Peter Nell
2
Mentor
18
40
24
27
41

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Page 53
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. LEDA - Lieutenant Commander Harold Unwin, R.N.
7th June. 1940.).
(Decorated for this operation in London Gazette
This ship completed 7 trips to the coast off Dunkirk,
and evacuated a large number of troops. Was particularly
successful off the beaches; was subjected to air attack
on more than one occasion, and general activities were so
arduous as to cause a number of ratings to be treated
for complete exhaustion.
Recommendations.
OFFICER.
Lieutenant William McKee, R.N.R.
Worked unceasingly with great vigour and
cheerfulness and was an inspiration to the ship's
company.
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS.
C.E.R.A. George Bertram Head, P/M. 34498.
Displayed unflinching determination and devotion
to duty during the long hours in the Engine Room
in very trying conditions. Set a magnificent example
to the Engine Room branch of the ship.
Recommended for decoration.
Petty Officer John Collins, P/J.90457.
Petty Officer Collins, by his cool and steady
bearing, inspired the guns' crews during the air
attacks.
Recommended for decoration.
H.M.S. LYDD - Lieutenant Commander Rodolph Cecil Drummond Haig, R.N.
This ship did four trips to Dunkirk. The ship was
repeatedly bombed and machine gunned.
Recommendation/

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Page 54
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. LYDD (Continued).
Recommendations.
OFFICER.
Lieutenant Commander Rodolph Cecil Drummond Haig, R.N.
Showed great skill and determination and seamanship
in the operations in which he was concerned over at
the beaches, and also in Dunkirk Harbour, and
succeeded in rescuing a large number of troops from
the CRESTED EAGLE, which had been bombed.
Recommended for mention.

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0
Petty Officer Horace Leonard William
Leading Seaman John Charles W.
VAble Leading Seaman Stoker Edward Kearvell, Gair, P/KX.99946, WORCESTER
Stoker Ralph Bert H.M.S. WORCESTER
Ordinary Seaman Marston, Frederick 175182,
Lieutenant-Commander R.N., Arthur Ivone
J
(Retd.), H.M.S.
Lieutenant-Commander Reginald Arthur R.N.,
Sub-Lieutenant J. David Alexander Shaw, H.M.S. FITZROY
H.M.S. FITZROY
Leading Seaman Cole, C/B.21535, H.M.S. FITZROY
Leading Seaman L. Aspen, C/D.107, H.M.S. FITZROY
Leading Leading Stoker Seaman J. E. Collison, C/KX.78651, H.M.S. FITZROY
Able Seaman L. Derby, JX.193835, H.M.S. GLENGOWER
Seaman A. Farrow, H.M.S. GLENAVON
Travers, JX.133139, H.M.S. GLENGOWER
Petty Engine Officer Room Steward
Leading THE
Commander
Lieutenant William McKee, Harry R.N.R., H.M.S. KELLETT KELLET
Engine Room Artificer H.M.S.
Lieutenant-Commander Rodolph Cecil Drummond Haig, R.N.,
Engineer Sub-Lieutenant James Irvin, R.N.R., H.M.S. H.M.S. LYDD MEDWAY
Commander St. John Cronyn, R.N., H.M.S.
QUEEN
VSub-Lieutenant 'Sub-Lieutenant John Grosby, R.N.V.R., H.M.S. NIGER
Leading Richard Hepworth Church, ORIOLE H.M.S. PORTSI
Vxv
Signalman Percy Alfred Kent, P/JX.137932, R.N.R.,
Vxv Enginer Ordinary Stoker Petty Room Artificer Officer William Henry White, Ramel, P/MX.51366, H.M.S. H.M.S. PORTSDOW PORTSDOW PORTS
Seaman Arthur Thomas Burton, P/11878, P/JX.182142, H.M.S.
the H.M.S.
PORTSDOWN
H.M.S. SALAMANDER
H.M.S. Guy Maunsell, SALAMANDER R.N.,
VV Acting PM/39426,
VActing Chief Engine Room (Retd.), Artificer H.M.S. Allerton SPEEDWELL Bywater,
/XVChief Petty Commander Officer S.P. Goldsmith, Herival R.N.V.R., H.M.S. SUTTON QUEEN OF THANET
Signalman J.A.G. Pensioner No. THANET
(Late
xvMr. Signalman Frederick Charles QUEEN OF THANET BIDEF
Sieutenant-Communder James H.M.S. H.M.S. CALCUTTA
CANADA H.M.S. CALCUTTA Harriso
Mayhew H.M.S. KINGFISHER Vaughan
THE Ableutenant Signalman the
Able Seaman E.G. H.M.S. KINGFISHER KINGFISHER
H.M.S. H.M.S. KINGFISHER
Able Seaman H.M.S. KINGFISHER
KINGFISHER
Signalman LOCUST
Chief Telegraphist James Ridell H.M.S. MOSQUITO C/JX.132
Petty Officer George Arthur Sawyer, H.M.S.
MOSQUITO
C/J.46680.SQUIT

Details

470
49.4
Margate
THURSDAY, 30TH MAY, 1940.
0530.
"GOLDEN EAGLE".
500.
0620.
"ROYAL EAGLE".
808.
X
0700.
"ALBURY".
445.
0915.
"LYDD".
200.
1020.
"KELLETT".
550.
1130.
"ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
1200.
1320.
"ROSS".
300.
1350.
"PATRIA".
1200.
1430.
"PRINC.ELIZABETH".
460.
1565.
"AEGIS".
355.
1640.
"MEDWAY QUEEN".
450.
1750.
"ORANGE".
500.
1800.
"LEDA".
537.
T
"DELEA".
203.
1820.
"DOGGERS BANK".
308.
2100.
8016.
Total.

Details

4715
FRIDAY, 31ST MAY, 1940.
0005.
"HORST".
800.
0535.
"LEDA".
380.
X
0705.
502
"ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
1100.
+
3 Refugees.
0835.
"HOPPER. V24".
400.
0915.
"K.G.V.".
500.
1015.
"WOLVES".
50.
1100.
"ADVENTURESS".
85.
1320.
"STELLA DURADO".
22.
1320.
"PRINC. ELIZABETH".
374.
1445..
"KING FISHER".
91.
1450.
"LIFEBOAT".
17.
1450.
"SCOTTISH OP".
525.
gendalk
1655.
"DUNDALL".
450.
"ALBURY".
130.
1700.
1730.
"LYDD".
450.
1815.
"AEGIR".
350.
1845.
"TWENTE".
350.
"ANTJE".
300.
1850.
"DOGGERS BANK".
400.
1855.
"BRIGHTON QUEEN".
160.
1900.
"PLINLIMMON".
900.
2100.
Total.
7834.

Details

473
497
SUNDAY, 2ND JUNE, 1940.
0500.
"ORIEL".
750.+ 4 Refugees.
0500.
"OFFENIA".
50.
0615.
"ROYAL DAFFODIL".
1500.
0700.
"LYDD".
200.
X
0740.
"TANGELLE MARIE".
25.
Total.
2525.

Details

476
500
Margate
Total.
"SANDOWN".
201.
"GRACIE FIELDS".
281.
"ROSS".
:
683.
383. 300.
"LEDA".
2218.
301. 500. 537. 380. 500.
"PANGBOURNE".
400.
"KELLETT".
1052.
472. 550. 30.
"ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
6370.
1173. 1200. 1100. 47. 1500. 1350.
"ALBURY".
1136.
161. 445. 130. 400.
"PATRIA".
1400.
200. 1200.
"CARIBIA".
300.
"DEUS".
200.
"HORST".
1150.
350. 800.
"ROYAL DAFFODIL".
3203.
1703. 1500.
"K.G.V."
3578.
853. 500. 700. 1460. 65.
"GOLDEN EAGLE".
1750.
500. 1250.
"ROYAL EAGLE".
2058.
808. 1250.
"LYDD".
850.
200. 450. 200.
"PRINC. ELIZABETH".
1344.
460. 374. 510.
"AEGIS".
835.
355. 350. 130.
"MEDWAY QUEEN".
450.
"ORANJE".
600.
500. 100.
"DELLA".
203.
"DOGGERS BANK".
708.
308. 400.
"HOPPER V24".
980.
400. 580.
"WOLVES".
50.
"ADVENTURESS".
85.
"STELLA DURADO".
22.
"KING FISHER".
458.
91. 157. 210.
"LIFEBOAT".
17.
"SCOTTISH OP".
525.
33107.
TOTAL.

Details

51.8
494
The Royal Engineers had constructed a
pier of motor vehicles, and from this I was able
to get aboard H.M.S. Lydd, whence I was able to
rejoin A.L.C.5.
Leading Seaman Harris had been in great
pain for some time apparently having ruptured
himself, but had pluckily carried on working. I
considered that he should receive medical attention,
and accordingly placed him on a Destroyer.
8.
By this time the sea was running high,
but by towing two cutters and two whalers simult-
aneously, we were able to make several trips from
the improvised pier, carrying a large number of men.
Eventually a rope round the starboard
propellor stopped the engine, and the craft was
beached near low water in order to clear it.
Both screws were badly fouled and as
the craft sank into the soft mud, little could be
done to clear them. Severe air raids were almost
continuous in our vicinity
AS soon as she could be got afloat
5 took three boat loads of troops

Details

Dynams 99. B1w/131
1160
136
CONFIDENTIAL
H.H.S. LYDD.
7th June 1940.
To The Flag Officer Commanding,
Dover.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit for your consideration
the attached report on Operation DISNAMO as far as it conserned
H.M.S. LYDD, together with apecial nentions of officers and
men for meritorious service.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obsident servent. .
MAir
LIGUTERANT-COMBANDER IN COMMAND.
VIOE 8- ADMIRA JUN 1940 .
DOVER E

Details

132
137
OPERATION 'DINAMO' NARRATIVE OF EVENTS,
At noon on Tuesday the 28th May 1940, H.M.S.Lydd under
my command left Harwish in company with the 5th M/S Flotilla
arriving off Bray at about 2135. I was there ordered to
proceed into Dunkirk harbour to enbark troops. I secured
alongside the Eastern jetty and embarked about four hundred,
leaving again at 2250.
At 2318 about two miles to the eastward of the entrance
a drifter was sighted ahead crossing from port to starboard
about twenty yards away, fine on the port bow. The engines
were put full speed astern, but it was too late so avoid a X
sollision. The orew of the drifter were taken aboard another
drifter, which was close by. IS 18 understood that the drifter
in collision with Lydd was the 'Girl pamela' which subsequently
sank. No damage was sustained by Lydd.
At 0200 29th May when passing the Kwinke buay, flares
were sighted and shouting heard close at hand. The light
from an Aldis lamp revealed the bow and storn portions of
H.M.S.WAkeful appearing above water with - alinging to them.
I immediately lowered a whaler and two carley floats. Shortly
after this H.M.S. Gossamer, which was close by, ordered no to
put ay light out and drop a depth charge. I could not at once
comply with the latter order as I was $00 close to the wreck
and would have killed the non in the water; I therefore asked
what the situation was, to which I received no reply; nor did
I see Gossamer again. I kept the ship moving while the whaler
and carley floats were picking up survivors and had just got
twenty alongside when H.M.S. grafton appeared. I asked her
is she would pick up the rest, and she asked me to circle

Details

133
138
...circle..
Found her in case of meny submarines. It was then
discovered from one of the survivors that Wakeful had been
torpedoed by an M.T.B., I at once passed this to Grafton
and continued circling round.
I had just completed one circle and was heading west with
my stern to Grafton, when at about 0307 and explosion occured
at her stern. I continued my circle to port and sighted an
M.T.B. about fifty yards away on the starboard bean, steering
about south-west and nearly stern on to Lydd. Sub-Lieut. E.H.
Britton R.N. who was on the bridge, opened fire with the
starboard pair of Lewis guns and raked her up the stern;
bullets being seen to hit her wheelhouse and superstructure in
a cloud of sparks. It was thought that she was disabled. I than
closed Grafton with the idea of taking off survivors should
she be sinking; but as she appeared to be all right I circled
round to starboard to finish off the M.T.B. if she were still
afloat. A dark object was sighted ahead in the direction in
which the M.T.B. was last seen and fire was opened with Lewis
guns and 4inch; Grafton also opened fire. The supposed M.T.B.
was then rammed, as she was hit figures sprang at the ship
and it was thought that an attempt was being made to board;
fire was therefore opened with rifles. During this firing A.B.
S.P.Sinelair, O.N. e/JX 152005 who WAS on the Forecastle
attempting to repell the boarders was accidentally shot. It
is very much regretted that he died about an hour later from
his wound. After investigation I have come to the conclosion
that the bullet which struck him must have glanced off some
portion of the vassel raymad. Two non were taken off her. I
then set course for home, Grafton being apparently well able
to look after herself.

Details

134
139
...herself.
IT was then discovered that the Yessel ranned was the
drifter 'Comfort' and not he M.T.B.. V.A.Dover was informed of
the circumstances as far as I then knew than; I also informed
Jason and Javelin not with shortly afterwards, of diafton's
plight. On further questioning the two survivors of the
Comfort, it was ascertained that she had been picking up
survivors from the Wakeful, when and explosion threw
all on board into the water and disabled the Yessel. Three
men managed to scramble back again, of whom two got on board
Lydd and the other who was apparently badly wounded, went down
with the vessel when ahe was rammad.
I landed the troops at Ramsgate and returned to Dunkirk
by $ X route.
When off Nieuport Bank buay as 1700 a large number of
enemy aircraft started dive-bombing ships arriving and leaving,
paying particular attention to the hospital ship St.Julien
which had repeated attacks made on her.
I arriver off Bray at 1730 and sent boats inshore to
embark troops. I did not anchor but lay to off the beach. At
about 1745 andurgent call for assistance was received from 3.8.
clan Mee Allister which was on fire aft. I passed this to
Pangbourne who was just arriving, as I had already started
embarking troops. panghourne then went alongaide the burning
ship.
Embarkation was not such hampered as far as Lydd was
conserued by the almos incessant boubing assacks; but 16 was

Details

135
140
was
noticed that ships at anchor had heavy boabs directed at them,
whereas Lydd who was under weigh was only treated to light
stuff. During the embarkation H.M.S. Crested Eagle, which had
bombed aft and caught fire, beached herself 01088 by and the
troops on board began to jump into the water. Lydd's bosts
immediately went to their assistance, picking up a large
number, including twenty five very badly burnt and injured non.
Albury arrived shortly after this and her assistance was
called for, which was at once rendered.
AS there was no doctor on board it was deemed essential to
get the wounded home as quickly as possible, and I laft the
scene at 2100, with three hundred troops enboard.
When off the Middelkirke Buoy at 2200 11 was reported to ne
that the D.G. cabled had caught fire and had had to be switched
off. IT was discovered that They had been pairced by bomb splint
-ters, the steering compase was now so sluggish that the ship
had to be steared by a star When visible. Temporary repairs to
D.G. cable were carried out next day.
At 2205 and so 3 was reserved from the Travler TOR BAY 2.
ON closing her it was discovered that all she had wrong was &
foul propeller. I explained about the necessity of getting ay
Wounded home quickly, told her that there were other ships
following, continued on ay way, and reported the matter on
arrival at Margate.
I arrived at Margate at 0515 30th May, but could not get
alongside to disembark until 0855, owing to the large number of
ships already there.
I then proceeded to Sheerness to coal and ammunition,

Details

136
141
ammunition
sailing again in company with Sutton and Ross at 0230, may 31st
arriving off Bray by I route at 0915.
As there were no enemy aircraft in the visinity, I anchored.
Troops were embarked and at 1130 Sutton and Ross transfered
their troops to ae and all proceeded to Margate where I dis-
-embarked five hundred.
At 1915 I proceeded towards the rendesvous off 1 buoy, being
ordered at 2145 to assist Tug St.ABBS, one of whose tow of three
Thanes barges had broken adrift. I picked up this barge and
towed her to Dunkirk, arriving at 0330, tat June. At about this
time a vessel which was unidentified was seen to blow up,
presumeably on a magnetic mine, in the neighbourhooh of the
whistle buoy off Bray.
About two hundred and fifty troops had been embarked when
at message was brought off from the Brigadier to say that he had
stopped embarkation from the beaches, which were being shelled,
and was retiring on Dunkirk. I passed this message so Kwith.
During the embarkation low flying aircraft sachinegunned
boats and ships. Several hits were registered on one machine,
which was afterwards seen to creat on the sand dunes, by &
Bren sug in Lydd fired by one of the troops embarked. Another
machine was also thought to have been his by the starboard pair
or Lowis guns fired by ord.Sea. N.F.R. Duxbury, O.N.O/JX 173054.
At 0625 I proceeded by route X to Dover= arriving at 11299.
On the way enemy bombors appeared but after a few SALYOB were
driven off by our fighters who were seen to bring down two.
a
At 1920 I again proceeded by route X to Dukirk, anchoring
in the roads about half a mile east of the harbour entrance at
2350. The beach and roads wro being should, and there and ns
appear to be much boat traffic. I sent the motor boat inshore

Details

138
143
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE.
Where all did their duty to their utmost capacity in spite of
severe fatigue, it is very difficult to single out any officer
or man for special nention; I would, however, like to put on
record the following:-
(1) The excellent First Aid given to the wounded by my
First Libutenant
Lieutenant John Anthony Hodnet HAMER R.H.
when no Doctor was on board. I a quige certain that
a number owed their lives to him.
(2) The excellent work done by
Sub-lieutenant Edwin Michael BRITTON" R.N.
who was in charge of Lydd's boats, in bringing off
from the beaches & very large number of troops, nost
of the time under heavy shell fire and bombing and
sachine gun attacks.
Aveng ratings the following deserve nontion:-
(1) ordinary Seases VIDRIAM Fielding Richards DUXBURY"
0.No.G/JX 173054,
for accurate shooting with the Starboard Lewis gun,
crusing as ensuy airoraft which vas machine gunning
a bostload of troops to year off hurredly with
probable damage to itself.
(2) Able Seaman Fred dankwell, 050.0/J and stall 91927,
for showing initiative, resource when in charge
of the whaler and carley float. In a choppy sea,
strong tide and pitch dark night, and with a
broken rudder he succeeded in getting alongaide
the wrock of H.M.S.Wakeful and brought off twenty
survivers.

Details

139
144
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE. (continued).
(3) Sto.1. Joseph FoodSwiss ROADLEY, O.N. C/SX 94432.
For ably assisting Lieut.Hear in his case of the
wounded in addition to his boiler room watchkeeping
duties; continuing to Nort until overcome by sheer
exhaustion and nervous strein.
(4) P.O. Prodrick Harold KING, O.H. G/J 100181., for
keeping the anti-sireraft spearms in an efficient
state do that no delays or jamba occured.
(5) Ldg.Sto. Raymond Persival John JRMETT, O.N. 0/3% 85935.
for keeping the twenty year old angine of Aydd's motor
boat in efficient running order, Bo that no breakforms
of any sors occured as any time daring ambarkation.
MAIN
IN CONSTAND.
E.H.S. LYDD.
7ah June 1940.

Details

154
Sheet 2. 159
At 0030 on Wednesday 29th. May I slipped and
proceeded down harbour. After rounding No.6E whistle
and bell buoy I found myself in among two or three
French destroyers, stopped in the channel, and as a
result missed No.13 bouy and went aground on sandbank
north of Zuydcoote Pass Engines were put to full astern
and the ship slid off into about ten fathoms. In order to
ascertain my exact position and wait until unlit bouys
could be seen I anchored and very shortly picked up the
Nieuport buoy While waiting the ship was roughly fixed
and found to be in position51 degrees 7 minutes 30 seconds
North, 2 degrees 28 minutes 48 seconds East, and clear of
the channel. I proceeded without further incident to
Margate. Just before dawn gunfire was observed shead and
shortly afterwards several destroyers passed ae proceeding
towards the French coast. Later passing the Kwiente buoy
one sunken destroyer and another badly down by the stern
were passed.
At I000 ship secured alongside Margate pier
and disembarked troops. Although no exact counting of
troops was possible, about 450 in all were landed, including
approximately 50 stretcher cases and 100 walking cases.
The arrangements for disembarkation of troops
at Margate were most efficient.
At 1107 Wednesday 29th. may slipped and proceeded
back to Dunkirk, being joined by Lydd at North Goodwin
light vessel. At 1315 Lydd reported & submarine to starboard,
although not observed by Pangbourne a warning was broadcast
at 1321 Between 1645 and 1715 just off Nieuport bank
several air attacks were directed against Pangbourne and
all ships in the vicinity. Immediately after this two
British soldiers were picked up in an exhausted condition,
apparently having been blown from the deck of some small
ship. At approximately 1730 several enemy bombers appeared
to be about to attack Pangbourne but passed overhead, and
were distinctly observed to attack & hospital ship about
a mile on the Starboard beam for & considerable period
without registering any direct hits. Just before passing
the Nieuport Bank buoy a large lifeboat containing some
thirty Belgian soldiers was picked up and the boat taken
in tow for use on the beach. On closing the beach 1 was
ordered to proceed Alanasise the Clan MacAlister lying at anchor
and embark the crew. This ship was on fire aft, and the
ammunition round the after gun was continually exploding.
The Master reported to ae that there was no chance of saving
the shipas all hoses were out and the steering gear out of
action. The crew, including some 30 Lascars, and several
Naval ratings, - crews of motor boats - were all embarked.
I then proceeded and anchored about half a mile off the
beach opposite the Sanatorium. All available boats were
lowered and sent inshore in charge of Lieut. Tadman
R.N.R. and Rabbitts, Boatswain R.N.. Between
1860 and 1900 the ship was subjected to numerous low
diving bombing attacks, although no direct hits were made
there were several near misses. The hull was holed on
both sidesabove and below the water line and the D.U. coil
cut in several places. It was during this period that all
casualties occurred, resultang in the death of of seven
the ratings and six Belgian soldiers, and wounding seven

Details

169
(2)
. 174
0830. Returned to beaches, contacted 350 troops of R.A.S.C.
and R.A.O.C. detachments, including Montenant Colonol and
officers. with ascistance of 150 troops, large ship's lifebout
was pulled down boach and successfully floated to accident
embarlextion, but after removing good, dr take did not give sufficiont
bucyancy to componsate for stove in gerboard stroke.
Scarlous lack of boats, reducing omborization rate to about 30 por hour
with own bonts only. 227 troops orderhod remainder being cont
off to Salamonder and dostroyers. Somo difficulty exporienced
through persistent attempts of Large masses of French troops to
intercept boats and domand passage Assisted by British troo a
in heading off French submers by riflo fire from 50 yurds further
along beach. Dunkirk burning with much molio. Miximm visibility,
slight cloud. No. R.A.F. support aighted all day.
2600. Lovel bonbing attack on Sutton, Solvenndor, Grogliound
and paddlors from 5000-10000 foot. Coo solvo pattom bombo without
result. One salvo of H.S. straddling Station and paddlors, no lite.
One dive borbing attack on Suttom and Creyhound, noor nice started
fire in Greyhound sundships. One line of 5 bombo aloco to G.H.).
on DOB front, on a line starting from centre of the town down
beach and into don, final too bombo fulling such aldo of Service.
Comperitivoly mll bombo used, with incondinres, 000
of which got light to a drifter cable from Strtton which was
sunk by paddlors gunfire. To R.A.P. support visible. for smll
machine gun hits on Strtton. Greyhound budly damaged by bember
and riddled with mahine on fire.
1706. Procoeded Dover, leaving La Panno during further air redd
of Issu intensity, in company with Sulamander. No R.A.F. support
visible on passage.
2300. Arrived off Dove, only, what. feld in progress, unchored
Chocrved plane at about 1500 foot drop three mignatic nines about
2 cables ahoad, coundo of nines strilling mor clearly andible.
Parashutos soon by several separate observers. signalied position
of mines to V.A. Dovor.
mursday 30th. May. 0600. Proceeded into Dover, discharged troops.
1052. Proceeded Sheernues with one boilor. Drove fires in other
boiler to make repairs to birlowork, damgod by bunb explosion.
1632. arrived Shoomoos, orderlood coal and ammittion.
riday State My. 0205. Left Shoorness in company with Lydd and Booo.
0400. Companyee maddenly produced a and 30 degrees of devintion,
Rose assumed load of dividion, Inter company dovintion improved
and Subton responsed Lead.
0812. Arrived proceeded cust puballol to bonches passing
4 planes wrocked on he boach weat of two with Prench
markings. 29. Passed Dunkisk harbour 1 cuble. Harbour fires. wall intect
and little damage apparent from counard except Imgo
Continued DOID from bouch close work of
0835. high Hurricanes One 0.230 ship ounls alenguide cust plur of Dunicipt. 2
Sinfire, and Spitfires overhead, processing home of harbour, at
Fearch spood. and several cargo ships must court cast. continued
groups Long column on the bonoh. Combinuous column about 1 wills
dectroyers of troops surehing into Dunisive from long along
bouch cast of
3 milon off is punno. wind Items force In frushering, troops with DOG
0906. slight Anchored but considerable mall.. Consenced loading
COMMANDING OFFICER
19 JUN 1940
H.M.S. "SUTTON"

Details

(2)
0830. Returned to beaches, contacted 350 troops of R.A.S.C.
and R.A.O.C. detachments, including Lieutenant Colonel and
officers. With assistance of 150 troops, large ship's lifeboat
was pulled down beach and successfully floated to assist
embarkation., but after removing gear, air tanks did not give
sufficient buoyancy to compensate for store in garboard strake.
Serious lack of boats, reducing embarkation rate to about 30
per hour with own boats only. 227 troops embarked, remainder
being sent off to Salamander and destroyers. Some difficulty
experienced through persistent attempts of large masses of
French troops to intercept boats and demand passage. Assisted
by British troops in heading off French Swimmers by rifle fire
from 50 yards further along the beach. Dunk rk burning with much
smoke. Maximum visibility, slight cloud, No R.A.F. support sighted all day.
1600. Level bombing attack on Sutton, Salamander, Greyhound
and paddlers from 5000-10000 feet. One salvo pattern bombs without
result. One salvo of H.E. straddling Sutton and paddlers, no hits.
One dive bombing attack on Sutton and Greyhound, near miss started
fire in Greyhound amidships. One line of 5 bombs close to G.H.Q.
on sea front, on a line starting from centre of the town down
beach and into sea., final two bombs falling each side of Sutton.
Comparitively small bombs used, with several incendiares, one
of which set light to a drifter 1 cable from Sutton which was
sunk by paddlers gunfire. No R.A.F. support visible. Few small
machine gun hits on Sutton. Greyhound badly damaged by bombs
and riddled with machine gun fire.
1706. Proceeded Dover, leaving La Panne during further air raid
of less intensity, in company with Salamander. No R.A.F. support
visible on passage.
2300. Arrived off Dover, calm, mist, Air raid in progress, anchored.
Observed plane at about 1500 feet drop three magnetic mines about
2 cables ahead, sounds of mines striking water clearly audible.
Parashutes seen by several observers. Signalled position
hursday 30th. May. 0600. Proceeded into Dover, discharged troops.
of mines to V.A.Dover.
1052. Proceeded Sheerness with one boiler. Drew fires in other
boiler to make repairs to brickwork, damaged by bomb explosion
1632. Arrived Sheerness, embarked coal and ammunition.
riday 31st May. 0205. Left Sheerness in company with Lydd and Ross.
0400. Compasses suddenly produced 20 and 30 degrees od deviation,
Ross assumed lead of division, later compass deviation improved
and Sutton re-assumed lead.
0812. Arrived Dunkirk, proceeded east parallel to beaches passing
4 planes wrecked on the beach west od Dunkirk, two with Franch
markings. 0829. Passed Dunkirk harbour distant 1 cable. Harbour wall intact
and little damage apparent from seaward except huge fires.
Continual gunfire, some from beach close west of Dunkirk.
0835. Hurricanes and Spitfires overhead, proceeding homewards at
high speed. One cargo ship sunk alongaide east pier of harbour, 2
French destroyers and several cargo ships sunk east of Dunkirk.
Long columns of troops marching into Dunkirk from east, scattered
groups on the beach. Continuous column about 1 mile long along
0906. Anchored off La Panne. Wind N.W. force 3, freshening, sea
beach 3 miles east of Dunkirk.
slight but considerable swell. Commenced loading troops with

Details

179
- 183
(3)
Motor boat towing whaler and two army pontoons. Since previous
day pier had been constructed by driving out lorries at ehb tide
in of line and securing planks on top, considerably expediting loading
boats, though embarkation rate was slowed considerably by lack of
control at shore end of pier to move troops along and by natural
reluctance of troops to venture along pier without beding relieved of
part tow of their heavy equipment. Some difficulty experienced in loading
pontoons in tow in prevailing conditions which tended to reduce embarkation
of 4 boats without smashing up against pier in swell, and in handling
rate. Boats available quite inadequate, large open motor beach boats
required, together with vessel anchored hocadside or sunk athead of pier
Sutton collected soldiers from overturned pontoon. Allowed to broach in
to give a lee if necessary with oil &td provided. During embarkation
awell. Three believed drowned mainly due to lack of foresight of shore
authorities in allowing troops to embark with full equipment and overcoats
in deteriorating weather conditions. 120 troops embarked mostly R.B.,
R.A., R.A.S.C. with a few infantrymen and guards, morale very good but very
critical of lack of R.A.F. support and Belgium treachery behind lines.
Country said to be filled with spies, night positions during retreat seen
to be scignalled by flashlight to planes, bombed within half an hour
of being established. Surprising speed of advance of Germans against
positions being prepared and defencelessness against dive bombing also
important factors.
1137. Weighed anchor and discharged troops alongside Lydd. Widd
and sea increasing slightly, rather low cloud.
1150. Proceeded North Goodwin Lt. Vessel to await time for next
rendezvous. Lydd and Ross proceeded to Margate to discharge troops.
1538. Anchored at North Goodwin Lt. Vessel.
1855. Weighed and proceeded to Dunkirk in company with Niger.
Passed great number of small craft, as well as destroyers and paddlers.
2115. Passed Dunkirk Harbour distant 1 cable. Heavy gunfire from
beach about 2 miles west of Harbour, apparently enemy shalling town.
Fires in Dunkirk more expensive.
2147. Anchored off beach between La Panne and Dunkirk. No sdgn
of boats as expected.
2235. Boat from shore reported troops further to eastward, only
boat available run aground. Moved 1 mile eastward.
Saturday 1st June 0100: No troops yet contacted, No boats except
Sutton's available. Several minelaying aircraft overhead, observed
parachute mines decending about 3 cables ahead and 1 cable astern.
Mines reported dropped all over fairway.
0130. Commenced loading broops with our own motor boat and whaler
and ship's lifeboat found off beach. Later assisted by motor yacht.
Troops mostly R.A. and infantrymen including guards, 3. Yorks., and
machine gun detachment. No. R.A.F. assistance before or after dawn.
Opened fire on occasional reconnaisance aircraft at dawn. One level
bombing attack at about 5000 feet followed by machine gunning whilst
in the back whilst being helped over the side. This machine gun attack
embarking wounded from pontoons alongaide, one casualty receiving wounds
undoubtedly would have been pressed home causing very heavy casualties
but for concentrated Lewis gun and Bren gun fire from troops, who manned
ships M.G. armament. Detachment of Guards also offered to provide Bren
gun defence for the large ship's lifeboat against occasional low flying.

Details

187
191
(2)
0830. Returned to beaches, contacted 350 troops of R.A.S.C.
and R.A.O.C. detachments, including Licutenant Colonel and
officers. With assistance of I50 troops, large ship's lifeboat
was pulled down beach and successfully floated to assist
embarkation, but after removing gear, air tanks did not give
sufficient buoyancy to compensate for store in garboard strake.
Serious lack of boats, reducing embarkation rate to about 30
per hour with own boats only. 227 troops embarked, remainder
being sent off to Salamander and destroyers. Some difficulty
experienced through persistent attempts of large masses of
French troops to intercept boats and demand passage. Assisted
by British troops in heading off French swimmers by rifle fire
from 50 yards further along beach. Dunkirk burning with much
smoke. Maximum visibility, slight cloud. No R.A.F. support
sighted all day.
1600. Level bombing attack on Sutton, Salamander, Greyhound
and paddlers from 5000-I0000 feet. One salvo pattern bombs without
result. One salvo of H.E. straddling Sutton and paddlers, no hits.
One dive bombing attack on Sutton and Greyhound, near miss started
fire in Greyhound amidships. one line of 5 bombs close to G.H.Q.
on sea front, on at line starting from centre of the town down
beach and into sea, final two bombs falling each side of Sutton.
Comparitively small bombs used, with several incendiares, one
of which set light to at drifter 1 cable from Sutton which was
sunk by paddlers gunfire. No R.A.F. support visible. Few small
machine gun hits on Sutton. Greyhound badly damaged by bombs
and riddled with machine gun fire.
I706. Proceeded Dover, leaving La Panne during further air raid
of less intensity, in company with Salamander. No R.A.F. support
visible on passage.
2300. Arrived off Dover, calm, mist. Air raid in progress, anchored.
Observed plane at about 1500 feet drop three magnetic mines about
2 cables ahead, sounds of mines striking water clearly audible.
Parashutes seen by several separate observers. Signalled position
of mines to V.A. Dover.
Thursday 30th May. 0600. Proceeded into Dover, discharged troops.
1052. Proceeded Sheerness with one boiler. Drew fires in other
boiler to make repairs to brickwork, damaged by bomb explosion.
1632. Arrived Sheerness, embarked coal and ammunition.
Friday 31st May. 0205. Left Sheerness in company with Lydd and Ress.
0400. Compasses suddenly produced 20 and 30 degrees of deviation,
HOSS assumed lead of division, later compass deviation improved
and Sutton re-assumed lead.
0812. Arrived Dunkirk, proceeded east parallel to beaches passing
4 planes wrecked on the beach west of Dunkirk, two with French
markings. 0829. Passed Dunkirk harbour distant I cable. Harbour wall intact
and little damage apparent from seaward except huge fires.
0835. Hurricanes gunfire, and Spitfires overhead, proceeding homewards at
Continual some from beach close west of Dunkirk.
high speed. One cargo ship sunk alongside east pier of harbour, 2
French destroyers and several cargo ships sunk east of Dunkirk.
Long columns of troops marching into Dunkirk from east, scattered
groups on the beach. Continuous column about I mile long along
beach 3 miles east of Dunkirk.
0906. Anchored off La Panne. Wind N.W. force 3. freshening, troops sea
slight but considerable swell.. Commenced loading with

Details

-188
102
(3)
Motor boat towing whaler and two army pontoons. Since previous
day pier had been constructed by driving out lorries at ebb tide
in line and securing planks on top, considerably expediting
loading of boats, though embarkation rate was slowed considerably
by lack of control at shore end of pier to move troops along
and by natural reluctance of troops to venture along pier
without being relieved of part of their heavy equipment. Some
difficulty experienced in loading tow of 4 boats without
smashing up against pier in swell, and in handling pontoons
in tow in prevailing conditions which tended to reduce embarkation
rate. Boats available quite inadequate, large open motor beach boats
required, together with vessel anchored broadside or sunk at
head of pier to give a lee if necessary with oil slick provided.
During embarkation, Sutton collected soldiers from overturned
pontoon. allowed to broach in swell. Three believed drowned
mainly due to lack of foresight of shore authorities in
allowing troops to embark with full equipment and overcoats in
deteriorating weather conditions. I20 troops embarked mostly
R.E. , R.A. R.A.S.C. with a few infantrymen and guards, morale
very good but very critical of lack of R.A.F support and Belgium
treachery behind lines. Country said to be filled with spies,
night positions during retreat seen to be signalled by flashlight
to planes, bombed within half an hour of being established.
Surprising speed of advance of Germans against positions being
prepared and defencelessness against dive bombing also important
factors.
II37. Weighed anchor and discharged troops alonside Lydd. Wind
and sea increasing slightly, rather low cloud.
II50. Proceeded North Goodwin Lt Vessel to await time for next
rendezv ous. Lydd and Ross proceeded to Margate to discharge
troops.
1538. Anchored at North Goodwin Lt Vessel.
I855. Weighed and proceeded to Dunkirk in company with Niger.
Passed great number of small craft, as well as destroyers and
paddlers.
2115. Passed Dunkirk Harbour distantI I cable. Heavy gunfire from
beach about 2 miles west of harbour, apparently enemy shelling
town. Fires in Dunkirk more extensive.
2147. Anchored off beach between La Panne and Dunkirk. No sign
of boats as expected.
2235. Boat from shore reported troops further to eastward, only
Saturday Iss Junable roo. Saturday Isavailable.com No troops yet contacted. No boats except
aground. Moved 1 mile eastward.
Sutton's available. Several minelaying aircraft overhead, observed
parashute mines descending about 3 cables ahead and I cable
astern. Mines reported dropped all over fairway.
0130. Commenced loading troops with own motor boat and whaler
and ship's lifeboat found off beach. Later assisted by motoryacht.
Troops mostly R.A. and infantrymen including guards, E. Yorks.
and machine gun detachment. No R.A.F assistance before or after
dawn. Opened fire on occasional reconnaisance aircraft at dawn.
One level bombing attack at about 5000 feet followed by machine
gunning whilst embarking wounded from pontoons alongside, one
casualty receiving wounds in back whilst being helped over the
side. This machine gun attack undoubtably would have been pressed
gun and causing Bren fire from troops, who manned ships L.G. armament.
home very heavy casualties but for concentrated Lewis
Detachment of gun Guards also offered to provide Bren gun defence
for the large ship's lifeboat against occasional low flyiing

Details

(2)
0830. Returned to beaches, contacted 350 troops of R.A.S.C.
and R.A.O.C. detachments, including Lieutenant Colonel and
202
officers. With assistance of 150 troops, large ship's lifeboat
was pulled down beach and successfully floated to assist
embarkation, but after removing gear, air tanks did not give.
sufficient buoyancy to compensate for stove in garboard strake.
Serious lack of boats, reducing embarkation rate to about 30 per
hour with own boats only, 227 troops embarked remainder being sent
off to Salamander and destroyers. Some difficulty experienced
through persistent attempts of large masses of French troops to
intercept boats and demand passage. Assisted by British troops
in heading off French swimmers by rifle fire from 50 yards further
along beach. Dunkirk burning with much smoke. Maximum visibility,
slight cloud, No R.A.F. support sighted all day.
1600. Level bombing attack on Sutton, Salamander, Greyhound
and paddlers from 5000-10000feet. One salvo pattern bombs without
result. One salvo of H.E. straddling Sutton and paddlers, no hits.
One dive bombing attack on Sutton and Greyhound, near miss started
fire in Greyhound smidships. One line of 5 bombs close to G.H.Q.
on sea front, on a line starting from centre of the town down
beach and into sea, final two bombs falling each side of Sutton.
Comparatively small boats used, with several incendiaries, one
of which set light to & drifter - cable from Sutton which was
sunk by paddlers gunfire. No R.A.F. support visible. Few small
machine gunshits on Sutton. Greyhound badly damaged by bombs
and riddled with machine gun fire.
1706. Proceeded Dover, leaving La Panne during further air raid
of less intensity, in company with Salamander. No R.A.F. support
visible on passage.
2300. Arrived off Dover, calm, mist. Air raid in progress, anchored
Observed plane at about 1500 feet drop three magnetic mines about
2 cables ahead, sounds of mines striking water clearly audible.
Parachutes seen by several separate observers. Signalled position
of mines to V.A. Dover.
Thursday 30th. May. 0600. Proceeded into Dover, discharged troops.
1052. Proceeded Sheerness with one boiler. Drew fires in other
boiler to make repairs to brickwork, damaged by bomb explosion.
1632. Arrived Sheerness, embarked coal and ammunition.
Friday 31st. May. 0205. Left Sheerness in company with Lydd and Ross.
0400. Compasses suddenly produced 20 and 30 degrees of deviation,
Roas assumed lead of division, later compass deviation improved
and Sutton re-assumed Lead.
0812. Arrived Dunkirk, proceeded east parallel to beaches passing
4 planes wrecked on the beach west of Dunkirk, two with French
markings. 0829. Passed Dunkrik Harbour distant 1 cable. Harbour wall intast
and little damage done apparent from seaward except huge fires.
Continual gunfire, some from beach close west of Dunkirk.
0835. Hurricanes and Spitfires overhead, proceeding homewards at
the soattered
harbour
Long columns of troops marching into Dunkirk from east, beach 3 miles east groups
on the beach. Continious column about 1 mildalong of
Dunkirk. 0906. Anchored off La Panne, Wind N.W. force 3, freshening, with sea
slight but considerable swell. Commenced loading troops
COMMANDING OFFICER
19 JUN 1940
H.M.S. "SUTTON"

Details

203
(3)
Motor boat towing whaler and two army pontoons. Since previous
day pier had been constructed by driving out lorries at abb tido
in line and securing planks on top, considerably expediting loading
of boats, though embarkation rate was slowed considerablyby lack of
control at shore end of pior to move troops along and by natural
reluctance of troops to venture along pier without being relieved
of part of their heavy equipment. Some defficulty experienced
in loading tow of 4 boats without smashing up against pier in swell
and in handling pontoons in tow in provailing conditions which tended
to reduce embarkation rate. Boats available quite inadequate, large
open motor beach boats required, together with vessel anchordd broadside
or sunk at Hoad of pior to give a lee if necessary with oil slick provided.
During embarkation, Sutton collected soldiers from overturned pontoon.
Allowed to broach in swell. Three believed drowned mainly due to lack
of foresight of shore authorities in allowing troops to embark with full
equipment and overcoats in deteriorating weather conditions. 120 trags
embarked mostly R.E., R.A., R.A.S.C. with a for infantrymen and guards,
morale very good but very critical of lack of R.A.F. support and Bolgium
treachery behind lines. Country said to be filled with updes, night
positions during retreat seen to be signalled by flashlight to planos,
bombed within half nn hour of being established. Surprising speed of
advance of Germans against positions being propared and defencelossness against
dive bombing also important factors.
1137. Weighed anchor and discharged troops alongside Lydd. Wind
and sea increasing alightly, rather Low cloud.
1150. Proceeded North Goodwin Lt. Vessel to await time for next
reddezvous. Lydd and Ross proceeded to Margate to discharge troops.
1538. Anchored at North Goodwin Lt. Vessel.
1855. Weighed and proceeded to Dunkirk in company ml. th Higer.
Passed great number of small craft, as well as destroyers and paddlors.
2115. Passed Dunkirk Harbour distant 1 cable. Heavy gunfire from
beach about 2 miles west of Harbour, apparently enemy shelling tom.
Fires in Dunkirk more extensive.
2147. Anchored off beach between La Fanne and Dunkirk. No sign
of boats as expected.
2235. Boat from shore reported troopa further to eastward, only
boat available run aground. Moved 1 mile eastward.
Saturday 1st June 0100. No troops yet contacted. No boats except
Sutton's available. Several minelaying airoraft overhead, observed
parachute mines descending about 3 cables ahead and 1 cable astern. lines
0130. Commenced loading troops with own notor boats and whalar
reported dropped all over fairway.
Troops mostly R.A. and infantrymen including guards, X Yorks., and machine
and ship's lifeboat found off beach. Lator assisted by motor yacht.
gun detachmont. No R.A.F. assistance before or after. dawn. Opened
fire occasional reconnaisence aircraft at dawn. One level bombing
wounded from pontoons alongaide, one casualty receiving attack wounds in
attack on of about 5000 feet followed by machine gunning whilst embarking back
whilst helped over the side. This machine gun but undoubtedly for
would being been pressed home causing very heavy casualties manned
L.G. concentrated Detachment of Guards also offered to provide low gun
have Lowis gun and Bron gun fire from troops, who Bron ships
defence armsment. for the large ship's lifeboat against occasional flying
COMMANDING OFFICER
19 JUN 1940
H.M.S. "SUTTON"
to

Details

DUPLICATE
271
- 287
At 1950/30 H.N.S. Fitaroy proceeded to Dunkirk
via the Western route and at 0210 anchored off
beach in three fathoms at a point 2) miles east
of Dunkirk. The ships boate vere sent in shore
in charge of Legutenant J.S. Horrez Only
3 soldiers could be found and these were embarked.
At 1 0300 ship veighed and proceeded to Dover
with
and the 3 soldiers
At 0825 proceeded and at (850 secured in
Granville dook and coaled
At 1850 ship proceeded to Rendesvous with
4th. Mineoweeping Plotilla at . long
Legutenant Bull, Scots Guards - on board and
subsequently of great help in embarking troops.
June
At 0180 /1/6 H.N.S. Pilargy anchored off
the beach at a point 8) miles cast of
Dunkirk.TheD/G gear call ht fire at alas
and became tem: orarily useless This is
attributed to shrapnel all the fore stay
vas also stranded at the name time Ships
boats were sent in ahore and Leautenant Bull
Sents Cuards directed the embarkation assisted
by Midehipman Bryce R.N.R and Signalman
Froggant. 67 British officers and soldiers
were embarked by 0345 By this time there
were only a for more troops laft on this section
of the beach and H.H.S. Lydd having arrived
I and them to enbark the remainder It ISA
my intention to proceed to join the Senior
Naval Officer 4th. Minesweeping Plotilla and
endeavour to embark troops to capacity
However shortly after weighing 1 received a
signal from H.N. subpre informing no

Details

277
TRIPLICATE
- 293
At 1950/30 H.N.S. Fitzroy proceeded to Dunkirk
via the Western route and at 0810 snohored off
beach in three fathoms at a point 2) miles east
of Dunkirk. The ships boats were sent in shore
in charge of Legutenant J.S. Horrex Only
3. soldiers could be found and these were embarked
31ˢᵗ.
At 1 0300 ship weighed and proceeded to Dover
with
and the 3 soldiers
At 0825 proceeded and at 0880 secured in
Granville dook and coaled
At 1850 ship proceeded to Rendezvous with
4th. Mineeweeping Plotilla at 1. Buoy
Decutenant Bull Scots Guards Y&S on board and
subsequently of great help in embarking troops.
1st June
At 0130 /1/0 H.M.S. Pilaroy anchored off
the beach at a point 2) miles east of
Dunkirk.Theb/G gear call ht fire at 0139
and became tem orarily useless This is
attributed to shrapnel as the fore stay
vas also stranded at the name time . Ships
boats were sent in shore and Leeutenant Bull
Scots Guards directed the embarkation assisted
by Midshipman Bryce R.N.R and Signalman
Froggast. 67 British officers and soldiers
were embarked by 0345 . By this time there
were only a few more troops left on this section
of the beach and H.M.S. Lydd having arrived
I asked them to embark the remainder It was
intention to proceed to join the Senior
Naval my officer 4th. Minesweeping Flotilla and
endeavour to embark troops to capacity
However shortly after weighing I received no a
signal from H.M.S. Sabore informing

Details

Dyrom 391
il
368
June 5th, 1940.
1.
Lieut. A.J. Davies, R.N.V.R. -"Java" never got over the
other side and was finally towed to Sheerness by "Gorecht"
2.
Lieut. A.N. Blundell, R.N.R. - "Bornrif" did three. trips
between Ramsgate and beaches at Dunkirk. "King Orry" was
sighted sunk off Dunkirk.
3.
Sub Lieut. R.H.C. Amos, R.N.V.R. - "Iote" was beached and
abandoned after she had damaged her rudder while rescuing
two of her crew, who had fallen overboard on the morning
of Saturday June 1st. On night of Monday, June 3rd, Sub Lieut
Amos, R.N.V.R. and Sub Lieut. R.H. Wallace, R.N.V.R. were in
a new but unnamed power life boat which was towed over to
SUN
Dunkirk by Tug XV "About ..... (A).
On the 30th May D.S. "Horst" was known to have been abandoned.
4.
Sub Lieut. D.C. Williams, R.N.V.R. - left Ramsgate on the
night of Su day, June 2nd in the "Kiteat". On the way over
he became separated from the rest of the convoy. After
doing some work the other side he towed the "Singapore" back
to Dover and then on to Ramsgate on Monday, June 3rd.
5.
Lieut. R.W. Thomson, R.N.V.R. - After being discharged from
the "AEGer", where he had proved lacking in experience, did
4 trips in the "DABB II", two of which were unsuccessful.
6.
Sub Lieut. C. Minchin, R.N. - Went to the beached in the
"LYDD" where he ferried until the boat broke down. She was
abandoned and Minchin returned to Ramsgate in the "Lydd".
On Monday, against orders he tried to go over in the "Hel-
frinore" but she broke down.
7.
Sub Lieut. E.S. Foreman, R.N.V.R. - In the"Princess Freda"
he ferried from the beaches for a destroyer. He then
worked for the Dutch "Besta" --?, who finally towed him
back to Ramsgate.
8.
Sub Lieut. R.E. Blows, R.N.V.R. - Started in the "Minikoi"
but she was rammed and sunk by "MASB 6" off the downs at
0250 on Wed, May 29th. He next went over in the "Ambleve",
which with the "Sambre" was towed over by the "Skipjack",
for whom he ferried from the beaches. A crew from the
Skipjack releived his crew for 'stand-easy' and ran the
"Ambleve" aground. He and his crew returned in the
Skipjack. On Saturday, June 1st, he went over in a power
life boat. She was damaged by near bombs but the engines
continued to run.
9.
Sub Lieut. J.W. Pratt, R.N.V.R. - Ran aground in the
"Singapore" on beach at 0130 on Sunday June 2nd. She
rfloated at 0800 and he left with three French Officers.
On the way he picked up two British soldiers who were
French Officers' water bottles. He passed the "Mosquito"
floating around'. These were revived with wine from the
which was still afloat but had been deserted. In mid
channel he found three life boats which he took in tow
until his engines gave out and he was taken in tow by
the "Kitkat".
10.
Sub Lieut. I.F. Smith, R.N.V.R. - In "Jong" helped to
ferry home he sighted the "Iote" drifting round empty and
troops from the beaches on Friday, May 31st. On
way the "White Heather" empty but at anchor.

Details

FLAG OFFICER IN CHARGE
17JUN1940
*
HARWIOH
H.M.S. "Watchful"
547
Great Yarmouth.
8th June, 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the report of proceedings of the
"M" Drifters attached to Yarmouth Base (H.M.S. "Watchful") whilst
employed on Operation "Dynamo".
30.5.40. 2345.
Flotilla sailed Yarmouth for Ramsgate,
good
569
the
533
From :- Sub.Lieut. F.N.Dann R.N.V.R.
Date :- June 5th 1940
To
:- Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
Ld
*
May 27th Sent from H.M.S. King Alfred to H.M.S. Wildfire.
May 28th
1100
Ordered to fuel and provision about 20 motor yachts
in harbour basin and other yachts continuously
1930
Left arriving. Sheerness for Dover in M.Y. Viewfinder, leading
a convoy of six yachts all towing whalers. Other
convoys followed astern.
lled
May 29th
0130
Arrived Dover. Moored alongside destroyer and
&
requested 0.0.W. to signal shore for orders.
n
The following civilian volunteers refused further
on
0400
duty and were sent ashore :-
out
T.Lewis, John Bye, - Bye, J.Palmer
all
a total of six yachts and refuelled six them
a to
0600
Left Collected Dover in Viewfinder leading a column of motor
yachts viz.
Viewfinder
(myself) Three civilian volunteers)
Advance
S.L. Minchin R.N.)
Mann,
Hanora
(S.L. Bonham)
red
Bobeli Elizabeth Green (S.L. Snow)
Joined by One Reda other which fell in with us and re-completed
which turned back.
0700
the column arrived of six. in convoy off Gravelines. None hit. Repeatedly
1400
All dive six machine gunned Panne from Beach the air. and ferried whalers
1500
1830
Viewfinder All full aboard Put Took two off arrived off of in troops whaler dragged off to La THE with ships aground was two at all in by anchor. ratings whaler excited soldiers to with Belgian abtain from No us soldiers room Viewfinder and help. soldiers. my left for
1900
Hanora's whateremasing and crew my loaded
Hanora who took whalers off my
to H.M.S. Lydd

Details

ELAG OFFICER IN CHARGE
57
17JUN1940
*
HARWICH
H.M.S. "Watchful"
547
Great Yarmouth.
8th June, 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the report of proceedings of the
"M" Drifters attached to Yarmouth Base (H.M.S. "Watchful") whilst
employed on Operation "Dynamo".
30.5.40. 2345.
Flotilla sailed Yarmouth for Ramsgate,
Report by Sub,Lieut. F.N.Dann (Contd)
570
540
1900
Took charge of empty whaler, made up scratch crew
of two ratings and one soldier and continued to ferry
troops from beach to motor boats.
2030
Many badly wounded men taken aboard H.M.S.Lydd no
skilled help available. Went aboard and did what I
could with others until ship reached Margate.
Handed charts to Reda.
1d
May 30th
Early morning landed from H.M.S.Lydd at Margate.
R
Sent on to Chatham.
May 31st
Returned to H.M.S.Wildfire Sheermess.
June 1st
Assisted at Sheerness with supplies and victualling.
1700
Left for Ramsgate in M.Y. Dianthus. Engine giving
much trouble. Taken in tow by M.Y.Thark.
2200
Arrived Ramsgate
June 2nd.
Attempted to repair engine of Dianthus.
1600
Ordered to attempt to leave on tide and to contact
Rear Admiral Taylor's convoy.
lled
1930
Left inner basin. Raided stranded yacht for compass
of
etc.
in
2030
Left Ramsgate.
ien
2045
Helmsman badly cut by flying glass from window.
out
Brought him ashore for attention.
1 all
2115
Left Ramsgate again.
be to
2200
very troublesome. Stopping every mile or till 30.
Only Engine making good 21/2 knots, carried on course
daylight.
June 3rd
0300
Between V and W Bouys sighted convoy returning. Decided
Man
ved
to return with convoy.
0900
June 4th
Arrived Standing Ramsgate. by and attempting to repair engine

Details

127
129
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 8.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
29/-
Wednesday, 29th May (continued)
midship end on the bottom. All the troops on board went
down with the ship; certain of the crew floated clear. After
about 1/2 hour motor drifters NAUTILLUS and COMFORT arrived and
started to pick up survivors, later joined by GOSSAMER.
Captain of the WAKEFUL was in the COMFORT. GRAFTON and LYDD
were close and Captain of WAKEFUL warned GRAFTON she was in
danger of being torpedoed, At that moment, 0250, GRAFTON was
torpedoed, COMFORT was lifted in the air, and Captain of
WAKEFUL washed overboard. COMFORT was going full speed and
as she came round in a circle LYDD and GRAFTON opened fire on
her, evidently thinking she was an enemy ship. It is
believed that COMFORT crew, except cne, and WAKEFUL survivors,
except 4, were killed. LYDD then bore down on COMFORT,
rammed and sank her.
Previously GRAFTON, who was proceeding to Dover with
troops, had observed a ship tropedoed, and Icwered her boats
to pick up survivors, subsequently ascertained by signal to
LYDD to be WAKEFUL. A small darkened vessel, thoughtto be
a drifter, was signalled and told to pick up survivors.
Within a few seconds of this, GRAFTON was torpedoed, The
bridge was also hit, either by a shell or grenade, and the
Captain killed instantly. LYDD then tried to come alongside
but after hitting starboard side sheered off, and appeared
to ram a vessel on port quarter. This was COMFORT. GRAFTON
opened fire under the impression LYDD had rammed the M.T.B.
Target was then shifted to another vessel further away on
port quarter, and vessel was observed to blow up with a bright
flash. This may well have been the enemy M.T.B.
29, During the forenoon JAGUAR, GALLANT and GRENADE
were dispatched via the new Middle Route X to test the
opposition by shore batteries prior to introducing this route
as an alternative to the long Northern route. GRENADE arrived
Dunkirk, reported no fire from shore batteries, but that she
had experienced heavy bombing. These three destroyers were
attacked by dive bombers when approaching Dunkirk at about
noon, and GALLANT was damaged. At least six attacks were
carried out, one enemy aircraft was brought down by gunfire
and others by fighters. An hour later MALCOLM reported
Dunkirk heavily bombed with a large number of aircraft and
during the afternoon this bombing extended up the coast to
ships off Bray. During the afternoon the Middle Route x was
brought into use for destroyers, but small ships were still
routed round the Northern route to Zuydecoote Pass. LOCUST
and MOSQUITO joined Dover Command and were despatched to work
on the beaches during the afternoon. Shortly after noon
enemy shore batteries near Nieuport began to bring Zuydecoote
Pass under spasmodic gunfire and the state was being reached
whereby the new Middle Route would become the only practicable
daylight approach to Dunkirk and the beaches. At noon,
CALCUTTA, who was able to get across to La Panne beach to
receive troops by small boats, embarked 1200 troops from the
minesweepers and then sailed for Sheerness the minesweepers
remaining to load up again. At 1606 the New Route X having
been fully swept, all ships were ordered by the Vice Admiral
to use Route X, exercising navigational caution, and those
from Dover were instructed to proceed by Route 2, the South
route

Details

133
22
.
131
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 12.
Operation "DYNAMO"
-
Narrative of Events.
29/5
Tuesday, 28th May (continued).
Personnel Vessel FENELLA attacked by enemy aircraft and
sunk alongside EASTERN ARM at Dunkirk.
Personnel Vessel MONA'S QUEEN sunk by mine whilst off
Dunkirk.
Paddle Minesweeper WAVERLEY sunk by enemy aircraft off
Dunkirk. Bombed for 1½ hours.
Trawler POLLY JOHNSON damaged by enemy aircraft off
Dunkirk and finally sunk by ARLEY.
Paddle Minesweeper GRACIE FIELDS sunk by enemy aircraft
in position 51° 14' N, 2° 40' E. Troops were transferred to
other ships.
Danlayer COMFORT sunk in collision by LYDD.
Drifter GIRL PAMELA sunk in collision.
Danlayer NAUTILUS damaged by bombs when off La Panne.
Transferred troops to GREYHOUND, then set on fire and
abandoned, finally sinking.
The following ships were all damaged by enemy aircraft,
either by direct hits or near misses -
INTREPID
SALADIN
ST. SEIRIOL (Personnel Vessel)
BIDEFORD
KELLETT
CANTERBURY
(Personnel Vessel)
M/S
PANGBOURNE
GALLANT
WOLFHOUND.
GREYHOUND
JAGUAR
Particulars of bombing attacks taken from reports are as
follows:-
SALADIN approached Dunkirk at 1845 and was attacked 10 times
by bombers. Steam pipes were fractured and fire started in
"ready" cordite aft. This was thrown overboard. Ship
returned to Dover owing to damage, the Commanding Officer
deciding that the ship would be a hindrance to further
operations.
GREYHOUND. Damaged by near miss. Steam pipes cut. Returned
eventually under own steam.
INTREPID. Continuously bombed during approach to La Panne.
One boiler room was put out of action. Ship returned to Dover.
BIDEFORD, attacked by enemy aircraft, bomb hit stern and put
her out of action. Ship was towed back to Dover. Troops were
transferred to KELLETT.
PANGBOURNE was damaged below water line by several near misses
necessitating dockyard repairs.
Thursday 30th May

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149
38
1.1%
148
146
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 27
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
1/6
or
Saturday 1st June (continued).
and at 0815 was attacked by enemy aircraft. Ship was hit aft of
No.3 boiler room and put out of action. About 0945 another attack
took place but no hits were registered. A third attack took place
at about noon and the ship began to settle and the order to
abandon ship was given.
Destroyer KEITH attacked by enemy aircraft off Bray
r
severely hit and abandoned at anchor by No.8 buoy. Finally sank.
Harbour Defence Craft AMULREE sunk in collision by
VIMY at 0200.
2/6
Sunday, 2nd June.
80.
The arrangements to set in motion the night's evacua-
tion had proceeded smoothly as far as could be ascertained at
Dover. During the early hours, reports of sailings from Dunkirk
indicated that destroyers at least were doing well.
At about 0200, however, a signal was received from
LYDD, who was off the Dunkirk beach, as follows:-
"Brigadier tells me that C. in C. says it is essential that
rearguard B.E.F. embarks from the beaches east of Mole on
account of French congestion on Mole. Considerable number
British troops still on Mole. Military are expecting further
arrivals there. Rearguard expects to arrive at beach by 0230."
The Vice Admiral accordingly ordered all ships known to
y
be outside Dunkirk Harbour to endeavour to embark the rearguard
from the beach, remaining after 0300 if necessary. Owing to the
time in transit and coding it was feared that this signal would
reach few ships still on the coast, unless they had remained on
their own initiative after 0300, the previously ordered time of
withdrawal.
At 0200, authority was received from the Admiralty to
1
continue evacuation by destroyers from Dunkirk Harbour until
0700, transports to leave Dunkirk at 0300.
81. During the early hours there was considerable haze and
smoke off Dunkirk Harbour, Dunkirk East Beach, Dunkirk Roads and
the entrance therefrom to X Route. For this reason some of the
smaller vessels, including minesweepers, failed to make either
Dunkirk Harbour or Dunkirk East Beach, but on the whole it appears
Ly
that evacuation, both from the beach and from the harbour had
G
proceeded satisfactorily with the resources available.
Between 0200 and 0900, 6 personnel vessels reached
United Kingdom from Dunkirk Harbour with about 5,500 troops. 2
others had been turned back before reaching Dunkirk by 2 unknown
destroyers, and one had been in collision before reaching Dunkirk
and had to return.
82. Considerable doubt existed during the forenoon as to the
numbers remaining to be evacuated in Dunkirk. It was thought that
2,000, plus the 4,000 rearguard British troops, might well be
found in Dunkirk. The number of French troops remaining was in-
creasing from the 25,000 quoted the previous evening to figures
in the region of 50,000 to 60,000.
83. The Rear Admiral, Dover, arrived back from the coast
in a M.T.B. and during the forenoon a joint Naval and Military
conference was held to devise a plan for the forthcoming night's
evacuation. The fact that evacuation traffic was suspended in

Details

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

Details

Details

Details

Details

APPENDIX
to
1st June
Page 7
Operation "DYNAMO" Narrative of Events.
DESTROYERS
PERSONNEL SHIPS
MINESWEEPERS
PADDLE MINESWEEPERS
SKOOTS
FRENCH DESTROYERS
VANQUISHER (I)
640
ST. HELIER
659
GOSSAMER
845
QUEEN OF THANET 850
DEMOK
114
FLORE
351
HAVANT
882
LADY OF MANN
870
NIGER
310
SANDOWN
800
ORANJE
100
BOUCLIER
300
WHITEHALL (I)
871
MAID OF ORLEANS 1856
FITZROY
67
ORIOLE
470
HEBE
365
SCIMITAR (I)
584
TYNWALD
2000
LYDD
252
PRINCESS ELIZABETH 510
AEGIR
130
WOLSEY
533
ROYAL SOVEREIGN
47
LEDA
650
MEDWAY QUEEN
700
ANTJE
150
MALCOLM
1200
KING GEORGE V
700
DUCHESS OF
WESTWARD HO
918
PACIFICO
414
WORCESTER (I)
661
BEN-MY-CHREE
2080
FIFE
535
WIPPINGHAM
2500
AMAZONE
111
WINDSOR
493
ST. HELIER
1250
HALCYON
243
QUEEN OF THANET 1500
HILDA
530
VIVACIOUS
427
ROUEN
800
SALAMANDER
479
WESTWARD Ho
900
RIKA
200
Total 58,4
VANQUISHER (II)
1200
COTE D'ARGENT 1000
SPEEDWELL
972
FRISO
648
HARVESTER
576
SALTASH
400
ICARUS
1114
QUEEN OF THE
ROSS
260
CODRINGTON
746
CHANNEL
52
DUNDALK
280
SABRE
451
HALCYON
508
SHIKARI
623
SALTASH
400
DRIFTERS
MISCELLANEOUS
453
HOSPITAL SHIPS
FOREIGN VESSELS
WINCHELSEA
1150
SUTTON
SCIMITAR (II)
376
KELLETT
40
Miscellaneous 1110
FOREMOST
200
ESK (I)
979
WESTWARD Ho
900
ST. ANDREW 130
INCENIEUR CACHIN
1
GOLDEN GIFT
123
VINCIA
108
PATRIE
WHITEHALL
(II)
34
157
GRIEVE (F.A.A.
GASTON RIVER
120
WORCESTER
(II)
900
OCEAN BREEZE
TRAWLERS
Trg. vessel)
374
MISCELLANEOUS (Cont.)
MONIQUE CAMILLE
302
JACKETA
564.
MOSQUITO (Gunboat) 610
REINE DE FLOTS
62
LORD INCHCAPE 240
LOCUST
"
620
LADY
ANDRE LOUIS
317
17.97
SATURN
307
NEPHRITE
500
SOUTHBORO
350
CHALUTIER
100
D. TRAWLER
100
ESKBURNE
27
RAPID
25
CHASSEUR MARIE
117
GRIEVE (Yacht)
411
MAYSPEAR
15
NORMANVILLE
500
647
UNNAMED M.B.
23
TENIAS
100
ONDERS ONS
95
II's CHANNEL
108
GALLEON
FRANSAH
500
KINGFISHER (A/S Exp.
REACH
123
Ship) (I)
180
HOPPER 24
580
KINGFISHER
-do-
(II)210
LLANTHONY
90
IOLANTHE
35
(ex serv.vessel)
10593
173171
THREE KINGS
59
GOLDEN EAGLE
KINGSGATE
910
(sp.serv.) 1250
CHRISTOBEL II
33
ROYAL EAGLE
10503
OLIVIA
103
(AA Ships)1250
ATHOLA
6
ROEBUCK (Coastal steamer)408
Lifeboat
35
MINWOOD
=
51
509
MONA'S ISLE
(A.B.V.)
1500
FL
TB
S
3
e
S
d
it

Details

Details

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

Details

231
22)
- 2 -
dark, butphosphorescence was very pronounced.
28/5
12. Twelve knots was maintained while in the narrow channels
and every time the sound of aircraft engines was heard speed was
reduced to slow to reduce wake.
13. I felt that it was very probable that some form of attack
would be made near the Kwinte Whistle Buoy and five miles before
reaching it speed was increased to 20 knots and a zig-zag of 40 degrees
every four minutes was started. All guns crews and bridge personnel
were lookout. warned and were keyed up and were keeping a specially good
14. At 0045 (Wednesday, 29th May) when the ship was two cables
29/0045
rest of the Kwinte Whistle Buoy, two parallel torpedo tracks about
30 yards apart one slightly ahead of the other were seen approaching
150 yards away on the starboard bow. They appeared to be running
practically on the surface and the tracks were very bright with
phosphorescence. No survivor can say what fired them, but it is
evident from subsequent events that they were fired by a motor
torpedo boat which was probably lying stopped close to the buoy.
15. The wheel was put hard a port and the ship swung sufficiently
to cause one to miss ahead. The other hit in the forward boiler room.
The ship broke in half and the two portions sank within about 15
seconds, each remaining standing with its midship end on the bottom
and the bow and stern standing about 60 feet above the water.
16. All Signal Publications were in the W/T Office and must
have gone down with the ship. The following secret documents were
on the chart table and may possibly have floated to the surface:-
Chart in use on which Dover Strait minefields were lightly
marked,
Current table of lettered positions.
ficer remained on the stern portion. All the troops were asleep
17. Most of the guns' crows floated clear and thirty men and an
Delow and went down with the ship except one, and all H.M.S. "wakeful's"
engine room department except one or two were lost. I floated clear
fhe bridge.
"Comfort" came on the scene and started to pick up those still swimming.
18. After about half an hour the motor drifters "Nautilus" and
Nautilus" picked up six and "Comfort" 16 including myself.
bout fifteen.
M.S. "Gossamer" arrived soon after and lowered boats which picked up
re
way with the tide after cruising around for about half an hour
19. The swimmers and rescue ships had drifted some distance
the houting clinging "Comfort" to go back to the wreck to take off
the stern while "Nautilus" carried on to Dunkirk.
n we got there the stern had fallen over and many men were shouting
hit
reck and I went alongside the former's starboard quarter to warn her
the water. H.M. Ships "Grafton" and "Lydd" were close to the
ore
at she was in danger of being torpedoed. At that moment (0250) a
an
orpedomentarily swamped and as she bobbed to the surface again I was
in the wardroom and the "Comfort" was lifted in the air,
que
al
the full speed ahoad with no-one on deck I soon had to
I was able to grab a rope's end, but as the
O
S1
th H.M.S. "Lydd" and H.M.S. "Grafton" opened a heavy fire on her with
20. The "Comfort" then came round to a wide circle and suddenly

Details

232
230
- 3 -
Lewis guns and, I think, four inch. I realised that they very
naturally thought she was enemy and kept under water as much as
possible when the bullets were coming near me.
21. I understand that all the "Comfort's" crew except one
and all H.M.S. "Wakeful's" survivors onboard her except four were
killed during this affray. of these four, two were later found
wounded in the "Comfort's" skiff and picked up. Sub-Lieutenant
Percival-Jones is known to have been amongst those killed.
22. The firing ceased and I awam to the "Comfort" which had
stopped engines and was drifting towards me slowly. As I reached
her bow and was feeling for a rope's end, H.M.S. "Lydd" bore down on
her at full speed and rammed her amidships on the opposite side,
outting her in half.
23. I was submerged but came to the surface after an interval
and swam about till about 0515 when I was picked up by a boat from
the Norwegian ship "Hird" carrying 3000 troops from Dunkirk.
24. I very much hope that some expression of Their Lordships'
appreciation can be sent to the widow of Mr Tucker, Warrant Engineer,
on whose high zeal, efficiency and sense of duty I have previously
reported to the Commander-in-Chief, Western Approaches, and who dealt
personally with a burst auxiliary steam pipe at the time of the
bomb damage on May 29th. He was unhappily killed with practically
the whole of his staff when the ship was torpedoed.
Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham.
25. The list of casualties has been reported by the Commodore,
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
VICE ADMIR
1- JUN 1940
Richer
re
DOVER
COMMANDER, ROYAL NAVY.
r
The Vice Admiral, Dover
hi
(Copies to:- The Commander-in-Chief, The Nore.
The Commodore, R.N. Barracks, Chatham.
The Admiral Commanding Western Approaches.
an
Captain (D) Plymouth.)
al
O
si

Details

1940
The Office of the Resident
Naval Officer,
WEYMOUTH.
No. 6/5 AB/40.
16th August, 1940.
18 AUG 1940
Report of Enquiry into the loss of
BRANCH MILITARY
6
H.M.S. "Grafton" in operation "Dynamo".
Sir,
With reference to AL. NL 6245/40 dated 1st August, 1940,
be pleased to submit to their Lordships the following report
resulting from an enquiry held into the circumstances attend-
ing the loss of H.M.S. "Grafton" on 29th May, 1940.
2.
I examined Lieutenant Commander H.C.J. McRea R.N., the
Senior surviving officer, and Lieutenant (E) J.A.L. Hoskin R.N.
the Engineer Officer of "Grafton".
3.
At about 0250 when in vicinity of KWINTE WHISTLE BUOY
"Grafton" was hit by a torpedo on the port quarter just ahead
of port propeller. The stern of the ship abaft the fore part
of the wardroom was completely severed and sank.
(ii)
The upperdeck watertight hatch to wardroom
lobby was, shortly afterwards, closed.
4.
The explosion of the torpedo caused the upper deck to
be considerably indented right across between the after
torpedo tubes and the after superstructure.
5.
Before the after bulkhead of the after magazine and shell
room the ship was making no water but shortly afterwards "Lydd"
was in collision with "Grafton" and hit her at about the posi-
tion of the indentation mentioned above. Water then commenced
to leak into No. 7 oil fuel tank. As water was getting through
to the after boilers with the fuel from No. 7 and 8 tanks,
these were shut off.
6.
Although "Lydd" struck "Grafton" on the starboard side
in the vicinity of No. 7 oil fuel tank, the blow was a glancing
one and, while not in itself fracturing the ship's side, caused
some indentation and probably started rivets and aggravated any
damage to the tank that may have been caused by the explosion.
A little later S.S. "Malines" came alongside and all surviving
troops were transferred to her.
7.
The Engineer Officer states that after the explosion it
was found that the starboard propeller shaft could be moved but
not the port shaft which was bent at the engine room bulkhead.
Otherwise all machinery and boiler rooms were in working order
and all lights were burning.
8.
Almost immediately after the torpedo struck the ship an
explosion in the vicinity wrecked the whole of the fore part of
the bridge killing the Captain and Navigating Officer. The
side plating on both sides were left intact. It has not been
possible
of the Admiralty.
Vice Admiral.
C. E. 7831/1922.
Wt. 48364/D6526 6/40 S.P.&Co

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 8.
Operation "DYNAMO" Narrative of Events,
Wednesday, 29th May (continued)
midship end on the bottom. All the troops on board went
down with the ship; certain of the crew floated clear. After
about 1/2 hour motor drifters NAUTILLUS and COMFORT arrived and
started to pick up survivors, later joined by GOSSAMER.
Captain of the WAKEFUL was in the COMFORT. GRAFTON and LYDD
were close and Captain of WAKEFUL warned GRAFTON she was in
danger of being torpedoed. At that moment, 0250, GRAFTON was
torpedoed, COMFORT was lifted in the air, and Captain of
WAKEFUL washed overboard. COMFORT was going full speed and
as she came round in a circle LYDD and GRAFTON opened fire on
her, evidently thinking she was an enemy ship. It is
believed that COMFORT crew, except one, and WAKEFUL survivors,
except 4, were killed. LYDD then bore down on COMFORT,
rammed and sank her.
Previously GRAFTON, who was proceeding to Dover with
troops, had observed a ship tropedoed, and Iovered her boats
to pick up survivors, subsequently ascertained by signal to
LYDD to be WAKEFUL. A small darkened vessel, thought be
a drifter, was signalled and told to pick up survivors.
Within a few seconds of this, GRAFTON was torpedoed, The
bridge was also hit, either by a shell or grenade, and the
Captain killed instantly. LYDD then tried to come alongside
but after hitting starboard side sheered off, and appeared
to ram a vessel on port quarter. This was COMFORT. GRAFTON
opened fire under the impression LYDD had rammed the M.T.B.
Target was then shifted to another vessel further away on
port quarter, and vessel was observed to blow up with a bright
flash. This may well have been the enemy M.T.B.
29. During the forenoon JAGUAR, GALLANT and GRENADE
were dispatched via the new Middle Route X to test the
opposition by shore batteries prior to introducing this route
as an alternative to the long Northern route. GRENADE arrived
Dunkirk, reported no fire from shore batteries, but that she
had experienced heavy bombing. These three destroyers were
attacked by dive bombers when approaching Dunkirk at about
noon, and GALLANT was damaged. At least six attacks were
carried out, one enemy aircraft was brought down by gunfire
and others by fighters. An hour later MALCOLM reported
Dunkirk heavily bombed with a large number of aircraft and
during the afternoon this bombing extended up the coast to
ships off Bray. During the afternoon the Middle Route X was
brought into use for destroyers, but small ships were still
routed round the Northern route to Zuydecoote Pass. LOCUST
and MOSQUITO joined Dover Command and were despatched to work
on the beaches during the afternoon. Shortly after noon
enemy shore batteries near Nieuport began to bring Zuydecoote
Pass under spasmodic gunfire and the state was being reached
whereby the new Middle Route would become the only practicable
daylight approach to Dunkirk and the beaches. At noon,
CALCUTTA, who was able to get across to La Panne beach to
receive troops by small boats, embarked 1200 troops from the
minesweepers and then sailed for Sheerness, the minesweepers
remaining to load up again. At 1606 the New Route X having
been fully swept, all ships were ordered by the Vice Admiral
to use Route X, exercising navigational caution, and those
from Dover were instructed to proceed by Route Z, the South
route/

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 12,
Operation "DYNAMO"
-
Narrative of Events.
Tuesday, 28th May (continued).
Personnel Vessel FENELLA attacked by enemy aircraft and
sunk alongside EASTERN ARM at Dunkirk.
Personnel Vessel MONA'S QUEEN sunk by mine whilst off
Dunkirk.
Paddle Minesweeper WAVERLEY sunk by enemy aircraft off
Dunkirk. Bombed for 1½ hours.
Trawler POLLY JOHNSON damaged by enemy aircraft off
Dunkirk and finally sunk by ARLEY.
Paddle Minesweeper GRACIE FIELDS sunk by enemy aircraft
in position 51° 14' N, 2° 40' E. Troops were transferred to
other ships.
Danlayer COMFORT sunk in collision by LYDD.
Drifter GIRL PAMELA sunk in collision.
Danlayer NAUTILUS damaged by bombs when off La Panne.
Transferred troops to GREYHOUND, then set on fire and
abandoned, finally sinking.
The following ships were all damaged by enemy aircraft,
either by direct hits or near misses -
INTREPID
SALADIN
ST. SEIRIOL (Personnel Vessel)
BIDEFORD
KELLETT
CANTERBURY (Personnel Vessel)
PANGBOURNE
GALLANT
WOLFHOUND.
GREYHOUND
JAGUAR
Particulars of bombing attacks taken from reports are as
follows:-
SALADIN approached Dunkirk at 1845 and was attacked 10 times
by bombers. Steam pipes were fractured and fire started in
"ready" cordite aft. This was thrown overboard. Ship
returned to Dover owing to damage, the Commanding Officer
deciding that the ship would be a hindrance to further
operations.
GREYHOUND. Damaged by near miss. Steam pipes cut. Returned
eventually under own steam,
INTREPID. Continuously bombed during approach to La Panne.
One boiler room was put out of action. Ship returned to Dover.
BIDEFORD, attacked by enemy aircraft, bomb hit stern and put
her out of action. Ship was towed back to Dover. Troops were
transferred to KELLETT.
PANGBOURNE was damaged below water line by several near misses
necessitating dockyard repairs.
Thursday 30th May
!

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 27
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
Saturday 1st June (continued).
and at 0815 was attacked by enemy aircraft. Ship was hit aft of
No.3 boiler room and put out of action. About 0945 another attack
took place but no hits were registered. A third attack took place
at about noon and the ship began to settle and the order to
abandon ship was given.
Destroyer KEITH attacked by enemy aircraft off Bray
severely hit and abandoned at anchor by No.8 buoy. Finally sank.
Harbour Defence Craft AMULREE sunk in collision by
VIMY at 0200.
Sunday, 2nd June.
80. The arrangements to set in motion the night's evacua-
tion had proceeded smoothly as far as could be ascertained at
Dover. During the early hours, reports of sailings from Dunkirk
indicated that destroyers at least were doing well.
At about 0200, however, a signal was received from
LYDD, who was off the Dunkirk beach, as follows:-
"Brigadier tells me that C. in C. says it is essential that
rearguard B.E.F. embarks from the beaches east of Mole on
account of French congestion on Mole. Considerable number
British troops still on Mole. Military are expecting further
arrivals there. Rearguard expects to arrive at beach by 0230."
The Vice Admiral accordingly ordered all ships known to
be outside Dunkirk Harbour to endeavour to embark the rearguard
from the beach, remaining after 0300 if necessary. Owing to the
time in transit and coding it was feared that this signal would
reach few ships still on the coast, unless they had remained on
their own initiative after 0300, the previously ordered time of
withdrawal.
At 0200, authority was received from the Admiralty to
continue evacuation by destroyers from Dunkirk Harbour until
0700, transports to leave Dunkirk at 0300.
81. During the early hours there was considerable haze and
smoke off Dunkirk Harbour, Dunkirk East Beach, Dunkirk Roads and
the entrance therefrom to X Route. For this reason some of the
smaller vessels, including minesweepers, failed to make either
Dunkirk Harbour or Dunkirk East Beach, but on the whole it appears
that evacuation, both from the beach and from the harbour had
proceeded satisfactorily with the resources available.
Between 0200 and 0900, 6 personnel vessels reached
United Kingdom from Dunkirk Harbour with about 5,500 troops. 2
others had been turned back before reaching Dunkirk by 2 unknown
destroyers, and one had been in collision before reaching Dunkirk
and had to return.
82. Considerable doubt existed during the forenoon as to the
numbers remaining to be evacuated in Dunkirk. It was thought that
2,000, plus the 4,000 rearguard British troops, might well be
found in Dunkirk. The number of French troops remaining was in-
creasing from the 25,000 quoted the previous evening to figures
in the region of 50,000 to 60,000.
83. The Rear Admiral, Dover, arrived back from the coast
in a M.T.B. and during the forenoon a joint Naval and Military
conference was held to devise a plan for the forthcoming night's
evacuation. The fact that evacuation traffic was suspended in
daylight/

Details

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

Details

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Details

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Details

DMS
OPERATION "DYNAMO".
bas
H.M.S. # GOSS AMER ",
5th June, 1940.
L
1
D
The Commander in Chief,
H.M.Ships and Vessels at the Nore.
ir,
I have the honour to submit the following despatch on the operations J
£ H.M.Ship # GOSSAMER # under my command during the evacuation of
unkirk, for the information of Their Lordships.
1
We made six trips in all, and transported, as accurately as can be
scertained, 3214 British and French troops to this country. A list E
18 recomendations for awards is appended. At the same time the entire
hips company did as much to deserve a medal as tose few I was able to
ingle out.
When this operation is compared with the glordous feat at Zecbrugge
in 1918, I am inclined to believe that it imposed greater strain on the
ficers and men. This was particularly 80 due to the constant
repetition in the belief that each one was the last. Again there were
the long hours off the beaches in momentary expectation of the arrival
x enemy aircraft(en expectation which was seldom disappointed ). Then
the six hour passage home with constant reports of the presence of enemy
L.T.B.'s on the route, and in the knowledge that we had six or sevenhu
undred souls on board and no boats whatever.
"GOSSAMER" sailed from Harwich at 1230 on 28th May, 1940, in
company with H.M.Ships "KELLETT", "ALBURY", "ROSS", "LYDD", "PAINGBOURNE",
sand "LEDA". H.M.S. "SALTASH" was left in the Tyne boiler cleaning.
flotilla arrived at EUIDCOTE addititis Pass at 2030 and stapped off
BRAY at 2115. There cared to be a large wood close to the shore
but on neurer approach this was seen to be a mass of troops on the and.
Two ships were left there and the remainder proceeded to the East Pier
at Dunkirk which at that time was intact.
As it was low water it took half on hour to embark troops down 1m-
provised ladders, but "GOSSAMER" sailed at 2215 with 430 on board.
from now on it was impossible to exercise control over the fiotilla as
a unit, and this narrative is concerned with "GOSSAMER" alone.
Just outside the 2UIDCOTE PASS we come upon the "MANNIAN" aground,
and S.S. "PRAGUE" stopped, without charts. "MANXMAN" was given direct-
dons, and a boat was sent to "PRAGUE" with a chart of Dunkirk. As
will be seen this delay seved our lives.
Proceeding towards KWINT DOUY we soon came into a patch of water
filled with mom crying BHelp", and heads could be seen all round in the
Ben.
I stopped and lowered boats ( three whalers and a skiff ).
I
WED then halled by Commonder R.L. Fisher of H.M.S. "WAKEFUL" who said he
had been torpedoed and that the Submerine vas still near by.
In
actual fact I believe he was attacked by on M.T.B. Dut my boats and
almost all my officers were now lost in the night, and it took some
time to recover them with such few men as they had been able to pick up.
The skiff was loft alongside a drifter. No doubt we were wrong to
stop, but at the time I thought otherwise. We then steered so as to
evoid KWINT BUOY, and proceeded without further incident to Dover,
arriving there at 0655 an Wednesday 29th May.

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

Details

Page 53
eration "DYNAMO"
Recommendations of Personnel.
LEDA
-
Lieutenant Commander Harold Unwin, R.N.
M.S.
7th (Decorated June. 1940.). for this peration in London Gazette
16
and off the number of troops. Was particularly Dunkirk,
This evacuated ship completed a large 7 trips to the coast off
successful beaches; was subjected to air attack
on more than to one occasion, nd general activities were so
arduous as cause a number of ratings to be treated
for complete exhaustion.
Recommendations.
FFICER
Lieutenant William McKee, R.N.R.
Worked unceasingly with great vigour and
cheerfulness and was an inspiration to the ship's
company.
Recommended for mention.
M
RATINGS &
C.E.R.A. George Bertram Head, P/M. 34498.
r
Displayed unflinching determination and devotion
to duty during the long hours in the Engine Room
in very trying conditions. Set a magnificent examplo
to the Engine Room branch of the ship.
DSM
Recommended for decoration.
Petty Officer John Collins, P/J.90457.
Petty Officer Collins, by his cool and steady
bearing, inspired the guns' crews during the air
attacks.
DSM
Recommended for decoration.
H.M.S. LYDD - Lieutenant Commander Rodolph Cecil Drummond Haig.R.N.
This ship did four trips to Dunkirk. The ship was
repeatedly bombed and machine gunned.
Recommendation/

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Page 54
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
N.S. LYDD (Continued)
Recommendations.
TYICER
16
Lieutenant Commander Rodolph Cecil Drummond Haig, R.N.
the beaches, in and also in Dunkirk Harbour,
in the Showed operations great skill in which and determination he was concerned and over seamanship at lost
the succeeded CRESTED rescuing a large number of troops and from
EAGLE, which had been bombed.
MM
Recommended for mention.
ho
AND
di
101
OF
S.
nu

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Page 53
Operation "DYNAMO"
-
Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. LEDA - Lieutenant Commander Harold Unwin, R.N.
(Decorated for this operation in London Gazette
7th June, 1940.).
This ship completed 7 trips to the coast off Dunkirk,
and evacuated a large number of troops. Was particularly
successful off the beaches; was subjected to air attack
on more than one occasion, and general activities were so
arduous as to cause a number of ratings to be treated
for complete exhaustion.
Recommendations.
OFFICER.
Lieutenant William McKee, R.N.R.
Worked unceasingly with great vigour and
cheerfulness and was an inspiration to the ship's
company.
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS.
C.E.R.A. George Bertram Head, P/M. 34498.
Displayed unflinching determination and devotion
to duty during the long hours in the Engine Room
in very trying conditions. Set a magnificent example
to the Engine Room branch of the ship.
Recommended for decoration.
Petty Officer John Collins, P/J.90457.
Petty Officer Collins, by his cool and steady
bearing, inspired the guns' crews during the air
attacks.
Recommended for decoration.
H.M.S. LYDD - Lieutenant Commander Rodolph Cecil Drummond Haig, R.N.
This ship did four trips to Dunkirk. The ship was
repeatedly bombed and machine gunned.
Recommendation/

Details

Page 54
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. LYDD (Continued).
Recommendations.
OFFICER.
Lieutenant Commander Rodolph Cecil Drummond Haig, R.N.
Showed great skill and determination and seamanship
in the operations in which he was concerned over at
the beaches, and also in Dunkirk Harbour, and
succeeded in rescuing a large number of troops from
m
the CRESTED EAGLE, which had been bombed.
Recommended for mention.

Details

470
49,
Margate
THURSDAY, 30TH MAY, 1940.
0530.
"GOLDEN EAGLE".
500.
0620.
"ROYAL EAGLE".
808.
0700.
"ALBURY".
445.
0915.
"LYDD".
200.
1020.
"KELLETT".
550.
1130.
"ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
1200.
"ROSS".
300.
1320.
"PATRIA".
1200.
1350.
"PRINC.KLIZABETH".
460.
1430.
355.
1565.
"AEGIS".
1640.
"MEDWAY QUEEN".
450.
500.
1750.
"ORANGE".
537.
1800.
"LEDA".
203.
1820.
"DELEA".
"DOGGERS BANK".
308.
2100.
8016.
Total.

Details

471
FRIDAY, 31ST MAY, 1940.
0005.
"HORST".
800.
0535.
"LEDA".
380.
502
"ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
1100.
+
3 Refugees.
0705.
0835.
"HOPPER.V24".
400.
0915.
"K.G.V.".
500.
1015.
"WOLVES".
50.
"ADVENTURESS".
85.
1100.
"STELLA DURADO".
22.
1320.
"PRINC. ELIZABETH".
374.
1320.
"KING FISHER".
91.
1445..
17.
1450.
"LIFEBOAT".
"SCOTTISH OP".
525.
1450.
1655.
"DUNDALL".
450.
1700.
"ALBURY".
130.
450.
"LYDD".
1730.
350.
"AEGIR".
1815.
350.
"TWENTE".
1845.
300.
"ANTJE".
1850.
"DOGGERS BANK".
400.
1855.
"BRIGHTON QUEEN".
160.
1900.
"PLINLIMMON".
900.
2100.
1
7834.
Total.

Details

473
497
SUNDAY, 2ND JUNE, 1940.
0500.
"ORIEL".
750.+ 4 Refugees.
0500.
"OFFENIA".
50.
0615.
'ROYAL DAFFODIL".
1500.
0700.
"LYDD".
200.
0740.
"TANGELLE MARIE".
25.
Total.
2525.

Details

Margate
Total.
ANDOWN".
201.
;RACIE FIELDS".
281.
)SS".
683.
383. 300.
LEDA".
2218.
301. 500. 537. 380. 500.
PANGBOURNE".
400.
KELLETT".
1052.
472. 550. 30.
ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
6370.
1173. 1200. 1100. 47. 1500. 135
ALBURY".
1136.
161. 445. 130. 400.
PATRIA".
1400.
200. 1200.
CARIBIA".
300.
DEUS".
200.
HORST".
1150.
350. 800.
ROYAL DAFFODIL".
3203.
1703. 1500.
K.G.V."
3578.
853. 500. 700. 1460. 65.
'GOLDEN EAGLE".
1750.
500. 1250.
'ROYAL EAGLE".
2058.
808. 1250.
850.
200. 450. 200.
"LYDD".
PRINC. ELIZABETH".
1344.
460. 374. 510.
835.
355. 350. 130.
"AEGIS".
"MEDWAY QUEEN".
450.
"ORANJE".
600.
500. 100.
"DELLA".
203.
"DOGGERS BANK".
708.
308. 400.
980.
400. 580.
"HOPPER V24".
"WOLVES".
50.
"ADVENTURESS".
85.
"STELLA DURADO".
22.
"KING FISHER".
458.
91. 157. 210.
"LIFEBOAT".
17.
"SCOTTISH OP".
525.
33107.
TOTAL.

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. V
off Dunkirk at 1315. They had picked up that morning from arrived
The destroyers Codrington, Jaguar and Javelin, 33 survivors diverted from patrol,
S.S. Abukir, which had been torpedoed by United an E-boat while returning the
about 200 evacuees from Ostend to Grenade the which Kingdom; these survivors with
Javelin Dunkirk. were transferred using The their Codrington to own the boats, destroyer went embarked into Dunkirk troops harbour, from subsequently Bray while beach. the went Jaguar At on 1730 and to
the Grenade left Dunkirk with 1,000 troops on board.
skoot Lena. The Vimy also made a second
359 troops from Zuydcoote, assisted by ships' a the second.t.Bip,embarked
Between 1230 and 1815 the Vivacious, a her
Dunkirk harbour.
More ships were on the way. From 1230 onwards 19 minesweepers were
sailed from Harwich, from Dover and the Downs, for Dunkirk and the beaches.
By 2130 five of them had arrived off Bray beach I, and four off La Panne²;
three reached Dunkirk by 2140³.
Four other minesweepers arrived off the beaches late on the night of
28th/29th May4, and two more reached the beaches at 0600/29⁵.
Early on the 28th May the eight ships of the 7th and 8th minesweeping
flotillas had been ordered from Rosyth to Harwich, to work under the orders
of the Vice-Admiral, Dover⁶; they could not, however, reach the beaches
until about 72 hours later.
During the forenoon and afternoon of the 28th May the call went out for
more and more destroyers, and seven reached the evacuation area next day⁷.
In the signals from the Admiralty and the Vice-Admiral, Dover, summoning
them there sounds the same note of extreme urgency, traceable to S.N.O.
Dunkirk's message⁸ declaring that evacuation on the night of 28th/29th May
was problematical. "If the older class destroyers and other vessels cannot
compete with the situation signalled the Admiralty, destroyers of all classes
are to be used for bringing men off'.9 Every available destroyer" in the
Western Approaches and Portsmouth Commands was to be sailed to Dover.
Destroyers on patrol or on escort duty were to be diverted to Dunkirk or the
beaches.¹¹
Vulnerability of personnel vessels
The vulnerability of the personnel vessels, with their large troop-carrying
capacity, was a cause of anxiety. On the 27th May the Biarritz and Archangel,
the Mona's Queen, King Orry, Sequacity, Yewdale, and the Isle of Thanet12,
I The Albury, Gossamer, Leda, Kellett and Sutton.
2 The Salamander, Halcyon, Skipjack and Waverley.
3 The Ross, Pangbourne and Lydd.
4 The Hebe, Sharpshooter, Duchess of Fife snd Emperor of India.
5 The Oriole and Marmion.
6
A.M.0163/28.
7 The Verity, Harvester, Esk, Malcolm, Express, Shikari and Scimitar.
8 Appendix M.4.
9 A.M.0754/28.
10 A.M.1229/28.
11 Appendices D.4, D.5 and D.7.
collided with the Examination Service Vessel leaving Ocean Reward, which sank
12 At 0254, on 28th May, shortly after Dover for Newhaven, the Isle of Thanet
Assisted by the tug Lady Brassey, a search was made for survivors, but none was found.
28

Details

CHAP, VI
THE EVACUATION FROM
end Buoy, of the Zuydcoote destroyer Pass. Montrose, Eight minutes later, DUNKIRK about
collided narrowly Montrose put her helm with had escaped the hard to tug sinking; to Sun starboard, V, the which en but route 11 was cutters she to towing received Dunkirk, were 11 a ran 1 into mile W.S.W. of
Neither part The in Harvester the the evacuation. Mackay, reached the Bray Montrose nor the to tug Dover were by able the to take any Brassey. The
be towed, stern-first, lost XXXX
awaiting the charge of embarkation. Sub-Lieut. of E. C. There Croswell, beach was a at R.N., strong 0050, who cross and found sent in her further
managed launching to evacuate boats about difficult. During the course of sea the and the the
however, the supply of boats 700 for which embarkation included some 100 wounded. Harvester
siderable as moved the embarkation to wastage La Panne.¹ of beach boats extended through overcrowding, for over one ceased. mile. which was At There 0500, difficult had the been to Harvester At control 0400, con-
Wakeful sunk
against beach with about destroyers. The destroyer Wakeful, returning from successes
In the British meantime, at 0045, there occurred the only two E-boat
when 2 650 troops on board, was 1/4 mile west of Kwint Whistle Bray
150 yards away on the starboard bow.
parallel torpedo tracks about 30 yards apart were seen approaching, buoy
Avoiding action was taken, and one torpedo missed ahead, but the other his
the Wakeful in the forward boiler room. The Wakeful broke in half and the
two portions sank within about 15 seconds, each portion remaining upright
with the bow and stern standing about 60 feet above the water.
Most of the guns' crews floated clear, 30 men and an officer remaining on
the stern portion. All the troops were asleep below, and all except one went
down with the ship. All the Wakeful's engine room department, except one
or two, were lost. The Captain, Cdr. R. L. Fisher, R.N., floated clear of the
bridge.
After about half an hour, the danlayers Nautilus and Comfort, which were
en route to La Panne, arrived and began to pick up those still swimming. The the
minesweeper Gossamer, up returning from Dunkirk harbour with 420 troops,
Nautilus picked 6 and the Comfort 16, including Cdr. Fisher. Then
arrived, lowered her boats, and picked up a further 15 survivors.
directed the Comfort to go alongside the wreck and take La Panne, off the
men Cdr. clinging Fisher to the stern. The Nautilus continued on her way to
where she was lost during the afternoon in an air attack.
Grafton
torpedoed Lydd arrived on the scene she bringing sighted
300 troops from Dunkirk harbour. of the Wakeful By the light with men an clinging to out her Aldis
It was now 0220, and the minesweeper of Aldis lamp, them. The
the Lydd bow lowered and stern her boats, portions but was ordered latter by order the could Gossamer not, to however, put be carried report,
lamp Except I Sub-Lieut. and during drop Croswell, the a depth first who day charge remained of evacuation, the at La the Panne bearing until of 1st the June, B.E.F. says at La in Panne his was
magnificent." (C.W.23187/40).
36

Details

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

Details

TUESDAY, 28TH MAY
CHAP. VI
1650, she left the harbour, but soon after was damaged by a near miss. She
was able to reach Dover, but took no further part in "Dynamo." At 1720
the berth vacated by the Canterbury in Dunkirk harbour was taken by the
destroyer Verity.
Intrepid severely damaged
Meanwhile, at 1700, the Intrepid, hurrying back to Dunkirk from Dover
(where she had disembarked 661 troops), was bombed between Middelkerke
Bank and La Panne. A near miss caused severe damage, started fires, and
killed 2 and wounded 19. The Intrepid had to return to Dover, and took no
further part in Operation "Dynamo."
Hospital ship deliberately bombed
At 1700 also, the H/C St. Julien, en route for Dunkirk harbour, was de-
liberately bombed for a considerable period" in the vicinity of Nieuport
Bank buoy1; she was slightly damaged by near misses. The St. Julien lay
off Dunkirk harbour for about 1/2 an hour waiting for an opportunity to enter;
when air attacks recommenced, however, she sailed for Dover without having
entered the harbour.
At 1730 the Siroco sailed from Dunkirk harbour with 500 troops and a little
later was joined outside by the Mistral which had only embarked 4 troops.
Both the French destroyers proceeded to Dover. The Mistral took no further
part in "Dynamo."
Grenade hit, Calvi and Fenella sunk
At about 1750 the third air attack was made over Dunkirk harbour by waves
of bombers; some 100 bombs were dropped. Allied fighters, being engaged
by enemy fighters, were unable to interfere with the bombing². A near miss
blew a hole in the Grenade's side; the trawler Calvi, lying outside the John
Cattling, received a direct hit and sank immediately. Her masts and funnel
were above water, and her ensign remained flying from the foremast. The
personnel vessel Fenella, which by then had 650 troops on board, was hit on
the promenade deck; a second bomb hit the pier, and blew some concrete
through the Fenella's side below the waterline; a third bomb, falling between
the pier and the Fenella's side, wrecked the engine room. The Fenella's
troops were disembarked on to the pier and re-embarked in the Crested Eagle.
The Fenella was abandoned while sinking. The P/V St. Seiriol, which shortly
before had secured alongside the outer east pier, astern of the Crested Eagle,
cast off and shifted eastward to the beaches.
Grenade hit, set on fire, and abandoned
Then five minutes after the third air attack had begun the Grenade received
two direct hits; her engines were put out of action and she caught fire. As
she swung round, some of her ships company were able to step on board the
damaged trawler Polly Johnson. The Verity (which had been continuously
I Reports by Pangbourne and Lydd.
2 According to the R.A.F. Narrative, p.327, two Hurricane squadrons which arrived at
1710 were attacked by large numbers of Me. 109's ; one Spitfire squadron was attacked
from above and behind at 1715, and another was in combat with enemy fighters at 1740.
" None of our squadrons encountered enemy bombers, and the attacks on our shipping
between 1630 and 1745 hours (resulting, amongst other casualties, in the Crested Eagle
being hit and beached off Bray) can thus not have been interfered with by our patrols'
R.A.F. Narrative, p.327).
43

Details

CHAP. VI
THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
straddled by bombs for and 35 minutes), the seeing burning that Grenade traffic all along the east
proceeded out of harbour, out of a into drifter in the Calvi,
had ceased, cast off, skirting grounding slightly on sunk and the sunken pier
The troops now of began the Piermaster climbing Cdr. J. one C. Clouston, ship
restored the instructions order.
having arrangements of his in the clear of the fairway,', R.N.,
At 1815 made the Grenade was abandoned with the Piermaster and her Captain, to tow her Cdr. R. C. Boyle,
embarked with some ship's company Crested Eagle.
Polly Johnson sunk
to the five remaining her Oropesa and the John Cattling was instructed on
The burning wreck of the Grenade trawlers. did, The in fact, commence to drift down
attempt vivors to pull clear, out of the remaining harbour 4 trawlers, with troops and to
on board, proceeded towards the beaches. A sur-
later, of the near Nieuport caused Bank buoy, miss the in Polly Johnson, leaking badly as a result little
engine, was abandoned; Arley embarked her crew and troops and sank
damage by a the near the first air attack, and with damaged
her by gunfire.
Grenade blown up
She burned fiercely for some hours and then blew up.
The Grenade was guided into a pocket to the westward of the main channel.
Crested Eagle blazing, is beached
swung clear of the east pier and proceeded on an easterly course. Shortly
Meanwhile, when the Verity left the harbour at 1755, the Crested Eagle
afterwards, she however, she was hit by 4 bombs and caught fire; out of control,
about she might transfer her troops; but the Crested Eagle could not stop. At
that continued under way. The Verity instructed the Crested Eagle to stop so
in Eagle ran aground west of Bray beach. The 200 survivors, who could be seen
1830, blazing fiercely fore and aft (she was a wooden ship) the Crested
to the the water, were heavily machine-gunned from the air, and the ships that came
rescue were bombed. Some of the survivors, several with severe burns,
Captain and other survivors of the Grenade, by the minesweeper Albury.
were picked up by the minesweepers Hebe and Lydd; others, including the
Among those picked up by the Sabre was the Second Engineer of the Crested
Eagle and a stoker from the Grenade.
Normania sunk
gunboat Ross took Mosquito, but then began to sink. The Mosquito and the minesweeper by
by a bomb off 11 W buoy. She was towed clear of Dunkirk channel was the
In the course of this third air attack the personnel vessel Normania hit
sank off off the crew and the few troops that on board. The Normania
11 W buoy at about 0245 the following were day.
Saladin and attacks The 2000. fourth off severely Ships Bray air attack, returning beach damaged, which to was England Lorina widespread, sunk were bombed. took place There between were about continuous 1830
was so company there were attacked; the destroyers attacked Sabre, 10 times,
Saladin in and its vicinity; the Verity and
severely damaged in the engine room by Saladin, a near miss that she had to
44

Details

WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY
CHAP. VI
M/B Sceneshifter swamped and lost
The M/B Silver Moon, from Ramsgate, arrived off the beaches at 0800 and
ferried troops to ships at anchor. Without charts or compass she returned to
Ramsgate that night. The M/B Sceneshifter, on arrival, was rushed by French
troops, swamped, and became a total loss.
M/B Viewfinder dragged aground and lost
The six motor yachts, Advance, Bobeli, Elizabeth Green, Hanora, Reda and
Viewfinder sailed from Dover for La Panne beach and were machine-gunned
from the air off Gravelines. They arrived off La Panne beach at about
1500/29, and at once began towing whalers full of troops to off-lying ships.
At 1830, the Viewfinder was dragged aground by Belgian soldiers and became
a total loss.
M/B's Hanora and Bobeli abandoned
At 1900, the Hanora fouled her propeller and was abandoned; her crew
transferred to the Elizabeth Green and thence to the minesweeper Lydd. At
1900 also, the dr. Sabre requisitioned the Advance and embarked in her a W/T
transmitter and 2 operators for transportation to G.H.Q. at La Panne. The
Reda, having ferried troops, sailed for Ramsgate at 2200 with 21 troops on
board. The Bobeli having received some damage while alongside a destroyer
which suddenly went full ahead on account of an air attack, subsequently
fouled her screw and rudder; she made fast. to the minesweeper Albury, but
was abandoned when the Albury departed and became stranded on the beach.
The Elizabeth Green and Advance sailed in company that night for Ramsgate.
M/B Glitter II brings drinking water
The Glitter II arrived off Bray beach at 1600 on the 29th May, loaded with
tins of fresh water. She then ferried troops. Next day she lost her rudder and
was towed to Dover by a drifter.
M/B Queen of England sunk
A number of other small motor craft left Southend, Sheerness or Dover for
the beaches on the 29th May, but did not arrive until 30th May. Among them
was the Shamrock, and in company with her were the Princess Maud, Canvey
Queen and Queen of England. On the way over on the night of the 29th/30th
May the Queen of England was rammed amidships by the skoot Tilly and sank
immediately ; her crew were picked up by the Shamrock and transferred to
the Tilly1. The remaining three motor boats were all abandoned and lost next
day after ferrying troops to various destroyers, among them the Anthony;
the Canvey Queen and Shamrock fouled their propellers, and the Princess Maud
went aground.
The Mirasol², alongside Dunkirk mole, was damaged by a near miss. She
was taken in tow by a trawler, but later sank.
Other M/B's that sailed for the beaches on 29th May
The Triton and Silver Queen, with 6 motor launches in company, sailed for
La Panne at 2200. Three of the motor launches broke down on the way over
I Shamrock's report, unconfirmed. The name of the vessel is in doubt; the matter is
not referred to in Tilly's report.
2 Commonly, but erroneously referred to in reports as the " Marasole."
53

Details

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

Details

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

Details

CHAP. X
THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
arranged from 801 and 806 Command been
of them (Appendix 0830 until J.7). 1100 Air on protection 2nd June, by and Coastal Fighter Command had
Command three aircraft during of Nos. these 206, hours, 235, to cover Route Squadrons X. operated under patrols Coastal of
Fifth column activities (Appendix H27-32)
such "Dynamo", effective fifth use during the war. type time during Operation
On the Ist June column there came activities to notice, of the for the of first
empty, the to keep a look out and turn such
Sutton in and company, orders were met sent a out from Dover power to the and small the Dunkirk with thing boats return the boats returning boats returning
At 2150 on the 1st the Minesweeper number of Niger, boats en route to
Apparently the severe minesweepers, conditions it was at in and first from enormous believed the S.N.T.O. at wastage Dover on that the small French boats boats and were Belgian to daunted their coasts; duty. by
but a report came about the Ramsgate during the evening that
fifth column skoot was going first beaches at Dunkirk giving false informa- a
tion and orders to return. The example to come to notice was at 1300
the 1st when the skoot Oranje, off Dunkirk Channel, was informed by another on
sufficient ships in Dunkirk Harbour, and that the Oranje's boats were not
skoot that evacuation from the beaches was complete, that there were already
required. The Oranje remained where she was, however, in case the four boats
turned for home about 1515, subsequent to air attack.
she had towed over were needed, and until all ships in her neighbourhood
Although on the night of the 1st-2nd June the services of a number of small
craft were lost to the coast, there actually were a sufficient number off the
beaches to cope with the troops available.
Embarkation from the beaches
The first ships of the night flight to arrive off the beaches were minesweepers,
which began to anchor off Malo about 2000 on 1st. Here there were already
some 3 or 4 Thames barges, besides the paddle minesweeper Medway Queen
which had arrived some four hours earlier and had been engaged in filling up
with troops ever since. The skoot Lena had been there since 1300 on the 1st.
embarking 340 B.E.F. and 6 French troops; she was slightly damaged by air
attack during the day, and sailed at 2145 for Ramsgate. By midnight on the
1st-3nd June there were anchored off the beaches the minesweepers Marmion,
Snaefell, Niger, Glen Avon, Emperor of India, Glen Gower and Lydd, besides the
personnel ship Portsdown and the special service vessel Royal Eagle. Loading
was a slow process, for there were more ships lying off the beaches than could
be loaded by the boats available. Only one ship finished in 3 hours, most of
them taking nearly twice that length of time.
with 213 troops. She left behind her, abandoned the beach, the R.N.L.I.
The Emperor of India was apparently the first ship to sail from Malo, at 0238,
motor lifeboat Mary Scott which had ferried troops on and towed the Emperor of
India's whalers from the shore until she broke down. Queen left
shot at troops boat, 0245, down and and after an some nearly enemy details, Il aircraft hours including at on anchor the 10 beach Spanish during west which refugees of Dunkirk. the The rescued ship Medway claimed from She took an to have open 426
down the crews of two motor boats, the whose engines broke
unrecorded, like SO many small craft which came to grief in the course of render-
after some hours of ferrying troops and one, towing, Aura, and another, with name
100

Details

DUSK TO DUSK, 1ST-2ND JUNE
CHAP. x
valuable service in the operation. The Glen Avon, which sailed a quarter
of ing an hour after the Medway Queen, also picked up 24 Spaniards, from the
Dutch S.S. Alphacca; it is not known how they came to be afloat, for the
Alphacca was not sunk until 4 April 1942. The Lydd left at the same time as
the Medway Queen, with 200 troops, but defective degaussing then necessitated
and Royal Eagle all sailed within half an hour of one another. The last ship
putting an end to her service in Operation' Dynamo". The Niger, Snaefell,
to leave Malo beach was, by her own account, the Glen Gower at 0320, as day
wa breaking, by which time it was low water. Her Captain, Acting Commander
M. A. O. Biddulph, R.N., S.O. 8th M.S.F., reported that the embarkation
had been very trying, for the enemy's gunfire during the night had been
mainly directed at the beaches, which had been very heavily shelled¹,
and the Glen Gower was continually under fire from guns and howitzers on shore
from the time she anchored at 2355. "Sight and hearing were almost over-
whelmed by the ruddy glow of flames, the flashes of gunfire, the shrieking of
shells all around, and the noise of their explosion as they burst". When the
Glen Gower sailed, with 435 troops, she had lost two of the boats (one from shrap-
nel hits) which she had brought from England to ferry troops from the beach
to the ships, whilst a third was left aground.
Of all the minesweepers that left the beach this night only the Snaefell was
filled to capacity.
Embarkations at Dunkirk
Although there were more ships than were required off the beaches there
was plenty of room at the East Pier, and during the night Rear-Admiral Wake-
Walker, who had come over from Dover and was afloat in M.A /S.B.10, diverted
some of the redundant ships from Malo. He met the minesweeper Sutton at
2121 and sent her to load at the East Pier, where she embarked in about 11/2
hours 725 troops, about a third of whom were French. The Duchess of Fife
arrived off Malo at 2310, found no troops and was sent on to Dunkirk Pier
where she embarked 550 men. The destroyer Venomous had come over to
Malo with a beach party of 10 officers and 90 men; no boats came off from the
shore, and at 0200 Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker sent her to Dunkirk, where
she took on board 632 troops and sailed for Dover about 0230. The paddle
minesweeper Marmion was ordered into Dunkirk Harbour at 0200 on 2nd,
after waiting in the roads for four hours, and embarked 225 French troops.
Ships were led into harbour and allocated to their berths by Commander Maund
in a motor boat.
French troops, to the number of 285, were also embarked by the trawler
(danlayer) Strathelliot alongside the inner jetty amongst them was General
Nicolle and his staff. The Strathelliot grounded outside the harbour on sailing
at 0130 but got off undamaged, by her own efforts. Another small ship to get
away early with French troops only on board was the skoot Reiger which left
the jetty in the Nouvel Avant Port at 2215 on 1st after lifting 330 men in 45
minutes.
The first pair of destroyers to berth alongside the East Pier were the Codring-
ton at 2300 and the Sabre a quarter of an hour later. The former embarked
878 troops, the latter 756 both ships taking only 45 minutes. The Icarus
which left Dover with the Windsor, also berthed at 2300 and took on board
677 troops. On the way home, she was in collision with a trawler in Dunkirk
Channel, and her further service in Operation "Dynamo" was cancelled.
I Report of R. A. Wake-Walker, M.017978/41, p.31.
101

Details

DUSK TO DUSK, 1ST-2ND JUNE
CHAP. X
very clear and the Rear-Admiral decided to get the ships away at 0300
now of 0330 as originally planned. The Admiralty orders that evacuation
Dunkirk Pier was to continue until 0700 did not
apparently Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker not receive the orders which went
by Dunkirk (Appendix did R.20, 23) ; and it is to be pre-
out from the Admiralty at 0115/2, that destroyers were to continue the evacua-
tion until 0700 (Appendix R.21). Although men were still coming down the
the Rear-Admiral was unwilling to run the risk of having ships sunk
alongside pier, and blocking the pier and harbour. Accordingly he told the ships
to leave and himself followed out of harbour the last of them, apparently the
destroyers Winchelsea and Whitshed about 0300.
British rearguard held up
Meanwhile, a most disquieting message had been received at Dover. At
0040 on the 2nd the Lydd, while embarking troops off Malo beach, was requested
by the Brigadier of the brigade then embarking to transmit to Rear-Admiral
Wake-Walker a message from Major General Alexander reporting that on
account of French congestion on the mole at Dunkirk a considerable number
of British troops were held up and further arrivals were still expected. It was
essential that the rearguard of the B.E.F. should embark from the beaches east
of the mole, where they were expected to arrive by 0230.
What had happened was, that French troops had cut into the flow of British
making their way along the road to the East Pier, by a converging route; and both
British and French troops were now being embarked at the pier.
Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker apparently never received the message and
knew nothing of the state of affairs at the East Pier until he arrived there at
0200.
Vice-Admiral Dover, who received the message at 02001, at once sent orders
to all destroyers of Force K still on the coast, the minesweepers, and the gun-
boat Locust which was off Bray supporting the evacuation by covering fire, to
endeavour to embark the British rearguard from the beach, remaining after 0300
if necessary. The coding and transmission of the message took some time,
and the orders apparently went out too late; all ships had sailed, and the rear-
guard could not get away that night. Only the personnel vessel Portsdown
was left on the coast. This was an undegaussed ship manned by a naval crew,
which had anchored off Malo at 2205/1. After running to death her own two
dinghies ferrying troops she got hold of a large motor boat, and she sailed
about 0400. On the way home the ship collected further troops from a French
vessel aground off Dunkirk, and from two further vessels encountered, and she
eventually disembarked at Dover 168 British and 450 French.
Bombing of the hospital ships Worthing and Paris. (App. S)
There was a large number of wounded in Dunkirk because no hospital ships
had sailed for 24 hours, orders having been given to evacuate fit men in prefer-
ence, since, other considerations apart, embarking wounded would have taken
up too much valuable time. The cessation of daylight sailings rendered it
possible for hospital ships to occupy berths alongside, without detriment to
the operation, and jt was decided to get some of the wounded away in daytime
in hospital ships, in the hope that the Germans would respect them.
In order to afford the enemy no excuse to attack a warning signal was sent
0120. I Dover Report, p.27. The time of receipt on the flimsy of the decypher appears to be
103

Details

Details

SIGNALS
APPENDIX Q
APPENDIX Q
SIGNALS RE EVACUATION ON 31st MAY AND
NIGHT OF 31st MAY 1st JUNE
Friday, 31st May
1. VICE-ADMIRAL to Gossamer, Leda, Speedwell, Halcyon, Skipjack, Salamander, Niger,
Ross, Albury, Kellett, Fitzvoy, Sutton, Saltash, Lydd, Dundalk, (R) C.-in-C.
Nore, F.O.I.C. Harwich.
Ships addressed are grouped as follows for special embarkation today Friday.
Group one. Gossamer, Leda, Ross, Albury.
Group two. Halcyon, Skipjack, Speedwell, Dundalk.
Group three. Niger, Salamander, Fitzroy, Sutton.
Spare. Kellett, Saltash, Lydd.
Each ship is to adjust programme forthwith as necessary to rendezvous empty
with Senior Officers of groups at W buoy
at 2200/31. Object final evacuation
of covering force of five thousand troops.
Execution. Groups are to proceed so as to arrive off beach eastward of Dunkirk
in following positions vide chart 1872 as close as possible to the shore at 2400/31.
Group One. Bray Dunes Hotel, 5 cables apart.
Group Two. La Panne light 41 cables apart.
Group Three. Niger, Salamander, Rosendael.
Fitzvoy, Sutton, battery longitude 02° 27' E.
Kellet, Saltash, spare ship between Groups One and Three and
Groups One and Two respectively. Lydd is to make rendezvous, and if not re-
quired to complete Groups, to lie off Braye.
Troops will be brought off in three fights by waiting motor boats commencing at
0130 or earlier. Maximum speed of embarkation essential. Seven ocean tugs will
lie to seaward of minesweepers to take overflow but maximum loading of ships is
necessary to ensure complete evacuation. Group One is to return to Sheerness,
Groups Two and Three to Dover. Spare ship to Harwich. Acknowledge.
0400/31
Note: The above signal was amended later-see Appendix Q.18.
2. S.N.O. DUNKIRK to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
Every available ship will be required at Dunkirk during next 2 hours to evacuate
rest of Army.
0445/31
3. REAR-ADMIRAL, DOVER to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
Conditions on beach bad. On-shore wind. Whalers capsized.
0651/31
4. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to ADMIRAL [LANDRIAU], Savorgnan de Brazza
Request you will send in all your available destroyers and ships to Dunkirk and
to beaches at once.
0819/31
5. ADMIRAL [LANDRIAU] to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
C.-in-C. Dover from French Admiral, Pas de Calais:
This night and tomorrow I continue maximum effort. I request support of aviation
on Dunkirk tomorrow as today.
T.O.R. 2104/31
179

Details

SIGNALS
APPENDIX Q
15. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to DESTROYERS (R) R.A. Dover
When there is room in Dunkirk harbour destroyers are to enter there in preference
to beaches. R.A. Dover pass to S.N.O. Dunkirk.
1910/31
16. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to REAR-ADMIRAL, DOVER (R) S.N.O. Dunkirk
Army wish to recommence evacuation at 2030. Instruct boats and ships to close
beaches at this time.
1640/31
17. REAR-ADMIRAL, DOVER to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
Weather off beaches now good. Many more boats should come into use again as
tide rises. General movement of troops to westward towards Dunkirk. No petrol
supply yet and many motor boats are getting short off La Panne and Bray. Move-
ment from Dunkirk continues. Great air activity.
1707/31
Note: Actually, drifters with petrol arrived at 1815/31.
18. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to Gossamer, Halcyon, Niger, Lydd
My 0400/31 [i.e. Appendix Q.1]. Cancel words " final' and " covering
Cancel positions off beaches. Embarkation will take place from beach between long.
02° 29'E., and long. 02° 36' E.¹ Ships are to be evenly spread along this beach
in order of Groups from east to west, Two, One, Three. First flight will leave beach
at 0030 repetition 0030. Lydd take place of Saltash. Senior officers of Groups pass
to remaining ships and acknowledge.
1904/31
I Note : Between Zuydcoote Sanatorium and 1 mile east of La Panne.
[See also next signal].
19. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to SHIPS & AUTHORITIES NORE & DOVER COMMANDS
Military now desire that tonight's special evacuation should take place from beaches
covered by 1 and 2 [?Groups] starting at 0030/1. Groups should be closed up to
conform to this. Embark naval personnel from beaches 1 and 2 if practicable.
Embarkation of French will continue tomorrow Saturday from the harbour and from
Malo beach by British and French Ships. The final evacuation of the B.E.F. is
is expected on the night 1st/2nd June. R.A. Dover acknowledge.
1920/31
20. D.19 [Keith] to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
V.A. Dover, Captain Tennant, from R.A. Dover. Impossible to embark except
Dunkirk and beaches immediately east.
1929/31
21. S.N.O. DUNKIRK to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
No ships for the French and us. Please despatch.
2235/31
22. GENERAL LLOYD to DIRECTOR OF MILITARY OPERATIONS
Following is new plan :
General Alexander has been placed in command of final phase of evacuation.
Composition of force not known. Tonight, the special transport force designed for
lifting last flight of 4,000 is being concentrated on 2 eastern beaches. Tomorrow
efforts are to be concentrated on French evacuation. It is impossible now to say
how long this will take, but Alexander Force remains till last. V.A. Dover will
provide maximum capacity for Alexander on beach just east of Dunkirk on night
1st/2nd June, or later if necessary details being arranged between Admiral Wake-
Walker and Alexander. Naval Liaison Officer is being provided at Alexander's H.Q.
2309/31
181

Details

APPENDIX S
THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
There remain to be evacuated night 2/3 probably 5,000 British and approximately
30,000 French.
Request M.A/S boats. Sappers, General, S.N.O.
Request more transport for tomorrow's operation than was provided for tonight.
personnel (will leave ?) 2300 hours.
T.O.R. 0704/2
25. GENERAL LLOYD to WAR OFFICE M.O.4
Information is difficult to obtain and often contradictory. General Martel
reports little pressure on his front yesterday but there is less reliable evidence to
show that pressure on some points elsewhere was severe.
Most personnel evacuated last night were from pier. Shell fire on beach was
apparently bad as have been given names of 3 officers killed there.
Estimated numbers so far reported landed Dover and Ramsgate since midnight
10,600 of which about 1/3 French.
Three personnel ships and many smaller craft not reported 0800 hours.
Numbers remaining 458 area impossible estimate. Might be in region 2,000
British.
0815/2
APPENDIX S
SIGNALS RE DELIBERATE ATTACKS ON HOSPITAL SHIPS ON 2nd JUNE
Sunday, 2nd June
1. DUNKIRK to DOVER W/T [Sent en clair]
Wounded situation acute. Hospital ships should enter during day.
Geneva Convention will be honourably observed. It is felt that the enemy will
refrain from attack.
0730/2
2. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to ADMIRALTY
Hospital carriers Worthing and Paris have been deliberately bombed and severely
damaged identity. today by Germans in circumstances admitting of no mistake of their
2016/2
APPENDIX T
SIGNALS RE THE EVACUATION OF THE BRITISH
REAR GUARD ON NIGHT 2nd/3rd JUNE
Sunday, 2nd June
1. H.M.S. LYDD to REAR-ADMIRAL (R) V.A. Dover, Force K, Minesweepers
Brigadier tells me that C.-in-C. says it is essential that rear guard B.E.F. embarks
from beaches east of mole on account of French congestion on mole. Considerable
number of British troops still on mole. Military are (? expecting) further arrivals
there. Rear guard expects to arrive on beach by 0230.
0040/2
2. S.N.O. DUNKIRK to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER (R) War Office
About 5,000 British remain Sporting chance of embarking tonight. Maxi-
mum number of fast motor boats at 2130 at inner end of long pier would assist.
T.O.R. 0830/2
186

Details

INDEX
Lord Southborough, 60, 69, 83.
Lorina, sunk, 45.
Louise-Irene, 73n.
Louise Marie, 62n.
Lucian Gougy, 107n.
Lusyne, Capt. P., 116.
Lutteur, 62.
Lydd, 28n, 36-7, 44, 52, 100-1, 103.
Lydie-Susanne, 73.
M.41, 73n.
McClelland, Lt. Cdr. J. W., 59n, 75-7 (work at La Panne).
McCullough, Lt. Cdr., 59n.
Mackay, 20n, 27, 35-6 (put out of action).
MacKewn, Lt. A. R., R.N.R., takes over St. Seriol, 48.
McRea, Lt. H. C. J., 37.
Maid of Orleans, 16-17, 22n, 24, 31n, 54n, 87 (damaged), 127.
Mainwaring, Lt. A. H., killed, 93.
Ma Joie, 60n.
Malabar, 85.
Malcolm, 28n, 54n, 55, 62 (makes two trips on 30th May), 83 (collides with Dunkirk pier),
109 (sent back empty), 112n, 114n, 116, 118.
Malden Annie IV, abandoned, 72.
Malet, Pilote, 73.
Malines, 29n, 37.
Mallard, 34, 99, 104.
Mallow, 88.
Malo, see Beaches.
Manxman, 29n, 54n, 102, 114n.
March, Mr. F. J., 47.
Maréchal Foch, sunk, 116.
Maretta, damaged, 13.
Margaux, 73.
Marie, 74.
Marlborough, 72n.
Marmion, 28n, 54n, 100-1, 107n, 109.
Marrack, Capt. H. R., 74.
Marsayru, adventures of, 72-3.
Mary Rose, sunk, 72.
Mary Scott, 100.
M.A./S.B.6, 52 (sinks Minikoi), 66-7 (takes Lord Gort to Dover), 75.
M.A./S.B.7, 111-112 (in operation CK.).
LA./S.B,10, 101-2, 108, 119.
Massey Shaw, 119.
Maund, Cdr. G. O., speeds up embarkation, 63-64; leads ships into Dunkirk, 101.
Medical Parties, sent across, 49.
Medway Queen, 23n, 27, 31, 100-1, 105, 107n, 109, 114n.
Merchant Navy, see Civilians.
Mermaiden, 72n.
Meuse, 114n.
M.F.H., 72n.
Michael Stevens, 107n.
Midas, 23n, 107n.
Mines and mining, British, 34; German, 38, 93, 110; French, 62-3.
Minikoi, sunk 52.
Ministry of Sea Transport, 21.
Ministry of Shipping, 5.
Minotaur, 72n.
Mirasol, 53.
Mistral, 39, 40n, 41 (damaged), 43.
Monarda, 71n.
Mona's Isle, 16, 19.
Mona's Queen, 16, 28, 31n, 38 (sunk).
Montgomery, Maj.-Gen. B. L., 2, 75, 77 (embarks).
Morrison, P. O., 72.
Montrose, 20n, 27, 32n, 36 (put out of action).
202

Details

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

Details

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

Details

Dyrom P2 391
-
368
June 5th, 1940.
1.
Lieut. A.J. Davies, R.N.V.R. -"Java" never got over the
other side and was finally towed to Sheerness by "Gorecht"
2.
Lieut. A.N. Blundell, R.N.R. - "Bornrif" did three. trips
between Ramsgate and beaches at Dunkirk. "King Orry" was
sighted sunk off Dunkirk.
3.
Sub Lieut. R.H.C. Amos, R.N.V.R. - "Iote" was beached and
abandoned after she had damaged her rudder while rescuing
two of her crew, who had fallen overboard on the morning
of Saturday June 1st. On night of Monday, June 3rd, Sub Lieut
Amos, R.N.V.R. and Sub Lieut. R.H. Wallace, R.N.V.R. were in
a new but unnamed power life boat which was towed over to
SUN
Dunkirk by Tug "About
.....
(A).
On the 30th May D.S. "Horst" was known to have been abandoned.
4.
Sub Lieut. D.C. Williams, R.N.V.R. - left Ramsgate on the
night of Su day, June 2nd in the "Kitcat". On the way over
he became separated from the rest of the convoy. After
doing some work the other side he towed the "Singapore" back
to Dover and then on to Ramsgate on Monday, June 3rd.
5.
Lieut. R.W. Thomson, R.N.V.R. - After being discharged from
the "AEGer", where he had proved lacking in experience, did
4 trips in the "DABB II", two of which were unsuccessful.
6.
Sub Lieut. C. Minchin, R.N. - Went to the beached in the
"LYDD" where he ferried until the boat broke down. She was
abandoned and Minchin returned to Ramsgate in the "Lydd".
On Monday, against orders he tried to go over in the "Hel-
frinore" but she broke down.
7.
Sub Lieut. E.S. Foreman, R.N.V.R. - In the"Princess Freda"
he ferried from the beaches for a destroyer. He then
worked for the Dutch "Besta" --?, who finally towed him
back to Ramsgate.
8.
Sub Lieut. R.E. Blows, R.N.V.R. - Started in the "Minikoi"
but she was rammed and sunk by "MASB 6" off the downs at
0230 on Wed, May 29th. He next went over in the "Ambleve",
which with the "Sambre" was towed over by the "Skipjack",
for whom he ferried from the beaches. A crew from the
Skipjack releived his crew for a'stand-easy' and ran the
"Ambleve" aground. He and his crew returned in the
Skipjack. On Saturday, June 1st, he went over in a power
life boat. She was damaged by near bombs but the engines
continued to run.
9.
Sub Lieut. J.W. Pratt, R.N.V.R. - Ran aground in the
"Singapore" on beach at 0130 on Sunday June 2nd. She
rfloated at 0800 and he left with three French Officers.
On the way he picked up two British soldiers who were
floating around'. These were revived with wine from the
French Officers' water bottles. He passed the "Mosquito"
which was still afloat but had been deserted. In mid
channel he found three life boats which he took in tow
intil his engines gave out and he was taken in tow by
the "Kitkat".
10.
Sub Lieut. I.F. Smith, R.N.V.R. - In "Jong" helped to
ferry troops from the beaches on Friday, May 31st. On
way home he sighted the "Iote" drifting round empty and
the "White Heather" empty but at anchor.

Details

FLAG OFFICER IN CHARGE
17JUN1940
*
HARWIOH
H.M.S. "Watchful"
547
Great Yarmouth.
8th June, 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the report of proceedings of the
"M" Drifters attached to Yarmouth Base (H.M.S. "Watchful") whilst
employed on Operation "Dynamo".
30.5.40. 2345.
Flotilla sailed Yarmouth for Ramagate,
good
569
the
From :- Sub.Lieut. F.N.Dann R.N.V.R.
533
Date :- June 5th 1940
To
:- Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
Ld
May 27th Sent from H.M.S. King Alfred to H.M.S. Wildfire.
*
May 28th
1100
Ordered to fuel and provision about 20 motor yachts
in harbour basin and other yachts continuously
arriving.
1930
Left Sheerness for Dover in M.Y. Viewfinder, leading
a convoy of six yachts all towing whalers. Other
convoys followed astern.
May 29th
lled
0130
Arrived Dover. Moored alongside destroyer and
&
requested 0.0.W. to signal shore for orders.
n
0400
The following civilian volunteers refused further
on
duty and were sent ashore :-
out
T.Lewis, John Bye, - Bye, J.Palmer
all
Collected a total of six yachts and refuelled them
8 e
0600
Left Dover in Viewfinder leading a column of six motor
yachts viz.
Viewfinder (myself)
Advance
Three civilian volunteers)
Hanora
(S.L. Minchin R.N.)
Mann,
Bobeli Elizabeth Green (S.L. Snow)
(S.L. Bonham)
red
Joined by Reda which fell in with us and re-completed
One other which turned back.
0700
the six arrived in convoy off Gravelines. hit. Repeatedly
column of six.
1400
All dive arrived off La Panne Beach and ferried whalers
All machine gunned from the air. None
1500
1830
full of troops dragged to ships aground at by anchor. excited Belgian abtain help. soldiers.
Viewfinder in whaler with two ratings to with us and
Put off load of soldiers in whaler Put soldiers left
Took two ratings off aboard Lydd to and await contacted my return. Hanora Contacted (S.L.Minchin) my
aboard H.M.Sloop was abandoned.
1900
Hanora Pouled and took off all soldiers etc. from No room Viewfinder for my
whaler remaining two Elizabeth charts Green who took off
Hanora's personal also gear. officer Hailed and crew and towed my loaded whalers
to H.M.S. Lydd

Details

FLAG OFFICER IN CHARGE
17JUN1940
*
HARWICH
H.M.S. "Watchful"
547
Great Yarmouth.
8th June, 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the report of proceedings of the
"M" Drifters attached to Yarmouth Base (H.M.S. "Watchful") whilst
employed on Operation "Dynamo".
30.5.40. 2345.
Flotilla sailed Yarmouth for Ramsgate.
Report by Sub, Lieut. F.N.Dann (Contd)
570
540
1900
Took charge of empty whaler, made up scratch crew
of two ratings and one soldier and continued to ferry
troops from beach to motor boats.
2030
Many badly wounded men taken aboard H.M.S.Lydd no
skilled help available. Went aboard and did what I
could with others until ship reached Margate.
Handed charts to Reda.
Ld
May 30th
Early morning landed from H.M.S.Lydd at Margate.
R
Sent on to Chatham.
May 31st
Returned to H.M.S.Wildfire Sheermess.
June 1st
Assisted at Sheerness with supplies and victualling.
1700
Left for Ramsgate in M.Y. Dianthus. Engine giving
much trouble. Taken in tow by M.Y.Thark.
2200
Arrived Ramsgate
June 2nd.
Attempted to repair engine of Dianthus.
1600
Ordered to attempt to leave on tide and to contact
Rear Admiral Taylor's convoy.
lled
1930
Left inner basin. Raided stranded yacht for compass
g
etc.
in
2030
Left Ramsgate.
ien
2045
Helmsman badly cut by flying glass from window.
out
Brought him ashore for attention.
1 all
2115
Ramsgate again.
be to
2200
Left very troublesome. Stopping every mile or till 30.
Only Engine making good 2/2 knots, carried on course
June 3rd
0300
Between daylight. V and W Bouys sighted convoy returning. Decided
Mann,
ved
to return with convoy.
0900
June 4th
Standing Arrived Ramsgate. by and attempting to repair engine