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HALCYON (N.42)
6th M.S.F.
Lt.Cdr. J.M. S. Cox, D.S.C.,
R.N.
Cdr. E. P. Hinton, M.V.O.
R.N.
26th May
2015
Arrived Dover in company with the M/S
Skipjack.
27th May
1244
Anchored in the Downs.
1530
Weighed and proceeded with the dr.
Impulsive, the Skipjack and the
Trinity House vessel Patricia to
sweep a new channel [afterwards
known as "route x"] and to lay U, V,
and W buoys.
2225
Anchored off Goodwin Knoll.
28th May
0600
Weighed and returned to
0750
Dover.
Cdr. Hinton took over command of
the ship from Lt. Cdr. Cox.
1447
Slipped and proceeded to Dunkirk. In
the Downs, the M/S's Sutton, Skipjack
Fitzroy and Salamander joined
company.
2115
Arrived off La Panne. Sent s/Lt.
Worthington R.N.V.R. in charge of the
M/B and 2 whalers to embark troops.
29th May
Swell made boat work difficult.
0525
Weighed and proceeded with 192 troops
on board. Shortly after, a big and
unaccountable explosion occurred just
off the bow.
1240
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 192 troops.
1600
Sailed for Dunkirk.
2000ca
In the vicinity of Dunkirk, enemy
aircraft were engaged, and a
deliberate attack on a hospital
ship [the Isle of Guernsey was
observed. "One wounded man from
this ship was picked up out of the
water". (1)
-
On arrival at Dunkirk, out-going
destroyers informed Halcyon to
keep clear until dark.
30th May
0035ca
The M/S Sharpshooter joined company
and both ships anchored just to the
eastward of the burning wreck of the
Crested Eagle, [?the S.S. Clan
Macalister].(2)
0330
Weighed and proceeded with 232 troops,
leaving the M/B for the destroyers
to use.
-
off Dunkirk, another unexplained
explosion occurred in the water.
0820
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 232
troops. (3)
1556
Sailed for Dunkirk, in company with
Skipjack and Salamander.
(1) This was probably the airman whom the Isle of Guernsey
had been attempting to pick up.
(2) The Sharpshooter at this time was off La Panne. The
Crested Eagle was ashore between Malo and Bray; the
Clan Macalister was about 1 mile west of La Panne.
(3) D.R. gives 213.
9

Details

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

Details

Trinity House Vessel.
PATRICIA( 1)
1140
Sailed from Dover with the dr.
27th May
Impulsive and the M/S's Skipjack and
10ᵗʰ June
Halcyon to establish and buoy the
searched channel from the North
3rd June
Goodwin L.V. to the Ruytingen Pass
and thence into the Dunkirk roads,
June
afterwards known as Route X. It
yis
shortened the round trip from 172
miles to 108.
1919
This operation was completed.
awn Pahol boat
Eletregier as
Carpus (CARPIER)
(20le by for beard Leach
Photocical Siction)
(1) Not mentioned in D.R.
383

Details

SKIPJACK (N.38)
6th M.S.F.
Lieut. Cdr. F.B. Proudfoot,
R.N. (Retd.)
1300
27th May
The M/S's Skipjack and Halcyon, the
destroyer Impulsive, the T.H.V.
Patricia, ing duties and a trawler for minesweep-
[viz:
L.V., for the purpose of laying the
rendezvous-ed off the N. Goodwin
light buoys U, V, and W on, and
sweeping, the new middle Route X.
This operation was carried out under
1919
orders of Skipjack.
The operation being completed, the
Patricia proceeded to Harwich, the
other ships to the Downs.
28th May
1545
The M/S's Sutton, Fitzroy and Salamander
sailed from Dover and
1630ca
were joined by the Skipjack and
Halcyon near S buoy. The 5 ships
proceeded in company to La Panne.
2130
Arrived off La Panne. The Skipjack
embarked troops and proceeded.
29th May
-
The Skipjack disembarked 184 troops
at Dover. (1)
30th May
-
The Skipjack, having apparently again
been over to Dunkirk, disembarked 231
troops at Dover. (2)
1556
V/ Exant/
The Skipjack, towing the ex-Belgian
canal boats Amblene and Sambre, and
in company with the Halcyon and
Salamander, left Dover for Bray.
2100
Arrived off Bray. The Skipjack
embarked troops and proceeded.
31st May
-
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 450 troops (1)
1800
Left Dover in company with Halcyon and
Salamander to rendezvous with other
M/S's at W buoy by 2200.
1st June
0030
The Skipjack anchored off La Panne.
She had only one small boat
(without a rudder); the ship's
boats had been left behind on the
previous trip. No boats came off
from the shore.
0330ca
At break of dawn, weighed, and
proceeding westward, managed to
secure 3 boats. Some troops were
also picked up.
Course was continued to about 1
mile east of Dunkirk, where there
was only one small skoot operating
[probably the Hilda]. Boats were
then sent in and embarkation
0530ca
The commenced. Skipjack was kept under way because
of the considerable air activity.
From this time onwards there was were
{1} D.R.
D.R. According to C.W. 29685/40, however, the Skipjack
made only three trips to Dunkirk, and was sunk on the
third trip.
146

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Page 141
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
Ramsgate and Margate Base Organisation (Continued).
Chief Stoker Harold Greenwood, C/K.9452. C/K.
For outstanding zeal and devotion to duty in
attending to fuelling requirements for motor craft
employed in the operation. This man was on duty
throughout in charge of petrol supplies and was in
great demand as craft returned for replenishment.
Recommended for mention.
Women's Royal Naval Service.
Miss Patricia Margaret Chadwick (Communications Branch).
For outstanding zeal and devotion to duty
representative of the Base Communications Staff.
Besides working her ordinary watch, she succeeded
in operating the Teleprinter at the East Pier
throughout the operation, by which means all
casualties were reported to the Admiralty, thus
saving congestion on telephone lines.
Recommended for mention.
Miss Dorothy Eva Pascoe. Petty Officer Wren. Secretary's
Office Staff.
For outstanding zeal and devotion to duty.
This wren is the Secretary's personal assistant
and she remained on duty night after night with
very little sleep, attending to typing, duplicating
and issuing of operational and sailing orders
besides, during the day, performing her ordinary
routine duties. She had to be forcibly sent home
in the early hours of several mornings.
Recommended for mention.

Details

Page 143.
Page 14]
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
Ramsgate and Margate Base Organisation (Continued).
Chief Stoker Harold Greenwood, C/K.9452. C/K.
For outstanding zeal and devotion to duty in
attending to fuelling requirements for motor craft
employed in the operation. This man was on duty
throughout in charge of petrol supplies and was in
great demand as craft returned for replenishment,
Recommended for mention.
Women's Royal Naval Service.
Miss Patricia Margaret Chadwick (Communications Branch).
For outstanding zeal and devotion to duty
representative of the Base Communications Staff.
Besides working her ordinary watch, she succeeded
in operating the Teleprinter at the East Pier
throughout the operation, by which means all
casualties were reported to the Admiralty, thus
saving congestion on telephone lines.
Recommended for mention.
Miss Dorothy Eva Pascoe, Petty Officer Wren, Secretary's
Office Staff.
For outstanding zeal and devotion to duty.
This wren is the Secretary's personal assistant
and she remained on duty night after night with
very little sleep, attending to typing, duplicating
and issuing of operational and sailing orders
besides, during the day, performing her ordinary
routine duties. She had to be forcibly sent home
in the early hours of several mornings.
Recommended for mention.
one
and
ed.

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Page 143.
Operation "DYNAMO"
-
Recommendati ns of Personnel. Page 142
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel. Page 141
gate and Margate Base Organisation (Continued).
Chief Stoker Harold Greenwood, C/K.9452. C/K.
attending employed in the fuelling requirements for duty in
For outstanding to zeal and devotion to
great demand charge of petrol supplies duty in
throughout in operation. This man was motor on craft
as craft returned for replenishment. and was
Recommended for mention.
omen's Royal Naval Service.
Miss Patricia Margaret Chadwick (Communications Branch).
For outstanding zeal and devotion to duty
representative of the Base Communications Staff.
Besides working her ordinary watch, she succeeded
in operating the Teleprinter at the East Pier
5
throughout the operation, by which means all
386
casualties were reported to the Admiralty, thus
saving congestion on telephone lines.
Recommended for mention.
Miss Dorothy Eva Pascoe, Petty Officer Wren, Secretary's
Office Staff
For outstanding zeal and devotion to duty.
This wren is the Secretary's personal assistant
and she remained on duty night after night with
very little sleep, attending to typing, duplicating
and issuing of operational and sailing orders
besides, during the day, performing her ordinary
routine duties. She had to be forcibly sent home
in the early hours of several mornings.
Recommended for mention.
NIL
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Dynams 247
49
- 59
H.M.S. IMPULSIVE
June 5th,1940
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the following report in
accordance with your memorandum No.B14/0/1101/40 of 4th
June 1940.
H.M.S.Impulsive arrived at Dover
from Immingham at 0840 on May 27th 1940, and sailed at 1140
with H.M.Ships Skipjack and Halcyon and Trinity House Vessel
Patricia to establish and buoy the searched channel from the
North Goodwin Light Vessel to Dunkirk, afterwards known as
Route I. This operation was completed by 1919 and Impulsive
anchored in the Downs at 2200.
2.
At 2228 on May 27th orders were
received by signal to proceed with all despatch to the beaches
east of Dunkirk and enbark troops. Inpulsive weighed and
proceeding by route Y arrived off La Panne at 0345 on May 28th
and anchored as close inshore as possible. Both power boats
being broken down the two whalers were sent inshore to enbark
troops. These boats were employed ferrying troops from the
beach to large motor boats which were lying further off the
shore.
3.
At 0520 Impulsive was ordered by
Calcutta, anchored off La Panne, to proceed to Dunkirk and go
alongside the Eastern Pier to embark troops. Ship secured
alongside the outer end of the pier at 0620 and after
embarking approximately 750 troops sailed for Dover. Route Y
was used and after an uneventful passage ship arrived at Dover
at 1110. Troops were disembarked and, when several ratings
who had missed the ship at Imminghen, had rejoined ship,
sailed for Dunkirk at 1235 using route Y.
4.
It was during this passage, off
Kwinte Bank buoy, that the ship was attacked and heavily
bombed by six Heinkels. By proceeding at full speed and
making frequent and violent alterations of course, the bombs,
which could be seen falling, were successfully avoided and no
hits were scored. Aircraft were bombing from approximately
1000 feet. On completion of the bombing three aircraft
remained behind and attacked with machine guns. A northerly
course was steered during these attacks in order to avoid the
narrow channels, and it was during these attacks that the ship
was damaged and the casualties occurred --- 6 ratings being
wounded, 2 seriously. B gun was put out of action by an
armour pieroing bullet which penetrated the gun shield, wounded
the trainer and lodged in the air pipe to the run out cylinder,
causing the gun to remain in the recoil position. The D/G
goil was punctured by bullots and caught fire: this was quickly
extinguished. On the first attack developing 1 cleared the
bridge of lookouts and signalmen remaining up there by myself.

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
APPENDIX A
TROOPS
MOTOR BOATS, LAUNCHES AND VESSELS (contd.)
TRANSPORTED
M.F.H. (W. H. Smith, Capt.)
87
Minikoil (S/Lt. R. E. Blows, R.N.V.R.)
/
Minoru II'
/
Minotaur (T. Towndrow, Skipper)
/
Minwood
51
Mirasol
/
Moss Rose1
/
Murious
/
Naiad Errant
8
(A. B.S. Palmer, i/c)
Nanette II
30
Nayland
83
Nemo IV'
/
New Britannic
83
(W. Matthews, Cox.)
New Prince of Wales'
-
(S/Lt. P. H. E. Bennett, R.N.)
New White Heather
-
Offemia
50
Patricia (T.H.V.)
/
Pauleter
400
(Sto. D. T. Banks)
Peggy IV:
-
(S. H. Hughes, Skipper)
Pioneer¹
-
Princess Freda
-
(S/Lt. E.S. Forman, R.N.V.R.)
Princess Lily
-
(Prob. Ty. S/Lt. K. E.A. Bayley, R.N.V.R.)
Princess Maud
-
Provider
Not known
(F. Hannaford, Skipper)
Queen Boadicea II
-
(Lieut. J.S. Seal, R.N.R.) (Capt. J. Whittaker)
Queen of England'
-
Quest
-
Quicksilver
20
(S/Lt. D.L. Satterford. R.N.) (L/Sea. T. Phillips)
18
Quisisana
(S/Lt. A. J. Weaver, R.N.V.R.)
28
Rapid I
(S/Lt. J.C. Clarke, R.N.V.R.)
Reda
44
Reliance (S/Lt. P. Snow, R.N.) (P.O. R. W. Rawlings, Motorman)
80
(Skpr. A. Legget)
Renown'
-
Resolute (Skpr. W.H. Noakes)
40
Roberta (Skpr. H.D. Osborne)
-
Rocinante
-
Rosabelle
-
Rose Marie
Not known
St. Patrick1
-
Sambrez
Not known
Santosy
-
Saviour (Actg. S/Lt. J.M. Chappell, R.N.)
22
I Lost.
2 Ex-Belgian canal boat.
150

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