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ANNE MARIE
16th
Belgian drifter
Lt.Car.
N.V.Thew
R.N.
26th May
1523
See under Pierre & Marie
Left Portemouth, escorting the
27th May
1028
Left Days for Dunkiris, lending the
Las. the PvV's Riyn1 paffodil and
the 8,0's Ste_Andrew
we and the dr. Viny.
1220
orr Bucy, ordered to return to
Downs with Kyno.
1440
Ordered to return to Portsmouth with
Kims
28th May
0333
Instructed Kyno to anchor in St.
Holen's roads.
0704
Bailed for Dunkirk via Q.2.8.80 and 60.
1005
Signted floating French mine. Bunk it
and proceeded.
1125
Observed 40 to 50 planes in aerial
combat over Dunkirk.
1220
Socured alongside dr. Worcester inside
ward MORIN
2317
Proceeded via Y route with 533 troops
on board.
1400
dre. Sabre and Hontrose 2) miles shead
proceeding to Dover, bombed by 15
Heinkels.
1408/
Attacked by 4 aircraft. Slight
1415
damage.
1730
off Dover. Montrose and Sabre in
dompany.
1950
Disembarked 534 troops.
29th May
0645
The Tab Lieutenant, Lieut. R. de Law
Brooke, R.N., assumed command.
0714
Proceeded via Y route to La Ponne,
Woresster and Visty in company.
1045
Anchored La Panne. Embarked troops
with 1/B and whaler and the ACORD
1525
Proceeded by Y route to Dover with 340
troops.
1555
Attacked by Heinkel H/L bomber.
1645
Attacked by Heinkel dive bomber.
1905
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 550 troope.
30th May
0326
Proceeded via X route to Dunkirk, with
36 large cases of Army mape.
0000
Encountered thick fog.
0741
Anchored ore STAY and lended one
Royal Marine Start officer.
Embarked 620 troops brought off by
small oraft or every kind.
1105
Transferred army Mapa to a M/Y.
Proceeded to Dover by X route,
1430
Dover. Disanbarked 886 troops. (3)
1440
Lt. Thew resumed command.
1623
To Dunkirk by X route.
1915
Secured alongoide East nier, Dunkirk.
dr. Winchelaca embarking ahead.
(2) This apparently was the end of Kyno's participation in
(1) Ellerman wilson Line Ltd.
Dynamo,
(3) D.R.
61

Details

ANTHONY (H.40) 16th Destroyer Flotilla Lt.Cdr. N.V. Thew R.N.
26th May
1523
Left Portsmouth, escorting the
S.S. Kyno 1)
27th May
1028
Left Dover for Dunkirk, leading the
Kyno, the P.V's Royal Daffodil and
St. Helier, the H.C's St. Andrew
and St. Julien and the dr. Vimy.
1220
Off "R" Buoy, ordered to return to
Downs with Kyno.
1440
Ordered to return to Portsmouth with
Kyno.
28th May
0333
Instructed Kyno to anchor in St.
Helen's roads. (2).
0704
Sailed for Dunkirk via Q.Z.S.80 and 60.
1005
Sighted floating French mine. Sunk it
and proceeded.
1125
Observed 40 to 50 planes in aerial
combat over Dunkirk.
1220
Secured alongside dr. Worcester inside
Dunkirk eastern pier.
1317
Proceeded via Y route with 533 troops
on board.
1400
drs. Sabre and Montrose 2½ miles ahead
proceeding to Dover, bombed by 15
Heinkels.
1408/
Attacked by 4 aircraft. Slight
1415
damage.
1730
Off Dover. Montrose and Sabre in
company.
1950
Disembarked 534 troops.
29th May
0645
The 1st Lieutenant, Lieut. R. de L.
Brooke, R.N., assumed command.
0714
Proceeded via Y route tc La Panne,
Worcester and Vimy in company.
1045
Anchored La Panne. Embarked troops
with M/B and whaler and the M.L. C.15.
1525
Proceeded by Y route to Dover with 540
troops.
1555
Attacked by Heinkel H/L bomber.
1645
Attacked by Heinkel dive bomber.
1905
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 550 troops.
30th May
0326
Proceeded via X route to Dunkirk, with
36 large cases of Army maps.
0400
Encountered thick fog.
0741
Anchored off Bray and landed one
Royal Marine Staff officer.
Embarked 620 troops brought off by
small craft of every kind.
1105
Transferred army maps to a M/Y.
Proceeded to Dover by X route.
1430
Dover. Disembarked 886 troops. (3)
1440
Lt. Cdr. Thew resumed command.
1623
To Dunkirk by X route.
1915
Secured alongside East pier, Dunkirk.
dr. Winchelsea embarking ahead.
(1) Ellerman Wilson Line Ltd.
(2) This apparently was the end of Kyno's participation in
Dynamo.
(3) D.R.
62

Details

LADY BRASSEY
Rescue Tug
(Dover Harbour Board)
F.J. Hopgood, Master(1
27th May
1200
Assisted tug Simla to tow A.B/V.
Mona's Isle into Dover.
29th May
0030ca
Having embarked the Assistant Salvage
Officer, Lieut. G.M. Robinson R.N.R.,
left Dover to assist dr. Montrose.
which had been in collision with a
tug [the Sun v].
0300
Found Montrose about 1 mile W.S.W. of
No.2 Buoy. Towed her to Dover,
stern first, being assisted when off
the eastern entrance by the Simla
0630
Dover. Secured Montrose to No.8 buoy.
30th May
1100
Left Dover for Dunkirk, with the tug
Foremost 87 in company.
1830ca
Arrived Dunkirk Pier. Entered harbour.
2230ca
With assistance of Foremost 87, towed
the P/V Prague out of the harbour.
31st May
0030
Left Dunkirk for Dover, Foremost 87
in company.
0700
Diverted to N. Goodwin to assist the
dfrs. Golden Gift and Shipmates
which were aground. Foremost 87
continued on to Dover.
0810
Met Golden Gift, which had refloated.
No sign of Shipmates.
1015
Returned to Dover.
1st June
1200ca
Left Dover to assist Prague, which was
contacted off N.W. Goodwin.
1330
Took Prague in tow.
1630ca
Prague beached on Sandwich Flats.
2100ca
Towed Prague inshore east of Sandown
Castle.
2nd June
2000
Left Dover to assist the H/C Paris,
near W buoy, Dunkirk.
-
Passed Ramsgate tug Fabia, returning,
having been unable to find the Paris.
3rd June
0015
Arrived off W buoy.
0315
Sighted Paris 1 mile east of W buoy,
listing heavily, and settling fast.
She had been abandoned (see
Foremost 87)
0400
paris sank 4 mile east of W buoy in 17
fathoms.
0800
Arrived Dover.
Nil
Authority R.O.II, p.432.
The following awards were made:
Mention in Despatches.
Capt. F.J. Hopgood, Master.
(1) There Referred to in Supplement No. 34925 of London Gazette of
16th August 1940 as "F. J. Hopwood". 133

Details

MONTAGUE WHALER
7th
(Owners, the 6th Ramsgate Scouts) PATIZ
27th
1535
Loft Hilford HAVED for Dover.
SEAR use
Did not return from Dunkirk.
to
Dunkirk.
0945
Reached Zuydcoote PROB. While making
for Dankirk pier, shouting was
Authority - TO.9144.
heard from a "mined" merchanten. (1)
TO.9436.
The an. BARRA which yes astern of
Montross und ordered to pick up
survivors.
1015
After waiting a short time for the an
Nackey to get clear, berthed alongside
seaward end of Dunkirk east pier,
with Sebre outside.
1120
The dre. Woreester and Anthony secored
ahead.
1134
Several aircraft attempted to bomb the
pier which was crammed with troope
but were driven off by guafire,
"Vest columns of smoke were drifting
westwards from the burning oil tanks
schore, and houses on the ses front
burst into flames from time to time*.
1240
Montrose and Sabre proceeded, full of
troops.
1430
Attacked by waves of bombers. One
bomber shot down.
1630/
Arrive Dover. Discubarked 925 troose.
1817
2230
Proceeded for Dunkirit.
NO By
0013
Ran into a patch of fog and collided
with the tog Sun V,
Montrose was towed back to Dover,
stern first, by the tug Lady Brasser.
1550
Arrived Dover.
Took no further part in Dynamo, (2)
Total 925
R.O.I. D.113.
the Clarabut was detailed from the HONOTORO on
y/v Queen 05 the Channel.
5.0, 287 Lieut. of the sk. Amazong.
300

Details

MONTROSE (D.01) 17th Destroyer Flotilla Cdr. C.R.L.Parry R.N.
27th May
1535
Left Milford Haven for Dover.
28th May
0515ca
Off Dunkirk. Dover, ordered to proceed to
0945
Reached Zuydcoote Pass. While making
for Dunkirk pier, shouting was
heard from a "mined" merchantman. (1)
The dr. Sabre which was astern of
Montrose was ordered to pick up
survivors.
1015
After waiting a short time for the dr.
Mackay to get clear, berthed alongside
seaward end of Dunkirk east pier,
with Sabre outside.
1120
The drs. Worcester and Anthony secured
ahead.
1134
Several aircraft attempted to bomb the
pier which was crammed with troops
but were driven off by gunfire.
"Vast columns of smoke were drifting
westwards from the burning oil tanks
ashore, and houses on the sea front
burst into flames from time to time".
1240
Montrose and Sabre proceeded, full of
troops.
1430
Attacked by waves of bombers. One
bomber shot down.
1630/
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 925 troops.
1817
2230
Proceeded for Dunkirk.
29th May
0013
Ran into a patch of fog and collided
with the tug Sun V.
Montrose was towed back to Dover,
stern first, by the tug Lady Brassey.
1550
Arrived Dover.
Took no further part in Dynamo. (2)
Total 925.
Authority R.O.I. p.113.
(1) (2) Probably S/Lt. G.S.C. the P/V Queen of detailed the Channel. from the Montrose on
29th May, as Clarabut 1st Lieut. was of the sk. Ama zone.
301

Details

SABRE (H.18) 16th Destroyer Flotilla Cdr. B. Dean, R.N. (Retd)
27th May
2300
Off Dover. Ordered to proceed to
beaches east of Dunkirk.
28th May
0120
Off beach, 2 miles east of Dunkirk.
Embarked about 100 troops in the
ship's 3 boats. Machine gunned by
aircraft. One casualty. Two
drifters came alongside and trans-
ferred their troops.
-
Proceeded to Dover by Z route.
0520
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 158 troops.
0618
Sailed for Dunkirk.
0830
Took station astern of dr. Montrose
and followed her through Zuydcoote
Pass.
1030
One mile east of Dunkirk, went along-
side a wreck (1) and took off about 20
troops.
Off Dunkirk, sent in the M/B to take
100
off the crew of a disabled Hurricane.
The M/B grounded on a falling tide and
got sand in the engine.
1100
Montrose berthed at the east pier and
Sabre berthed on her. Embarked about
800 troops.
1230
Both destroyers proceeded, via Zuydcoote
Pass.
1410
Attacked by a squadron of H.L. bombers.
=
No damage.
1820
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 1077 troops.
2130
Proceeded by Z route.
2345ca
Off Bray beach, sent in the only ship's
boat - a whaler. No troops seen.
29th May
-
Further east, troops were seen on a
a wreck. Went alongside and took
off a few B.E.F. The remainder, all
French were taken off by a French
gunboat.
More destroyers were seen off La Panne,
and the whaler brought off some
troops from there.
0515
Ordered to proceed alongside east pier,
leaving whaler and 1st Lieutenant
behind.
0550
Proceeded via route Y, with about 500
troops.
1030
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 531 troops.
1600
Having embarked some naval officers (2)
for Dunkirk, proceeded by X route.
1815ca
Arrived Dunkirk, went alongside and
disembarked the naval party.
Embarked a few troops. The pier was
dive bombed. One Ju.87 seen to crash.
Sabre left the pier. Outside the
harbour rescued some survivors from
the water, including the Second
Engineer of the Sp. S/V Crested Eagle
(1) that of the P/V Queen of the Channel.
(2) Probably This a party of seven officers for duty on R.N.; the beaches, among
under the Cdr. H.G. Gorton, R.N. (Retd.), R.N., and
was command of Captain J.M. Howson, Cdr. R.J.O.
Otway-Ruthven, R.G. Wardrop, R.D., R.N.R. Sabre. (Retd.). E.W.
them were R.N., Lt. Cdr. Cockburn, Capt.
Lt. Bush, Cdr. R.N. also took passage in the
52

Details

ST. CLEARS,
Tug (Sheerness)
W.J. Penney, Master.
28th May
1205
Left Sheerness, (in company with tug
Sun v) towing 11 naval cutters, for
Dover. Commander Hayward R.N.R. (1)
in command.
-
Left Dover, Sun V in company.
29th May
0015
Sun V in collision with dr. Montrose,
in fog(2). St. Clears "searched
the vicinity for two hours, but
failed to locate" the Sun V. (3)
0215
Proceeded.
-
Passing Gravelines, came under shore
battery fire. Two cutters in tow
were sunk.
-
Arrived at T buoy, where the tr.
Blackburn Rovers was stationed.
-
Passing Nieuport, fired on by shore
batteries. Two cutters were sunk,
a third was cut adrift (it was
however picked up by the Sp. S/V
Crested Eagle, and towed to La Panne).
-
Proceeded with 6 remaining cutters and
anchored off La Panne. Embarked
troops. Continuous air attacks.
-
Proceeded to an unknown destroyer which
had been hit. St. Clears was not,
however, required.
2130ca
Transferred the cutters to the Sp. S/V
Golden Eagle and proceeded to assist
the S1. Bideford which was aground.
2215ca
Endeavoured to take Bideford in tow -
but tow parted. Belgian
-
Picked up 70 French troops from small
boats.
30th May
2220ca
Defect in main engines.
1100 ca
Proceeded at slow speed to Sheerness.
Belgian
Disembarked 70, troops.
Total 70.
Authority R.O.II, p.428.
The following awards were made:
Mention in Despatches.
Capt. W.J. Penney, Master. (4)
(1) The Navy List gives Cdr. C.J.L. Hayward, D.S.C., R.D., R.N.R.
(2) Montrose (Retd). was towed stern first to Dover by the tug Lady
(3) Sun Brassey. V took avoiding action and although severely damaged was
(4) London not sunk. 1940 (Supplement No. 34925) Transport states
59
that Long Capt. Gazette William of 16th Josiah Aug. "Penny" a was printer's Master error. of H.M.

Details

Details

SUN III
Tug H. J. Alexander & Co. Ltd)
F.W. Russell,
Master.
1200ca
31st May
Left Southend with the 4 S/B's
Haste Away, Ada Mary, Burton
Haste Shannon in tow. Off Broadstairs, and
but Away and Ada Mary broke adrift,
1715
were picked up.
Arrived Ramsgate with barges.
1st June
0915ca
Left Ramsgate with the 4 barges in tow,
and proceeded astern of a car ferry
[the Fishbourne] which was en route
for Dunkirk.
1030ca
The 2 sternmost barges broke adrift,
but were picked up. Abreast the
South Falls, the sternmost barge
(Haste Away), broke adrift and was
taken in tow by the tug Duke, which
was in company. The Fishbourne
was now out of sight.
1200ca
The sternmost barge (Ada Mary) broke
adrift and was taken in tow by Duke.
1230ca
The tow rope broke, but tow was
reconnected. Approaching the Outer
5
Ruytingen, embarked some 20 soldiers
from a lifeboat.
1700ca
Directed by a plane to 2 boats full of
soldiers near Whistle buoy on the Le
Dyck [ease Gravel One load
taken by Sun III, the other by Duke.
Sun III then had about 148 men on
board.
2130
Decided to return. Off Broadstairs
Shannon broke adrift but was picked
up.
2nd June
0600
Arrived Ramsgate. 148 troops landed in
launches.
3rd June
1200ca
Ordered to Southend.
1940
Southend.
Total 148
Authority - W.W.
A.T.C.
(1) St. Clears states that she searched for 2 hours, but failed
Montrose states Sun there V. was fog; St. Clears does not,
to locate the
however, mention this. It is clear that visibility
was restricted.
183

Details

Tug (W.H.J. Alexander &
SUN v(1)
Co. Ltd.)
W.H. Mastin, Master
1205
28th May
Left each Sheerness, towing 11 naval cutters
proceeded to Dover.
manned by 7 naval ratings, and
-
In the Downs, reported to the Southern
Inspection vessel; instructed to
proceed to Dunkirk.
-
Hailed by the tug St. Clears and
advised to transfer the ratings from
the cutters to the Sun V.
-
Sun Clears. V then followed astern of St.
2330
Fog.
2400ca
Visibility improved.
29th May
0017ca
Abaft the beam, 300 ft. away "the
huge bow wave of a warship"
[the dr. Montrose] was seen heading
for Sun V's port side. No ships
ml
were showing lights.
The Sun V's wheel was put hard to
starboard to alter the angle at which
the other ship was heading for her.
The Montrose struck the Sun V a
3
severe glancing blow, causing Sun V
to list heavily to starboard.
[The Master of the St. Clears states
that he searched the vicinity for 2
hours but failed to locate the Sun v]
Sun V put back to the Downs.
0230ca
Anchored in the Downs.
Nil
Authority - A.T.C.
W.W.
R.O.II pp.428, 432.
R.O.III p.261.
(1) The dates given in Capt. Mastin's report are 1 day ahead
C.O. of the dr. Montrose, the masters of the tugs St.
of the correct dates, as given in the reports of the
Clears and Lady Brassey, and Cdr. A.J. Hayward R.N.R.
(who was in the St. Clears). Capt. Mastin's dates have
been amended accordingly.
186

Details

21
ROSYTH COMMAND-contined.
22
M/S Trawlers.
GRANTON.
ROSYTH COMMAND-continued.
Group 32
[8] Hildena X
-
-
GRANTON-continued.
Base Ship-Claverhouse.
DUNDEE-continued.
[8] Commodator XD
Harbour Defence Patrol Craft.
Granton.
M/S Trawlers (Ungrouped).
[8] Comitatus XD
-
-
-
[8] Fidra F
[39] Bay XD
-
-
13th A/S Group (Trawlers).
[8] Sargon x/s D
-
[8] Auld Reekie F
-
[39] Blackthorn XD
Dundee.
[8] Stafnes AD
-
[8] Girl Christian F
-
[39] Pine X D
-
(S.O.)
[S] ReightonWyke A D
Group 33.
[8] Girl Mary F
-
Granton.
Deodar XD -
-
[1] Brabant x
-
[8] Thornwick Bay A-
Granton.
[8] E. & T.S. F
-
[26] Flanders X D
-
Granton.
[8] Vascama A
-
2nd Mine Recovery Flotilla.
[8] Floreat II F
-
[26] Kunishi X D
[39] Achievable
- Lowestoft.
-
[S] Visenda
-
[8] Floreat III F
-
[39] Frons Olivae
-
Portsmouth.
Group 59.
Parachute Patrol Craft.
[39] Young Cliff
-
I
Humber.
[1] Ann Melville X
-
[8] Benmore F
-
Granton.
Defects.
Date
[39] Sailor King
-
Lowestoft.
[8] Shandwick x
-
Granton.
uncertain.
38th A/S Group (Trawlers).
[8] Craig F
-
-
[39] Scotch Thistle -
Grimsby.
[1] Strathugie X
-
[8] Stella Canopus A D
[8] Gleaners F
-
(S.O.)
[8] Lady Beryl A D
-
-
Granton.
[8] Goodwill F
-
Group 62.
Echo Sounding Yacht (attached 2nd M.R.F.).
[8] Fintray X
r
[8] Brimness A
[8] Jennie Mackay F -
[39] El Tovar
-
-
Grimsby.
-
Granton.
[8] Loch Rannoch x
Port Edgar.
[8] Jubilee F
-
[1] Calvinia X
-
[8] Mistletoe F
Harbour Defence Patrol Craft.
-
[39] Suilven F -
-
[8] Touchstone X
Leith.
[8] Popinjay F
-
-
7th Mineweeping Flotilla.
[39] Venture F
-
-
Dundee.
Sunbeam III F -
[8] Westward Ho
M/S Trawlers (ungrouped).
[39] Viola F - -
(S.O.)
[8] Hoverfly X/LL D -
[8] Plinlimon
Inchkeith Gate Trawlers.
-
[8] Lorinda X/LL D
Auxiliary Patrol Vessels.
-
[8] Craig Island
-
[8] Skidaw D
Granton.
(Trawlers armed with 12-pdr. guns.)
-
[8] Wallena X/LL D
-
Granton.
[8] Cramond Island -
[39] Chalcedony
-
[8] Queen of Thanet D
Dundee.
[45] Retako X/LL D
-
[8] Ocean Brine
-
Granton.
[45] Queen of Kent D-
[39] Tervani
-
-
Renzo X/LL D`
-
[8] River Annam
-
[8] Strathspay
-
Examination Service.
Lookout Drifters.
[8] Coruscation
f.o. Leith.
[39] Hollydale
-
-
Dan-laying Yacht.
[8] Jocelyn
[39] Fertile Vale
-
Dundee.
-
-
Granton
[8] Sylvana (S.O.,
[39] Gowan
-
-
Granton.
[8] Majesty
-
-
f.o. Leith.
M.S., Granton)
Montrose.
[39] Shiona
-
DUNDEE.
-
[8] Rosa
-
-
f.o. Hull. For duty in the
[8] Boy Andrew
Forth.
Base Ship-Unicorn II.
-
Night Patrol Drifters.
M/S Trawlers.
[39] Golden Emblem
Examination Service
Group 34.
Dundee.
-
Dan-laying Drifters.
[8] Brenda
-
-
[39] Cranefly XD
[39] Thermopylae
-
(For duty with 7th M/S F.)
[8] Freya
1
-
[39] Equerry X D
-
[8] Clan Mackay
[8] Norma D
Attached Naval Base for general duties.
-
-
Firth of Forth.
[39] Gadfly XD -
-
Dundee.
Repairs.
Date
[8] Snap
Rosyth,
-
Dundee.
-
[8] Minna
[39] Taeping
-
-
[39] Sturton X D
uncertain.
-
-
[8] Explorer -
2
-
[39] Dane XD
-
-
(C38488)

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Details

Details

H.llo TUG "ST. CLEARS"
Dynams 147. 258
SHEERNESS.
- 274
KING'S HARBOUR MASTER
7th June, 1940
I submit the following report and the movements of Hello
8 "ST. CLEARS" during the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk area.
The tug "ST. CLEARS" under my command left Sheerness, in company
th "SUN V", towing eleven naval cutters and with 70 naval ratings
der Commander Hayward, on board at 1805 on 28th May.
After arriving at Dover route instructions were issued by -
nation tug in South Downs and both tugs proceeded and at 0015
a 29th May, "SUN V" was involved in collision with H.N.S.
MONTROSE". I scarched the vioinity for two hours but failed to
ocate name. I then proceeded as instructed by "MONTROSE". then
assing Gravelines we were surprised by fire from a shore battery
n a position bearing 022 degrees from Dunkerque Calla buoy. de
ontinued on our course for a short time until the firing become
ntensified shells falling very close to our stem some of which
coled and mank two cutters in tow. I then ordered the helmssan to
lter course to bring the battery astern of us, finally steering a
course of 080 degrees till out of range of guns. The wireless
operator was maintaining continuous eatch 80 1 we able to make in
THE the attack which I considered urgent in view of
THE whole of this time the conduct of my officers and
small craft following the same route, This
imediately re-broadcast by North Foreland
men was admirable. that of Able Seeman Arthur Chawner
who was at the whell, particularly he steared the ship with great precision and
Trawler "BLACKBURN ROVERS" was stationed. After some delay 1 pro-
on the course 020 degrees until se arrived at Position 2 shere 11.11.
altered course efficiently when ordered to do 80. De then proceeded
ceeded Northern route instructed by travler. then passing Sesport,
battery was again opened Destroyers, but two outters sere lost
shore batteries as firs, shells falling very close, this
up I by H.M.S. "CRESTED and a third out and adrift, towed so my position off La Fanne.
in this action silenced by French this outter was later picked
Commander with six remaining cutters to the bench of La Panno
proceeded EAGLE" cutters and anchored off La Panne.
Hayward disputched the immediately. During the shole of
and his La embarking Panne acrial troops attacks courage were continuous. and endurance Communder in working
outters, continually men showed transporting great troops.
one
of
WELB carried I Our anchor. not gun that 8 orew I were came muchine proceeded ammunition the when of manned, within crew outters, ordered gunning behaved to by range the unknown by navel the foremost attack. no. particularly excellently after ratings. destroyer to During assist Lewis by Under a - taking naval at No gun H.M.S. which these bombing one fired by shelter rating machine very had myself, "BIDEFORD" both to been raid exceptional assist. gune in being which hit 1 alleyways have ashore, at but any
During At signalled "HERE" transferred 8200 this required. Engineer to period "BIDEFORD" outters reported I I picked was to who signalled "GOLDEN defect a sked up 70 to EAGLE no French main to STATE PART and proceeded small local boats.
back to I Sheerness closed "HEEN" at slow and speed made due to defect.
(Sgd) W.J. Penney
MASTER
H.M. Tug "ST. CLEARS"

Details

Dynams 147. 259
H.M. Tug "St, Clears",
275
Sheerness.
TO: KING'S HARBOUR MASTER.
7th June, 1940.
Sir,
Tug "St. Clears" during the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk of Hollo area.
I submit the Ang report and the movements
naval in company with "Sun Via, towing eleven naval outters and
The Tug "St. clears" under my command left Sheerness,
28th May.
ratings under Cormander Hayward, R.N.R.Ro on board at with 1205 70 on
0015 examination tug in Sauth Downs and both tugs proceeded and
After arriving at Dover route instructions were issued by
locate same. I then proceeded as instructed by "Montrose". to
"Montrose". I searched the vicinity for two hours but failed
on 29th May, "Sun V" was involved in collision with H.M.S. at
passing in Gravelines we were surprised by fire from a shore battery Then
on our course for a short time until the firing because intensified
a position bearing 0220 from Dunkerque C.W. buoy. We continued
shells falling very close to our stern some of which holed and sank
two cutters in tow. I then ordered the helmsman to alter course
to bring the battery astern of finally stearing a course of 020°
till out of range of guns. The us, wireless operator was maintaining
continuous watch so I was able to make an immediate report of the
attack which I considered urgent in view of the possibility of
a and by North Foreland Redio. During the
the same route. This sarning was received
conduct of my officers and men THE admirable,
that of Able Sesman Artime Chawner who was at the wheel,
0200 efficiently when ordered to do SO₂ No then proceeded on the course
ship with great precision and altered course
Rovers" Was some delay I proceeded Northern route
we arrived at position 3 where H.M. Trawler "Blackburn
by Destroyers, very close, were lost in this action and
a a this battery was silenced
passing Newport, shore batteries again
Eagle" adrift, this cutter was proceeded with
a third cut but two cutters later picked up by H.M.S. "Crested
and towed cutters cutters to my and position to anchored the beach off off of La La La Parme. Panne Panne. I and Commander commenced time Hayward at
embarking troops During the whole of the and
immediately. continuous. Commander Hayward his
the courage troops.
attacks were and endurance in working the cutters,
the guns were manned, after Lewis gun by myself, guns at
Our the foremost by/navel a rating being one of
supplier with crew ammunition of outters, by naval the ratings. We fired machine both which any
and and and and and and a Garried out that a came machine within gunning range attack. particularly Under taking at these one shelter very exceptional in I alleyways 1050
in anchor decks when ordered by me. destroyer which had "Bideford" been ashore,
the crew behaved excellently During one bombing raid his but
to signalled unknown to assist proceeded H.M.S. to assist.
was to "Golden 70 Eagle" French and troops from The small defect local was boats.
up to main engines. situation to H.M.S.
back "Hebe". a to Sheerness I closed at "Hebe" slow and speed saked made due me necessary to to defect. report (Sgd) report W.J. then Permey. proceeded
H.M. Master. Tug "St. Cleara".

Details

Dyram 75. A14/0/14
om Lieutenant Commander Laurence Phillips, Royal Navy.
5th June, 1940
-
28
the Vice Admiral Commanding, Dover.
Submitted:- (1) Summary of proceedings H.M. S.Amazone 25.5.40 - 1.6.40
and French S.s. "Newhaven" 2.6.40 - 4.6.40.
(2) Recommendations.
(3) Detailed letter of proceedings.
1) Saturday 25th. p.m. sailed Amazone Poole to Portsmouth.
Sunday 26th.
wiped' ship, stored, and swung for compass.
sailed at dark for Newhaven. Sighted S/M surfaced
1/2 mile E of Owers 0005. Reported on arrival at
Newhaven.
sailed at dark for Dover in company with Foxglove and
other skuyts.
Monday 27th. p.m. sailed from Dover in companym Embarked about 100
men from beach 3/4 mile West of Bray and returned to
Dover.
Wednesday 29th. sailed 0230 for Dunkirk, embarking about 400 troops
at Bray and leaving 1930. Divebombed off Middlekirke
on return journey to Ramsgate.
Friday 31st. 1215 sailed for Dunkirk and embarked troops from
positions 2 and 3 miles E of jetty, using grass-rope
as far as possible. Brought down one bomber by Bren
gun fire on nearing Dunkirk, Straddled by shells
on leaving.
Saturday 1st. 0500 disembarked troops and secured in harbour with
gurnt-out clutch.
The reason for such a small number of troops being
disembarked by Amazone was that I went to beaches
where boats were not provided, on purpose.
Sunday 2nd.
I proceeded with S/L Clarabut to Dover and embarked
with one and eight ratings in French steamship
"Newhaven". Took off French troops from east jetty
(B berth) and sailed for Dover 0245 (Monday).
Monday 3rd.
Proceeded in"Newhaven," Embarked Admiral Abrial, a
General, and about 1000 troops, returning to Folkestone
about 0630.
(2)
I wish to mention especially:-
340691 L.A/C Harker, who took boats inshore again and again
after coming off himself (Thursday 30th near Bray). He took
when the ship was being dive-bombed, he took charge of a body
charge of the troops in his boat most efficiently. Later,
of men on deck and directed rifle-fire very coolly during
each attack.
Rating) whose conduct in working our own small boats, at
Also Ord. Sea. Wakeham (Portsmouth Division - Newfoundland and
the wheel, was exceptional.
set Also a most Sub. excellent Lieutenant example and whose assistance was a very gual
Clarabut R.N. (lent from Montrose) who
help to me.
ADMIT
7-JUN.19.- 7-
2.1.

Details

3. (astailed account).
29
5/40 Sailed Amazone, Poole to Portsmouth D.Y.
5/40 a.m. 'wiped' ship in Block; stored with 14 days provisions and
various instruments and navigational books.
p.m. Swung ship for compass adjustment and anchored near outer
Spit Buby. Sailed at dark in company to Newhaven.
5/40 0005 sighted submarine, surfaced, 1'm E of Owers Lt.V.. Reported
to Examination Vessel on arrival with instructions to pass on
message. Anchored outside harbour on orders received, having no
opportunity to provide sand-bags, Lewis gun, etc.
Salled at dark for Dover in company, led by Foxglove.
5/40
Arrived at Dover a.m.
Sailed p.m., for Operation Dynamo, in company, and proceeded by
long route.
Amazone led the skyts, but the compass was found to be reading
about 70 low, due to Gerricks' being topped ready for the exercise,
and her position was lost by the time this was rectified. I beached
the ship about m/a mile west of Bray, bows in, and with a kedge astern.
Lieut. Audley, R.N.V.R. landed in our two small boats and led down
troops from the sand-dunes. By 0300 the boats' crews were exhausted
and the boats were being capsized by the sea which had increased
with the westerly wind. It was obvious that no more could be taken
off in our own boats from the beach. I approached a sloop which
was not anxious to take our troops. A large steamer at anchor
outside informed me that she was on her way in, and there was too
much sea for putting Amazone alongside her. I decided not to go in
to the eastern jetty at such a late hour with troops on board and
returned, without incident, by the long route to Dover.
Disembarked about 100 officers and men (British) at Admiralty Pier.
Lieut. Audley's leg had been injured when hoisting in our boats4
and he was placed on the sick list.. Sub. Lieut. Clarabut, R.N. was
detailed from Montrose as First Lieutenant. I embarked essential
stores and large quantities of water, also a Lewis gun and as few
sand-bags.
Nei ther the Naval Shore Signal Station nor the Pier Master was
urs.
able to inform Mr. Clarabut of the ship's whereabouts and it was
0th.
not possible to leave until 0230 after I had found him myself. This
wasted five hours.
0230 Sailed in company with Pacific but lost touch soon afterwards. Made
landfall to Eastwards of Dunkirk about 0930. Having been informed
that there was no danger from mines I had taken a short out in shallow
water. This, and the fact that the compass was still 'low', caused
us to mistake Gravilines for Dunkirk! I steamed up and down the
coast and examined the harbour from about 1 mile out and found no sign
of life. Having no W/T, and having had no orders since 2100 the day
before, I steamed W.N.W to seek information. Picked up drifter and
Anchored about 300ˣ from shore in 10 ft. water and embarked about
proceeded to Bray Beach.
400 officers and other ranks, sending in water drums by empty boats.
340691 L.A. C. Harker returned inshore several times, until exhausted,
with a large collapsible boat, taking water drums each time. He took
charge of the troops in his boat most efficiently and set a very
fine example. Later, while the ship was being dive-bombed, he took
charge of the troops on deck and directed rifle-fire very cooly during
each attack in spite of fairly accurate machine-gun fire.
.915
Proceeded. Fredanja informed me he was taking route Y so,
presuming there were special orders, sailed/company. in
2010
Attacked by German bomber off Middlekirke. Three bombs dropped
close to Fredanja - avoided delay-action effect.
013
3 more bombs dropped close to Fredanja.
Lef.

Details

Dyram. 147 428
404
H.M. Tug "St. Clears",
Sheerness.
TO: KING'S HARBOUR MASTER.
7th June, 1940.
Sir,
I Clears" submit the following report and the movements of
Tug "St. during the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk H.M. area.
in company with "Sun V", towing eleven naval cutters and with 70
The Tug "St. Clears" under my command left Sheerness,
naval ratings under Commander Hayward, R.N.R. on board at 1205 on
28th May.
After arriving at Dover route instructions were issued by
examination tug in South Downs and both tugs proceeded and at
0015 on 29th May, "Sun V" was involved in collision with H.M.S.
"Montrose". I searched the vicinity for two hours but failed to
locate same. I then proceeded as instructed by "Montrose". When
passing Gravelines we were surprised by fire from a shore battery
in a position bearing 022° from Dunkerque C.W. buoy. We continued
on our course for a short time until the firing became intensified
shells falling very close to our stern some of which holed and sank
two cutters in tow. I then ordered the helmsman to alter course
to bring the battery astern of us, finally steering a course of 020°
till out of range of guns. The wireless operator was maintaining
continuous watch so I was able to make an immediate report of the
attack which I considered urgent in view of the possibility of
other small craft following the same route. This warning was received
and inmediately re-broadcast by North Foreland Radio. During the
whole of this time the conduct of my officers and men was admirable,
particularly that of Able Seaman Arthur Chawner who was at the wheel,
he steered the ship with great precision and altered course
efficiently when ordered to do SO. We then proceeded on the course
0200 until we arrived at position T where H.M. Trawler "Blackburn
Rovers" was stationed. After some delay I proceeded Northern route
as instructed by trawler. When passing Newport, shore batteries again
opened fire, shells falling very close, this battery was silenced
by French Destroyers, but two cutters were lost in this action and
a third cut adrift, this cutter was later picked up by H.M.S. "Created
Eagle" and towed to my position off La Panne. I proceeded with
six remaining cutters and anchored off La Panne. Commander Hayward
dispatched the cutters to the beach of La Panne and commenced
La Panne aerial attacks were continuous. Commander Hayward his
embarking troops immediately. During the whole of the time and at
men showed great courage and endurance in working the cutters,
continually transporting troops.
a
Our were manned, the foremost by/naval myself, rating being one of
machine was circumstances and supplied the carried in anchor. mess not relief out that with decks crew a I guns came machine proceeded ammunition the when of within crew cutters, ordered gunning behaved to by range unknown naval by the attack. me. particularly excellently after ratings. destroyer to During Lewis assist Under one taking We at gun H.M.S. which these bombing one fired by shelter had machine very "Bideford" both to been raid exceptional assist. guns in which hit I alleyways have ashore, at but any
required. I was signalled Eagle" and proceeded local boats.
At During "Hebe". I signalled transferred 2200 this Engineer to period "Bideford" cutters reported I picked to who "Golden defect asked up made 70 to me French main to THE from small was
back to Sheerness I closed at "Hebe" slow and speed due to defect.
R.J.Penney
H.M.

Details

Reseue Eug Lady Brassy
Wed may 1940
411
his
Regarding the try Sr. abbs.
I was in charge of the Lady Brassiy when
about /. am we received a message the
salvage Officer was coming on board. about
1.40 am the Solvage Officer arrived H Robrison
We proceeded off to Mo2 Buay Calois Route.
r found the Destroyer Montrose about 11 miles
off, who informed us that he had been in
collision with a Jug We didnot All any
tug whilst approaching the Montrose.
her position being about / mile W.S.W %'2 Buay.
she had extensive bow damage r we trued
her in stern first r was assisted the simla when
by
off the Eastern Entrances to make her fast
to nos Buoy. as 6.30 am.
yo
K.H.M. M.
yours faithfully
7.9 Hopgood
master
signed Tuesday gune

Details

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

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

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

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

Details

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

Details

Details

Details

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

4d.
49
Copy/
DYNAMO 234.
Salvage
Office,
11, Cambridge Dover. Terrace,
11th
June,
1940.
Commander
Days
The
Castle,
Dover.
Sir,
As instructed I enclose my report of operations
$
carried out under my orders on the following Tugs, LADY BRASSEY,
FOREMOST 87 and ST. OLOARD
29th May 0/30 State left Dover on LADY BRASSEY to assistance of
H.M.S.
"MONTROSS".
3/- Took "MONTROSE" in tow from the range of enemy
searchlights off Gris Nez.
6/110 Arrived at Dover after towing "MONTROSE" stern
first all the way.
30th May 11 Refle Left Dover on LADY BRAS BY with FOREMOST 87
in company, bound for Dunkirk in search of H.M.S.
"BIDEFORD", missed the "BIDEFORD" in fog, received 8
bombing off Gravelines - no damage done; carried on
to Dunkirk.
5/0 Dalla On arrival S.N.O. ordered me to assist in
harbour work. I sent the FOREMOST 87 to handle barges
onto the Marlo bench, etc., BRASSEY into harbour.
Towed "PRAGUE" out of harbour stern first and guided
incoming craft to troop embarkation points.
31st May 0/30 Stalle Left Dunkirk under orders of V.A.D. by W/T,
no troops then available for me to bring over, there
being five vessels waiting at that time.
7/0 ReMe Visual signal from Leathercoats sent me back
to N. Goodwins to assist two Trawlers ashore. I ordered
FOREMOST 87 back to Dover.
8/30. Arived back at Dover. Trawlers refloated.
lot June 10/30 seme Left Dover on the "ST. OLOAP" to assistance
of *H.S.S. "SALAMANDER" reported to be off "Western Buoy"
and proceeding slowly towards Dover; went to assistance
of S.S. "PRAGUE" off N. Goodwin, vessel had been
bombed and was in sinking condition and troops were
being transferred to small craft which were alongside,
finding my mistake in ships I requested the "JAVA" to
take my place and tow the "PRAGUE" to the Small Downs
and beach her whilet I went after the "SALAMANDER" -
this the "JAVA" did; at about 3 palla we were dive
bombed near *** buoy - "no damage", so went to
assistance of several other craft "not required".
After searching between the and Western Buoy for some
time and finding no sign of the "SALAMANDER" I sent
W/T to V.A.D. that I would wait around the area for
orders or would assist anything I came across. Later
I took in tow H.M.S. ? D.96, destroyer which had been
battered and was laid helpless - full of troops.
Towed her until off the E. Goodwin and Goodwin Knoll,
when her engines came back to life.
Whilst towing the D.96 I received W/T from V.A.D.
to return to Dunkirk and handle H.M.S. "KEITH". I
replied unable to obey orders as I was fully engaged
with the D.96. Later, when D.96 was able to proceed
under her own power I phoned from Deal for further
orders; these were then given to the Captain of the
Tug whilet I myself was put into hospital from injuries
received/

Details

- 4 6 00
Rescue Tug "LADY BRASSEY".
Copy/
Sunday 2nd June, 1940.
Sir,
I Frederick John Hopgood was the Master in charge
of the Tug "LADY BRASSEY" on Sunday 2nd June. We had been
busy ordered to assist H.M. "SUTTON" and "NIGER" off the Admiralty
during the day pumping out the "MONA"S ISLE" and was
Pier the Admiralty by Pier Signal Station instructing us to leave at
and during these operations we received a signal from
once to the assistance of the - Hospital Ship "PARIS", 2 near the
,4545
CC
COPY.
Resoue
Tug
LADY
BRASSEY".
Wed. May 9th 1940.
sir,
1
rding the Tug "ST. ABBS". st.
I 738 in charge of the "LADY BRASSEY" when about
1 Helle we received a mesenge the Salvage Officer was
comin on board. About 1.40 S.Me the Salvage Officer
arrived Its Robinson. We proceeded off to No. 2 Buoy
Calais Route, and found the Destroyer "MONTROSE" about
11 miles off, who informed us that he had been in
collision with a Tug. To did not see any Lug hilst
approaching the "MONTROSS", her position being bout
1. mile 7.3. No. 2 Bucy. The had extensive bow
damage and se towed her in stern first end was assisted
when off the Eastern Entrance by the Simle to make her
fast to No. 8 Buoy at 6.30 Selle
Yours faithfully,
(SGD.) Fails HOPGOOD.
Master.
Signed Tue day, 11th June.
To K.H.M.

Details

Dynam 3HZ.
CONFIDENTIAL
- 259
FROM *** The Commanding Officer H.U.S. "MONTROSE".
DATE *** 15th June 1940.
TO
...
THE VICE-ADMIRAL DOVER.
The following report is forwarded in accordance with your
memorandum No. BI4/0/1101/40 of 4th June 1940.
2. A report of proceedings from 'Montrose', dated 2nd June
was forwarded to the Vice-Admiral Dover on the same date.
3. The following names are submitted in accordance with para 8
of your Memorandum, and are both recommended for mention in Des-
patches.
Temp. Surgeon Lieutenant Henry Douglas Lamb 4484 R.N.V.R.
Supply Petty Officer William & Johns 0.76 D/WX 50679.
The above officer and rating performed particularly good work
in dealing with the 28 stretcher cases, 11 of which were serious
injuries, embarked in 'Montrose' during the evacuation of B.E.F.
troops from Dunkirk.
Memorand delay only very recently been received in the ship.
in forwarding this report is regretted , but the
COMMANINATE Marry COMMAND
DOVER

Details

Details

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

Details

TUESDAY, 28TH MAY
CHAP V
While a situation that could only mean surrender was now visualised in
England as possibly a stark necessity, General Weygand sent an urgent tele-
gram to Lord Gort appealing to him personally to ensure that the British
Army took a vigorous part in any counter-attack thought necessary; the
situation, said General Weygand, made it essential to hit hard.
Lord Gort, who saw the situation more clearly, observes, when he [General
Weygand] sent this message, he could have had no accurate information of
the real position or of the powers of counter-attack remaining to either the
British or French."
Germans take Ostend
That evening, at 2030, the Admiralty informed the Vice-Admiral, Dover,
that Ostend was reliably reported to be captured. Dunkirk was the only port
left in Allied hands.
Situation at Dunkirk becomes easier
Nor were the prospects at Dunkirk very hopeful. When the Wolfhound and
the Wolsey left Malo beach for Dover just after midnight on the 27th May the
whole of the port appeared to be ablaze¹.
At 0125 the cruiser Calcutta, en route for La Panne, was missed by a torpedo
100 yards astern fired from an E-boat. No further attack took place, and the
Calcutta arrived off La Panne beach an hour later to find that the destroyers
Grafton, Greyhound and Impulsive, and the paddle-minesweepers Sandown and
Gracie Fields, were already there.
Ever since 0030 destroyers making their first trip to the evacuation area
had been arriving off the beaches, and only two - the Gallant and the Wakeful -
went to Dunkirk. The Vivacious and the skoot Hebe II reached Malo beach
at about 0030, and the Sabre at 0120. The Hebe II, unable to find any troops,
entered Dunkirk harbour and embarked 150 from the east pier; the Sabre
embarked troops from two drifters. At 0320 the Vimy arrived off the beach
at Zuydcoote, 3 miles east of Dunkirk, and sent her boats to assist in filling up
the minesweeper Brighton Belle, which was embarking troops with the assist-
ance of the ex-Belgian canal boat Yser and a small pulling boat. The skoot
Lena had been off Zuydcoote since the previous evening and in the early hours
of the 28th May transferred the 120 troops she had embarked to a destroyer ;
the minesweeper Medway Queen, off La Panne since 2300/27, sailed with 600
troops on board.
By 0400 the situation in Dunkirk harbour appears to have eased, and at
0436 S.N.O. Dunkirk was asking for all vessels to go alongside the east pier.
At 0445 the Vimy, leaving her boats with the Brighton Belle, went into Dunkirk
harbour and embarked 613 troops. At 0955 the destroyer Mackay reached
Dunkirk from the Irish Sea, and picked up 600 troops in an hour from the sea-
ward end of Dunkirk east pier, giving up her berth to the destroyer Montrose.
The Sabre, which had in the meantime returned to Dover with a load of 158
troops from Malo beach, berthed outside the Montrose. An hour later, the
destroyers Worcester and Anthony arrived, and berthed ahead of the Montrose.
The pier was crammed with troops and several aircraft, attempting to bomb
it, were driven off by the destroyers' gunfire. Vast columns of smoke were
drifting westwards from the burning oil tanks ashore, and houses on the sea
front were bursting into flames from time to time².
I Report by the Wolfhound.
2 Report by the Montrose.
27

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. V
and Hilda), two power boats and Kellett a tow and pulling Leda, but boats ; the(Doggersbank
with the Calcutta¹, the Gallant, Wakeful, of Verity, two skoots
was joined by the minesweepers the number there were insufficient
boats and motor launches to cope with of troops on the beach.
Calcutta had already lost one of her two whalers2.
70 wounded (cot cases) ; heavy embarkation difficult and the
Off La Panne, at 2157, the Calcutta, surf assisted made by the skoot Reiger, embarked
By the 28th May beach evacuation had become a vitally essential part
complete lack of small beaching craft, other than ships' boats - aftermath
Operation Dynamo". It was, however, severely restricted by the almost of
the wish, already noticed, to prevent early information of the operation be- of
coming known to the enemy; and an urgent and persistent cry for boats arose
from the ships off the beaches.³
Beach craft are sailed for Dunkirk
Steps had already been taken, however, to begin the provision of small boats.
At 0800 on the 28th May, 8 motor boats were sailed from the Thames for the
South Downs. At noon the tug Sun V with 8 cutters and 2 whalers in tow,
and the tug St. Clears with 11 cutters in tow, left Sheerness for Ramsgate, and
both tugs sailed for Dunkirk late in the evening. Of these two tows, however,
only 7 cutters reached the beaches, the remainder being lost en route.4
At 1500 the tug Java left Ramsgate for Dunkirk, in company with four
drifters⁵ and 5 motor launches⁶. They arrived off Bray at 0100 on 29th May,
and were the first arrivals of small motor craft off the beaches. With them,
at 1500 on the 28th May, 5 drifters of the 1st Mine Recovery Flotilla left Rams-
gate for Dunkirk⁷, and at 1845, 18 motor boats with 17 whalers left Sheerness
for Dover.⁸
Supply of small craft is accelerated
These supplied only a portion of what was required. There was still a lack
of small craft, and at 2002 V.A. Dover asked that every available shallow draft
power boat should be sent to the beaches⁹. The Admiralty's vigorous reaction
to this request became fully evident on the following day, the 29th May, when
the Portsmouth and Nore Commands, the Thames estuary and the Port of
London Authority were combed for motor boats, lighters and barges¹⁰. To
accelerate the journey arrangements were made to route them direct to the
beaches, provided they had charts, food, fuel etc.¹¹, though some difficulty was
experienced in providing the large number of charts required. Indeed, on the
road map" to navigate on.
31st May the Master of the coaster Hythe states that he was given an army
I 2 The Calcutta reported she was off La Panne.
Appendix H.2.
3 Appendices H.1 and H.2.
Five gunfire from Clears' cutters were lost en morning route to Dunkirk a collision with the destroyer the result of enemy
4 The of the Sun St. V's tow was lost early next in Montrose.
up 5 by The the Sp. Gravelines Serv./V. Crested and Nieuport; Eagle. one of the 5 was, next however, day, as subsequently picked
6 The Lord Walker Rodney, I, Lord Keith, Lord Collingwood
7 8 9 The Appendix Lord Cavan, G.6. Walker Fidget, II, Jacketa, New Britannic, Silver Dawn Nayland, and and Fisher and Lord Angler Boy St. Vincent. (Appendix II. G.5).
Appendix G.7.
II 10 Appendices G.13 to G.18.
Appendix G.9.
32

Details

CHAPTER VI
WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY
FIRST HEAVY ENEMY AIR EFFORT
German bridgehead in Nieuport
Throughout the 29th May, the enemy attempted to cross the canal between
the Frenco-Belgian frontier and Nieuport - and, indeed, succeeded in establish-
ing a bridgehead in the town of Nieuport, although everywhere else he was
driven back. Some of the enemy attempted to cross in rubber boats; others,
disguised as civilians, with the refugees, horses and cattle. The few vital hours
gained made it possible, against all expectation, to embark practically the
whole British force¹.
Two-day traffic block in perimeter
Large numbers of French troops arriving in the perimeter brought a mass of
transport which caused such traffic congestion that for two days the main road
between La Panne and Dunkirk became totally blocked with vehicles three
deep².
French evacuation not yet ordered
Admiral Abrial (whose headquarters were at Bastion No. 32, near Dunkirk
Mole) had apparently received no orders from his Government that the whole
of the British troops were to be embarked, and he professed great surprise when
he heard of Lord Gort's intentions. He imagined that British troops would
stay and defend the perimeter to the last, side by side with the French².
Meanwhile, the French troops were expecting to embark along with their
British comrades, notwithstanding that only two French ships had so far been
provided³; the beaches were becoming crowded with French soldiers, and
difficulties might have occurred at any time.² Later in the day, however,
three French torpedo boats and one minesweeper sailed to Dunkirk harbour
to evacuate troops.4
Dunkirk perimeter established
On the evening of the 29th May the organisation of the perimeter was com-
plete, and General Sir Ronald Adam, his task accomplished, embarked for
England that night.5
Mackay and Montrose out of action
The story of the 29th May is largely one of ships sunk or damaged. Our
losses were very heavy and began very early. At 0005, the destroyer Mackay
(en route to Bray beach with the destroyer Harvester) ran aground at the western
I Lord Gort's Second Despatch para. 53.
2 Lord Gort's Second Despatch, para. 55.
3 So far, the French torpedo boat Cyclone had brought back 460 troops, and the mine-
sweeper Commandant Delage 520 - both on 29th May, from Dunkirk harbour.
4 The torpedo boats Cyclone, Mistral and Sirocco and the minesweeper Commandant
Delage.
5 Lord Gort's Second Despatch, para. 57.
35

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
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

Details

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

Dyram 75. A14/0/14
om Lieutenant Commander Laurence Phillips, Royal Navy.
5th June, 1940
-
28
the Vice Admiral Commanding, Dover.
Submitted:- (1) Summary of proceedings H.M1 S.Amazone 25.5.40 - 1.6.40
and French S.s. "Newhaven" 2.6.40 - 4.6.40.
(2) Recommendations.
(3) Detailed letter of proceedings.
1) Saturday 25th. p.m. sailed Amazone Poole to Portsmouth.
Sunday 26th.
wiped' ship, stored, and swung for compass.
sailed at dark for Newhaven. Sighted S/M surfaced
1 mile E of Owers 0005. Reported on arrival at
Newhaven.
sailed at dark for Dover in company with Foxglove and
other skuyts.
Monday 27th. p.m. sailed from Dover in companym Embarked about 100
men from beach m/a mile West of Bray and returned to
Dover.
Wednesday 29th. sailed 0230 for Dunkirk, embarking about 400 troops
at Bray and leaving 1930. Divebombed off Middlekirke
on return journey to Ramsgate.
Friday 31st. 1215 sailed for Dunkirk and embarked troops from
positions 2 and 3 miles E of jetty, using grass-rope
as far as possible. Brought down one bomber by Bren
gun fire on nearing Dunkirk, Straddled by shells
on leaving.
Saturday 1st. 0500 disembarked troops and secured in harbour with
gurnt-out clutch.
The reason for such a small number of troops being
disembarked by Amazone was that I went to beaches
where boats were not provided, on purpose.
Sunday 2nd.
I proceeded with S/L Clarabut to Dover and embarked
with one and eight ratings in French steamship
"Newhaven". Took off French troops from east jetty
(B berth) and sailed for Dover 0245 (Monday).
Monday 3rd.
Proceeded in"Newhaven," Embarked Admiral Abrial, a
General, and about 1000 troops, returning to Folkestone
about 0630.
(2)
I wish to mention especially:-
340691 L.A/C Harker, who took boats inshore again and again
after coming off himself (Thursday 30th near Bray). He took
charge of the troops in his boat most efficiently. Later,
when the ship was being dive-bombed, he took charge of a body
of men on deck and directed rifle-fire very coolly during
each attack.
Also Ord. Sea. Wakeham (Portsmouth Division - Newfoundland
Rating) whose conduct in working our own small boats, and at
the wheel, was exceptional.
set a most excellent example and whose assistance was a very gueat
Also Sub. Lieutenant Clarabut R.N. (lent from Montrose) who
help to me.
VICE ADMI
7- JUN 19.

Details

3. (astailed account).
30
29
5/40 Sailed Amazone, Poole to Portsmouth D.Y.
5/40 a.m. 'wiped' ship in Blook; stored with 14 days provisions and
various instruments and navigational books.
p.m. Swung ship for compass adjustment and anchored near outer
Spit Buby. Sailed at dark in company to Newhaven.
5/40 0005 sighted submarine, surfaced, I'm E of Owers Lt. Reported
to Examination Vessel on arrival with instructions to pass on
message. Anchored outside harbour on orders received, having no
opportunity to provide sand-bags, Lewis gun, etc.
Salled at dark for Dover in company, led by Foxglove.
5/40
Arrived at Dover a.m.
Sailed p.m., for Operation Dynamo, in company, and proceeded by
long route.
Amazone led the skyts, but the compass was found to be reading
about 70 low, due to Cerricks' being topped ready for the exercise,
and her position was lost by the time this was rectified. I beached
the ship about m/a mile west of Bray, bows in, and with a kedge astern.
Lieut. Audley, R.N.V.R. landed in our two small boats and led down
troops from the sand-dunes. By 0300 the boats' crews were exhausted
and the boats were being capsized by the sea which had increased
with the westerly wind. It was obvious that no more could be taken
off in our own boats from the beach. I approached a sloop which
was not anxious to take our troops. A large steamer at anchor
outside informed me that she was on her way in, and there was too
much sea for putting Amazone alongside her. I decided not to go in
to the eastern jetty at such a late hour with troops on board and
returned, without incident, by the long route to Dover.
Disembarked about 100 officers and men (British) at Admiralty Pier.
Lieut. Audley's leg had been injured when hoisting in our boaths
and he was placed on the sick list.. Sub.Lieut.Clarabut, R.N. was
detailed from Montrose as First Lieutenant. I embarked essential
stores and large quantities of water, also a Lewis gun and as few
sand-bags.
Neither the Naval Shore Signal Station nor the Pier Master was
urs.
able to inform Mr. Clarabut of the ship's whereabouts and it was
0th.
not possible to leave until 0230 after I had found him myself. This
wasted five hours.
0230 Sailed in company with Pacific but lost touch soon afterwards. Made
landfall to Eastwards of Dunkirk about 0930. Having been informed
that there was no danger from mines I had taken a short out in shallow
water. This, and the fact that the compass was still 'low', caused
us to mistake Gravilines for Dunkirk! I steamed up and down the
coast and examined the harbour from about 1 mile out and found no sign
of life. Having no W/T, and having had no orders since 2100 the day
before, I steamed W.N.W to seek information. Picked up drifter and
proceeded to Bray Beach.
Anchored about 300ˣ from shore in 10 ft. water and embarked about
400 officers and other ranks, sending in water drums by empty boats.
340691 L.A. C. Harker returned inshore several times, until exhausted,
with a large collapsible boat, taking water drums each time. He took
charge of the troops in his boat most efficiently and set a very
fine example. Later, while the ship was being dive-bombed, he took
charge of the troops on deck and directed rifle-fire very cooly during
each attack in spite of fairly accurate machine-gun fire.
.915 Proceeded. Fredanja informed me he was taking route Y so,
presuming there were special orders, saild/company.
in
010
Attacked by German bomber off Middlekirke. Three bombs dropped
close to Fredanja - avoided delay-action effect.
013
3 more bombs dropped close to Fredanja.
Lef.

Details

Dyram. 147 428
401
H.M. Tug "St. Clears",
Sheerness.
TO: KING'S HARBOUR MASTER.
7th June, 1940.
Sir,
I submit the following report and the movements of
Tug "St. Clears" during the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk H.M. area.
in company with "Sun V", towing eleven naval cutters and with 70
The Tug "St. Clears" under my command left Sheerness,
naval ratings under Commander Hayward, R.N.R. on board at 1205 on
28th May.
After arriving at Dover route instructions were issued by
examination tug in South Downs and both tugs proceeded and at
0015 on 29th May, "Sun V" was involved in collision with H.M.S.
"Montrose". I searched the vicinity for two hours but failed to
locate same. I then proceeded as instructed by "Montrose". When
passing Gravelines we were surprised by fire from a shore battery
in a position bearing 022° from Dunkerque C.W. buoy. We continued
on our course for a short time until the firing became intensified
shells falling very close to our stern some of which holed and sank
two cutters in tow. I then ordered the helmsman to alter course
to bring the battery astern of us, finally steering a course of 020°
till out of range of guns. The wireless operator was maintaining
continuous watch so I was able to make an immediate report of the
attack which I considered urgent in view of the possibility of
other small craft following the same route. This warning was received
and inmediately re-broadcast by North Foreland Radio. During the
whole of this time the conduct of my officers and men was admirable,
particularly that of Able Seaman Arthur Chawner who was at the wheel,
he steered the ship with great precision and altered course
efficiently when ordered to do SO. We then proceeded on the course
020° until we arrived at position T where H.M. Trawler "Blackburn
Rovers" was stationed. After some delay I proceeded Northern route
as instructed by trawler. When passing Newport, shore batteries again
opened fire, shells falling very close, this battery was silenced
by French Destroyers, but two cutters were lost in this action and
a third cut adrift, this cutter was later picked up by H.M.S. "Created
Eagle" and towed to my position off La Panne. I proceeded with
dispatched the cutters to the beach of La Panne and commenced
six remaining cutters and anchored off La Panne. Commander Hayward
La Panne aerial troops attacks were continuous. Commander Hayward his
embarking immediately. During the whole of the time and at
men showed great courage and endurance in working the cutters,
continually transporting troops.
a
Our manned, the foremost by/naval rating being one of
machine supplied the relief that with crew guns ammunition of were within cutters, by range naval the particularly after ratings. Lewis We at gun these one fired by myself, machine very both exceptional guns which at any
was At circumstances During I and carried in transferred anchor. 2200 mess not this out required. decks period a I came machine proceeded cutters the when crew I I ordered was picked gunning to behaved to "Golden signalled defect unknown by up attack. me. excellently 70 Eagle" to French destroyer to main During assist Under and engines. troops one taking proceeded H.M.S. which bombing situation from shelter had The "Bideford" small to been raid defect assist. to in local H.M.S. hit I alleyways have was ashore, but boats.
"Hebe". signalled Engineer to "Bideford" reported who and asked made me necessary to report report then proceeded
back to Sheerness I closed at "Hebe" slow speed due to defect.
All Penney
H.M.

Details

Departmentsm
my
uso
435
Salarge office
406
408
4 beathings Gover Z
que
immander any Ah.
Juke 1940 erge
the bastle.
1940
Down.
the
as instructed, d enclose my report of operations canced me "
der
my orders on the following Yags, hady Brency, to
29 hay of 0/30 an left on hady Aramy % assistance your
s/- Look montrose in stow from the lange of every #
30 may d nan help Dones on hady Branny with Foremost 72 in company,
6/40 drived at Dome after thing monthou them first and the my
Dunkink in search of and sidiford, ind the Aidified + for and
a bombing off Gravelines no damage done carried n.X. M
spin arrival 5.2.0. ordered me & amit in Herbour work. d w to our
Foremost P7" to handle buyer and the marks back JR, Brany it ther
Harbons Lowerd "Pragni" out of hubans them first - midd incoming
neft to shorp embarkation points.
$ 0/30 an heft Dunkink under orders of v.a.D. by W/T, me troops to to
socilable for me & bring our the being fine morels waiting 1st
this % an Visual signal from heatherst at - back
to unit two Newles ashere d andered Formost A)
of
8/20 arrived back I am Turks reflacted
Я June 10/30 am high Dones on the "st Hoar X existence
reported to be off Wedten Any a proceding slowly Amounts 1
me
assistance of c/o Pragne 77 h. Goodwin, member had been bound --- -
sinking condition a shoops were being % small with which
+
take my place - How the Pragui x the Smill Dwn shut has
were alongide, ginding my mistake in ships of required the "fore &
while JOW d went after the "Salemender this the java did I about
- were him bombed new 'w' buy "ha damye, m went * instance
everal the noft instruguil after suching between "A" in
Pierheads about 6 30 em, when a message wassent
in to the signal station informing them we had
been sent over to assist the Bidiford. We then
received a message to come inside X berth
alongside the Rier about 6 50 RM, H Robinson went
alongside the East pier We arrived
on shore for orders. We then received orders to
cancelled given for the try to remain, by
load up with troops ¥ return, but this order loas
Continue werleaf.

Details

Reseue Eug Lady Brassy
Wed may 29.1940
411
his
Regarding the try Sr. abbs.
I was in charge of the Lady Brassiy when
about /. am we received a message the
solvage Officer was coming on board. about
40 am the Solvage Officer arrived H Robrison
We proceeded Iff to Mo2 Buay Calois Route.
r found the Destroyer Montrose about 11 miles
off, who informed us that he had been in
collision with a Jug We didnot All any
tug whilst approaching the Montrose.
her position being about / mile W.S.W % Busy.
she had extensive bow damage r we trued
her in stern first r was assisted simla when
by the
off the Eastern Entrances to make her fast
to nos Buay. or 6.30 am.
yo
K.H.M.
yours faithfully
7.9 Hopgood
master
signed Tuesday gune