Details

Details

GAY CRUSADER
M/B (Owner
A. Foster)
S/Lt. T.H. Rodgers,
R.N.V.R. (1)
1st June
0800
Left Margate in tow of the skoot
"Oranje Vreeswijk" [this was the
skoot Oranje whose port of origin
was Vreeswijk]. Also in the tow
were the M/B's Silvery Breeze, Silver
Foam and one other.
-
Arrives off Dunkirk channel still in
tow.
1445/
Air attack by 3 dive bombers. All
1515
4 motor boats scattered. Three of
the M/B's proceeded to Margate under
their own power. The Gay Crusader
was again taken in tow by the Oranje,
which proceeded.
2200
The Oranje arrived at Margate with
the Gay Crusader in tow.
[Admiral Taylor says that S/Lt. Rodgers was towed
back "in company with the O.I.C. Pioneer and
Barl"(2)]
Authority - R.O.II, p.392.
(1) Shown 1940 Navy List as a June lieutenant, 1940
seniority in the 31/5/40. August Not shown in the Navy
(2) There List. is no other record of a vessel named "Barl" having
taken part in Dynamo.
364

Details

Holder
ORANJE
Skoot
Lieut. H.T. Crispin, R.N.
Lieut. K.W. Ratledge, R.N.V.R.,
1st Lieut.
26th May
Having loaded 200 tons of army
provisions at Deptford, completed
with naval stores at Sheerness.
27th May
1400
Ordered to proceed to Dover. A lighter
came alongside with further stores.
1430
Oranje sailed. Before reaching
Garrison Point a motor boat brought
orders to proceed to Southend for
onward routeing to Dunkirk.
1500
Ascertained at Sheerness that the order
to sail for Dunkirk, cancelled the
order to sail for Dover. Proceeded
accordingly.
Off the Nore L.V., a tug from Southend
brought route instructions.
Proceeded via the West Hinder and
Kwinte Bank buoys.
28th May
0100ca
When about 2 miles south of the West
Hinder buoy, sighted a merchant
vessel approaching ahead. The ships
passed about 2 cables apart. When
about 10° abaft the beam, this ship
fired 12 rounds of rifle fire at the
Oranje, 2 of which hit the ship's
side.
0400
In company with 2 other skoots and a
merchant ship [the Dorrien Rose]
in the vicinity of Middelkerke Bank
Buoy, observed the P/V Queen of the
Channel approaching on opposite
course. When 1/4 mile away she was
attacked by a Heinkel dive bomber
which dropped four 100 lb. bombs round
her stern. She stopped and settled
by the stern. The Oranje went to her
assistance but was warned to keep
off as the bomber was returning. A
500 lb. bomb was then dropped about
50 yards on the Oranje's starboard
bow as she was leaving the Queen of
the Channel.
The Dorrien Rose went to the assis-
tance of the Queen of the Channel and
the Oranje continued on to Dunkirk.
In the Zuydcoote Pass, met 2 destroyers
full of troops. This, and the
previous meeting of the Queen of the
Channel was the first intimation
that an evacuation of troops was in
The progress. Oranje went alongside a "barrage
vessel" off Bray. A enemy-piloted
markings dropped a number of small
Blenheim bomber with British
bombs on the beach and was met by
and rifle fire.
on m.g. approaching Dunkirk, a returning she
skoot informed Oranje that was
small to be of any use, nor should could
she too land stores, and that she
return. The Oranje turned about, and embarking
366

Details

I
Oranje - Continued
28th May
-
(contd.)
1630
sailed for home.
5 soldiers from the "barrage vessel",
1930
Arrived Ramsgate. Disembarked 5 troops.
Sailed provisions. for La Panne to disembark
29th May
0430
Arrived off La Panne and picked up 1
man from a raft. Anchored 1/4 mile
from the beach.
0730
Beached unloading. the ship stern first and started
2400
Having unloaded 150 tons, commenced
embarking troops.
30th May
0415
Sailed with 500 troops on board.
1720
Arrived Margate and disembarked 500
troops. (1)
2230
Sailed for Dunkirk with 2 boats in tow.
-
Near Elbow buoy, the boats broke adrift,
and, as they could not be seen, had
to be abandoned.
31st May
Off Dunkirk harbour, a destroyer
ordered the Oranje to work under the
orders of the dr. Basilisk. She
accordingly anchored off La Panne.
-
When Basilisk led, she left her
boats behind for the Oranje's use.
-
Embarked about 120 troops. Enemy shore
guns opened fire. All ships got under
way. Oranje, with Basilisk's boats
shifted to Bray. Basilisk returned
and removed her boats.
-
Unable to find any further troops the
Oranje sailed.
2300
Arrived Margate.
1st June
0300
Disembarked 100 troops.
0800
Sailed for Dunkirk with 4 boats in tow.
A rope round the screw reduced speed
to 6 knots.
-
Off Dunkirk channel, a skoot informed
Oranje that beach evacuation was
complete, that there were already
sufficient ships in Dunkirk harbour
and that the Oranje's boats were not
required. The Oranje, however,
remained in the vicinity.
1445
A number of air attacks took place, and
as all ships turned homewards, the
Oranje did likewise. A near miss
broke the glass in the wheelhouse.
Oranje's four boats scattered during
the attack.
Three of the boats returned to
Margate under their own power;
Oranje took the fourth in tow.
2200
Arrived Margate.
Total 605
Authority - R.O.II, p.95.
(1) Margate report. D.R. states 501.
367

Details

M/B (Owner, R.F. Ricketts)
PIONEER
Sailed for Sheerness.
30th May
The Pioneer was off the beaches in
company with the M/B Gay Crusader.
1st June
Her C.O. left Dunkirk in the
Gay Crusader (in ton of the Sk.
Oranje).
The Pioneer did not return.
Authority - TO.9144/40. TO.9436/40.
as ta Wilson Lul
Not mentioned in list of ships.

Details

V
SILVER FOAM
M/B (W.T. Cayton)
?
30th May
Sailed (in tow) for Sheerness.
2
0800
1st June
Towed M/B's over by the Sk. Oranje the
and Gay Crusader, Silvery with
-
Arrived Dive-bomb off Dunkirk channel still Pioneer]. tow.
one other probably the Breeze
p-
1445
The attack - the M/B's scattered. in
left Silver Foam and other motor boats
for home. (1)
The Oranje proceeded to Margate with
the Gay Crusader in tow.
Nil
Authority - TO. 9436/40.
R.O.II, p.392.
er
№
1)
(1) The C.O. of the Pioneer returned in the Gay Crusader. The
Pioneer did not return.
138

Details

SILVERY BREEZE
M/L (A. Verley)
0830
?
30th May
Arrived Sheerness.
2
0800
1st June
Sailed of the from Margate for Dunkirk in
and M/B's Gay Crusader, Silver were
the Sk. Oranje. Also in tow tow
one other probably the Pioneer] Foam
p-
1445
In Dunkirk Channel, attacked by dive
bombers. The M/B's scattered and
sailed for home. The Oranje returned
to tow. Margate with the Gay Crusader in
[The Pioneer did not return from Dunkirk
her Crusader]. C.O. returned in the Gay
The Silvery Breeze and Silver Foam
reached Margate.
er
Nil
Authority - T.0.9144/41.
R.O.II, p.392.
1
1)
141

Details

SKOOTS (Schuits, or Dutch coasters)
In D.R.'s list of ships, the names of 43 skoots
given. Actually, there were 40 skoots in Operation Dynamo. are
Five names have been deleted from D.R's list, two
have been added, and two names have been amended, as follows:- names
(1) Deletions
Demok I was a Dutch yacht, not a skoot.
"Orange Yreeswi jh" was in fact the Oranje,
port of origin Vreeswijk.
"Tung" (q.v.) was not a skoot, and, as a
ship, did not apparently exist.
Java and Princess Juliana broke down and
took no part in Operation Dynamo.
(2) Additions
Jaba and Rian were commissioned for
Operation Dynamo, and worked off the beaches.
(3) Amendments
"Frisco" (q.v.) has been amended to Friso
"Hebe" has been amended to Hebe II.
149

Details

472 H9P
Margete
SATURDAY, 1ST JUNE, 1940.
0005.
"QUEEN OF THANET".
850.
0130.
"KINGFISHER".
157.
0400.
"ORANJE".
100.
0500.
"GOLDEN EAGLE".
1250.
0415.
"MOTOR BOAT".
23.
0510.
"SALTASH".
400.
0600.
"WESTWARD HO".
720.
x
900
0610.
"ROYAL EAGLE".
1250.
0630.
"ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
47.
0830.
"LADY SOUTHBORO".
350.
0950.
"PRINCESS ELIZABETH".
510.
0950.
"GALLEONS REACH"
123.
*
1
Alien Postal
worker French.
J
1045.
"QUEENS CHANNEL".
52.
1145.
"WHIPPINGHAM".
2500.
1215.
"DUNDALK".
280.
"FOREMOST".
200.
1345.
1420.
"ORIEL".
470. + 1. Pathe Gazette
Man.
"AEGIR".
130.
1650.
1450.
"VINCIA".
108.
1600.
"KINGFISHER".
210. + 2 Belgian Airman,
supposed to have
escaped from Germans.
"QUEEN OF THANET".
1500.
1650.
"K.G.V."
700.
1740.
x
243
1740.
"HALCYON".
58.
"SALTASH".
350.
1830.
"WESTWARD HO".
918. + 1 Alien under arrest
2030.
2100.
"ANTJE".
150.
"RAPID I".
25.
2100.
"HOPPER 24".
580.
2215.
TOTAL.
14011.

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

Details

CON FIDENTIAL
Dynams 245.
014/0/1264
04
From: - The Commending Officer, H.M.S. "ORANJE"
Date:- 10th. Ju ne 1940
To:- The Vice-Admirel, Commending; Dover
(Copy to:- The Commender-in-Chief, The Nore.)
Report on Operation Dynamo.
The followin report is submitted in accordance
with N. G. 448/40.
2. On Sunday May 26th "ORANJE" completed with Navel
stores at Sheerness and proceeded to a buoy to await orders,
remaining there all night at de hour's notice. About 200 tons
of Army provisions had been Loaded at Deptford, but no
instructions had been issued re their disembarkation.
3.
Monday May 27th.
1400 a letter was
received containing orders to proceed to Dover with all
despatch, the Commanding Officer reporting to the Vice-
Admiral, Commanding; Dover, on arrival. ORANJE had just
slipped from the buoy when a lighter secured alongside with
fu rther stores: these were embarked by 1430 and ORANJE
proceeded down river.
Before reaching Garrison Point, a Confidential Hand Message
was received by motor boat with orders to proceed to
Southend for Route Instructions, and sail for Dunkirk.
As there was doubt as to which orders were the most recent,
ORANJE proceeded alongside North Wall, and confirmation was
obtained from the Commodore in Charge that the instructions
contained in the Hand Message were to be obeyed.
ORANJE sailed at 1500 an was met off the Nore Light Vessel
by a tug which had been specially sent out from Southend,
and, after Route Instructions had been obtained, proceeded
for Dunkirk by way of the West Hinder and Kwinte Bank buoys.
No instruction S had yet been received regarding the object
of the passage nor orders received about unloading the
provisions.
4.
Tuesday May 28th. About 0100 when approximately
two miles South of the West Hinder buoy, ORANJE sighted a
merchant vessel approaching ahead and course was altered to
starboard, the ships passing about two cabled apart. When
abou t 10 degrees abaft the beam, this vessel opened fire
on ORANJE
from - slown Skut Who we arpping ashin,
Pacific baily fashi than lush of
Vein and was I : belowed about the from
skoot of this party 0 anin it the he White Pance.
Proceded at How spend have & trey
hail, are Guld has Ideas Thanking.
straight for the beach were in awouns our
The citaltion are is him is Ret 9
Hue the them was a Perius

Details

CONFIDENTIAL
9/
95
ORANJE'S R.O.D./1 dated 10th June 1940 (cont)
this vessel opened fire
on ORANJE with rifles, 12 rounds being fired, 2being heard
to hit the ship's side and ricochet off. ORANJE, being
completely unarmed began to Zig-Zag, keeping as near as
possible end on to the rising moom.
When this ship was well clear, a full examination of the
surrounding water was made through binoculars: 8 torpedo
boat was observed lying stopped sbout 2 cables to starboard,
with 2 others approaching about half a mile on the cort
quarter. It was not possible at the time to identify these to
definitely, (they have since been identified from the
Illustrated London NewsX as German) but they were not British,
and were assumed to be hostile when the one starboard side
crossed ORANJE'S bows laying a smoke screen, and took station
astern of the other two. No attack was made, nor were the
boats seen again.
These incidents were reported the following day at Ramsgate.
5. At 0400 when in company with two other scoots and
one merchant ship in the vicibity of Mittelkirke Bank buoy,
the troopship QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL was observed approaching
on opposite courses. When about è of a mile away she was
attacked by a Heinkel dive-bomber which dropped 4 bomos,
(estimated 100 lbs.) roun her stern. She was observed to
stop and settle by the stern, so ORANJE proceeded alongside to
see if any immediate assistance could be given. Then just
comin alongside, they shouted from the bridge to keep off
as the bomber was diving again. One large bomb (estimated
500 lbs.) was dropped about 50 yards on ORANJE'S starboard
bow as she was leaving the QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL, and 8 small
amount of damage was don inside the ship due to shock. The
attack was accompanied by a small amount of machine-gun fire.
As the larger merchant ship then went alongside, ORANJE
proceeded on her way to Dunkirk.
Two destroyers full of troops were met in the Zuydecoot Pass.
This, and the previous meeting with the Queen of the Channel
was the first intimation of the evacuation of troops, end
even then 1 was not to confirm it.
6. It was anticipated that on the Eastern 1
end of Dunkirk Channel, ORANJE would be met or given instruc-
tion re berthing. As no vessel was met, ORANJE proceaded
alongdide a barrage vessel anchored off BRAY, which had been
attempting to communicate.
At
this
time,
pown - slum skut Who we aripping lud ashin, A
Pacific have Kshi than
Vein and was is :- belowed, about the Pause. from
st this party 5 anin a the ha White
of at How speed has in amount a heary an
Preceded for the beach were Mustery.
straight are Guld has Ideas
hail, The as is him is Rt & luch or.
Here the Then was a Primo

Details

CONFIDENTIAL
97
96
ORANJE's dated 10th June 1940 (cont)
communicate.
At this time a Blenheim bomber -1th British markings, flew
overhead. towards the beach where st dropped all number of small
bombs and was fired at with mechine runs and rifles. It was
then presumed that the beach was held by German troops, but
it was later ascertained that the Germans had obtained and
were using a number of aircraft with British markings.
Alongside the Barrage vessel we were informed by el number of
soldiers wearin British and French uniforms that the B.E.F.
was being evacuated, and that they had been told to find
their own way back to England as best they could, all their
officers having already left them. They also stated that they
had nothing to eat and asked us to provide them with bread.
I informedthem that I was proceeding to Dunkirk, but would
consider pickin them on the return journey. ORANJE then
proceeded on her way.
7. On approaching Dunkirk ORANJE met snother scoot
coming away who informed us that we were too small to be of
use alongside, nor could we land stores there, and should
return home. ORANJE turned about, recovered 5 soldiers from
the barrage vessel after insuring that they were genuine,
supplied the remaining Frenchmen with bread, and sailed for in
hom_e. A number of rafts, boats and lifebuoys were observed
on the way home, all of which were investigated, but no
survivors were found nor were any names found on any of the
ORANJE wreckage. arrived off the North Goodwin Light Vessel at 1500 and
was ordered to Ramsgate, proceeding alongside about 1630. The
majority of the bomb dam_age was made good, and ORANJE sailed
at 1930. with orders to disembark provisions at Le Panne,
about 10 miles east of Dunkirk.
8. Wednesday 29th May. ORANJE arrived off Le Panne
at 0430 and picked up one man off a raft in an exhausted sond
condition. An attempt was then made to beach the ship after
streaming a kedge anchor, but the kedge would not hold, and
so the bower anchor was let go and the ship allowed to swing
round with the tide. In view of the fact that the ship was
drawing eight feet of water and that the beach shelves very
gradually it was not possible to get closer in than è of 8
mile.
I then proceeded ashore personmally to interview
the military 9. authorities and returned on board at 0730 to
move the ship to a more convenient place. An arrangement had
been made for one working party to come on board to unload
the holds, ano ther to muster on the beach to unload the boats,
and as many large boats as pos ible would be commandeered.
It was now.
- slum Skut who We arbbiny lud ashin, of
pan Pacific beauty Kasi then hor
and of : belowed, about he the Pause.
steat Vein was this party 5 anim at the White
of at Here spend have in ausurs & trey our
Proceded the beach Ildius were
directed C/C for Guild was But &
hail In nituition we is line is Cuch or.
Here Me Guamanding offer a Inimo

Details

CONFIDENTIAL
page
98
97
ORANJE'S R.O.D./1 dated 10th June 1940 (cont)
commandeered.
It was now about an hour after high water and ORANJE proceeded/
as close inshore as possible, anchored, and then beached stern
first, drawings of the ship showing that this would not
damage the screw or rudder. A line, consisting of two 120
fathom lengths of 2" manila, was then run inshore and hauled
as tau a.s possible and ORANJE's dinghy was run along this,
as no other boats were then availabbe; the disembarkation of
provisions was then started about 5 packages at as time.
10. Two large boats were obtained about noon, and at
1700 the Royal Engineers provided 6 bridge building pontoons.
with this number of boats available It was possible to
disembark the provisions with reasonable celerity.
Intermittent Air Raids took place throughout the day, but
although a number of bom bs fell close to the ship, no damage
was done nor were there any casuals
By midnight when about 150 tons had been disembarked and were
still on the beach, it was decided between the embarkation
officer and mygelf that it would be better to stop disembark
ing provisions and embark troops, sailing as soon as the tide
rose sufficiently to float the ship.
11. Thursday May 30th. ORANJE weighed at 0415 with over
500 troops on board and proceeded for the Downs via the
Kwinte Bank and West Hinder buoys. On sporoaching the Kwinte
Bank buoy 8 wreck was observed about half 8 mile westward of
the buoy, which gave the appearance of being the bows of
destroyer protruding about 20 feet out of the water.
On arrival in The Downes ORANJE was ordered by the examination
steamer to proceed to Margate where we went alongside the pier
at 1720 and disembarked troops. 1 A.B. was discharged sick.
ORANJE completed with fuel, water, and provisions, embarked
two Lewis guns and ammunition, took two boats in tow, and
sailed for Dunkirk again at 2230. Owing to too short a tow,
ORANJE having no more hawsers on board, the boats broke
adrift in the vicinity of the Elbow buoy, and as they could
not be immediately located they were abandoned. There were
no crews on board.
12. Friday 31st Mey. ORANJE arrived off No. West
buoy, Dunkirk Channel at dawn and proceeded towards Le Panne.
There was considerable air activity along the coast but.
ORANJE was unmolested. Off Dunkirk Harbour ORANJE was closed
by a destroyer believed to be EXPRESS, and told to close
destroyer H 11 (BASILISK) and work under his orders: ORANJE
anchored off Le Panne in the same position as the previous
day. As ORANJE had no boats, embarkation was very slow until
BASILISK
pan - slum Skud Who are aripping ashin,
and Pacitic benif Kishi than with A
Vein are & 1 belowed about the has
Proceded at the spend has White & they
skoot of this party 0 amin it the ha Pance.
hail, are Guild was Ideas
straight for the beach were is awouns an
Il within was is line is Ret 9 Auch n.
Here the Ipen was a

Details

99
CONFIDENTIAL.
98
ORANJE'S R.O.D./1 dated 10th June 1940 (cont)
impact,
4
slow
until
BASILISK seiled, leaving behind her boats, which did fine
work on ou behalf. When about 120 men had been embarked
the Germans began shelling the ships, using an observation
balloon for spotting. As all ships got under way, ORANJE
followed with BASILISK'S boats in tow and proceeded to
anchor off Bray. At this time BASILISK returned and removed
her boats, and ORANJE was ordered to collect what troops
we could, and if none, to return to Margate with what we al-
ready had. As there were no spare boats at Bray ORANJE
tried several beaches in the vicinity of Rosendael and
Malo-les-Bains, but as only French troops were there who did
not appear desirous of coming off, and there were no boats,
ORANJE proceeded alongside the seaward side of Dunkirk
eastern arm. Here we were informed that there were 6 large
ships alongside empty, but no troops in the vicinity, so
we were told to return home.
ORANJE arrived off Margate at 2300 and anchored.
13. At 0300 ORANJE was called alongside to disembark
troops and the P.O. T.C. and E.R.A. were discharged sick.
At 0800, having completed with fresh provisions, and with 4
boats in tow, ORANJE sailed for Dunkirk. It was discovered
that there was a rope round the screw which reduced the speed
to 6 knots; this had evidently paen there since towing BASIKI
BASILISK's boats the previous day,
At 1200 the wrecks of the Scotta and another troopship were
sighted, but as there was already a large number of ships
On arrival off Dunkirk Channel, we were informed by another
picking up survivors, ORANJE did not stop.
scoot that the beach evacuation was completed, and that there
were already sufficient ships in Dunkirk Harbour, and our
boats were not required. As the origin of this message
appeared very doubtful, ORANJE remained in the vicinity to
try and get definite information from some warship leaving
Dunkirk.
= 14. From 1445 to 1515 a number of Air Attacks were made
on ships and boats, and as all ships turned homeward, ORANJE
did likewise. Three dive-bombers, believed to be Messerschmidt
attacked ORANJE during this period, two of them coming out of
the middle of a squadron of Spitfires. Fire was opened with
Lewis Guns and rifles, and one machine was observed leaving
with a thin trail of smoke behind: it is believed that this
machine was hit but not badly damaged. Each machine dropped
5 bo mbs, one large one (estimated 5001bs) which exploded on
impact,
pan Pacific being fashi them
and a slum Skut Who we aripping luid ashin of
and of : belowed about ha the Pame. hour
stent their was this picks 5 evin has it the White
of at the shud is ausure & trey our
Proceded for Fac beach were
Cr Culd was Ideas
hail, In within are 5 line is Rrt 9 auch r.
Here Me Emmand Your was a frims

Details

CONFIDENTIAL
page 6.
99
ORANJE'S R.O.D./1 dated 10th June 1940 (cont)
which exploded on
impact, and 4 smaller bombs (estimated 1001bs) with 5 or 10
about 25 yards away smashed the glass in the after end of the
seconds delay action. All bombs missed astern, but one falling
wheelhouse. All boats scattered during the attacks and there
were no casual Ities.
All boats except one returned to Margate under their own
power, this on e ORANJE took in tow again and arrived at X
Margate at 2200 and anchored for the night.
15. Sunday June 2nd. ORANJE was ordered to revert to
2 hours notice at noon.
16. Monday June 3rd. At 1000 an attempt was made to
start the auxiliary motor, to pump up pressure for starting
the main engine, but owing to a choked fuel pipe, and valve
trouble, it was not possible to start before 2100. This left
ORANJE out of action the whole day.
17. Tuesday June 4th. ORANJE remained at snchor
off Margate, sailing at 1800 for Southend in company with
two other scoots. ORANJE anchored off Southend at 2200.
HS. Crispin.
CE ADMIRA
Lieutenant. Royal Navy.
13 JUN 1940
*
Temporary Adress:- Combe Ridge,
*
0
Chiddingfold,
DOVER
E
Surrey.
slum Skud Who we aripping luck askin, of
from - Pacific they fashi then hour
and is : belowed, about he the Pause.
stert of at Has speed wave in ausure & trey us
View was this party a evin has at the White
Proceded the beach
are for will was Ideas Rrt 9
hail In nituition was is line is Auch or.
Hue Mr If was a frims

Details

2.
corted Lieut. by J.C. "Stathelliot" Clark,R.N.V.R. - Went over in "Rapid 1" 369
/ from and ferried troops, who were
French, the beaches on Friday, May 31.
turday at about 0400 he was towing the "Skipjacks On
scued sailors from the wreck of a sunken destroyer.
aler with 3 Sub Lieut. Ruck in charge, when they
a was following her when she was hit by a bomb. he
transferred the ratings and troops to the "Mosquito"
lped rescue the survivors including Sub Lieut. Flint,
o had been wounded and finally left at 1330 being
wed part of the way to Margate by the "Anje
b Lieut. T.R. Rumbold, R.N.V.R. - in the motor barge
iking" from Burnham on Crouch he went to le Panne on
e 30th and ferried all the forenoon. He returned to
msgate and sailed again at noon on the 1st for Bray,
riving just after dark. He burnt out his clutches and
ached the "Viking" but managed to kedge off and was
wed to Dover.
b Lieut. P. Snow, R.N. - In the "Reda" he reached the
aches on Wednesday, May 29th and ferried B.E.F. till
30. He went again on the Friday and ferried Frenchmen.
Sunday, June 2nd, he went over in the "Advance" to
nkirk, when he sighted the "Biboli" on the beach.
b Lieut. R.A. Forbes - Reached the beaches on Friday
y 31st in "Mary Spearing II" after rrying he
turned to Ramsgate. He sighted the "Gavine"ashore.
t. W.G.M. Christian, R.N.V.R. - was in "Mary Spearing I"
t she was beached although she was sighted later being
wed by a tug. He sighted "Margerita" floating but
serted.
ipper G.W. Halladay, R.N.R. - Went over to Dunkirk
1 Sunday June 2nd, in "Meander".
1b Lieut. R.H. Wallace, R.N.V.R. - Towed over to the
eaches in an "Orient" line motor life boat on Sunday
ine 2nd. The engine failed and the boat was beached and
bandoned. He saw hardly any soldiers. He started
alling in a pulling life boat but was taken in tow by
rawler "Alcmaria", to which he now transferred. The
OW parted during the night and life boat was left
rifting.
ab Lieut. J.K. Blackmore, R.N.V.R. - In the "Lurlyne",
hich had a bad engine and so he never got over.
ab Lieut. C.E.S. Beale - In K.A. Dover's barge which
as finally left in Dunkirk.
r. S. beaches Burns at 0130 on Monday June 3rd. He picked
(From Southend) - Tokk over "Kayell" arriving
n the of the "Block Arrow" which was ashore. and fishing He
erried P the crew French troops to a French destroyer
mack. "Kayell" in now beached at Ramsgate.
ub Lieut. over by "Oranje Vreeswijk" with They boats were
T.H. Rodgers, R.N.V.R. - In "Gay Crusader" other
e was towed "Silvery Breeze" and "Silver Foam". reached beaches
ombed ut was and towed tow back was in company with O.I.C. and
neluding cut off. He never "Pioneer"
Barl"

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

Details

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

Details

VESSERHAMER
OWNER
ЯДИМО
REMARKS JM882V
ABDE BEAUCLARK
Lifeboat
ABEL TASMAN
Dutch
JoodsTid везихойса
AEGIR
Dutch
ALICE
.I.А.И.Я
security
Dutch
AMAZONE
Dutch
ANTJE
Dutch
$8009711
OJ benefits
BART
.00 .K.B .0 & .9
"D"
Dutch
BORNRIFF
Dutch
BRENDARIS becreach
Isodetts ВОИТВАН
Dutch
CARIBIA
SHTYH
Dutch
TOS Wasmotat OK
antil 7838 SHIE
DELTA
(A) STACHERS
STATEMENT mott
Dutch
DESPATCH II benefits S
Dutch enta Itall Isvor
DOGGER BANK (bensuder
(a) STAORSTAR
Dutch
of Бептитея
office? nstbens0
STAOSHIRE
FERDANTA
Dutch .btd .00 18.8
FRISCO exem0 benefits
Dutche0 .M.B .0 58 .9
(81) STACHETIJ
TOT
CORECHT 03 benefits
Dutch mebH.8.2 Date:
TAOHERIS
of DenindeR
(Totoli S)
HEBE hev 10005 on
Dutch
(8) STAOSETIC
HONSDRUG FeersV gateelM
Dutch
xa
HORST S bite Demitter S
Dutch ITSAO ИТДВОЯ xH
(+) STACHATIS
besiges aeno
JAVA ATUJOT TO SEASE of
Dutch sibal
STAOSHERS
JUTLAND mort
Dutch .00 mottegivell
(afessev OL)
DIE INJURITY TOD
SERVETE SCIUDI
KAAPFALGA
Dutch della
52000214 Agridobia
YOUR
LENA
Dutch Говлойн Aground on Brady beach.
BILIN & 011900
XII STAOSBULI 4
ORANJE
Dutch
RITCAD
OD
NOTE
xe 1112 I
PACIFIC "dati
Dutch
HYHORIDA
PASCHULL
⑉06⑉
Dutch
⑉00⑉
I
PATRIA
on
Dutch antacida Tongos
XS TACESHIN I
PRINCESS JULIANA
Dutch
YORWAH
xe STACHERST
REIGER 03 hermiter &
Dutch
mebison
(b) НОИЛЯО
RIKA
Dutch
RUJA
Dutch
SANANTINO
Dutch
STADHAM
SURSUM CORDA
Dutchidelli blowdows
TTOO YEAR
зия ита ATAHOTM
Dutch
(dsods)
TILLY
Dutch
TWENTE
nosemic 18
BEDRIT
.renwo of Белшей
Dutch
(Jebdoth
VREDE Jon bib
LOOPE TELEPORT
Dutch
(THATEW XSTX BAMORT)
WEGA
Dutch
Jeodella STAOLMAS
ZEOS
bna CLOOD АВОЯ
anuz
******** HUMAN
ИОТИТЯЧ bire MOTJAW

Details

472 496
Margote
SATURDAY, 1ST JUNE, 1940.
0005.
"QUEEN OF THANET".
850.
0130.
"KINGFISHER".
157.
0400.
"ORANJE".
100.
0500.
"GOLDEN EAGLE".
1250.
0415.
"MOTOR BOAT".
23.
0510.
"SALTASH".
400.
"WESTWARD HO".
720.
0600.
"ROYAL EAGLE".
1250.
0610.
"ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
47.
0630.
0830.
"LADY SOUTHBORO".
350.
0950.
"PRINCESS ELIZABETH".
510.
0950.
"GALLEONS REACH"
123.
.
1 Alien Postal
worker French.
1045.
"QUEENS CHANNEL".
52.
"WHIPPINGHAM".
2500.
1145.
280.
1215.
"DUNDALK".
200.
1345.
"FORENOST".
1420.
"ORTEL".
470. * 1 Pathe Man. Gazette
130.
1650.
"AEGIR".
108.
1450.
"VINCIA".
210. + 2 Belgian Airman,
1600.
"KINGFISHER".
supposed to have
escaped from Germans.
1650.
"QUEEN OF THANST".
1500.
700.
1740.
"K.G.V."
58.
"HALCYON".
1740.
350.
"SALTASH".
1830.
918. + 1 Alien under arrest
"WESTWARD HO".
2030.
150.
2100.
"ANTJE".
25.
"RAPID I".
2100.
580.
"HOPPER 24".
2215.
-
14011.
TOTAL.

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

Details

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

Details

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

Details

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

Details

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

Details

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

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
APPENDIX J
to return the to effect England. that a was at Dunkirk telling Margate boats to
During the evening skoot of the 1st going June a along report the was beaches recieved from S.N.T.O.
Antje The intended Antje was to hailed get confirmation and told with to from survivors return. her, when A warship the troop was carrier Scoficinity, sarrier Scoticinity, and
skoot Oranje with boats in tow was England and complied.
close to her; so Antje filled up told to return and to returned. is understood sunk that
another skoot was of these details. was hands. It has not occasion been
In view of these informed reports, message that Dunkirk 2335/1 was in sent German out. On an earlier
possible to get confirmation
2332/3
APPENDIX J
SIGNALS RE PATROLS IN THE NORTH SEA SOUTH AND ON THE
ROUTES TO DUNKIRK
Sunday, 26th May
1. ADMIRALTY to C.-IN-C. NORE, (R) V.A. Dover, F.O.I.C. Harwich, F.O.I.C. Humber
All available forces are to be used for covering operation Dynamo tonight Sunday.
1937/26
2. Widgeon to C.-IN-C. NORE
Siroco was torpedoed by 2 M.T.B.'s
0200/31
Saturday, 1st June
3. Malabar to ANY-BRITISH MAN-OF-WAR
explosion 2 miles ? S buoy.
Argyllshire sunk by torpedo. Survivors report submarine submerged before
0310/1
4. Kingston Galena to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER (R) Capt. A.P.
to Dover.
Stella Dorado torpedoed. Picked up 5 survivors, 1 badly injured. Proceeding
0430/1
5. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to SHIPS & AUTHORITIES NORE & DOVER COMMAND
Magnetic mines reported to have been laid vicinity of buoy F.G. on route X.
2310/1
Sunday, 2nd June
6. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to Epervier (R) Léopard, Savorgnan de Brazza.
N. Goodwin L.V. 8 miles. Caused by shell fire. Vanquisher left Dover 1305 B.S.T.
Three aux. patrol vessels reported out of action at 1214 B.S.T. in position 090°
to investigate and report.
1315/2
7. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to Calcutta, (R) C.-in-C. Nore, Admiralty, Savorgnan de Brazza
patrol to that carried out today Sunday is to be carried out tomorrow Monday,
Return to Sheerness and revert to 1 hours notice for steam. An exactly similar
provided patrol line. C.-in-C. Nore can provide a screen. Inform the French vessels on your
1247/2
were was not already sufficient ships in Dunkirk harbour and that was Oranje's complete, tow of 4 boats,
I A skoot informed Oranje that beach evacuation that there
required. About an hour later the Oranje did in fact return to England.
172

Details

INDEX
Mosquito,44,727, 74, 88 (damaged), 92-3 (sunk).
Motor boats Control sunk Organisation, 5, 25.
93. to salvage pulling boats, 60-61,; follow Capt. Howson to England 74.
Movements 119-120.
M.T.B.67, 66n, 67.
M.T.B.16, 28, 113.
M.T.B.68, 66n, 71, 75.
M.T.B.107, 66n, 111, 119 (in operation CK).
M.T.B.102, 66n, 90, 108, 115.
Naiad Errant, 72n, 92.
Nautilus, sunk, 36, 42, 47.
Nanette II, 72n.
Nelson's, picket boa+, 72n : motor boat, 107n, 119.
Nayland, 32n, 47n, 114n.
Netsukis, 23n, 107n.
Nettle, Lt., 49.
New Britannic, 32n, 47n.
Newhaven, 102, 107n, 109, 112n, 114n.
Newhaven, sends small craft, 61.
New Prince of Wales, damaged, 74.
Ngaroma, 16.
Nicolle, General, 101.
Niger, 61, 86, 100 (meets small craft returning empty), 101, 107n, 109 (rams a French ship).
Noakes, Mr. W. H., killed, 73.
N.O.I.C. Beaches, see Capt. Howson.
Noneta, 71n.
Nord, Admiral. see Abrial, Admiral.
Nore C. in C., 8, 17 (to cover Dynamo) ; provision of boats, 51; M.T.B.'s, 70.
Normania, sunk, 44.
Ocean Breeze, 60, 71n.
Ocean Cock, 71n.
Ocean Reward, 28n, 34 (sunk).
Olivier, Mr. G. D., 73.
Olvina, 60 (goes to France in error), 91.
O.L.V. van Vlaandaren, 73n, 110 (lost).
Operations : CK Blocking of Dunkirk, 111-2, 119-20; XD (E) Dunkirk demolitions, 8,
19, 106; XD (G) Boulogne demolitions, 8-9.
Oranje, 20, 24, 29n, 47n, 100.
Oriole, 28n, 47 (beached to form pier), 107n.
Osborne, Mr. F. W., 73n.
Osborne, Mr. L. V., 73n.
Ostend, unsuitable for military requirements, 7; captured, 27.
Otway-Riven, Cdr. H. J. O., 49, 80n.
Our Bairns, 34.
Overfalls, 71n.
Pacific, 30n.
Pacifico, 119-120.
Pangbourne, 28n, 41 (damaged), 42, 97, 107n, 120.
Paris, 29n, 103-4 (sunk).
Parminster, Brigadier, 22.
Pascholl, 30n, 114n, 115-7.
Patria, 20n, 24, 29n, 46.
Patricia, 20.
Patrols : air, see Royal Air Force ; Naval of the routes, 20, 23, 28, 33-34 (ships taken off),
34 (strengthened), 85 (inshore channel).
Pauleter, 60n.
Paxton, 23n, 31 (damaged).
Pellag II, sunk, 95.
Persia, 71n, 90.
Personnel vessels : vulnerability, 28; not to be employed in daylight, 29, 99; strain
Pharailde, 73n.
on, 48; sailings suspended, 70; heavy losses, 98-9.
203

Details

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

Details

Reference
VESSEL
OWNER
REMARKS
LENA
Dutch
Aground on Brady beach Mr.Bellamy
ORANJE
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy
PACIFIC
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy
PASCHULL
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
PATRIA
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
PRINCESS JULIANA
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy
REIGER
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy
RIKA
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy
RUJA
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy
SANANTINO
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy
SURSUM CORDA
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy
M
is
TILLY
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy
TWENTE
Dutch
*
Mr.Bellamy
FRED
(LT
VREDE
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
WEGA
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
H H H
ZEOS
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
KA

Details

VESSEL
OWNER
REMARKS
ENA
Dutch
Aground on Brady besch(Mr.Bellamy)
ORANJE
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy
PACIFIC
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy
PASCHULL
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
PATRIA
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
PRINCESS JULIANA
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
REIGER
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
RIKA
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy
RUJA
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy
SANANTINO
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
SURSUM CORDA
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
ned
TILLY
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy
TWENTE
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
VREDE
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
WEGA
Dutch
Mr.Bellamy
ZEOS
Dutch
Mr. Bellamy

Details

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

Details

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

Details

Details

CON FIDENTIAL
Dynams 245.
014/0/1264
@4
From: - The Commending Officer, H.M.S. "ORANJE"
Date:- 10th. Ju ne 1940
To:- The Vice-Admirel, Commending; Dover.
(Copy to:- The Commender-in-Chief, The Nore.)
Report on Operation Dynamo.
The followin report is submitted in accordance
with N. G. O. 448/40.
2. On Sunday May 26th "ORANJE" completed with Navel
stores at Sheerness and proceeded to a buoy to await orders,
remaining there all night at hour's notice. About 200 tons
of Arm provisions had been Loaded at Deptford, but no
instructions had been issued re their disembarkation.
3.
Monday May 27th.
At 1400 a letter was
received containing orders to proceed to Dover with all
despatch, the Commanding Officer reporting to the Vice-
Admiral, Commanding; Dover, on arrival. ORANJE had just
slipped from the buoy when a lighter secured alongside with
fu rther stores: these were embarked by 1430 and ORANJE
proceeded down river.
Before reaching Garrison Point, a Confidential Hand Message
was received by motor boat with orders to proceed to
Southend for Route Instructions, and sail for Dunkirk.
As there was doubt as to which orders were the most recent,
ORANJE proceeded alongside North Wall, and confirmation was
obtained from the Commodore in Charge that the instructions
contained in the Hand Message were to be obeyed.
ORANJE sailed at 1500 and was met off the Nore Light Vessel
by a tug which had been specially sent out from Southend,
and, after Route Instructions had been obtained, proceeded
for Dunkirk by way of the West Hinder and Kwinte Bank buoys.
No instruction S had yet been received regarding the object
of the passage nor orders received about unloading the
provisions.
4. Tuesday May 28th. About 0100 when approximately
two miles South of the West Hinder buoy, ORANJE sighted at
merchant vessel approaching ahead and course was altered to
starboard, the ships passing about two cabled apart. When
abou t 10 degrees abaft the beam, this vessel opened fire
on ORANJE
from - slown Skut Who we arpping ashin,
Pacific baily fashi then lush of
View and was J : belowed about the from
skoot of this party 6 anin it the ha Panne.
Proceded at How spend have White & trey
hail, are could has Ideas Thanking.
straight for the beach Were, in awouns our
Ill citaltion are is line is Ret 9
Here the then was a Perius

Details

CONFIDENTIAL
95
ORANJE'S R.O.D./1 dated 10th June 1940 (cont)
this vessel opened fire
on ORANJE with rifles, 12 rounds being fired, 2being heard
to hit the ship's side and ricochet off. ORANJE, being
completely unarmed began to Zig-Zag, keeping as near as
possible end on to the rising moom.
When this ship was well clear, a full examination of the
surrounding water was made through binoculars: 8 torpedo
boat was observed lying stopped about 2 cables to starboard,
with 2 others approaching about half a mile on the port
quarter. It was not possible at the time to identify these to
definitely, (they have since been identified from the
Illustrated London NewsX as German) but they were not British,
and were assumed to be hostile when the one starboard side
crossed ORANJE'S bows laying a smoke screen, and took station
astern of the other two. No attack was made, nor were the
boats seen again.
These incidents were reported the following day at Ramsgate.
5. At 0400 when in company with two other scoots and
one merchant ship in the vicibity of Mittelkirke Bank buoy,
the troopship QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL was observed approaching
on opposite courses. When about è of a mile away she was
attacked by a Heinkel dive-bomber which dropped 4 bomos,
(estimated 100 lbs.) roun her stern. She was observed to
stop and settle by the stern, so ORANJE proceeded alongside to
see if any immediate assistance could be given. Then just
comin alongside, they shouted from the bridge to keep off
as the bomber was diving again. One Large bomb (estimated
500 lbs.) was dropped about 50 yards on ORANJE'S starboard
bow as she was leaving the QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL, and 8 small
amount of damage was don inside the ship due to shock. The
attack was accompanied by a small amount of machine-gun fire.
As the larger merchant ship then went alongside, ORANJE
proceeded on her way to Dunkirk.
Two destroyers full of troops were met in the Zuydecoot Pass.
This, and the previous meeting with the Queen of the Channel
was the first intimation of the evacuation of troops, end
even then 1 was not to confirm it.
6. It was anticipated that on the Eastern *
end of Dunkirk Channel, ORANJE would be met or given instruc-
tion re berthing. As no vessel was met, ORANJE proceaded
alongdide a barrage vessel anchored off BRAY, which had been
attempting to communicate.
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this
time,
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97
96
ORANJE's dated 10th June 1940 (cont)
communicate.
At this time a Blenheim bomber -1th British markings, flew
overhead. towards the beach where st dropped all number of small
bombs and was fired at with mechine runs and rifles. It was
then presumed that the beach was held by German troops, but
it was later ascertained that the Germans had obtained and
were using a number of aircraft with British markings.
Alongside the Barrage vessel we were informed by el number of
soldiers wearin British and French uniforms that the B.E.F.
was being evacuated, and that they had been told to find
their own way back to England as best they could, all their
officers having already left them. They also stated that they
had nothing to eat and asked us to provide them with bread.
I informedthem that I was proceeding to Dunkirk, but would
consider pickin them on the return journey. ORANJE then
proceeded on her way.
7. On approaching Dunkirk ORANJE met snother scoot
coming away who informed us that we were too small to be of
use alongside, nor could we land stores there, and should
return home. ORANJE turned about, recovered 5 soldiers from
the barrage vessel after insuring that they were genuine,
supplied the remaining Frenchmen with bread, and sailed for in
hom_e. A number of rafts, boats and lifebuoys were observed
on the way home, all of which were investigated, but no
survivors were found nor were any names found on any of the
ORANJE wreckage. arrived off the North Goodwin Light Vessel at 1500 and
was ordered to Ramsgate, proceeding alongside about 1630. The
majority of the bomb dam_age was made good, and ORANJE sailed
at 1930. with orders to disembark provisions at Le Panne,
about 10 miles east of Dunkirk.
8. Wednesday 29th May. ORANJE arrived off Le Panne
at 0430 and picked up one man off a raft in an exhausted sond
condition. An attempt was then made to beach the ship after
streaming a kedge anchor, but the kedge would not hold, and
so the bower anchor was let go and the ship allowed to swing
round with the tide. In view of the fact that the ship was
drawing eight feet of water and that the beach shelves very
gradually it was not possible to get closer in than è of 8
mile.
I then proceeded ashore personmally to interview
the military 9. authorities and returned on board at 0730 to
move the ship to a more convenient place. An arrangement had
been made for one working party to come on board to unload
the holds, ano ther to muster on the beach to unload the boats,
and as many large boats as pos ible would be commandeered.
It was now.
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Here Me Guamanding offer a Inimo

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page
98
97
ORANJE'S R.O.D./1 dated 10th June 1940 (cont)
commandeered.
It was now about an hour after high water and ORANJE proceeded/
as close inshore as possible, anchored, and then beached stern
first, drawings of the ship showing that this would not
damage the screw or rudder. A line, consisting of two 120
fathom lengths of 2" manila, was then run inshore and hauled
as tau a.s possible and ORANJE's dinghy was run along this,
as no other boats were then availabbe; the disembarkation of
provisions was then started about 5 packages at as time.
10. Two large boats were obtained about noon, and at
1700 the Royal Engineers provided 6 bridge building pontoons.
with this number of boats available It was possible to
disembark the provisions with reasonable celerity.
Intermittent Air Raids took place throughout the day, but
although a number of bom bs fell close to the ship, no damage
was done nor were there any casuals
By midnight when about 150 tons had been disembarked and were
still on the beach, it was decided between the embarkation
officer and mygelf that it would be better to stop disembark
ing provisions and embark troops, sailing as soon as the tide
rose sufficiently to float the ship.
11. Thursday May 30th. ORANJE weighed at 0415 with over
500 troops on board and proceeded for the Downs via the
Kwinte Bank and West Hinder buoys. On sporoaching the Kwinte
Bank buoy 8 wreck was observed about half 8 mile westward of
the buoy, which gave the appearance of being the bows of
destroyer protruding about 20 feet out of the water.
On arrival in The Downes ORANJE was ordered by the examination
steamer to proceed to Margate where we went alongside the pier
at 1720 and disembarked troops. 1 A.B. was discharged sick.
ORANJE completed with fuel, water, and provisions, embarked
two Lewis guns and ammunition, took two boats in tow, and
sailed for Dunkirk again at 2230. Owing to too short a tow,
ORANJE having no more hawsers on board, the boats broke
adrift in the vicinity of the Elbow buoy, and as they could
not be immediately located they were abandoned. There were
no crews on board.
12. Friday 31st Mey. ORANJE arrived off No. West
buoy, Dunkirk Channel at dawn and proceeded towards Le Panne.
There was considerable air activity along the coast but.
ORANJE was unmolested. Off Dunkirk Harbour ORANJE was closed
by a destroyer believed to be EXPRESS, and told to close
destroyer H 11 (BASILISK) and work under his orders: ORANJE
anchored off Le Panne in the same position as the previous
day. As ORANJE had no boats, embarkation was very slow until
BASILISK
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99
CONFIDENTIAL.
98
ORANJE'S R.O.D./1 dated 10th June 1940 (cont)
until
BASILISK sailed, leaving behind her boats, which did fine
work on ou behalf. When about 120 men had been embarked
the Germans began shelling the ships, using an observation
balloon for spotting. As all ships got under way, ORANJE
followed with BASILISK'S boats in tow and proceeded to
anchor off Bray. At this time BASILISK returned and removed
her boats, and ORANJE was ordered to collect what troops
we could, and if none, to return to Margate with what we al-
ready had. As there were no spare boats at Bray ORANJE
tried several beaches in the vicinity of Rosendael and
Malo-les-Bains, but as only French troops were there who did
not appear desirous of coming off, and there were no boats,
ORANJE proceeded alongside the seaward side of Dunkirk
eastern arm. Here we were informed that there were 6 large
ships alongside empty, but no troops in the vicinity, so
we were told to return home.
ORANJE arrived off Margate at 2300 and anchored.
13. At 0300 ORANJE was called alongside to disembark
troops and the P.O. T.C. and E.R.A. were discharged sick.
At 0800, having completed with fresh provisions, and with 4
boats in tow, ORANJE sailed for Dunkirk. It was discovered
that there was a rope round the screw which reduced the speed
to 6 knots; this had evidently peen there since towing BASIKI
BASILISK's boats the previous day.
At 1200 the wrecks of the Scotia and another troopship were
sighted, but as there was already a large number of ships
On arrival off Dunkirk Channel, we were informed by another
picking up survivors, ORANJE did not stop.
scoot that the beach evacuation was completed, and that there
were already sufficient ships in Dunkirk Harbour, and our
boats were not required. As the origin of this message
appeared very doubtful, ORANJE remained in the vicinity to
try and get definite information from some warship leaving
Dunkirk.
14. From 1445 to 1515 a number of Air Attacks were made
on ships and boats, and as all ships turned homeward, ORANJE
did likewise. Three dive-bombers, believed to be Messerschmidt
attacked ORANJE during this period, two of them coming out of
the middle of a squadron of Spitfires. Fire was opened with
Lewis Guns and rifles, and one machine was observed leaving
with a thin trail of smoke behind: it is believed that this
machine was hit but not badly damaged. Each machine dropped
5 bo, mbs, one large one (estimated 5001be) which exploded on
impact,
pan Pacific being fashi them
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Here the Guamanding Your was a Perius

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page 6.
99
ORANJE'S R.O.D./1 dated 10th June 1940 (cont)
which exploded on
impact, and 4 smaller bombs (estimated 1001bs) with 5 or 10
about 25 yards away smashed the glass in the after end of the
seconds delay action. All bombs missed astern, but one falling
wheelhouse. All boats scattered during the attacks and there
were no casual Ities.
All boats except one returned to Margate under their own
power, this on e ORANJE took in tow again and arrived at X
Margate at 2200 and anchored for the night.
15. Sunday June 2nd. ORANJE was ordered to revert to
2 hours notice at noon.
16. Monday June 3rd. At 1000 an attempt was made to
start the auxiliary motor, to pump up pressure for starting
the main engine, but owing to a choked fuel pipe, and valve
trouble, it was not possible to start before 2100. This left
ORANJE out of action the whole day.
17. Tuesday June 4th. ORANJE remained at snchor
off Margate, sailing at 1800 for Southend in company with
two other scoots. ORANJE anchored off Southend at 2200.
HS. Crispin.
CE ADMIRA
Lieutenant. Royal Navy.
13 JUN 1940
*
Temporary Adress:- Combe Ridge,
*
0
Chiddingfold,
DOVER
E
Surrey.
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2.
0 Lieut. J.O. Clark, - Went over in "Rapid I" 369
corted by "Stathelliot" and ferried troops, who were
/ French, from the beaches on Friday, May 31. On
turday at about 0400 he was towing the "Skipjacks
ler with Sub Lieut. Ruck in charge, when they
scued 3 sailors from the wreck of a sunken destroyer.
transferre the ratings and troops to the "Mosquito"
a was following her when she was hit by a bomb. he
lped rescue the survivors including Sub Lieut. Flint,
o had been wounded and finally left at 1330 being
wed part of the way to Margate by the "Anje"
b Lieut. T.R. Rumbold, R.N.V.R. - in the motor barge
iking" from Burnham on Crouch he went to le Panne on
e 30th and ferried all the forenoon. He returned to
msgate and sailed again at noon on the 1st for Bray,
riving just after dark. He burnt out his clutches and
ached the "Viking" but managed to kedge off and was
wed to Dover.
b Lieut. P. Snow, R.N. - In the "Reda" he reached the
aches on Wednesday, May 29th and ferried B.E.F. till
30. He went again on the Friday and ferried Frenchmen.
Sunday, June 2nd, he went over in the "Advance" to
nkirk, when he sighted the "Biboli" on the beach.
b Lieut. R.A. Forbes - Reached the beaches on Friday
y 31st in "Mary Spearing II" after rying he
turned to Ramsgate. He sighted the "Gavine 'ashore.
t. W.G.M. Christian, R.N.V.R. - was in "Mary Spearing I"
t she was beached although she was sighted later being
wed by a tug. He sighted "Margerita" floating but
serted.
ipper G.W. Halladay, R.N.R. - Went over to Dunkirk
1
Sunday June 2nd, in "Meander".
ab in an "Orient" line motor life boat on Sunday
Lieut. R.H. Wallace, R.N.V.R. - Towed over to the
ne He saw hardly any soldiers. He started
eaches 2nd. The engine failed and the boat was beached and
bandoned. in a pulling life boat but was taken in tow The by
alling "Alcmaria", to which he now transferred. left
OW rawler parted during the night and life boat was
rifting.
ib Lieut. J.K. Blackmore, R.N.V.R. - In the over. "Lurlyne",
hich had a bad engine and so he never got
ab Lieut. C.E.S. Beale - In K.A. Dover's barge which
as finally left in Dunkirk.
(From Southend) - Tokk over "Kayell" He picked arriving
n the beaches of the "Block Arrow" which was and fishing He
r. S. Burns at 0130 on Monday June 3rd. ashore.
P the crew French troops to a French destroyer
erried mack. "Kayell" in now beached at Ramsgate.
ub Lieut. T.H. over by "Oranje Vreeswijk" Foam". with They boats were
Rodgers, R.N.V.R. - In "Gay Crusader" other
e was towed 'Silvery Breeze" and "Silver reached beaches
ut ombed was and towed tow back was in company with O.I.C. and
neluding cut off. He never "Pioneer"
Barl"