Details

Details

Details

Details

BORNRIF (D.B.11)
Skoot (121 tons)
Lieut. A.N. Blundell,
Lieut. S.C. Minard, R.N.R.
R.N.V.R., V. 1st Lieut.
25th May
1100
Lieut. Blundell took over the ship at
Tilbury from the Dutch captain.
27th May
1330
Sailed to Southend for routeing orders
for Dunkirk.
1530
Sailed for Dunkirk.
2300ca
An unknown skoot [see Tilly] hailed that
Dunkirk was in enemy hands and to
return at once to the Downs. The
Bernrif decided to continue on to
Dunkirk.
28th May
-
When approaching Kwinte buoy, four
vessels coming from Dunkirk reported
that the port had fallen (see
Centerbury). The Bornrif returned
with these vessels to the Downs.
1100
Anchored off Deal.
1700
Sailed for Dunkirk, the skoots
Patria, Twente, Rian and Tilly in
company.
29th May
0100
Arrived off Dunkirk beach [probably
Malo beach near the Sk. Hondsrug.
Embarked about 50 troops. A rope
having fouled the Hondsrug's
propeller, she drifted ashore. After
0300ca
some time the Bornrif managed to tow
the Hondsrug off and back to the
Downs.
1400
Anchored both vessels off Deal. The
Bornrif disembarked 50 troops. (1)
30th May
1600
Sailed for Ramsgate with the Hondsrug
in tow.
1930
Arrived Ramsgate.
Bornrif under repair.
3rd June
1500
Sailed for Dunkirk in company with the
Sks. Pascholl, Hondsrug, Reiger and
Lena.
2230
Secured alongside Dunkirk [west] Mole.
Embarked troops. Endeavoured,
unsuccessfully to tow off the grounded
Sk. Lena
4th June
0100
Cleared Dunkirk harbour.
0700
Arrived Ramsgate in thick fog and
grounded off the harbour entrance.
Disembarked troops by motor boats. (2)
Total 146
Authority - R.O.II, pp.27, 40.
(1) Not mentioned in D.R.
(2) Ramsgate report states that between 0820-0850, two launches
brought in 96 troops. D.R. does not mention any
disembarkation.
114

Details

CAIRNGORM
Gruiser M/B (Owner H.W. S. Wright)
May
Returned No other from details Dunkirk available. on lst June (see E.M.E.D)
Copt,
0125
Torpedo track crossing from port
0135
starboard missed ship 100 yarde n
M.T.B. heard and vaguely seen
Authority - T.0.9144/40.
green 60%
0248
No subsequent torpedo tracks seen.
Anchored off La Panne- Motor outser
and 2 wholere sent Into beach, to
forry to the P.M/S. Bandown
and Orania Pielie, The Gre. Graft
Greybound und Amolatve also
evacuating from this beach.
0615
Impulsive ordered to Dunishek 0401
0625
vacuation of beach completed.
grefton and Dreyhound proceeded.
Sandown and Gracie Pields
their 700 troops to Colcutta.
0715
Proceeded to Cheerness.
1215
Shoerness, Disembarked
1710
Smiled for La Panns.
2157
Arrived La Fanne. Sent boats in
shat beach as before. Only 1
the Reiger] to assist embarking
wounded.
29th May
0300
All sounded taken by the skoot and
ships bosts to Calcutta. The
with some wounded, sent back to
Regland.
0345
Boats sent in again. Mr. 7.3.
Gunner, the officer in charge of
contacted Lord Cort B miles im
DUE placed Galcusta at his
At this stage however, Lord Cort
not wish to be evocunted.
0430
One of Colonita's whalere lost,
0710
Extarkation continued.
0735
W/S Hatten alongside to transfer
proops to Calcutta.
0810
W/3 Balewander alongside for smon
1210
A purpose. partyof togs and drifters towing
oun boats, and proceeding homewan
full of troops, ordered to transit
them to Calcutta.
1227
TOR JAMES towing a launch. alongeid
to transfer troops.
1226
dfr. alongeide to
transfer troops.
1830
are. alongaide to trans
1837
are, sroops. Keith towing launch
to Troops.
1247
office Lerd vincent alongeide to
1250
cry, 1959 collinewood alongside to
transfer troops.
transfer troops.
(1) D.B.
(2)
150

Details

CALCUTTA
Cruiser (lst A/A Squadron)
Capt. D.M. Lees, R.N.
27th May
2310
Sailed from the Downs for La Panne.
28th May
0125
Torpedo track crossing from port to
0135
starboard missed ship 100 yards astern
M.T.B. heard and vaguely seen bearing
green 60°.
No subsequent torpedo tracks seen.
0248
Anchored off La Panne. Motor cutter
and 2 whalers sent into beach, to
ferry troops to the P.M/S. Sandown
and Gracie Fields. The drs. Grafton,
Greyhound and Impulsive also
evacuating from this beach.
0615
Impulsive ordered to Dunkirk east pier.
0625
Evacuation of beach completed.
Grafton and Greyhound proceeded.
Sandown and Gracie Fields transferred
their 700 troops to Calcutta.
0715
Proceeded to Sheerness.
1215
Sheerness. Disembarked 700/troops.(1)
1710
Sailed for La Panne.
2157
Arrived La Panne. Sent boats in to
same beach as before. Only 1 skoot
[the Reiger] to assist embarking 70
wounded.
29th May
0300
All wounded taken by the skoot and
ships boats to Calcutta. The skoot,
with some wounded, sent back to
England.
0345
Boats sent in again. Mr. F.J. March,
Gunner, the officer in charge of then,
contacted Lord Gort 8 miles inland
and placed Calcutta at his disposal.
At this stage however, Lord Gort did
not wish to be evacuated. (2)
0430
One of Calcutta's whalers lost.
0710
Embarkation continued.
0735
M/S Sutton alongside to transfer her
troops to Calcutta.
0810
M/S Salamander alongside for same
1210
A purpose. partyof tugs and drifters towing
own boats, and proceeding homewards
full of troops, ordered to transfer
them to Calcutta.
1227
Tug Java, towing a launch, alongside
to transfer troops.
1228
dfr. Golden Sunbeam alongside to
transfer troops.
1230
dfr. Lord Rodney alongside to transfer
dfr. troops. Lord Keith towing launch alongside
1237
to transfer troops.
1247
dfr. Lord St. Vincent alongside to
transfer troops.
1250
dfr. Lord Collingwood alongside to
transfer troops.
(1) D.R. gives 581.
(2) D.R. states that shortly efter midnight may, the Calcutta was
informed that the 3ʳᵈ Corps efthe B.E.F. and the C:-ai-C.
(1)
were all at La Panue.
151

Details

Skoot
PASCHOLL
Lieut. T. Johnston,
Lieut. Lieut. J.W. (?) Donaldson, R.N. R.N.R.
S/Lieut. J.N. Wise, R.N.V.R,
J.F.A. St. Aubyn, R.N.V.R.,
Cdr. C.E. Hammond, D.S.O., 1st D.S.C., Lieut.
R.N.
2200
27th May
Sailed in command. from Portsmouth, Lieut. Johnston
28th May
1400
2230
Left Dover for La Panne.
29th May
0400
Arrived and La Panne. Embarked 300 troops
Wolsey(?).
transferred them to the dr.
-
Returned to the Downs.
1200
1900
Left Dover.
Arrived Deal. Proceeded to Dover.
30th May
0230ca
Arrived La Panne. Embarked 400
British and French troops.
1030
Proceeded.
1400
Air attack. Two casualties.
1815
Arrived Ramsgate. Disembarked 157 B.E.F
145 Allied troops(1).
2200
A fresh crew was embarked.
Lt. Donaldson, R.N.R. took command.
31st May
-
Proceeded to La Panne, and embarked
troops.
1630
Arrived Ramsgate. Disembarked 101
B.E.F. and 37 French. (2)
2nd June
-
Sailed to Sheerness.
1630
Lt. Wise in command. Sailed from
Sheerness to Ramagate.
3rd June
1500
Left Ramsgate, with Cdr. C.E. Hammond
D.S.O., D.S.C., on board and i/c of
the 5 skoots, Pascholl, Hondsrug,
Reiger, Lena and Bornrif.
1600
Reiger ran aground on the Quern sand.
2300
Arrived Dunkirk. Lt. Wise says, "the
town was blazing furiously and
presented a truly memorable
spectacle ..... some of the other
skoots had secured nearby. One
destroyer came up astern ..... wedged
[ the Lena] ran aground. A
us in, and carried some of our Q.D.
The congestion ..... was chaotic,
gear away with her bow hawser
ships going astern into others
shrieking their sirens, small craft
coming ahead, French destroyers
the exit most dangerous".
nipping here and there, rendering
4th June
0030
Proceeded, with about 300 French troops
0830ca
Ramsgate. on board. Disembarked 255 French(3)
Total 695
Authority - R.O.II, pp. 23, 27, 106, 108, 549.
(1) (2) Ramsgate report. D.R. gives 400.
(3) Ramsgate report.
Ramsgate report. D.R. gives 300.

Details

REIGER(1)
Skoot
Lieut. A. Tyson, R.N.
S/Lt. R. Perks, R.N.V.R.,
1st Lieut.
26th May
Commissioned at Tilbury.
2200
Anchored off Southend pier.
27th May
0600
Proceeded to Sheerness.
The steering compass proved to be
useless; the standard compass had
an error which varied from 10° to 25°,
and could not be relied upon.
2000
Sailed for Dunkirk.
2300
Anchored off Nore L.V.
28th May
0330
Proceeded.
1100
Off N. Goodwin L.V., four empty skoots
returning informed Reiger that
Dunkirk was in German hands and that
they had been sent to the Downs for
orders.
The Reiger followed these skoots to
the Downs and anchored.
1400
Sailed for Dunkirk, the Sk. Vrede in
company.
-
Off the N. Goodwin L.V., met a skoot
returning full, who said that skoots
were being asked for on the beaches
east of Dunkirk. This was the first
definite information that the ship was
required to evacuate troops.
Vrede and Reiger then proceeded
independently for Dunkirk.
2300
Arrived off Zuydcoote buoy and closed
the cr. Calcutta.
Contacted Calcutta's boats on the
beach and embarked about 70 cot
cases.
29th May
0300
Transferred the cot cases on the upper
deck to the Calcutta and sailed for
Sheerness with the remainder.
-
Arrived Sheerness. Disembarked 12 cot
cases. (2)
30th May
0400
Sailed for Dunkirk. Delayed en route
by fog.
2000
Secured alongside Dunkirk quay.
Embarked about 250 B.E.F.
2100
Left Dunkirk.
31st May
1300
Arrived Sheerness. Disembarked 250
B.E.F.
1st June
1100
Sailed from Sheerness to Dunkirk.
Between V and W buoys, attacked by 3
bombers. No damage.
2130
Arrived Dunkirk. Entered the harbour.
Embarked about 330 French from the
jetty in Nouveau Avant Port.
2215
Sailed from Dunkirk.
-
In the roads, took in tow a disabled
W.D/M.L.
-
Off 12 buoy, embarked nine passangers
from a disabled M.T.B. and took
her in tow.
(1) Not mentioned in D.R.
(2) Estimated.
11

Details

REIGER - Continued.
2nd June
0600
Off N. Goodwin L.V., the M.T.B.
proceeded under own power, and took
the W.D/M.L. in tow to Ramsgate.
0930
The Reiger arrived Sheerness.
Disembarked 330 French.
1600
Sailed for Ramsgate.
2300
Anchored off Ramsgate.
3rd June
1500
Proceeded to North Goodwin, en route for Dembirh
1530
Grounded off Quern Bank.
1830
Refloated, but serious clutch trouble
developed and the Reiger took no
further part.
Total 592
Authority - R.O.II, pp.27, 122.
The following awards were made:
Mention in Despatches
Lieut. A. Tyson, R.N.
12

Details

VIVIANA
Trawler (11th A/S Group
Harwich).
G.L.Olesen, Skipper(1)
28th May
0430
1230
Operation Dynamo.
Shown in D.R. as having taken part in
There is no information available about
the movements of this vessel.
Dunkirk, as from
German hunda",
"The B.B.O. news 00
guidence, nor could I get any
information from other ships
1400
50 I eventually sailed with Reiger
at 1400, with the idea or complying
with sailing orders if the situation
permitted".
2300
The Vrede grounded at the inshore end
of Suydcoote Paso, Wolked for the
flood tide.
29th May
0030
A large merchant ship was seen "to
encounter two ships leaving She
blew 3 short blests and went astern.
Shortly after there VIS a doll
explosion, Without any flame, and wha
the water and spray had subsided,
nothing could be seen of the ship".
0400
The Vrede refloated. Drifted to a safe
enchorage where the air bottles could
be recharged. A destroyer approached
and hailed an order to proceed
inshore and embark troops.
0500
Anchored close inshore. The ship's
dinghies co-operated with Margate
pleasure boats (manned by their
Margate crewe) and ferried troops
to ships. In this menner come 150
troops were embarked, "including a
Belgian major with whom we had some
difficulty owing to the impossibility
of drying his corsets".
0930
The motor launches were now withdrawn,
and one of the dinghies had been
wrecked. Proceeded to Dunkirk.
1030
Secured alongside Dunkirk east pier.
Embarked troops to capacity - about
500.
Proceeded for Ramsgate, but making
the entrance too late for the tide,
proceeded to Dover.
30th May
0400ca
Entered Dover. Disembarked 473 troops
1100
Sailed with a tow of motor boats. Two
miles out, the engines broke down.
Bent the tow back and enchored.
31st May
Towed to Dover by the Sk. Rika.
Total 473.
Authority R.O.II, 147,
(1) According to the June 1940, Navy List.
Not identified.
288
9

Details

Skoot
VREDE
Lt. Cdr. R.T. Lampard, R.N.
Lt. J.K. Hamilton, R.N., 1st Lieut.
0430
28th May
Sailed from Sheerness.
1230
Anchored in the Downs. The Sk.
Reiger reported that she had been
turned back off the N. Goodwin L.V.
by one of 4 skoots returning from
Dunkirk, as that part "was in
German hands".
"The B.B.C. news bulletin gave no
guidance, nor could I get any
information from other ships present,
so I eventually sailed with Reiger
1400
at 1400, with the idea of complying
with sailing orders if the situation
permitted".
2300
The Vrede grounded at the inshore end
of Zuydcoote Pass. Waited for the
flood tide.
29th May
0030
A large merchant ship( i) was seen "to
encounter two ships leaving. She
blew 3 short blasts and went astern.
Shortly after there was a dull
explosion, without any flame, and when
the water and spray had subsided,
nothing could be seen of the ship".
0400
The Vrede refloated. Drifted to a safe
anchorage where the air bottles could
be recharged. A destroyer approached
and hailed an order to proceed
inshore and embark troops.
0500
Anchored close inshore. The ship's
dinghies co-operated with Margate
pleasure boats (manned by their
Margate crews) and ferried troops
to ships. In this manner some 150
troops were embarked, "including a
Belgian major with whom we had some
difficulty owing to the impossibility
of drying his corsets".
0930
The motor launches were now withdrawn,
and one of the dinghies had been
wrecked. Proceeded to Dunkirk.
1030
Secured alongside Dunkirk east pier.
Embarked troops to capacity - about
Proceeded 500. for Ramsgate, but making
the entrance too late for the tide,
proceeded to Dover.
30th May
0400ca
Entered Dover. Disembarked 473 troops
1100
Sailed with a tow of motor boats. Two
miles out, the engines broke down.
Sent the tow back and anchored.
31st May
Towed to Dover by the Sk. Rika.
-
Total 473.
Authority - R.O.II, pp.123, 147.
(1, Not identified.
289

Details

Page 124
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
Dutch Skoot H.M.S. PATRIA)
W.D. Fast Launch HAIG
Lieutenant-Commander N.L. Pisani R.N. (Ret.).
Decorated with the D.S.O. for this
operation, London Gazette 7th June, 1940.
Recommendation.
RATING.
Leading Seaman Willie Haggar, P/J.95873. R.F.R.
Displayed exceptional initiative, leadership and
gallantry under fire as coxswain in working an
inexperienced crew of Ordinary Seamen, thereby
enabling the PATRIA to embark over 1,000 troops off
Bray beach. Subsequently in HAIG further large
numbers of men from the Malo beaches, Haggar going
ashore in a small boat on several occasions taking
charge and marshalling the troops. He also worked
the A.A. Lewis gun on board with such skill that
Messerschmitt attacks were repulsed.
Recommended that this remarkable rating should be
decorated for gallantry and noted for early advancement
to Petty Officer, for which his qualities of leadership
fully qualify him.
Dutch Skoot H.M.S. REIGER - Lieutenant Alexander Tyson, R.N.
Operated from 26th May to the 3rd June. Steering
compass was so unreliable as to be given up as hopeless,
and in spite of considerable navigational difficulties
of the locality, completed 3 trips to Dunkirk and the
beaches, a performance above the average for the 40
skoots employed in the operation.
Recommendation.
OFFICER.
Lieutenant Alexander Tyson, R.N.
Displayed marked pertinacity throughout the
operation and coolness under fire when in the
Dunkirk area. Handled about 800 Allied troops.
Recommended for mention.
Dutch Skoot H.M.S. TWENTE - Lieutenant-Commander Humphrey Gilbert
Boys-Smith, R.N.R.
Recommendations.
OFFICER.
Lieutenant-Commander Humphrey Gilbert Boys-Smith, R.N.R.
Displayed exceptional initiative and a high
order of pertinacity under fire. During 2 days and
3 nights/

Details

0
Shipwright 2nd Class (Pensioner) PN. 4307, Charles Motor Greenwood, Yacht ERICA.8899,
Petty Second Officer Engineer F.J. J. Norton, Steward, S.S. DORIEN ROSE Launch MERMAIDEN
Boswain P. McFadden, S.S. DORIEN ROSE
Able Seaman J. Upperton, S.S. DORIEN ROSE
Able Seaman T. Bassett, S.S. DORIEN ROSE
Ordinary Seaman C. Bassett, S.S. DORIEN ROSE
Fireman S. Khan, S.S. DORIEN ROSE
Fireman M. Mohand, S.S. DORIEN ROSE
Petty Officer Telegraphist Cooley, P/J.93203, R.N.L.B.
WALTON & FRINTON
Able 1st Engineman Seaman MacManus, R. Walter, P/SSX.14756, Launch HAIG R.N.L.B. WALTON & FRINTON
T. 3rd Engineer J.H. Spain, Launch KESTREL
Able Seaman F. Cherry, 3rd Engineer, Launch SWALLOW
Master T.J. Hopwood, Tug LADY BRASSEY
VSkipper Henry Forester, Master W.S.3348, Tug ST. OLAVE
Master H.F. Boyce, HOPPER BARGE W.24
Auxiliary Fireman Eric Gordon Wright, London Fire Brigade Fire
Float MASSEY SHAW
Auxiliary Fireman Henry Albert William Day, London Fire Brigade
Fire Float MASSEY SHAW
Lieutenant Richard Eyre, R.N., M.A./S.B.10
Lieutenant Ralph Kenneth Livingstone Waller, R.N.V.R.,
M.T.B.68
Leading Seaman Percy Ward, JX.134801, M.T.B.68
Able Seaman Sydney Davey, 146839, M.T.B.68
Leading Seaman Albert Dawkin, PS/SX.17391, M.T.B.102
Lieutenant John Cameron, R.N.V.R., M.T.B.107
Chief Petty Officer M.J. Driver, 6134D, M.T.B.107
Leading Stoker C.W.T. Murrin, P/KX.82587, M.T.B.107
Lieutenant-Commander Laurence Henry Phillips, R.N.,
Commanding Officer of H.M.S. AMAZONE
Commander Charles Euman, R.N. (Retd.) Commanding Officer of
Lieutenant-Commander Kenneth Warden Stewart, R.N.,
BRENDARIS, MARLBOROUGH, WOLF
Petty Officer Thomas A. Willins, P/J.100988, Dutch Skoot
Dutch Skoot FREDANJA
1
Engine Room Artificer 4th Class Jack S. Ambrose, FREDANJA P/MX.65337,
Leading Seaman Lauchan McLean Watt Dutch Gibb, D/J.64311, Skoot FREDANJA Dutch
Lieutenant Petty Officer Alexander Tyson, R.N., Dutch Skoot H.M.S. Skoot H.M.S. LENA REIGER
VChief Able Master 1st Officer Seaman Officer William J. Francis R. Hay Fowles, F. Baker, Pembury, Herbert Hospital - BIARRITZ Hospital Franklin, Carrier Dutch Carrier Coaster P/J.96765, ISLE OF ISLE H.M.S. GUERNSEY OF GUERNS ZEUS
2nd Officer Arthur Patrick - PRAGUE
VV
W.C.E. William Leonard - PRAGUE - DAFFODIL
Second Engineer John Bingham Woodhouse, Joseph Paterson,
Master 7520070, R.A.M.C. Evans, - ROYAL
Commodore Captain John Konts.John Smith, Herbert Gilbert Hubert Oliver Otway Hospital R.N. - R.N.
First Officer Cecil Bond, ROYAL Carrier DAFFODIL ST. ANDREW
ST. C.M.G., HELIER (Vice-Admi ( award
R.N., (Vice Admiral Retire
THE THE THE THE Ruthven,
R.N.
McClelland, Junor, R.N. R.N.
Hay, - Frank SWALLOW Neil Brockett, R.N.R.

Details

Details

Details

Dynam. 311.
27
I
FROM Commander in Command Mine Recovery Flotilla,
27
DATE
10th June, 1940
North Shields.
TO
Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate
copy r. Cape Hultern
REPORT OF OPERATION ON NIGHT OF
3/4 June, 1940
Sir,
I have the honour to report the operation
of the 5 scoots under my command on the night of
3/4 June.
2.
On being refused permission to take the
drifters of the 2nd M.R. Flotilla, I was offered
command of the 5 Dutch Scoots, "PASCHOLL",
"HORNSRUG", "REIGER", "LENA" and "BORNRIF".
3.
There was little time to make any arrangements
and comminication was difficult. I made some rough
orders on a signal pad and sent them round by the
motor boat which took me on board "PASCHOLL".
4.
Under way about 1600 for RV at N. G odwin.
"REIGER" had meanwhile run aground on the Quern on
a falling tide and was out of it.
5.
Proceeded in company without incident, timing
my speed to reachlio. 12, buoy Dunkerque at 2230.
6.
My orders were to use Western pier Nouvean
avant Port and on rounding Western mole I headed into
the avant Port. I was unable to find enough water
anywhere in this area so I came astern and headed for
West pier of the main harbour, which I could seeagainst
the burning town.
7. go alongside West side of West Pier. They got their
Meanwhile 2 of my ships passed me and tried to
bows up to pier but had a job getting their stern to
and "LENA" which was the outside ship of the two grounded
just off the pier. I got alongside east side and
"HORNSRUG" came alongside me.
8. very glad to find Commander H.R. TroMp, who said he had
The Pier was full of French troops and I was
appointed himself Piermaster.
He and I were unable to get a tug to pluck
"LENA" off and finally had to take the men off and
leave her.
Lieut. Wise, R.N.V.R., and his Sub Lieut. were
meanwhile 9. loading the ship with men and "HORNSRUG" destroyer was
also loading vessel alongside each side astern of us. Cormander of
across my decks. There was a
escort complete control of the situation in spite and
Tromp had almost lost his voice, and without his help have been
having judgment the loading of 5 ships at once would
difficult.

Details

Dynam 196.
108
107
June 7th, 1940.
Supplementary to a brief report given to the
Resident N.O. at Poole - From the 0.0. H.H.S.
"Pascholl".
The above ship returned from La Panne to
Sheerness on Sunday 2nd June. Her Captain immediately
left her to return to his duties in Naval Control,
Ramagate. At 1830, on instructions from the Commodore's
Office, I reported to Admiral Taylor and without further
notice, was told by him to take command of the above
ship, and take her to Dunkirk. There being no routing
orders available I was told instead to await the
departure of H.N.S. "Reiger" and sail in company to
Ramsgate. "Reiger" was unable to sail until 1630
and Ramsgate was reached at 2300. To anchored and
went ashore for instructions which were to our intense
disappointment; we were to be off for the night and
await further instructions. With the exception of
two of the ship's company, all on board complained that they were
reliefs for the original crew and asked to be relieved,
having done one or maybe two trips across already. It
proved impossible to do this for them until Tuesday
morning, but after they had been allocated definite
jobs and posts during the operations and had been given a
little verbal encouragement they settled down, gave of
their best and did their duty in traditional manner.
2. At 1430 Monday, 3rd June, I was advised that the
"Pascholl" would be salling as flagship with four other
Schults. At 1500 Commander Hammond, R.N. cnme on
board with his navigator, Lieutenant de Mornay, H.M.
With great tact and understanding they assured me that
they were largely passengers and in no way intended to
interfere with, or supercede the Captain. by somewhat
natural disappointment at the apparent loss, in spite
of these assurances, of the opportunity of conducting
the operations on my own initiative, was more than
offset by company, guidance and encouragement they
afforded to the two Officers of the ship.
5. We sailed at 1600 and promptly loat one of the
five ships - "Reiger" which,, to Commander Hamond's
lurid disgust, went on the putty (Quern Sand).
Overtaking a convoy of wierd, but gallant little French
fishermen, we arrived in Dunkirk harbour at 3500
after a most tame passage. The town was blasing
furiously and presented a trult memorable spectacle.
The harbour Was congested, sonté of the ships there
being wrecked, and in cases already ablase. Difficult
navigation was intensified by our not being able to
find the Nouveau Avant Port (no proper plan of the
harbour being available ), our perigrinations nearly
putting us on the putty twice. In desperation we
went alongaide the Packet boat quay of. the inner
harbour, secured and got ladders aboard. Commander
Troup, waiting on the quay immediately asked our
capacity, and I foolishly but optimistically replied
"Oh, between 500 and 1,000% Poilus in reasonable
order commeneed to invade the ship and were embarked
in an orderly fashion, each mon being disarmed before
being allowed to descend into the hold. The work of
embarkation was su ervised by the First Licutenant
(Sub Lieut. St. Aubin, R.N.V.R.) in & most creditable
manner

Details

CONFIDENTIAL
Bruldness
Binlq
1255
FROM. THE COMMANDING OFFICER H.M. SCHOOT "REIGER".
116
DATE. 10th JUNE,1940.
TO. THE VICE ADMIRAL, DOVER.
Copy to. The Commander-in-Chief, The Nore.
Narrative of Events During the Period 26th,May - 4th June 1940.
Submitted.
Following narrative events during the period 26th May-
4th June 1940. It is regretted that as no log was kept during
this period times quoted are approximate.
26th May.
Commissioned at Tibbury landing stage.
P.M. Wiped and proceeded to Southend.
2200 Anchored off Southend pier.
I regret to report that while awaiting pilot of Gravesend
Pier I under-estimated the strength of the tide and drifted over a
small rowing boat moored off the pier.
27th May.
0600 Proceeded to Sheerness. A.M. stored and swung for
compases.
This was unsatisfactory and a further swing was carried
out at P.M. The steering compass was given up as hopeless, but the
standard compass deviations were brought down to 10 East and 10 West.
These deviations however did not remain constant and I frequently had
deviations of 30 West and 25 East. Throughout the operations I could
not rely on the compass, my method of setting the course being to con
the ship on the next ahead or a passing ship at sea, and in pilotage
waters from buoy to buoy.
2000 Sailed from Sheerness, routed at Southend for Dunkirk
2300 Anchored off Nore Lt. Ves.
28th May.
0330 Weighed and proceeded
1100 Off North Goodwin Lt. Ves. passed four schoots returning
empty, one of which hailed me and informed me that Bunkirk was in
German hands, and that they had been sent to the Downs for orders. I
turned and followed to the Downs.
(Several schoots were).
Dynami

Details

28th May. (continued).
- 123
- 117
Several schoots were anchored in the Downs when we arrived and
I was ordered to anchor as convenient, as my anchor had to be weighed
by hand and it was a lengthy process, I decided to proceed alongside
"Vrede", After consultation with the Commanding Officer "Vrede", we
decided to weigh and to proceed to Dankirk in the hope of gleaning
further information on the way, "Vrede" reducing speed to keep me
company.
Off the North Goodwin Lt. Vess. we encountered a schoot re-
turing full, who said that they were asking for us on the beaches East
of Dunkirk. This was the first definate information that we were
required to evacuate troops that we had received. "Vrede", and
"Reiger" then proceeded independently towards Dunkirk.
2300 Arrived off Zuyderoote buoy, sighted one Cruiser at
anchor( afterwards identified as the "Calcutta") I closed the
"Calcutta", and asked where I could embark troops. "Calcutta"
ordered me to steer 140° to where her boats were operating. Con-
tacted "Calcutta's" boats on the beach, and they brought off about
70 cot cases.
I cannot speak toohighly of the work done by "Calcutta's"
boats during this operation. There was a fresh breeze and choppy
sea running with a considerable tide, but they continued throughout
the night without let up. During this operation "Reiger's" star-
board anchor chain parted and ship grounded without damage.
0300 Proceeded alongside "Calcutta". Transferred all cot
cases from upper deck to "Calcutta" and proceeded with remainder.
29th May.
Arrived at Sheerness.
30th May.
0400 Sailed for Dunkirk, anchored off East Cant buoy owing
to for, 0930 weighed and proceeded.
During the passage from North Goodwin to Dunkirk roads we
were subjected to periodical machine gun fire from aircraft, none of
which hit the ship, no plane coming below 4000 ft.
2000 Entered Dunkirk harbour, proceeded alongside quay
emabrked 250 (approx) B.E.F.
While in Dunkirk the harbour was being subjected to fire from
an enemy battery of about 6 in. calibore
2100 Sailed from Dunkirk.
( 31st May 1100 Arrived
Sheerness).

Details

124
1st May.
1300 Arrived Sheerness.
*
118
st. June.
1100 Sailed from Sheerness to Dunkirk
During the passage from V buoy to W buoy, we were attacked by three
ememy bombers who dropped two patterns of three bombs from a height
of about 6000 ft, the nearest of these fell about 100 yards from
the starboard quarter but did no damage, they also fired machine
guns without success.
2130 Arrived Dunkirk, On entering harbour I saw two Channel
Steamers alongside the jetty, one half full the other empty, and no
other troops in sight. I turned with the intention of proceeding
to the beaches, when I sighted a large party of French soldiers near
the small jetty in Nouveau Avant Port. I proceeded alongside and
loaded about 330 French artillery.
2215 Sailed from Dunkirk.
Whilst in Dunkirk similar conditions to the previous visit
were experienced. The German Battery appeared to be situated
want
to the southern of No 12 bucy.
On passage through the Roads we encountered a W/D launch
which had broked down and took her in tow. Off No 12 bucy I was
hailed by an M.T.B. who was overloaded and appeared to have engine
trouble, I took on board nine of HS him passengers and took her in tow
2nd June.
0600 Off North Goodwin Lt. Ves. cast off M.T.B. and W/D launch,
M.T.B. towing W/D launch to Ramagate. Proceeded to Sheerness,
0930 Arrived Sheerness.
1600 Sailed for Ramsgate.
2300 Anchored off Ramsgate breakwater.
3rd June.
1560 Weighed and proceeded to North Goodwin
1530 Grounded in Que prn Bank
1830 Refloated, unable to start engines owing to defect in
clutch.
2000 Dredged clear of Queern Bank. Anchored.
On receiving orders from"Pascall" to proceed to North Goodwin
I set a course from Que Jrn buoy with F'buoy on the starboard bow. The
buoy I actually put on the starboard bow was E buoy, both these buoys
are black and white checkered.
This grounding and consequent engine movements probably caused
the clutch to seize active thus preventing "Reiger" from taking part in the
(final effort)

Details

"VREDE"
Page 8.
150
144
From
8. On-closing the Naval Control Service cutter off Southend
Route Instructions and Sailing Orders were received to arrive
off Marte les Bains, 5 miles East of Dunkirk, not before 2300.
As there was time in hand "Vrede" was anchored in the Downs in
company with several other commandeered schoots at 1830.
9. I was informed by the Commanding Officer of "REIGER" that the
N.C.S. trawler off the North Goodwin Light Vessel had told him
to turn back, the trawler having been told by another schoot
that Dunkirk was in enemy hands. The B.B.C. news bulletin
gave no guidance, nor could I get any information from other
ships present, so I eventually sailed with "Reiger" at 1400
with the idea of complying with sailing orders if the situation
permitted.
IO. Owing to the darkness and to the failure of several light
buoys "Vrede" took the ground at the inshore end of the
ZUYDECOOTE PASS . Attempts to refloat her proving abortive it
was decided to wait for the flood tide.
II. During this time many ships were seen entering and leaving
within two cables of where "Vrede" lay aground and at 0030 &
large merchant ship was seen to encounter two ships leaving.
This first ship blew three short blasts and went astern. Shortly
afterwards there was a dull explosion, without any flame,and
when the resultant water and spray subsided nothing could be
seen of the ship. As it was impossible to assist from where
"Vrede" lay aground, and as other vessels were in the vicinity,
no action was taken.
I2. At 0400 "Vrede" was refloated by the tide and allowed to
drift to a safe anchorage where the air bottles might be
recharged. While at anchor an unidentified destroyer approached
and hailed an order to proceed inshore to the beach as soon as
possible and embark troops.
I3. At 0500 "Vrede" was anchored as close inshore as the shelving
nature of the beach permitted. Both dinghies were lowered and
sent to cooperate with several motor launches which proved to be
Margate pleasure boats manned by their Margate crews. These men
were absolutely tireless and cheerful under the most trying
conditions, receiving troops from the dinghies and ferrying
them to the ships. In thes manner some I50 officers tiredbut
cheerful officers and men were embarked, including a Belgian
major with whom we had some difficulty owing to the impossibility
of drying his corsets. The motor launches were withdrawn had by
been wrecked and it was impossible to get nearer to the beach
other authority at about 0930 and as one of the dinghies
than about 3/4 mile I decided the operation could best be served
by embarking troops from Dunkirk, whence many other ships were
proceeding.
I4. I alongside the eastern breakwater. Approximately
entered Dunkirk harbour at I030 Wednesday 29th. May and 500
secured full capacity, were embarked during which operation obtained
troops, several minor our bombing attacks took place, none of which
hits nearer than the central pier.
I5. As only

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

Page 124
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
Dutch Skoot H.M.S. PATRIA)
Lisutenant-Commander N.L. Pisani R.N. (Ret
W.D. Fast Launch HAIG
Decorated with the D.S.O. for this
operation, London Gazette 7th June, 1940
Recommendation.
RATING.
Leading Seaman Willie Haggar, P/J.95873, R.F.R.
Displayed exceptional initiative, leadership and
gallantry under fire as coxswain in working an
inexperienced crew of Ordinary Seamen, thereby
enabling the PATRIA to embark over 1,000 troops off
Bray beach. Subsequently in HAIG further large
numbers of men from the Malo beaches, Haggar going
ashore in a small boat on several occasions taking
charge and marshalling the troops. He also worked
the A.A. Lewis gun on board with such skill that
Messerschmitt attacks were repulsed.
Recommended that this remarkable rating should be
DSM
decorated for gallantry and noted for early advanceme
to Petty Officer, for which his qualities of leadersh
fully qualify him.
Dutch Skoot H.M.S. REIGER - Lieutenant Alexander Tyson, R.N.
Operated from 26th May to the 3rd June. Steering
compass was so unreliable as to be given up as hopeless,
AM
and in spite of considerable navigational difficulties
of the locality, completed 3 trips to Dunkirk and the
beaches, a performance above the average for the 40
skoots employed in the operation.
Recommendation.
OFFICER.
Lieutenant Alexander Tyson, R.N.
Displayed marked pertinacity throughout the
operation and coolness under fire when in the
Dunkirk area. Handled about 800 Allied troops.
M
Recommended for mention.
Dutch Skoot H.M.S. TWENTE - Lieutenant-Commander Humphrey Gilber
Boys-Smith. R.N.R
Recommendations.
OFFICER.
Lieutenant-Commander Humphrey Gilbert Boys-Smith, R.N.R.
Displayed exceptional initiative and a high
order of pertinacity under fire. During 2 days and
3 nigh

Details

Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel. Page
126
Dutch Coaster H.M.S. H.M.S. REIGER ZEUS de Lieutenant-Commander Cecil Brooke
Dutch Skoot from - Lieutenant Alexander Tyson, R.N.
compass Operated was so unreliable 26th May as to to the be 3rd June. Steering
and the in locality, spite of considerable navigational given up as hopeless,
of beaches, a performance completed 3 trips to Dunkirk difficulties the
skoots employed in above the average for the and 40
the operation.
Recommendation.
OFFICER.
y
Lieutenant Alexander Tyson, R.N.
Displayed marked pertinacity throughout the
operation and coolness under fire when in the
Dunkirk area. Handled about 800 Allied troops.
Recommended for mention.
Dutch Skoot H.M.S. TWENTE - Lieutenant-Commander Humphrey Gilbert
Boys-Smith, R.N.R.
Recommendations.
OFFICER.
Lieutenant-Commander Humphrey Gilbert Boys-Smith, R.N.R.
order of pertinacity under fire. During 2 days and et ed
Displayed exceptional initiative and a high
3 night:
E
a
ete
jur,
periods of intensive air attack. Many difficulties
the majority of which were executed during the worst
were encountered and overcome with the greatest
determination.
Recommended for decoration.
RATINGS.
Leading Seaman Reginald William Legg, D/J.107221.
coolness and resource the under TWENTE fire and during later
in the motor rescues from conduct at
the several trips launch as KESTREL. Largely the sinking GRACIE
Displayed coxswain of responsible
FIELDS for the by successful his seamanlike actions. His
all times was admirable.
Recommended for decoration.

Details

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

Details

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

Details

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

Details

VESSERHAMER
OWNER
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Dutch Говлойн Aground on Brady beach.
BILIN & 011900
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Dutch
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xe 1112 I
PACIFIC "dati
Dutch
HYHORIDA
PASCHULL
⑉06⑉
Dutch
⑉00⑉
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XS TACESHIN I
PRINCESS JULIANA
Dutch
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REIGER 03 hermiter &
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Dutch
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Dutch
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Dutch
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зия ита ATAHOTM
Dutch
(dsods)
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Dutch
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Dutch
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Dutch
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bna CLOOD АВОЯ
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ИОТИТЯЧ bire MOTJAW

Details

298
FROM Commander in Command Mine Recovery Flotilla 276
North Shields.
DATE
...
10th June, 1940
NAVAL
OFFICER
TO
Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate
11JUN1940
REPORT OF OPERATION ON NIGHT OF
3/4 June, 1940
MASSACHUSETTS
CHARGE
M
*
Sir,
I have the honour to report the operation
of the 5 scoots under my command on the night of
3/4 June.
2.
On being refused permission to take the
drifters of the 2nd M.R. Flotilla, I was offered
command of the 5 Dutch Scoots, "PASCHOLL",
"HORNSRUG", "REIGER", "LENA" and "BORNRIF".
3. and communication was difficult. I made some rough
There was little time to make any arrangements
orders on a signal pad and sent them round by the
motor boat which took me on board "PASCHOLL".
4. "REIGER" had meanwhile run aground on the Quern on
Under way about 1600 for RV at N. Goodwin.
a falling tide and was out of it.
Proceeded in company without incident, timing
my 5. speed to reachNo. 12 buoy Dunkerque at 2230.
avant 6. Port and on rounding Western mole I headed into
My orders were to use Western pier Nouvean
West anywhere pier of the main harbour, which I could seeagainst
the in this area so I came astern and headed for
avant Port. I was unable to find enough water
the burning town.
2 of my ships passed me and tried their to
7. Meanwhile West side of West Pier. their They stern got to
bows up to which pier was the outside ship of the side two and grounded
go alongside but had a job getting
and just "LENA" off the pier. I got alongside east
"HORNSRUG" came alongside me.
very 8. glad The to Pier find was Commander H.R. Tromp, who had
full of French troops and said I he was
appointed himself Piermaster.
I were unable to get a tag to off pluck and
"LENA" off He and and finally had to take the men
leave her.
Wise, R.N.V.R., and his Sub "HORNSRUG" Lieut. were was
meanwhile decks.
9. Lieut. loading the ship with men There and was a destroyer
also loading across alongaide my each side astern of us. in spite Commander of
escort TroMp had vessel complete his control voice, of and the without situation would his help have been and
having judgment almost the loading lost of 5 shipa at once
difficult.

Details

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

Details

CHAP. V
THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
an after air she attack, had been and she refloated, was abandoned. up as a result of
morning, was put aground her engines seized a hours
others¹ were off La Panne to facilitate beach. The unloading; Alice which few arrived in
N.O.I.C. Margate Ramsgate. and Ramsgate beaches, servicing was performed by
At this stage began the and running the of a continuous whose service of skoots between
Evacuation plan for the night 28th-29th May
The full significance of this rapidly growing armada of ships became
in the numbers of troops lifted the following day. By midday on apparent the 28th
May, approximately 12,000 troops had been transported since the commence-
about 5,000 were embarking in 5 destroyers. Nine more destroyers were
ment of Operation Dynamo" about 1,000 were en route to the U.K., and
the way to Dunkirk, and a total force of 16 destroyers would be maintaining on
a continuous ferry service during the day.
The plan for the night of 28th/29th May, was to sail all available ships, small
craft and boats, so as to develop the maximum effort at 2200. The details of
the plan were signalled by V.A. Dover to S.N.O. Dunkirk at 1555. Briefly,
3 hospital carriers, 7 personnel vessels and 2 destroyers were to embark troops
at the east pier Dunkirk; while some 20 destroyers, 19 paddle and fleet
sweepers, 17 drifters, 20 to 40 skoots, 5 coasters, 12 motor boats, 2 tugs, 28
pulling cutters and lifeboats, were to work along the 10 mile stretch of beach
from Dunkirk to La Panne.
Fighter Command patrols strengthened
Meanwhile, at Dunkirk, conditions had proved easier during the day enemy
air activity over the port was restricted, probably by the heavy pall of smoke
from the burning town, and increased fighter activity was keeping the enemy
in check2. Fighter Command patrols were strengthened from an average of
one squadron to an average of 2 squadrons, and Coastal Command maintained
a continuous daylight patrol (usually of 3 aircraft at a time) on the line North
Goodwins - Gravelines - Ostend. About 320 sorties were flown on Continental
patrols during the day, and severe losses were inflicted on the enemy. Nineteen
Me. fighters.³ 109's and 4 bombers were definitely destroyed for a loss of 13 British
Windsor damaged
At 1000 some 40 Me. 109's were engaged by our fighters, and at 1040 they
encountered the At South 1145 destroyer the a destroyer Anthony German observed Windsor, force of 40 nearly which to 50 was 150 planes bombers on in patrol, aerial and was combat fighters3. attacked over Dunkirk. At near 1125, the
she casualties. suffered considerable damage from near misses and m.g. fire and had 30
Goodwin Light Vessel by 15 dive-bombers supported by 10 fighters
2 I The Reiger, Pacific and Pascholl.
Appendix L.3.
3 R.A.F. Narrative, p. 323.
30

Details

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

Details

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

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. VII
thousands of troops, tired, depressed, for the and whole without food or water for
broke into a double and kept it up I length of the Eastern Arm days,
more than two hours. During that period estimate that more than 15,000 for
troops were embarked. The Army certainly responded splendidly".
about 2100, eight destroyers² embarked embarked east pier an aggregate and
Cdr. Maund's estimate was triumphantly from confirmed: the between 1802
and other vessels, including the skoots Reiger well and Doggersbank, also embarked
8,528 troops; four personnel vessels³ an aggregate of 5,694 troops of
number of wounded.
troops, while the hospital carrier Dinard, down the pier, embarked a
Anthony and Sabre damaged
to Dover was attacked by a single aircraft which dropped 5 when returnich
Of the eight destroyers referred to above, one, the Anthony,
extinguished her lights, stopped her engines, and put her compasses and W/T
and the Keith escorted her into Dover.
out of action. She was subsequently able to proceed, steering by her engines,
on her way to Dunkirk by Route Z, came under fire from shore batteries and
Earlier in the day another destroyer, the Sabre, when near No. 6 Calais buoy,
received several hits on the bridge and upper works. A shell went through the
gyro-compass, an oil fuel tank was pierced, the magnetic compass put out of
action, and she had to return to Dover for repairs.
The destroyer crews, who had hardly slept since the operation began, were
beginning to show signs of exhaustion, and at 2341 (May 30th) the Admiralty
ordered reliefs. a spare destroyer's crew to be sent to Dover to provide temporary
Air patrols
In the air low visibility checked the enemy's activity, but as on the previous
day patrols were again carried out by Fighter Command at three-or four-
squadron strength, the largest number of aircraft on the line at any one time
being 44, and the smallest 26. Sixteen squadrons again operated, the total
number of sorties amounting to 265. Small Coastal Command patrols operated
as before throughout the day along the line North Goodwins-Gravelines
Ostend, and at night the patrol over Dunkirk by single Blenheims continued
but the governing factor of the air operations over Dunkirk on the 30th May
was the low visibility, which restricted the enemy's activities.⁴
Summary of troops landed in England
Thus the day was one of reviving hope. It ended with the numbers going
up, and a record number were embarked from the beaches. (See table P. 65).
Arrangements for evacuation of B.E.F. rearguard
of the B.E.F. had attended a conference representatives with the Vice-Admiral, the Dover.
Meanwhile, during the forenoon, of Commander-in-Chief
to Ist hold the as the latest reasonable date to which the gave B.E.F. daylight on be expected
The June, Commander-in-Chief's plan was explained it Saturday,
eastern perimeter with an up available force of about might 4,000.
Keith 3 The (1200), Anthony Winchelsea (1137), (925) Codrington and (1100), Esk (1041), Vimy (948), Impulsive (1112),
2 I The Cdr. Maund's report (R.O.III, p.443).
4 R.A.F. Prague Narrative, (1039), P. Royal 331. Sovereign Wolsey (1502), (1065). St. Helier (2000) and Tynwald (1153).
64

Details

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

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. X
The Windsor did some quick turns round. From the present night's work she
returned to Dover with 493 troops, sailed again for Dunkirk and lifted a further
was out, she was once more alongside Dunkirk East Pier embarking troops,
624 men which she disembarked at Dover, leaving about 1900. Before the day
and she sailed at 0100 on 3rd June, loaded with 1,022 men.
As the Esk was unable to sail owing to exhaustion of her crew the Shikari
proceeded alone. She berthed at Dunkirk at 0125 and left again at 0200 with
470 troops. When the first vessel of the last pair of destroyers, the Whitshed
and Winchelsea, arrived at Dunkirk the East Pier was bare of troops; but by
using a loud hailer and making a search a total of 512 were collected. The
Winchelsea disembarked 1,100 men at Dover.
On this night personnel vessels were not much in evidence at Dunkirk. The
Côte Argent disembarked 1,250 troops in England on 2nd June, the Newhaven
716 at Dover at 1030. The Royal Daffodil, after bring turned back earlier in
the day by a French destroyer, left Margate again at 2200 on the 1st and was
back at 0600 on the 2nd with 1,500 troops. The Manxman did not arrive at
Dunkirk until 0506 on the 2nd, long after daylight; she brought back 177 troops
and disembarked them at Dover at 1043. The only other considerable lift
from Dunkirk pier by a British ship on this night was by the 220 ton coaster
Seine, which arrived at Dunkirk about 2000 and, after an air attack lasting
about an hour, went alongside the pier and embarked 250 troops. After land-
ing these at Ramsgate the crew, who had worked continuously for four days
and nights, had their first night's sleep.
In addition to the large ships, tugs, skoots, drifters and all manner of small
craft evacuated troops on this night. Some lay off and were loaded by smaller
boats ferrying troops out to them, others went up harbour, past the large ship
berths. Over 4,000 men were brought to England on the 2nd June in this
way. Of these the skoot Hondsrug took 421 French and the skoot Reiger
330 French.
French embarkations
During the early part of the night 1st-2nd June French troops embarked as
arranged at the West Pier, though none of the French torpedo boats which it
was intended to employ disembarked troops in England.¹ Looking shoreward
from the sea, the characteristic helmets of the endless line of French troops on
the West Pier showed up against the glare of fires inland. The town and har-
bour lay under a pall of smoke. The minesweeping trawler Chasse-Marée
lifted from the harbour 391 troops, the patrol vessel Reine des Flots 350, the
cargo ship Cap Antifer 291, and trawlers and motor fishing vessels a further
548; all these were landed in England.
June. Four Belgian trawlers brought over 313 troops from Dunkirk on the 2nd
British Naval base party embarks, 0245/2
the The shore end of the East Pier at Dunkirk, to embark the base party as arranged.
At 0200 on the 2nd Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker in M.A/S.B.10 went up to
party arrived and the M. A/S.B. sailed at 0245.
had been haze which had prevented some ships from arriving the morning was
By this time it was beginning to get light, and although at one time there
T.B's. on this night alongside the West quay.
I Rear-Admiral loaded Wake-Walker in his Report M.017978/41 p.32 says, however, French
102

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. XII
Casualties from collison and grounding
had It embarked was under 200 conditions French such troops of as the at these harbour the West that per which
was rammed when just clear 20 feet from the stern, 2319,
line, Edmond cutting René; her her degaussing port bow, circuits. and the The troops collision was caused opened the up two to the wawler water
which was undamaged. eventually joining a water, trawler,
swing alongside one another, The Kingfisher, making trans-shipped little to the ships to
towards England at 7 knots, casualty. company with the minesweeper proceeded
Leda, another collision
West Pier about an hour into the prevailing fog, and off 0300, the on the way back the
The Leda, having embarked after the 484 Kingfisher. French troops, At had pushed off from
she ran down the Belgian The Leda's bows
Margate, the ship ran trawler Maréchal Foch. Goodwin Light Buoy to
damaged, and for a while the minesweeper the Albury, which had sailed from were
West Pier at about the same time as Leda, with 400 troops, stood by her; the
but the Leda's forward bulkhead held, so the ship continued on her way to
Margate, escorted for a while by the Kellett until the latter had to break off
assist a ship in greater trouble and left her with the Kingfisher as companion to
in misfortune. The fog was thick at Margate, and in the roads the Kingfisher
was rammed once more, the personnel vessel King George V hitting her on the
starboard bow, though only minor damage was caused.
Meanwhile, the Maréchal Foch had sunk. In economy of operation this
Belgian trawler seems to have been unequalled, for despite the fact that her
entire complement consisted only of the Master, Captain P. Lusyne, and one
man, (F. Decoster), she had embarked no less than 300 troops. To accomplish
this, the ship had lain alongside the quay at Dunkirk since the 2nd of June, for
she had grounded on the falling tide and did not get away until the night of
the 3rd-4th. It is satisfactory to know that the Captain and his crew were
picked up and landed at Dover ; but half of the 300 troops she was carrying
were drowned. The French M.T.B. V.T.B 25 which was bringing Admiral
Abrial from Dunkirk picked up some but was hampered by a propeller disabled
by wreckage, and some were rescued by the destroyer Malcolm, which left
Dunkirk at 0245 and reported picking up, in fog near the North Goodwin,
survivors of an unknown schuyt' which had been sunk in collision with a
minesweeper.
Another ship that grounded in Dunkirk and was lost in consequence, was the
Skoot Lena. This vessel had sailed from England at 1530 on the 3rd June, in
company with four other skoots, the Pascholl (S.O.), Hondsrug, Bornrif, and
Reiger. The latter ran aground on the Quern Sand soon after leaving Rams-
gate, and was left behind. Going alongside the middle pier of Avant Port"
at Dunkirk (probably the West Quay or Guiding Jetty, or possibly the Inner but
Western high none British water, was drifter Pier) available orders were the having Lena and unsuccessful. attempts grounded been given made At at that about 1045 to no tow on 2300. further the her 4th off A embarkation tug June, by was the two asked Bornrif was hours crew for, to and after take em- a
place after daylight, it was decided to abandon ship. Part of remainder, the in-
barked in a British drifter, part in a French drifter, and the
cluding the officers, were ferried to the Locust outside the harbour.
forthcoming to tow off owing the difficulty for minutes
It was presumably to of tug was
considerable convoy of tugs Lena, arrived off within the entrance a to the
116

Details

Details

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

Details

INDEX
Phillips, Vice-Admiral T.S. V., 16.
Phipps, L/St. M., 81.
Pickford & Co., 72n.
Pierre, set on fire, 74.
Pierre et Marie, 73.
Piers (beach) built at La Panne, 47, 60, 76; of barges impracticable, 49; built at Bray,
59, 82.
Pigeon, 72n, 114n.
Pim, Capt. R., R.N.V.R., 78.
Playmates, 13n.
Polly Johnson, 13n, 39, 40 (damaged), 43, 44 (sunk).
Pool, S/Lt. R. A. W., 72.
Port of London Authority, 32.
Porter, Col., 47.
Portsdown, 100, 103.
Portsmouth, C. in C.: sends destroyers, 20; provision of boats, 51 Inner Patrol yachts,
71 A.S.'s. barge, 117 (abandoned).
Pownall, Lt. Gen. H. R., 4.
Prague, 29n, 54n, 64n, 91 (damaged).
Président Briand, 93.
Preston, Vice-Adm. Sir L. (D.S.V.P.), 21.
Princess Elizabeth, 47n, 89, 114n.
Princess Lily, 75n.
Princess Maud, 48n, 53 (goes aground), 62 (damaged), 114n, 118.
Prudential, 60.
Pudge, 71s.
Queen of England, sunk, 53.
Queen of Thanet, 91, 114m.
Queen of the Channel, 22, 24, 29 (sunk).
Queen's Channel, 72n.
Racia, 71n, 114я, 117.
R.A. Dover, see Wake-Walker, Rear Admiral W.F.
Ramsay, Vice-Adm. Sir B. (V.A. Dover) : to control evacuation, 4; to arrange air cover,
5 ; asks for more destroyers, 20; driving force, 23, 33 ; promulgates disembarkation
ports, 25 ; efforts to increase supply of small craft, 23, 32; plan for night 29/30th
May, 50; orders all ships to beaches, 51; concern at losses of destroyers, 94; calls
for volunteers, 105; reports exhaustion of crews, 113.
Ramsgate, N.O.I.C. Administers in shore flotilla, 21, 94; services skoots, 30.
Raphael-Raymonde, 73n.
Rapid I, 72, 92.
Reda, 53, 60n.
Reed, 7ln.
Refugees, 37, 100-1, 119.
Reiger, 32, 47m, 64, 101-2, 116.
Reine des Flots, 102, 107n, 109.
Reliance, 73n.
Renascent, 71n.
Renown, 73, 93 (sunk).
Resolute, 73n.
Revoir, Capt. de, 115.
Rewga, 71n.
Reynaud, M., 10, 11.
Richardson, Cdr. H. du P., 80n, 82, 83n.
Riggs, Mr. H. C., 21.
Rika, 41.
Rina, 117.
Robinson, Cdr. C. E. C., killed, 37.
Roebuck, in collision, 83.
Rope for towing, 61.
Rose Marie, 72n.
Ross, 28n, 44, 97.
Rouen, 94, 107n, 108 (goes aground), 109, 112n, 120 (aground).
Route, X prepared, 20; mined, 38; tested by destroyers, 39 taken into use, 48; last
route to come under fire, 96-7 ; traffic suspended, 98.
Route, Y adopted, 20, 29 ; under fire, 48; E-boats, on 85; in use, 93 ; mines on, 110.
Route, Z under fire, 20, 48; to be used in darkness, 29, 48.
204

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

Dynam. 311.
27
FROM Commander in Command Mine Recovery Flotilla,
27
DATE
10th June, 1940
North Shields.
TO
Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate
copy F. Cape. Hund remon
REPORT OF OPERATION ON NIGHT OF
3/4 June, 1940
Sir,
I have the honour to report the operation
of the 5 scoots under my command on the night of
3/4 June.
2.
On being refused permission to take the
drifters of the 2nd M.R. Flotilla, I was offered
command of the 5 Dutch Scoots, "PASCHOLL",
"HORNSRUG", "REIGER", "LENA" and "BORNRIF".
3.
There was little time to make any arrangements
and comminication was difficult. I made some rough
orders on a signal pad and sent them round by the
motor boat which took me on board "PASCHOLL".
4.
Under way about 1600 for RV at N. G odwin.
"REIGER" had meanwhile run aground on the Quern on
a falling tide and was out of it.
5.
Proceeded in company without incident, timing
my speed to reachlic. 12, buoy Dunkerque at 2230.
6.
My orders were to use Western pier Nouvean
avant Port and on rounding Western mole I headed into
the avant Port. I was unable to find enough water
anywhere in this area so I came astern and headed for
West pier of the main harbour, which I could seeagainst
the burning town.
7. go alongside West side of West Pier. They got their
Meanwhile 2 of my ships passed me and tried to
bows up to pier but had a job getting their stern to
and "LENA" which was the outside ship of the two grounded
just off the pier. I got alongside east side and
"HORNSRUG" came alongside me.
8. very glad to find Commander H.R. TroMp, who said he had
The Pier was full of French troops and I was
appointed himself Piermaster.
He and I were unable to get a tug to pluck
"LENA" off and finally had to take the men off and
leave her.
meanwhile 9. loading the ship with men and "HORNSRUG" was
Lieut. Wise, R.N.V.R., and his Sub Lieut. were
also loading across my decks. There was a destroyer
escort vessel alongside each side astern of us. Commander of
Tromp had complete control of the situation in spite and
having almost lost his voice, and without his help
judgment the loading of 5 ships at once would have been
difficult.

Details

Dynam 196.
108
107
June 7th, 1940.
Supplementary to a brief report given to the
Resident N.O. at Poole - From the 0.0. H.H.S.
"Pascholl".
The above ship returned from La Panne to
Sheerness on Sunday 2nd June. Her Captain immediately
left her to return to his duties in Naval Control,
Ramagate. At 1830, on instructions from the Commodore's
Office, I reported to Admiral Taylor and without further
notice, was told by him to take command of the above
ship, and take her to Dunkirk. There being no routing
orders available I was told instead to await the
departure of H.N.S. "Reiger" and sail in company to
Ramsgate. "Reiger" was unable to sail until 1630
and Ramsgate was reached at 2300. To anchored and
went ashore for instructions which were to our intense
disappointment; we were to be off for the night and
await further instructions. With the exception of
two of the ship's company, all on board complained that they were
reliefs for the original crew and asked to be relieved,
having done one or maybe two trips across already. It
proved impossible to do this for them until Tuesday
morning, but after they had been allocated definite
jobs and posts during the operations and had been given a
little verbal encouragement they settled down, gave of
their best and did their duty in traditional manner.
2. At 1430 Monday, 3rd June, I was advised that the
"Pascholl" would be salling as flagship with four other
Schults. At 1500 Commander Hammond, R.N. cnme on
board with his navigator, Lieutenant de Mornay, H.M.
With great tact and understanding they assured me that
they were largely passengers and in no way intended to
interfere with, or supercede the Captain. by somewhat
natural disappointment at the apparent loss, in spite
of these assurances, of the opportunity of conducting
the operations on my own initiative, was more than
offset by company, guidance and encouragement they
afforded to the two Officers of the ship.
5. We sailed at 1600 and promptly loat one of the
five ships - "Reiger" which,, to Commander Hamond's
lurid disgust, went on the putty (Quern Sand).
Overtaking a convoy of wierd, but gallant little French
fishermen, we arrived in Dunkirk harbour at 3500
after a most tame passage. The town was blasing
furiously and presented a trult memorable spectacle.
The harbour Was congested, sonté of the ships there
being wrecked, and in cases already ablase. Difficult
navigation was intensified by our not being able to
find the Nouveau Avant Port (no proper plan of the
harbour being available ), our perigrinations nearly
putting us on the putty twice. In desperation we
went alongaide the Packet boat quay of. the inner
harbour, secured and got ladders aboard. Commander
Troup, waiting on the quay immediately asked our
capacity, and I foolishly but optimistically replied
"Oh, between 500 and 1,000% Poilus in reasonable
order commeneed to invade the ship and were embarked
in an orderly fashion, each mon being disarmed before
being allowed to descend into the hold. The work of
embarkation was su ervised by the First Licutenant
(Sub Lieut. St. Aubin, R.N.V.R.) in & most creditable
manner

Details

CONFIDENTIAL
Dipamine 237.
Bruldness
FROM. THE COMMANDING OFFICER H.M. SCHOOT "REIGER".
116
DATE. 10th JUNE,1940.
TO. THE VICE ADMIRAL, DOVER.
Copy to. The Commander-in-Chief, The Nore.
Narrative of Events During the Period 26th,May - 4th June 1940.
Submitted.
Following narrative events during the period 26th May-
4th June 1940. It is regretted that as no log was kept during
this period times quoted are approximate.
26th May.
Commissioned at Tibbury landing stage.
P.M. Wiped and proceeded to Southend.
2200 Anchored off Southend pier.
I regret to report that while awaiting pilot of Gravesend
Pier I under-estimated the strength of the tide and drifted over a
small rowing boat moored off the pier.
27th May.
0600 Proceeded to Sheerness. A.M. stored and swung for
compases.
This was unsatisfactory and a further swing was carried
out at P.M. The steering compass was given up as hopeless, but the
standard compass deviations were brought down to 10 East and 10 West.
These deviations however did not remain constant and I frequently had
deviations of 30 West and 25 East. Throughout the operations I could
not rely on the compass, my method of setting the course being to con
the ship on the next ahead or a passing ship at sea, and in pilotage
waters from buoy to buoy.
2000 Sailed from Sheerness, routed at Southend for Dunkirk
2300 Anchored off Nore Lt. Ves.
28th May.
0330 Weighed and proceeded
1100 Off North Goodwin Lt. Ves. passed four schoots returning
empty, one of which hailed me and informed me that Hunkirk was in
German hands, and that they had been sent to the Downs for orders. I
turned and followed to the Downs.
(Several schoots were).

Details

28th May. (continued).
- 123
- 117
Several schoots were anchored in the Downs when we arrived and
I was ordered to anchor as convenient, as my anchor had to be weighed
by hand and it was a lengthy process, I decided to proceed alongside
"Vrede", After consultation with the Commanding Officer "Vrede", we
decided to weigh and to proceed to Dankirk in the hope of gleaning
further information on the way, "Vrede" reducing speed to keep me
company.
Off the North Goodwin Lt. Vess. we encountered a schoot re-
turing full, who said that they were asking for us on the beaches East
of Dunkirk. This was the first definate information that we were
required to evacuate troops that we had received. "Vrede", and
"Reiger" then proceeded independently towards Dunkirk.
2300 Arrived off Zuyderoote buoy, sighted one Cruiser at
anchor( afterwards identified as the "Calcutta") I closed the
"Calcutta", and asked where I could embark troops. "Calcutta"
ordered me to steer 140° to where her boats were operating. Con-
tacted "Calcutta's" boats on the beach, and they brought off about
70 cot cases.
I cannot speak toohighly of the work done by "Calcutta's"
boats during this operation. There was a fresh breeze and choppy
sea running with a considerable tide, but they continued throughout
the night without let up. During this operation "Reiger's" star-
board anchor chain parted and ship grounded without damage.
0300 Proceeded alongside "Calcutta". Transferred all cot
cases from upper deck to "Calcutta" and proceeded with remainder.
29th May.
Arrived at Sheerness.
30th May.
0400 Sailed for Dunkirk, anchored off East Cant buoy owing
to for, 0930 weighed and proceeded.
During the passage from North Goodwin to Dunkirk roads we
were subjected to periodical machine gun fire from aircraft, none of
which hit the ship, no plane coming below 4000 ft.
2000 Entered Dunkirk harbour, proceeded alongside quay
emabrked 250 (approx) B.E.F.
While in Dunkirk the harbour was being subjected to fire from
an enemy battery of about 6 in. calibore
2100 Sailed from Dunkirk.
( 31st May 1100 Arrived
Sheerness).

Details

124
1st May.
1300 Arrived Sheerness.
*
118
st. June.
1100 Sailed from Sheerness to Dunkirk
During the passage from V buoy to W buoy, we were attacked by three
ememy bombers who dropped two patterns of three bombs from a height
of about 6000 ft, the nearest of these fell about 100 yards from
the starboard quarter but did no damage, they also fired machine
guns without success.
2130 Arrived Dunkirk. On entering harbour I saw two Channel
Steamers alongside the jetty, one half full the other empty, and no
other troops in sight. I turned with the intention of proceeding
to the beaches, when I sighted a large party of French soldiers near
the small jetty in Nouveau Avant Port. I proceeded alongside and
loaded about 330 French artillery.
2215 Sailed from Dunkirk.
Whilst in Dunkirk similar conditions to the previous visit
were experienced. The German Battery appeared to be situated
want
to the southern of No 12 bucy.
On passage through the Roads we encountered a W/D launch
which had broked down and took her in tow. Off No 12 bucy I was
hailed by an M.T.B. who was overloaded and appeared to have engine
trouble, I took on board nine of him #2. passengers and took her in tow
2nd June.
0600 Off North Goodwin Lt. Ves. cast off M.T.B. and W/D launch,
M.T.B. towing W/D launch to Ramagate, Proceeded to Sheerness.
0930 Arrived Sheerness.
1600 Sailed for Ramsgate.
2300 Anchored off Ramsgate breakwater.
5rd June.
1560 Weighed and proceeded to North Goodwin
1530 Grounded in Que prn Bank
1830 Refloated, unable to start engines owing to defect in
clutch.
2000 Dredged clear of Queern Bank. Anchored.
On receiving orders from"Pascall" to proceed to North Goodwin
I set a course from Que Irn buoy with F buoy on the starboard bow. The
buoy I actually put on the starboard bow was E buoy, both these buoys
are black and white checkered.
This grounding and consequent engine movements probably caused
serve
the clutch to active thus preventing "Reiger" from taking part in the
(final effort)

Details

"VREDE"
Page 8.
150
144
From
8. On-closing the Naval Control Service cutter off Southend
Route Instructions and Sailing Orders were received to arrive
off Marte les Bains, 5 miles East of Dunkirk, not before 2300.
As there was time in hand "Vrede" was anchored in the Downs in
company with several other commandeered schoots at 1830.
9. I was informed by the Commanding Officer of "REIGER" that the
N.C.S. trawler off the North Goodwin Light Vessel had told him
to turn back, the trawler having been told by another schoot
that Dunkirk was in enemy hands. The B.B.C. news bulletin
gave no guidance, nor could I get any information from other
ships present, so I eventually sailed with "Reiger" at 1400
with the idea of complying with sailing orders if the situation
permitted.
IO. Owing to the darkness and to the failure of several light
buoys "Vrede" took the ground at the inshore end of the
ZUYDECOOTE PASS . Attempts to refloat her proving abortive it
was decided to wait for the flood tide.
II. During this time many ships were seen entering and leaving
within two cables of where "Vrede" lay aground and at 0030 &
large merchant ship was seen to encounter two ships leaving.
This first ship blew three short blasts and went astern. Shortly
afterwards there was a dull explosion, without any flame,and
when the resultant water and spray subsided nothing could be
seen of the ship. As it was impossible to assist from where
"Vrede" lay aground, and as other vessels were in the vicinity,
no action was taken.
I2. At 0400 "Vrede" was refloated by the tide and allowed to
drift to a safe anchorage where the air bottles might be
recharged. While at anchor an unidentified destroyer approached
and hailed an order to proceed inshore to the beach as soon as
possible and embark troops.
IS. At 0500 "Vrede" was anchored as close inshore as the shelving
nature of the beach permitted. Both dinghies were lowered and
sent to cooperate with several motor launches which proved to be
Margate pleasure boats manned by their Margate crews. These men
were absolutely tireless and cheerful under the most trying
conditions, receiving troops from the dinghies and ferrying
them to the ships. In thes manner some 150 officers tiredbut
cheerful officers and men were embarked, including a Belgian
major with whom we had some difficulty owing to the impossibility
of drying his corsets. The motor launches were withdrawn by
other authority at about 0930 and as one of the dinghies had
been wrecked and it was impossible to get nearer to the beach
than about 3/4 mile I decided the operation could best be served
by embarking troops from Dunkirk, whence many other ships were
proceeding.
I4. I entered Dunkirk harbour at I030 Wednesday 29th. May and
secured alongside the eastern breakwater. Approximately 500
troops, our full capacity, were embarked during which operation
several minor bombing attacks took place, none of which obtained
hits nearer than the central pier.
I5. As only