Details

General Steam Navigation Co. Ltd.
Operation Dynamo:
The following ships of the G.S.N.Co. took part in
Personnel ships
Queen of the Channel 1)
Royal Daffodil(2)
Royal Sovereign(2)
Special Service Vessels
Crested Eagle (1)
Golden Eagle
Royal Eagle
Motor Vessels
Bullfinch
(1) Sunk.
(2)
Designated a troop transport.
365

Details

M/L
PRINCESS MAUD
1124 see under Shamrock 00
Left Dover for Dankirk.
Clark Wester
guns registered West of
one 3 shops
being on the waterline. ships
Returned to or Dover. which 3 proved Six Total.
1606
Dover. Four casualtics 18nded(1).
Repairs put In hand.
2000
Left Dover for Donkirk.
2357
Off Dunkirk breakwater.
Entered occupied. the harbour. All berthe
0033
An outward bound transport, believed
to be the Cote d'Argent struck the
Princess Meuds Only elight damage,
0045
A French trawler struck the Princess
Mauds no damage.
0055
Berthed at extress end of esst pier.
Embarked troops. Dogs or all kinds
got aboard.
0150
Cast off. The Royal Sovereign was still
embarking troops.
0205
Whilst swinging, a shell fell in the
borth just vocated.
0210
Procesded. Almost collided with the
blockships which were waiting outside.
0411
Anchored off No Goodwin L.V. because
of heavy traffic and fog.
0505
0650
Proceeded. Folkestone. Disembarked 1,270 troops.
Total 1,270
unerity - R.O.III. p.183.
TB.6213/40.
re fellowing awards were made:
Despatches.
Clarke, Mester.
D.D.
Billey Due & 4d
states 4 troops were disemberked.
416

Details

L.M.S.Ry.
Captain H. Clark, Master
(PV)
MAUD
Left Dover for Dunkirk.
1124
When 3 miles west of Gravelines, shore
1257
guns registered 3 hits on the ship,
one being on the waterline. Six
casualties of which 3 proved fatal.
Returned to Dover.
Dover. Four casualties landed(1).
1606
Repairs put in hand.
Left Dover for Dunkirk.
2000
Off Dunkirk breakwater.
2357
Entered the harbour. All berths
occupied.
An outward bound transport, believed
0033
to be the Cote d'Argent struck the
Princess Maud. Only slight damage.
A French trawler struck the Princess
0045
Maud; no damage.
Berthed at extreme end of east pier.
0055
Embarked troops. Dogs of all kinds
got aboard.
Cast off. The Royal Sovereign was still
0150
embarking troops.
0205
Whilst swinging, a shell fell in the
berth just vacated.
0210
Proceeded. Almost collided with the
blockships which were waiting outside.
0411
Anchored off N. Goodwin L.V. because
of heavy traffic and fog.
0505
0650
Proceeded. Folkestone. Disembarked 1,270 troops.
Total 1,270
rithority - R.O.III. p.183.
TM.6213/40.
following awards were made:
stain intion in Despatches.
H. Clarke, Master.
destroyer (boatsmein)
report.
D.R. states 4 troops D.R. were disembarked.
luky Date
417

Details

(PV)
L.M.S.Ry.
PRINCESS MAUD
Captain H. Clark, Master
1124
Left Dover for Dunkirk.
30th May
1257
When 3 miles west of Gravelines, shore
one being on the waterline. Six
guns registered 3 hits on the ship,
casualties of which 3 proved fatal.
Returned to Dover.
1606
Dover. Four casualties landed(1).
Repairs put in hand.
2000
Left Dover for Dunkirk.
3rd June
2357
Off Dunkirk breakwater.
Entered the harbour. All berths
occupied.
4th June
0033
An outward bound transport, believed
to be the Cote d'Argent struck the
Princess Maud. Only slight damage.
0045
A French trawler struck the Princess
Maud; no damage.
0055
Berthed at extreme end of east pier.
Embarked troops. Dogs of all kinds
got aboard.
0150
Cast off. The Royal Sovereign was still
embarking troops.
0205
Whilst swinging, a shell fell in the
berth just vacated.
0210
Proceeded. Almost collided with the
blockships which were waiting outside.
0411
Anchored off N. Goodwin L.V. because
of heavy traffic and fog.
0505
Proceeded.
0650
Folkestone. Disembarked 1,270 troops.
Total 1,270
Authority - R.O.III. p.183.
TM.6213/40.
The following awards were made:
Mention in Despatches.
Captain H. Clarke, Master.
(1) D.R. states 4 troops were disembarked.
417

Details

ROYAL EAGLE - Continued.
Breen
have
T. 41018, Master
The following awards were made:
28th May
2030
Lare the Downs For
D.S.O.
Cdr. E.C. Cordeaux, M.B., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., R.N. (Retd.) ed.
Whele weat 8166 of town in flames.
D.S.M.
0455
Hove up and berthed at East Jetty.
C.P.O. P.S.T. Munn.
Embarked troops to capacity.
0540
Proceeded.
Mention in Despatches
Anchored off Margate Pior.
Lt. Cdr. E.F.A. Farrow, R.N.R.ste Pier. Disembarked 1,173 troops
Ord/Sea. H.W. Miller.
Left Margate.
1735
ore Le Panne. Witnessed heavy dive
bomb atteck. Heavy losses to shippic
1800
M/V Bullfinch ashore, laden with troops
Assisted her.
1815
Bullfinsh aflost and proceeded.
1820
Royal Sovereign embarked troops from
beaches.
in
30th May
0410/
Shifted berth and embarked more troops.
0430
0530
Vessel full. Proceeded.
1135
Margate, Disembarked 1,200 troops.
1300
Left Margate.
1735
Anchored off Dunkirk.
1820
Embarked troops.
31st May
0130
Proceeded.
0515
At Dyke buoy, picked my 4 survivors for
bombed French steamer.
0710
Margate. Disembarked 1,502 troops.
1805
To Dunkirk.
2230
Anchored off Pontoon Pier Dunkirk.
2240
Ordered to La Panne.
2315
Anchored off La Panne.
1st June
0220
Heavy bombardment of beach, BO proceede
0615
Off Margate.
0745
Margate. Disembarked 47 troops.
1315
To Dunkirk.
1520
Air attacks.
and
Bombarded by Gravelines guns.
1552
Returned to Margate,
1730
Margate roads.
2nd June
1300
Cdr. L.P. Skipwith and 11 retings
join the ship.
1800
Left Margate.
2000
Passed bombed H/C Paris.
2130
Dunkirk. Embarked French troops from
middle pier.
2205
Proceeded, filled to capacity.
3rd June
0155
Margate, Disemberked 1,500 troops.
1400
Four seamen and 2 entering staff leave
ship.
2015
To Dunkirk.
2055
Fogi visibility nil.
4th June
0115
Blight collision with unknown stamer
off No.3 Dunkirk buoy.
0220
Dunkirk middle pier.
0255
Left Dunkins, (1) overladen with troops.
(1) One of the two last personnel ships to leave (see
Moud) 45

Details

ROYAL SOVEREIGN
Genl. Steam Nav.
Capt. T. Aldis, Master.
P/V. (To)
Co. Ltd.
28th May
2030
Left the Downs for Dunkirk.
29th May
0250
Off East Jetty, Dunkirk; anchored.
Whole west side of town in flames.
0455
Hove up and berthed at East Jetty.
Embarked troops to capacity.
0540
Proceeded.
1010
Anchored off Margate Pier.
1215
Margate Pier. Disembarked 1,173 troops.
1330
Left Margate.
1735
Off La Panne. Witnessed heavy dive
bomb attack. Heavy losses to shipping
1800
M/V Bullfinch ashore, laden with troops.
Assisted her.
1815
Bullfinch afloat and proceeded.
1820
Royal Sovereign embarked troops from
beaches.
30th May
0410/
Shifted berth and embarked more troops.
0430
0530
Vessel full. Proceeded.
1135
Margate. Disembarked 1,200 troops.
1300
Left Margate.
1735
Anchored off Dunkirk.
1820
Embarked troops.
31st May
0130
Proceeded.
0315
At Dyke buoy, picked up 4 survivors from
bombed French steamer.
0710
Margate. Disembarked 1,502 troops.
1805
To Dunkirk.
2210
Anchored off Pontoon Pier Dunkirk.
2240
Ordered to La Panne.
2315
Anchored off La Panne.
1st June
0220
Heavy bombardment of beach, so proceeded
0615
Off Margate.
0745
Margate. Disembarked 47 troops.
1315
To Dunkirk.
1520
Air attacks.
and
Bombarded by Gravelines guns.
1552
Returned to Margate.
1730
Margate roads.
2nd June
1300
Cdr. L.P. Skipwith and 11 ratings
join the ship.
1800
Left Margate.
2000
Passed bombed H/C Paris.
2130
Dunkirk. Embarked French troops from
middle pier.
2205
Proceeded, filled to capacity.
3rd June
0155
Margate. Disembarked 1,500 troops.
1400
Four seamen and 2 catering staff leave
ship.
2015
To Dunkirk.
2055
Fog; visibility nil.
0115
Slight collision with unknown steamer
4th June
off No.3 Dunkirk buoy.
0220
Dunkirk middle pier.
0255
Left Dunkirk, (1) overladen with troops.
(1) One of the two last personnel ships to leave (see
Princess Maud). 46

Details

ROYAL SOVEREIGN (continued)
4th June
0255
Leaving harbour, saw crew of an
(continued)
(conta)
unknown vessel Pblockship Gourko]/lhe
being rescued by small boats.
0600
Margate. Disembarked 1350 troops.
1st
June
0720
While being towed Total 6,772(1)
1 mile or Do
the Royalty clipped the tow rope,
set sail, and steared head first
on to the beach at Malo. Soldiers
began to run down the beach towards
Authority - R.O.III. p.190.
her,
but
to
TM.6213/40.
was The
crew of the Royalty and about 6
soldier atevedores, rowed off in
their boat to the tug Cervia,
0830ca
The Ceryia took the barge Tollesbury
tow and sailed for Ramagate.
The following awards were made: Royalty was
D.S.C.
Capt. T. Aldis, Master.
Mr. A. Sinclair, Chief Engineer.
D.S.M.
Ch. Stwd. T.E. Manser.
(1) "Exact number unknown, but approximately 11,000" -
Master's report.
47

Details

Page 132
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
ROYAL DAFFODIL (Continued).
Second Engineer William Leonard Evans.
to be kept and engines running.
Assisting the Chief Engineer and enabling steam
Recommended for mention.
W. C. E. Smith, 7520070, R.A.M.C.
This soldier was recommended by the Master for
excellent work which he did in tending the wounded
and sick through the voyage.
Recommended for mention.
ROYAL SOVEREIGN - Thomas Jeffrey Aldis, Master. (Decorated for
this operation in London Gazette 7th June,1940).
This ship completed seven trips, continually under
gunfire and bombing. Brought a very large number of
troops back to this country.
HOSPITAL CARRIER - ST. ANDREW - Herbert Cecil Bond, Master.
This ship completed two trips, and on the first she
was so heavily shelled off Calais, and had no alternative
but to escape the range of fire by crossing the minefields.
Again, on the second trip she was continually under raids
from aircraft.
Recommendation.
OFFICER.
Master, Herbert Cecil Bond.
Showed great skill in manoeuvring the ship into
Dunkirk, whilst under continued bombardment from the
air.
Recommended for mention.
ST. HELIER - Reginald Richard Pittman. Master.
This ship did five trips to Dunkirk, and in addition,
two trips bofore Dynamo started, to Calais and Boulogne.
On the first trip, whilst in Dunkirk, there was a very
heavy/

Details

Wt. 22622/4318 50M 9/38 S.E.R. Ltd. Gp. 671.
09)
base 6801 Val 2
03VC
Register No.
Minute Sheet No.
Naval of the Secretary. Merchant have been inserted on the instructions and men of
The following Navy additional names of officers
D.S.C.
Mr. David Douglas Robb, Chief Engineer, ISLE OF GUERNSEY.
Mr. William MacGregor, Chief Engineer, KING GEORGE V.
Mr. George Clifford Frederick Todley, Second Engineer, MAID OF ORLEANS.
Mr. Rowland Baxter, Master, PRAGUE.
Mr. Walter Ernest Oxenham, Chief Engineer, PRAGUE.
Mr. A.Patterson, Chief Officer, ROYAL DAFFODIL.
Mr. Andrew Sinclair, Chief ineer, ROYAL SOVEREIGN.
Mr. A.B. Freeman, First Officer, ST. HELIER.
Mr. H.Whiteway, Master, TYNWALD.
Mr. Charles Mason, Radio Officer, TYNWALD.
D.S.M.
Quartermaster Henry Russell, MAID OF ORLEANS.
Donkeyman Albert Delamain, ROYAL DAFFODIL.
Chief Steward Thomas Edward Manser, ROYAL SOVEREIGN.
Quartermaster Clarence T. Walkey, ST.HELIER.
Mention in Despatches. (Posthumous)
Fireman A. Phillips, BIARRITZ.
Mention in Despatches.
Captain R.Hughes, Master, KILLARNEY.
Captain C.G. West, O.B.E., Master, NEPHRITE.
Captain H. Clarke, Master, PRINCESS MAUD.
Captain J.N. Larbalestier, Master, ROEBUCK.
Mr. W.Lister, Purser, TYNWALD.
Carpenter J.Garre, TYNWALD.
Donkeyman A.Allen, TYNWALD.
Jumph 25th July, 1940.
Naral Secretary.
Naval Secretary has given orders for the following further
names to be inserted:-
Mention in Despatches.
Captain Thomas C. Woods, Master, LADY OF MANN.
/Captain A.M. Poole, Master, LADY SOUTHBOROUGH. (Hopper Barge).
Captain Ewen Mackinnon, Master, LOCH GARRY.
Captain R.G. Banks, Acting Master, Lighter X.209.
Captain William Josiah Penny, Master, Tug St. Clears.
/Captain Robert Durrant, Master, Drifter LORD RODNEY.
/Captain John William Dickinson, Master, NGORAMA.
vMr. Victor Smith, Mate, Drifter JAVA.
/Mr. Raymond Crane, Engineer, M.V. LAROC.
Mr. Jack Lynn, Mate, M.V. LAROC.
Xxxx Steward H.A.E. Frost, M.V. LAROC.
Deckhand Leonard Lynn, M.V. LAROC.
deshington
for Naval Secretary
28th July, 1940.

Details

469
WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY, 1940.
0600.
"ROSS".
383.
0900.
"LEDA".
301.
1010.
"PANGBOURNE".
400.
1110.
"KELLETT"
472.
1220.
"ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
1173. + 5 German Prisoners.
1340.
"ALBURY".
161.
1430.
"PATRIA".
200.
1445.
"CARIBIA".
300.
7-
1520.
"LEUS".
200.+ 2 Femalealiens.
1640.
"HORST".
350.
1800.
"ROYAL DAFFODIL".
1703.
1820.
"K.G.V."
853.
2100.
"LEDA".
500.
-
Total.
6996.
====

Details

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

Details

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

Details

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

Details

my 474
MONDAY, 3RD JUNE, 1940.
0100.
"ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
1500.
+
3 Alien Refugees.
0400.
"K.G.V."
1460.
0650.
"WESTWARD HO".
48.
0745.
"ORIEL".
750.
Total.
3758.

Details

475
499
TUESDAY, 4TH JUNE, 1940.
0600.
"ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
1350.
0720.
"GUILLEMOT.
460.
0830.
"KELLETT".
30.
+
3 French Women.
0840.
"ALBRY".
400.
+
1 French Woman.
0840.
L2. (Trawler).
85.
AD389. (Trawler) ? AD385
60.
+
4 Belgian Refugees.
0845.
"LEDA".
500.
1035.
x
65.
+
3 750 Women, 1 French
1132.
"K.G.V."
Boy.
1310.
"ORIEL".
50.
1425.
"QUEEN OF THANET".
150.
3150

Details

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

Details

197
212
6.
55.
I had to send some ships out and delay others going to the Test
pier until the entrance was cleared.
56.
The flow of troops down the East pier was far better, but there were
bad pauses. The West yder was always arouded, and as the ships dertailed for
this were insufficient I led in a Personnel Ship to the West plar at 0145
and she was followed by ROYAL SOVEREIGN which did not leave till 0300.
57.
MALCOLM left at 0240 and EXPRESS at 0300 after embarking the
berthing party. When the Inttor left there were about 200 non on the East
pier and these were later embarked by SHIKART who was ascorting the blockships.
58.
At the West pier there were still a for hundred non, but I only
had KELLET available and with her slow speed I did not feel justified in
taking the risk of the late departure that loading her would have involved.
59.
During the night HIREVISION me holed by a French Truzler and
transferred her troops, KHLINE went aground and got off, and one paddler was
sent back unfilled.
60.
In the foregoing narrative I have mile no particular mention of
French Ships any more than I have of Deitish Ships. On all days, however,
French Destroyers were using the West any and I think they did all they
could and played their part wall. Latterly also, large numbers of French
fishing boats and small steamers took part and embarked may non from
Dunicire.
61.
There was intersittent shall fire on Dunicisio the whole time, but
it was never effectively directed on the vital points such as the East Pier
and had no effect on the ambariention, although one truelerine sunk in the
Harbour. That BO little interference occurred must, I think, have been due
to the effective boaking of the batteries during the nights.
62.
During the last three nights at Dunicire the handling of ships in
the harbour under the most difficult conditions was magnificent. Transports,
Destroyers, Minesweepers, Paddlers, and all descriptions of small craft were
moving in and out in these confined waters, share there were several urecks
in inconvenient places. Little time was lost, and that DO many - were
brought off is due to the coolness and suprese semanship of the Captains of
these ships.
63. boyond praise from the smallest credit to the largest, and what has
During these operations the work of all those engaged has been been
all concerned. Few orders could be given but that did not
accomplished in the result of the single-airled purpose and determination matter for of
but of those who dune under my OWN observation I wish to bring your
everyone did his ubsort. I had for opportunities to pdak out special to notice cases,
the following Officers:-
Cantain & L.Berthon - H.M.S.
fire During attack, being finally aunit. Captain calls I put upon his and his shij
the the I was in H.N.S. KNTTH she was Burthon subjected handled to shell his
with great and boalding coolness and Judgement and not all the
ship.
Liqutarant - H.M.S. KNITH.
the air attack which finally disabled KNITH and this took officer drastic
handled the During ship with complete coolness in a materly way, avaiding

Details

204
219
6.
55.
pier until the entrance was cleared.
I had to send some ships out and delay others going to the Test
56.
The flow of troops down the East pier was far better, but there were
bad pauses. The West pier was always crowded, and as the ships detailed for
this were insufficient I led in a Personnel Ship to the Test pier at 0145
and she was followed by ROYAL SOVEREIGN which did not leave till 0300.
57.
MALCOLM left at 0240 and EXPRESS at 0300 after embarking the
berthing party. When the latter left there were about 200 non on the East
pier and these were later embarked by SHIRART who was escorting the blockships.
58.
At the West pier there were still a few hundred men, but I only
had KELLET available and with her slow speed I did not feel justified in
taking the risk of the late departure that loading her would have involved.
59.
During the night KINGFISHER was holed by a French Travler and
transferred her troops, KELLET went aground and got off, and one paddler vas
sent back unfilled.
60.
In the foreyoing narrative I have made no particular sention of
French Ships any more than I have of British Ships. On all days, however,
French Destroyers were using the Test Quay and I think they did all they
could and played their part wall, Latterly also, large numbers of Prench
fishing boats and small steamers took part and embarked may - from
Dunicirk.
61.
There was intermittent shall fire on Dunicisk the whole time, but
it was never effectively directed on the vital points such as the East Pier
and had no effect on the embarkation, although one sunic in the
Harbour. That so little interference occurred must, 1 think, have been due
to the effective boaking of the batteries during the nights.
62.
During the last three nights at Dunkirk the harriling of aldye in
the harbour under the most difficult conditions was magnificent. Transports,
Destroyers, Minesweepers, Paddlers, and all descriptions of small araft were
moving in and out in these comfined waters, where there ware several wreaks
brought off is due to the coolness and supresse seasanship of the Captains of
in inconvenient places. Little time was lost, and that so many - were
these ships.
63. beyond the smallest craft to the largest, and what
During these operations the work of all those engaged has has been been
all orders could be given but that did not
accomplished praise is from the result of the single-ainled purpose and matter determination for of
but of those did who dame under my own observation I wish to bring your
everyone concerned. his Few utrost. I had few opportunities to pdak out special to notice cases,
the following Officers:-
Capitain B.L. Berthon - H.M.S. XXXTH
During the being finally sunk. Captain him and his ship
the I was in H.M.S. KETTH she was Borthon subjected handled to shall his
with fire great and bombing coolness attack, and judgement and not all the calls I put upon
ship.
Ideutanant G.J.A.Iamaden - H.M.S. KNITH.
air attack which fimilly disabled KNITH and this took officer drastic
handled the During ship with the complete coolness in a masterly way, /avodding ********

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
153
Page 32.
151
152
4/6
150
its
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 31
it of
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
he
3/6
at
S
ed 33
h
Monday, 3rd June (continued).
d
93.
In the evening the Vice Admiral was informed by the
B.N.L.O. Marceau that it was estimated 30,000 French remained
and that the French Admiralty agree that evacuation should be
terminated that night if possible. Force used was to consist
of 9 Personnel Vessels with one in reserve, 9 Destroyers
(maximum number available), 4 Paddle Minesweepers, 7 Fleet
Minesweepers, 9 Drifters, LOCUST, 2 Corvettes, 4 French
Destroyers and a number of organised motor boat flotillas
including lifeboats from Ramsgate and Dover, together with a
large number of French and Belgian fishing vessels. The
lifting capacity of this force, if used to the full, was more
than 30,000, but it was certain that the facilities within
Dunkirk could not permit more than about 25,000 to be embarked
in the time available, and this number only if the French
troops moved with the greatest rapidity at all points of
embarkation. This point was impressed upon the French Liaison
Officers and a number of French officers and ratings added to
the augmented pier parties which were despatched to Dunkirk
at 2200 in advance of the evacuation force.
toots
94. The movements commenced according to plan. The
weather conditions at Dunkirk, although favourable as regards
ere
tide were adverse with a north easterly wind tending to blow
the
Personnel Vessels and Destroyers off the vital East Pier makin
berthing difficult. The MANXMAN, the seventh Personnel Ship
king
to
due to sail refused to sail, and her place was taken by the
theless,
ROYAL SOVEREIGN.
power
4/6
or
Tuesday, 4th June.
tretch
00/2/6.
95. At midnight when the earlier vessels had commenced
thin
the return voyage fog was reported in mid-channel and off the
cipally
Thanet coast and a number of ships had to anchor before
entering harbour. The EXPRESS and SHIKARI were the last ships llery the
to leave Dunkirk at 0318 and 0340 and carried approximately
1,000 troops and the British pier parties. Except for an air
attack on SHIKARI this final passage was made without inter-
e
ruption by the enemy and though the fog made navigation
r to
extremely difficult it undoubtedly served to shield the Armada
ne gun,
from enemy aircraft.
German
ceasing
96. When the count was taken later in the day it was
ements
ascertained that 27,000 troops had been evacuated as a result d as
of the night's operation and Admiral Nord agreed that the
operation should be considered as completed, observing that
all anmunition at Dunkirk had been expended and that the
olunteer
numbers left behind were small consisting principally of non-
combatant troops. This decision was agreed to by the French
1
Admiralty at 1100, and the operation Dynamo terminated by
Admiralty Message 1423/4.
97. It was realised that in all probability there might
be a number of open boats, barges, etc. tsmouth, bout in the
channel with troops on board. It was accr
scided
to
inary/
have

Details

164
163
APPENDIX I.
Page 2
of
and final.
181
Operation "DYNAMO"
-
Narrative of Events.
FLARE BURNING
BOY ROY
GOLDEN GIFT
PAXTON
DRIFTER:
EILEEN EMMA
GOLDEN SUNBEAM
SHIPMATES
FORECAST
LORD HOWARD
THE BOYS
GERVAIS RENTOUL
LORD HOWE
TORBAY II
GIRL GLADYS
MIDAS
UT PROSIM
GIRL PAMELA
NETSUKIS
YORKSHIRE LASS
YOUNG MUN
GUARDSHIPS AND
LORMONT
MONA'S ISLA
KING ORRY
A.B.V's:
LLANTHONY
CORVETTES:
KINGFISHER
G
ILLEMOT
F.A.A.
AIR FORCE
GRIEVE
AMULREE
TRAINING VESSEL:
M.T.B's:
16
M.A.S.B's:
6
67
7
68
10
100
102
107
PERSONNEL SHIPS:
ARCHANGEL
LOCH GARRY
PRINCESS MAUD
AUTOCARRIER
LORINA
QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL
BEN MY CHREE
HAID OF ORLEANS
ROUEN
BIARRITZ
MALINES
ROYAL DAFFODIL
CANTERBURY
MANX MAID
ROYAL SOVEREIGN
COTE D'ARGENT
MANX- MAN
SCOTIA
FENELLA
MONA'S QUEEN
ST. HELIER
KILLARNEY
NEWHAVEN
ST. SEIRIOL
KING GEORGE V
NORMANIA
TYNWALD
LADY OF MAN
PRAGUE
OSPITAL CARRIERS: DINARD
ISLE OF GUERNSEY ST. ANDREW
ISLE OF THANET ST DAVID
PARIS
ST JULIAN
WORTHING
OTE:
In addition, some 23 of H.M. Trawlers, Drifters and
Yachts of the Nore Command assisted by taking one or more
tows of boats to the coast.

Details

Details

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

Details

Details

13
305 302
The difficult west-going tide, with a fresh easterly
tide turned at about 2300. Used the MA/SB to push one
to get ships alongside the East Pier wind, until made the it
destroyer in and tried to get other small craft to do
likewise. By this time the French had come to life and
many of their small craft filled the narrow harbour.
The MA/SB's clutch out of action - could not go astern.
2200
4 destroyers had been got away by 2200, and the last of
the B.E.F. was clear soon after.
Then a long pause. The French should have followed our
men on the East Pier, but they ddd not appear. Could see
crowds of soldiers on West Quay, but as there seemed a
scarcity of French ships I sent 2 personnel ships there.
One was ROYAL SOVEREIGN, which was handled magnificently -
went alongside bows out. Other was ROUEN (French cross-
Channel steamer): in getting away she got broadside on to
the wind and grounded just to the westward of the quay.
Sent a tug to assist her, but she drew too much water to
get near: also a lifeboat to get men away. Think men were
got away; ship floated off with next tide in daylight and
then returned in safety.
3rd June. A most disheartening night. Flow of French troops to the
(36)
East Pier stopped for some hours. One report = they were
held up to make a counter-attack. When they did come it
was almost impossible to get them to the ships at the end
of the pier: they all wanted to get into the first they
came to, and pier was so narrow that they then blocked the
way to any ships beyond. One ship lay for 3½ hours at
the end berth waiting for men. Finally, began to trickle
down, but was then obvious that many of ships waiting out-
side could not be used and I had to send back empty 2
personnel ships, 3 destroyers and several Fleet sweepers.
Dawn
French coming down faster, and as time of leaving got
closer tried to make them double down the pier. Even then
they were quite hopeless. Saw men who were on the way to
the end ship turn and run back up the pier, because they
saw another ship coming alongside farther in.
0300
Again I ordered ships to leave at 0300, and waited to see
the last go and to hail the 2 blockships as they passed up
harbour shortly after, accompanied by MTBs which were to
take off the crews.
One blockship was sunk as arranged across the channel, but
the other shifted as she was blown up and lay up and down
the channel, leaving a clear passage. Either this night
or the next one blockship was blown up on a magnetic mine
After seeing the blockships pass up harbour, the MA/SB took
just outside the harbour.
us back to Dover in time to get 2 hours' rest before
breakfast. Last night's results were very disappointing and only
24,000 men were embarked. Many more could have been taken
but for the long pause in the flow of troops to East Pier.
After the Naval ratings had left at 2300 there was some
difficulty in getting ships berthed, as the French did
nothing to replace our men although the Port was the H.Q.
of a Naval Command and there were always plenty of French
marines in evidence.
Was informed at Dover that there was to be another embarka-
tion that night, but that this really would be the end.
Each night had been thought to be the last, and then each
(37)
day the ships had been asked for one more effort. By the this
time many of the Commanding Officers and men were at
limit of their endurance, and the VA did not feel he could
order ships to go over. Signal asking what ships 6 were
ready and able to go. Finally, 10 transports, 2 yachts, destroyers
8 1 gunboat, 10 drifters, 5 schuyts and 1 tug were collected. boats
minesweepers, 4 paddle sweepers, 2 corvettes,
Besides these, a large number of small craft and as
before.
For

Details

347
344
- 39 -
4/6
By then so slow a ship would be exposed to great danger on hor roturn 0.13 she
might not be able to get back while our fighter patroln were operating. I
therefore sent her. back empty. The flow of ron on the East Picr was better
than on the preceding night but there were boil pauses. The first group of
personnel ships and destroyers got away by 0100 and were quickly replaced with
others, All the time there were crowds of mon at the West Quay and 18 was
obvious that more ships could be used there, so at 0145 I led a large personnel
ship, which did not know the way, into this borth. As soon as she was clear,
another the "ROYAL SOVEREIGN" - want in and stayed there until 0300 - half an
hour after the time intonded. At the East Pier the "MALCOIN" left with 1,000
men on board at 0245 and the "EXPRESS" left at 0300, after I had taken off Cdr.
Buckanan and the borthing party who were in her. When she left there were still
about 200 men on the Bast Pier and these trero brought off by the "SHIKARE" who
came in later escorting the last two block ships. of all the ships sent over
only one paddler and the "KELLETT" were not used. I had some difficulty over
the French Admiral. The M.F.B. sent for him had failed to find him and he
finally came away in one of his own M.T.B.s.
The light was growing and the harbour was empty but for the two block
ships and an attendant M.T.B. as I left it for the last time and not off for
Dover. On the passage 10 was foggy but we found our way. At Dover the first
ship to come in out of the fog was the "SABRE" whose compans was wrong and
who had gono over to Dunkirk in company with another ship on that account.
I do not know the exact figure but I think that at loast 30,000 een
were embarked on this night in about 3½ hours, which is D. sufficiontly
remarkable figure. Even so a number of men were loft bohind and I oneo
heard that there were still 30,000 French there. The total ovroushed
amounted to 330,000 altogother.
During the forenoon I paid a visit to the office whore the Vico
Admiral was trying to get out some quick report on the operation and the
atmosphere WAS one of comparative relaxation after the tensenoss of the
past work. Ships were being sent back to their home ports to give 48
hours leave, and in the meantime they were having the Street root they had
had for many days.

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 32.
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 31
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
Monday, 3rd June (continued).
93. In the evening the Vice Admiral was informed by the
B.N.L.O. Marceau that it was estimated 30,000 French remained
and that the French Admiralty agree that evacuation should be
terminated that night if possible. Force used was to consist
of 9 Personnel Vessels with one in reserve, 9 Destroyers
is
(maximum number available), 4 Paddle Minesweepers, 7 Fleet
Minesweepers, 9 Drifters, LOCUST, 2 Corvettes, 4 French
Destroyers and a number of organised motor boat flotillas
including lifeboats from Ramsgate and Dover, together with a
large number of French and Belgian fishing vessels. The
lifting capacity of this force, if used to the full, was more
than 30,000, but it was certain that the facilities within
Dunkirk could not permit more than about 25,000 to be embarked
in the time available, and this number only if the French
troops moved with the greatest rapidity at all points of
embarkation. This point was impressed upon the French Liaison
Officers and a number of French officers and ratings added to
the augmented pier parties which were despatched to Dunkirk
at 2200 in advance of the evacuation force.
94. The movements commenced according to plan. The
weather conditions at Dunkirk, although favourable as regards
tide were adverse with a north easterly wind tending to blow
S,
Personnel Vessels and Destroyers off the vital East Pier making
berthing difficult. The MANXMAN, the seventh Personnel Ship
due to sail refused to sail, and her place was taken by the
ROYAL SOVEREIGN.
Tuesday, 4th June.
95. At midnight when the earlier vessels had commenced
the return voyage fog was reported in mid-channel and off the r
Thanet coast and a number of ships had to anchor before
entering harbour. The EXPRESS and SHIKARI were the last ships
to leave Dunkirk at 0318 and 0340 and carried approximately
1,000 troops and the British pier parties. Except for an air
attack on SHIKARI this final passage was made without inter-
ruption by the enemy and though the fog made navigation
extremely difficult it undoubtedly served to shield the Armadas
from enemy aircraft.
I
96. When the count was taken later in the day it was
ascertained that 27,000 troops had been evacuated as a result
of the night's operation and Admiral Nord agreed that the
operation should be considered as completed, observing that
all anmunition at Dunkirk had been expended and that the
numbers left behind were small consisting principally of non-
combatant troops. This decision was agreed to by the French
Admiralty at 1100, and the operation Dynamo terminated by
Admiralty Message 1423/4.
97. It was realised that in all probability there might
be a number of open boats, barges, etc. drifting about in the
channel with troops on board. It was accordingly decided to
have
val

Details

APPENDIX I.
Page 2
of
and final.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
URNING
BOY ROY
GOLDEN GIFT
PAXTON
:
EILEEN EMMA
GOLDEN SUNBEAM
SHIPMATES
FORECAST
LORD HOWARD
THE BOYS
GERVAIS RENTOUL
LORD HOWE
TORBAY II
GIRL GLADYS
MIDAS
UT PROSIM
GIRL PAMELA
NETSUKIS
YORKSHIRE LASS
YOUNG MUN
IPS AND
LORMONT
MONA'S ISLE
KING ORRY
:
LLANTHONY
ES:
KINGFISHER
GUILLEMOT
CE
GRIEVE
G VESSEL:
i
16
M.A.S.B's:
6
67
7
68
10
100
102
107
EL SHIPS:
ARCHANGEL
LOCH GARRY
PRINCESS MAUD
AUTOCARRIER
LORINA
QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL
BEN MY CHREE
HAID OF ORLEANS
ROUEN
BIARRITZ
MALINES
ROYAL DAFFODIL
CANTERBURY
MANX MAID
ROYAL SOVEREIGN
COTE D'ARGENT
MANX MAN
SCOTIA
FENELLA
MONA'S QUEEN
ST. HELIER
KILLARNEY
NEWHAVEN
ST. SEIRIOL
KING GEORGE V
NORMANIA
TYNWALD
LADY OF MAN
P. LGUE
L CARRIERS: DINARD
ISLE OF GUERNSEY ST. ANDREW
ISLE OF THANET ST. DAVID
PARIS
ST. JULIAN
WORTHING
In addition, some 23 of H.M. Trawlers, Drifters and
achts of the Nore Command assisted by taking one or more
OWS of boats to the coast.

Details

Details

Details

Details

c.w.30480/487th September,
O
O.W./40,
sin,
I am commanded by My Lords
the Admiralty to say
letter of the 21st
3
that while they appreciate
the feelings that led you to write,
they believe you to be under a
ON
since of the Chief
twenty-nine transports
1
employed in the Dunkirk Evacuation, it
;
was not found possible to decorate or
8
mention more than six.
You may therefore rest assured
the
that no possible slur can attach to the
A
omition of your name from the listof
awards.
REFT am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
FROM
Relatives
Informati
R.Y. Glen
Secretary
Mr. H.V.C. 10.40 Clarke,
Chief Officer,
H.M. Transport ROYAL SOVEREIGN,
Personal/o G.P.O.

Details

Sub-Lieutenant John Francis Worthington, R.N.V.R., H.M.S. Halcyon.
Temporary Sub-Lieutenant James Tomkin, R.N.V.R., H.M.S. Princess
Probationary Sub-Lieutenant Eric Sidney Flint, R.N.R., Elizabeth. H.M.S.
Midshipman Ian Kinloch Bryce, R.N.R., H.M.S. Fitzroy. Mosquito.
Midshipman Malcolm John Ball, R.N.R., H.M.S. Scimitar.
Commissioned Engineer Reginald Thomas Jones, Royal Navy, H.M.S.
Commissioned Engineer Thomas Kirby Reynolds, Royal Sabre. Navy, H.M.S.
Gunner Frederick William Benoy, Royal Navy, H.M.S. Salamander. Wolsey.
Gunner (T) Reginald William Clare, Royal Navy, H.M.S. Grenade.
Skipper Andrew Buchan, R.N.R., H.M.Drifter The Boys.
Skipper George Hattan, R.N.R.,
Reed.
Skipper Herbert Holden, R.N.R., H.M.Drifter Midas.
Skipper William Francis Reynolds, R.N.R., H.M.Drifter Dorienta.
Captain Clifford Rowland Baxter, Master, S.S. Prague.
e.
Captain John Fréyer, Master, Tug Foremost 87.
Captain Charles Archibald Hancock, Master, S.S. Canterbury.
or
Captain Ernest Leonard Hill, Master, Sx8x Hospital Carrier Isle
of Guernsey.
Captain William Henry Hughes, Master, S.S. Scotia.
C Captain Robert McCallum McLean, Master, H M.hanspat King yearge V.
Captain Reginald Richard Pitman, Master, S.S. St. Helier.
Captain William Thompson, Master, S.S. Dorrien Rose.
Captain William Oswald Young, Master, H.M. Transport Levenwood.
Captain a ohn Henry Whiteway, Master, S.S. Tynwald.
Mr. Terence O'Hanlon, Mate, S.S. Dorrien Rose. S.S.
S.S.
Mr. Hubert Donald Freeman, First Officer, St. Helier. S.S.
Mr Arthur Patrick Joseph Paterson, Chief S.S. Officer, Royal Daffodil.
Mr. Frank Edward Martin, Second Officer, 1/1 St. Helier.
SS.
15.5 Mr. Allan Watterson, Second Officer of Tynwald.
Mr. Joseph William fred Coulthard, Chief Engineer, Royal Daffodil.
Mr. William MagGregor, Chief Engineer, H.M. Transport King George V
Mr. Bernard Murphy, Chief Engineer, S.S. Dorrien Rose.
Mr. Walter Ernest Oxenham, Chief Engineer S.S. Prague.
Mr. David Douglas Robb, Chief Engineer M.V. Hospital Guernsey. Carrier Isle of
Mr. Andrew Sinclair, Chief Engineer, S. Royal Sovereign.
D
Mr. George Frederick Todley, Second Engineer, S.S. Maid of Orleans.
all
MR. James Lang Crockart, Engineer S.S. Biarritz.
Mr. Charles/Mason, Radio Officer Tynwald.
Queen.

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 3.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Work of Personnel Vessels.
Personnel Vessels (continued).
remaining; she started a trip but failed to make Dunkirk. On
return, original Captain rejoined with some of the original
crew. She should then have sailed at 2010/3, but the Captain
reported 3 engineers short at the last minute. It was not
to wait for the engineers and the Master
and the new crew provided for the second
time. Before further use could be made of her, however, the
evacuation terminated.
9. The MONA'S QUEEN was sunk by a mine on her second
voyage to Dunkirk, and the FENELLA was bombed and sunk on her
first voyage.
10. The MALINES who had completed two trips, refused to
sail on the 1st, left Dover at 1600 on the 2nd without orders and
was subsequently found to have proceeded to Southampton.
11. It was felt that trouble might occur in the ST. HELIER
and PRINCESS MAUD, and accordingly a naval party was put on
board to supplement the ships crews, and in consequence no
trouble occurred,
12. The outstanding ships were the MAID OF ORLEANS 6 trips,
one being diverted without completing the trip, and once
returning due to collision. ROYAL DAFFODIL 7 trips, on one of
which she was turned back by a French destroyer -
ROYAL SOVEREIGN 6 trips
KING GEORGE V
5 trips
COTE a' ARGENT
5 trips
ST. HELIER
4 trips after having refused to
sail once.
PRAGUE
3 trips with full loads, bombed,
severely damaged and
beached on the last return
trip.
13. Eleven other ships were concerned in the Operation,
details of which are as follows:
27th May BIARRITZ
Damaged by shell fire and returned.
27th May
ARCHANGEL
Damaged by shell fire and returned.
27th May
QUEEN OF THE
Sunk by bombing attack.
CHANNEL
28th May LORINA
Sunk by bombing attack.
29th May
NORMANIA
Sunk by bombing attack.
28th May LOCH GARRY
One trip.
28th May SCOTIA
One trip.
2nd June
1111
Sunk by bombing attack.
28th May KILLARNEY
One trip.
2nd June ROUEN
One trip.
2nd and 3rd
June AUTO CARRIER Two trips.
2nd and 3rd
June
NEWHAVEN
Two trips.
ce
of
Enclosure:-
ER. Officer Commanding,
Details of Personnel
June, 1940.
Ships used.

Details

Details

7432 50M 10/38 S.E.R. Ltd. Gp. 671.
base'beservi
Register No.
Minute Sheet No.
X
Temporary Skipper Alfred Manning Lovis, R.N.R., W.S.3397,
H.M.Drifter PAXTON.
x
Captain Gordon Dyer Walter, Master, MAID OF ORLEANS.
Captain George Johnson, Master, ROYAL DAFFODIL.
Captain Thomas Aldis, Master, ROYAL SOVEREIGN.
Distinguished Service Medal
Petty Officer Thomas A. Topley, C/J.112800.
Yeoman of Signals Geoffrey Piper, C/JX.132686.
Able Seaman Alexander C. Moore, C/JX.129026.
Able Seaman James G. Owen, R.F.R., B.20977.
Able Seaman Joseph L. Turner, C/SS.X.24037.
Able Seaman Walter F. Cox, R.F.R., B.22716.
Able Seaman Gilbert Rose, C/J.X151776.
Able Seaman Francis H. McLaughlin, C/J. X146012.
Ordinary Seaman Andrew McKay H. Miller, C/JX.174079.
Ordinary Seaman William J. Edward Burrows, C/JX.154411.
Ordinary Seaman Sydney V. Genner, C/JX.150954.
A special note would be put in the Gazette making it
clear that circumstances had made it possible for these
recommendations to be made in advance of the general body
of recommendations and that they have not been in any sense
specially selected.
*
The Distinguished Service Cross may, at the discretion
of the Admiralty, be awarded to Officers of the Merchant
Navy, and the Committee think that the award of the
D.S.C. to these three Masters would be both correct
and unobjectionable.
R.Gleadowe
for HEAD OF COMMISSION AND WARRANT BRANCH
5th June, 1940.
The King has 1 been pleased to apparer

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
WE.C.
Canel
lerry. 53.
FROM.
FLAG OFFICER COMMANDING DOVER.
Macclesful.
DATE
4th. JUNE 1940.
No. B23/862/40.
TO
SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY.
Distinguished Service Cross (Contd.)
ith,
rs
Temporary Skipper Alfred Manning Lovis, R.N.R.
W.S.3397. H.M. Drifter PAXTON.
rthy
S.
Captain Gordon Dyer Walter, Master, MAID OF ORLEANS.
N
Captain George Johnson, Master, ROYAL DAFFODIL.
:ward
Captain Thomas Aldis, Master, ROYAL SOVEREIGN.
from
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL.
Petty Officer Thomas A. Topley, C/J. 112800.
names
.e
Yeoman of Signals Geoffrey Piper, C/JX. 132686.
lese
are
Able Seaman Alexander C. Moore, C/JX. 129026.
may
Able Seaman James G. Owen, R.F.R. B.20977.
lations to
Able Seaman Joseph I. Turner, C/SS. X.24037.
e
:
Able Seaman Walter F. Cox, R.F.R. B.22716.
us
Able Seaman Gilbert Rose, J.X151776.
Able Seaman Francis H. McLaughlin, C/J.X146012.
3
5.30
Ordinary Seaman Andrew McKay H. Miller, C/JX.174079.
TLIN
Ordinary Seaman William J. Edward Burrows, C/JX.154411.
Ordinary Seaman Sydney V. Genner, C/JX.150954.
O.B.E. (Military)
Acting Commander Philip Brian Martineau, Royal Navy (Retd.)
Major A.E.M. Walter, B.A., Royal Engineers.
Captain L.E.L. Wright, Royal Engineers.
Lieutenant Commander James Coverley Stopford, Royal Navy.
6th June, 1940.

Details

ENCLOSURE NO.1 TO DOVER LETTER 10.B23/862/40 dated 4th. JUNE
1940.
Page 3.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF OFFICERS FOR SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH
THE EVACUATION OF THE ALLIED FORCES FROM DUNKIRK.
(contd)
CAPTAIN MICHAEL MAYNARD DENNY, ROYAL NAVY,
OBE(M)
CB
ACTING COMMANDER PHILIP BRIAN MARTINEAU, ROYAL NAVY, (RETIRED),
MAJOR (TEMPORARY) A.E.M.WALTER, B.A., ROYAL ENGINEERS, wo OBE
(Deputy Assistant Director of Transport
Dafer,
JAMES LEONARD KEITH, ESQUIRE, MINISTRY OF SHIPPING,
CAPTAIN (TEMPORARY) L.E.L. WRIGHT, ROYAL ENGINEERS, we: OBEM,
(Reserve of Officers).
For distinguished service in organising the sailing of
the very large number of ships and vessels of all classes
employed for the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force
and the French Army to the number of 307,218, between the
breakwater and beaches at Dunkirk and British ports, under
circumstances of unprecendented difficulty.
CB
also
For
Norwa
SNO audabus
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER JAMES COVERLEY STOPFORD, ROYAL NAVY,
OBE(M)
wait Martincan.
i/ashi
For distinguished service in establishing and
maintaining essential W/T communications with the Naval,
part
Military, and French Authorities respectively in Dunkerque,
and with the large number of small vessels employed during
the evacuation under circumstances of great difficulties,
thereby contributing very materaially to the success of the
operation.
OFFICERS OF THE MERCHANT NAVY.
3
D.S.A
CAPTAIN GORDON DYER WALTER, MASTER, 'MAID OF ORLEANS',
D.S.A
CAPTAIN GEORGE JOHNSON, MASTER, 'ROYAL DAFFODIL',
CAPTAIN THOMAS ALDIS, MASTER, ROYAL SOVEREIGN'.
ok Foley.
For distinguished service while serving in His Majesty's
Transports carrying Troops from Dunkerque to Dover.
The transports of necessity provided a vulnerable and
easy target for enemy aircraft, but were required to make
their passages while subject to constant bombing attacks,
and frequently under shell fire.
They were required to berth in darkness in a confined
harbour obstructed by wrecks, and crowded with small craft
under way.
VICE ADMIRAL.

Details

Page 4.
WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYN/MO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940.
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS (continued)
NEL AND HOSPITAL SHIPS
RCHANGEL
MANXMAN
UTOCARRIER
MONA'S QUEEN
EN-MY-CREE
NEWHAVEN
IARRITZ
NEPHRITE (Store Ship)
ANTERBURY
NGAROMA
LAN MACALISTER
NORMANIA
OTE D'ARGENT
PARIS (Hospital)
OTE D'AZUR
PRAGUE
INARD (Hospital)
PRINCESS MAUD
ORIAN ROSE (Store Ship)
#
QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL
ENELLA
ROEBUCK
ОЛМ QUEEN
ROUEN
SLE OF GUERNSEY (Hospital)
ROYAL DAFFODIL
SLE OF THANET (Hospital)
ROYAL SOVEREIGN
ILLARNEY
ST. ANDREW (Hospital)
ING GEORGE V
ST. DAVID (Hospital)
ADY OF MAN
ST. HELIER
EVENWOOD (Store Ship)
ST. JULIAN
OCH GARRY
ST. SEIRIOL
LORINA
#
SCOTIA
AID OF ORLEANS
TYNWALD
MALINES
WORTHING (Hospital)
MANXMAID
WHITSTABLE
BRITISH SHIPS
ADVENTURESS
BONNY BELLE
re
AGNESS CROSS (Life-boat)
BOURNEMOUTH LIFE-BOAT
ALBATROSS III
B.P. ONE
ALOUETTE
BRITANNIA
ANDORA
BULLFINCH
ANDORA II (R.A.F. Launch)
CABBY
ANNE IV
CANVEY QUEEN
ATHOLA
CAVERSHAM (M.B.)
AURA
CHAMOIS (Lighter)
BATL
CHERFIELD
BAT (Lighter)
/
CLAUDE (Water Boat)
BEE (Lighter)
COMMODORE
BELFAST
CONSTANT NYMPH
BLACK ARROW
CORDELIA
BLACK JAVA
CORNELIA
BLACKPOOL
BOBELI (Motor Cruiser)
C. 11
C. 9 } (Tugs)
BONNY HEATHER
C.Y. 63
DABB II
DEFENDER
DHOON (Trawler)
(Continued)
Sunk

Details

Details

Details

84
.0's 1700 & 1723. - VESSELS TAKING PART IN OPERATION DYNAMO.
C.E.in C. DEPARTMENT HOPPER BARGE W.95.
REPORTS OF MASTER AND ENGINEER.
We left Fountain Lake about 1.15 a.m. 30/5/40 and
proceeding through the barrage to Nab End Buoy, set course
for the Ower's Light vessel passing same about 3.45 a.m.
Conditions being normal, set course for Royal Soverign Light
Ship, during which time visibility became worse, passed Royal
Sovereign Light Ship, soon after noon, set course for Dungeness,
and although by this time, we were somewhat troubled with fog,
we reached our mark without any incident worth noting, from
Dungeness we had to reduce speed, but managed to keep going and
reached Ramsgate about 6 p.m., on the whole being satisfied
with our trip. Nothing worth noting came out way at Ramsgate
as our services were not utilized, although we were expecting
to move at any moment, we remained at anchor until Saturday
morning 10 a.m. when we were ordered to return to Portsmouth,
St. Helens Roads, at 10.15 p.m. on Saturday evening, dropping
at full speed, from leaving Ramsgate to arriving at Portsmouth,
the passage home was practically a perfect one, we were moving
anchor for the night, proceeding to harbour on Saturday morning.
(sa.) F.J. Tope,
Master.

Details

101
102
90
6
and bombing the beach, which was terrible to see, boat
drowned and kibled. Aircraft was active all the time, upset duri
VESSELS
TAKING
PART
IN
OPERATION
DYNAMO.
all ships with guns and shore batteries never ceased firing,
P.G.O's
1700 TILBURY & 1.723. CONTRACTING & DREDGING CO. LTD.
STEAM
planes were brought down on land and sea and we could see
HOPPER "JAMES 67"
REPORT OF MASTER.
dropping by parachute, one dropped near to us his parachute the
open. We never had much time to look round and see what
Re voyage from Portsmouth to Ramsgate and return from
we had our work cut out lugging half drowned men out of the was
Ramsgate to Portsmouth - 30th May to June 1st.
safety if luch was with us, which it was in the end. We
300 on board, I put one wounded man in my cabin and the next had
Left Portsmouth in convoy with four other steam hoppers
I went to the cabin there was two in my bunk, clothes and boot
Our long before reaching Beachy Head. My problem could find in to get the
speed averaged seven knots, so I lost sight of the was other
wet through, and six on the floor, they were in every bunk an
in the ship dead beat. It was nine o'clock so I decided we 1
vessels ship to her destination. The only chart I had old
get them as it was getting like hell, so we helped to load 800
the was one of Christchurch to the Owers. I back a very to 1922.
the other ships that did not have many on board and at ten 0'1
chart included all the English Channel and was of a very set to
ship of my own, which was cancelled and dating small
we left for Ramsgate towing two motor boats, and leaving one
It With a parallel rule and pair of dividers I work, that
for another ship to use. The journey through Dúnkirk Roads
and scale. plotted the courses of as far as the Downs, as I expected
dangerous owing to the darkness and sunken ships, as we appros
all the distance we could make by dark.
Gravelines the German searchlight was in action, and we expect
would get us in the ray at any minute, and shell us but luck
the same courses as the others until losing of
us, aircraft was over us at all times of the night, so we only
Royal Sovereign thence to Folkestone, expecting mile
sight of them, Light Vessel to the south, then to Dungeness to find pass-
I followed then I checked my course to pass half a mile
our lights when it was absolutely necessary. During the night
lost one motor boat, her towing bollards pulled out. We arri
Ramsgate at 5 a.m. June 1st and got orders to proceed to Marge
ing two miles there. off, Altered course to pass Dover one and off,
put off our troops, where we had to wait out turn, we eventuall
examination and again to the South Goodwin Lt.V. thence to the Down
alongside of the pier at 2 p.m. discharged troops, took in foot
anchored at 8.35 p.m.
water, and went off to anchor and await orders, all expecting
willing to go over again, but we got orders on Tuesday 4th July
vessel came alongside, and ordered scaled us to
sail for Portsmouth at 4 a.m. on June 5th. While we were lap
The examination there with the other hoppers. My small I made
Margate one of our planes crashed into the sea close to our
Ramsgate and anchor for this part of the journey Ramsgate so
chart was not any good I made my way towards far as at
pilot baled out by parachute and went drifting over the land.
left Margate leading four more hoppers but could not make the
in the specified time so we decided to go into Seaford Roads
Pegwell Bay, got Underweigh Friday morning
a reduced speed in a sounding the of three and a half 4.45 and
enquiries how to get there. inside channel, but only fathoms got as and
night, on our way in we picked up one of the Cowes and Portsmon whilst
Car ferry Steamers out of control, and took her in tow,
arrived anchored Ramsgate 10.10 p.m. about six anchoring off the entrance awaiting
the other ships went ahead, and by the time we anchored at
orders.
so, dark and we did not see them any more. We hove up anchor after
to our home They port. did not Everyone on board trip were on the greatly mission disappointed.re we
come until 5 p.m. which were to return
June 6th and arrived with our tow at Portsmouth at 4 p.m.
pathetic voyage.
as
well
as
myself
not
making
one
for.
(sa.) W.C. Attwaters.
I followed the same route back to Portsmouth.
The following are the times and distance off:
P.T.O.
the beach, which was terrible
kibled. Aircraft was active
OS with guns and shore batteriiore bat
vere brought down on land and on land and
by parachute, one dropie, one dropped near
We never had much timead much time to look
our work cut out luggiit out lugging half dr
if luch was with us, as with us, which it Vth.
oard, I put one was put one wounded man in
to the cabin there cabin there was two in my
ough, and six on tand six on the floor, they
ship dead beat. ead beat. It was nine 0'

Details

Details

173
H.T. "ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
in reply to your communication of June 5th asking for a
narrative of events in connection with the evacuation of Dunkirk,
I have pleasure in replying as follows:-
May 26th. whilst laying in Southampton roads received orders
to get ready to proceed at two hours notice.
May 27th at 1320 received orders to proceed to Dover and at
1500 hove up and proceeded on passage. 2340 passed through
Folkestone gateway.
May 28th 0020 received visual signals from Dover to anchor
in Downs. 1150 saw first raid carried out on shipping but raider
successfully driven off. 1740 received orders to sail at 2030 for
Dunkirk, using prescribed route.
May 29th 0250 arrived off East Jetty Dunkirk and anchored,
whole west side of town in flames. 0445 have up and proceeded to
Eastern Jetty. 0455 in berth and commenced embarking troops.
0535 ship filled with troops, each man having been given a lafebelt
I
and received instruction on same. 0540 Clear of harbour. 0858
reported floating mine to patrol vessel.
0925 stopped by examination vessel and ordered to Margate Pier.
10.10 anchored off Pier. 1215 arrived alongside of Pier.
1330 left Margate Pier. 1735 arrived off La Panne and witnessed
a heavy dive bombing attack carried out with heavy losses to
shipping. 1800, have up anchored and proceeded to assist m.v.
2
"Bullfinch" laden wi th troops and ashore. 1815 "Bullfinch" afloat
is
and proceeded. 1820 commenced embarking troops from beaches.
May 30th 0410, have up and proceeded lower down beach.
0430 embarking more troops. 0530 vesselfull, and proceeded to
Margate. 1025, arrived off Margate. 1135 alongaide of Margate
Pier disembarking troops. 1300 left Margate. 1735 anchored off
Dunkirk on naval instructions. 1820 anchored and commenced
3
embarking troops.
May 31st. 0130 have up and proceeded. 0315 stopped at
Dyke buoy to pick up four survivors of a French steamer which had
been bombed. 0710 arrived alongside Margate Pier. 0830 anchored
off Pier. 1805, have up and proceeded towards Dunkirk.

Details

173
H.T. "ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
in reply to your communication of June 5th asking for a
narrative of events in connection with the evacuation of Dunkirk,
I have pleasure in replying as follows:-
May 26th. whilst laying in Southampton roads received orders
to get ready to proceed at two hours notice.
May 27th at 1320 received orders to proceed to Dover and at
1500 hove up and proceeded on passage. 2340 passed through
Folkestone gateway.
May 28th 0020 received visual signals from Dover to anchor
in Downs. 1150 saw first raid carried out on shipping but raider
successfully driven off. 1740 received orders to sail at 2030 for
Dunkirk, using prescribed route.
May 29th 0250 arrived off East Jetty Dunkirk and anchored,
whole west side of town in flames. 0445 have up and proceeded to
Eastern Jetty. 0455 in berth and commenced embarking troops.
0535 ship filled with troops, each man having been given a lifebelt
I
and received instruction on same. 0540 Clear of harbour. 0858
reported floating mine to patrol vessel.
0925 stopped by examination vessel and ordered to Margate Pier.
10.10 anchored off Pier. 1215 arrived alongside of Pier.
1330 left Margate Pier. 1735 arrived off La Panne and witnessed
a heavy dive bombing attack carried out with heavy losses to
shipping. 1800, hove up anchored and proceeded to assist n.v.
2
"Bullfinch" laden wi th troops and ashore. 1815 "Bullfinch" afloat
"
and proceeded. 1820 commenced embarking troops from beaches.
May 30th 0410, have up and proceeded lower down beach.
0430 embarking more troops. 0530 vesselfull, and proceeded to
Margate. 1025, arrived off Margate. 1135 alongside of Margate
Pier disembarking troops. 1300 left Margate. 1735 anchored off
Dunkirk on naval instructions. 1820 anchored and commenced
3
embarking troops.
May 31at. 0130 have up and proceeded. 0315 stopped at
buoy to pick up four survivors of a French steamer which anchored had
Dyke been bombed. 0710 arrived alongside Margate Pier. 0830
off Pier. 1805, have up and proceeded towards Dunkirk.

Details

(2)
191
171
May 31st Continued.
Spennos
2210 anchored off Pontoon Pier at Dunkirk. 2240 ordered by H.M.
Ship to La Panne, hove up and proceeded. 2315 anchored off La
define
Panne.
June 1st. 0220, troops on board, terrific bombarding and
shelling of beach taking place so hove up and proceeded. 0615,
anchored off Margate roads. 0745, have up and proceeded to Pier.
0830 at anchor under 1 hours notice. 1315, left for Dunkirk.
Devision
1520, attacked and bombed by enemy aircraft, three bombs dropped,
avoiding action taken. 1552, attacked and bombed by aircraft
three bombs being dropped, again took avoiding action, and by doing
so definately saved ship. Now came under heavy fire from enemy
position at Gravelines Pier, and as two ships appeared to be
blocking channel returned to Margate for instructions. 1730,
90
arrived Margate Roads. 1900 vessel under 1 hour's notice.
June 2nd 0115 received orders to sail. 0140 received orders
not to sail.
1800 left anchorage. 2000 passed Hospital ship
Paris, having been bombed and ship's company in lifeboats, but all
very cheerful and proceeded to Dunkirk. 2100 Heavy firing from
b
shore batteries. 2130 arrived at Dunkirk and commenced embarking
French troops from middle pier in harbour. 2205 cleared harbour
with more than complement of troops.
Monday June 3rd. 0155 arrived at Margate Pier and commenced
disembarking troops. 0203, anchored off Pier. 1200 returned to
Pier. 1400, four seamen and two catering staff leave ship.
2015 left for Dunkirk. 2055, dense fog, visibility reduced to nil,
but continue towards Dunkirk.
Tuesday June 4th. 0115, had slight collision with unknown
steamer off No. 3 Dunkirk buoy. 0220 arrived at middle pier in
harbour. 0255, overladen with troops and left pier, cutting our
G
own forward ropes. Heavy gun fire continuously; leaving harbour
saw crew of unknown vessel being rescued by small boats. 0600,
arrived Margate after 1 hours dense fog, and disembarked troops and
at 0700 departed to anchorage. 2000 have up and proceeded to
Southampton. 2355 "Royal Sovereign" light vessel abeam.

Details

Details

Dynams 27t
196
"MV. Royal Sovereign" "
6 June 1940 -
179
the Commodore R.N.
Principal Dover. S.T.O
Dear Sir
I have replied to your letter under
separate cover, as far as meritorious action
, can only state that from the crew
which remained I had the most loyal
support, they doing all in their power
fulfil their mission.
ill Pilotage was carried out by myself
my bhief officer acting as my navigator
should like to add that we all feel
that we have contributed to a wonderful
leat and maintained the traditions of
he merchant havy.
2 am
your Gbedimit Lervant
y. 2. aldes
Master

Details

378
352
6.
55.
I had to send some ships out and delay others goding to the West
pier until the entrance was cleared.
56.
The flow of troops down the East pier vas far better, but there were
bad pauses. The West pier was always crowled, and as the ships detailed for
this were insufficient I led in a Personnel Ship to the Test pier at 0145
and she was followed by ROYAL SOVEREIGN which did not leave till 0300.
berthing 57. party. When the latter left there were about 200 nen on the East
MALCOLM left at 0240 and EXPRESS at 0300 after embarking the
pier and these were later embarked by SHIKART who was escorting the blockships.
58. had KELLET available and with her slow speed I did not feel justified in
At the West pier there were still & few hundred non, but I only
taking the risk of the late departure that loading her would have involved.
59. transferred her troops, KELLET went aground and got off, and one paddler was
During the night KINGFISHER was holed by at French Trander and
ce
sent back unfilled.
French 60. Ships more than I have of British Ships. On all days, all however, they
In the foregoing narrative I have made no particular mention of
French any were using the West Quar and I think they did of French
could and Destroyers played their part well. Latterly also, large numbers from
fishing boats and small steamers took part and embarked nary nen
Dunkirk.
intermittent shall fire on Dunicink the whole East time, Pier but
61. There effectively was directed on the vital points such as the sunk in the
it was never the embarkation, although one trueler was been
and had no That effect so on little interference occurred must, 1 think, have due
Harbour. to the affective bombing of the batteries during the nights.
three nights at Dunkirk the handling of Transports, ships in
62. During the the most last difficult conditions vas magnificent. of small graft were
the harbour under Paddlers, and all descriptions several wrecks
Destroyers, and Minesweepers, out in these confined waters, where and there that were so many non were
moving in Little time was lost, the Caytains
brought in inconvenient off is due places. to the coolness and supreme seamanship of of
these ships.
During these operations the work of largest, all those and engaged what has has been been
beyond 63. praise is from the the result smallest of the craft single-minied to the but that purpose did not and matter determination for cases, of
all accomplished concerned. Few orders could be given ydok out special
but everyone of those did who his came utmost. under I my had own few to bring to your notice
the following Officers:-
Captain Berthon - H.M.S. KRITH
the time I was in H.H.S. sunk. NRITH Captain she VELIE Berthon subjected handled to shell and his
his ship
with fire great and bombing coolness During attack, and jurigment being finally and not all the calls I put upon him
ship.
Ideutenant - H.H.S. KRITH.
which finally disabled KEITH this took officer drastic
handled the During ship with the complete air attack coolness in a masterly my, /avoiding and ********

Details

469
WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY, 1940.
0600.
"ROSS".
383.
0900.
"LEDA".
301.
1010.
"PANGBOURNE".
400.
"KELLETT"
472.
1110.
1220.
"ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
1173. * 5 German Prisoners.
1340.
"ALBURY".
161.
1430.
"PATRIA".
200.
"CARIBIA".
300.
1445.
N
200.+ + 2 Female aliens.
1520.
"LEUS".
350.
1640.
"HORST".
1800.
"ROYAL DAFFODIL".
1703.
853.
1820.
"K.G.V."
500.
2100.
"LEDA".
1
6996.
Total.

Details

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

Details

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

Details

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

Details

- 474g
MONDAY, 3RD JUNE, 1940.
0100.
"ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
1500.
+
3 Alien Refugees.
0400.
"K.G.V."
1460.
0650.
"WESTWARD HO".
48.
0745.
"ORIEL".
750.
-
Total.
3758.

Details

475
499
TUESDAY, 4TH JUNE, 1940.
0600.
"ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
1350.
0720.
"GUILLEMOT.
460.
0830.
"KELLETT"
30.
+
3 French Women.
0840.
"ALBRY".
400.
+
1 French Woman.
0840.
L2. (Trawler).
85.
AD389. (Trawler) TAD385
60.
+
4 Belgian Refugees.
0845.
"LEDA".
500.
1035.
65.
+
3 Women, 1 French
1132.
"K.G.V."
Boy.
1310.
"ORIEL".
50.
1425.
"QUEEN OF THANET".
150.
3150

Details

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

Details

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

Details

CHAP. VI
THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
Ramsgate at 2200/29. situated over the engine. capable of 4 knots, also and left
Dutch eel-boats Johanna The Chantecler was only M.B. Golden Lily The
and returned to harbour; and the remainder Chantecler reached and the La Panne at 0500/30.
and brought back lost troops. her in the Downs in the get over on May,
and round"¹. She 30 The Johanna did not on the 30th and
compass which was reached the beaches, however, revolved at 0900 slowly round her
Ramsgate on the morning on that day she was towed
she had no charts, of way the 30th May. Later darkness, and returned to
to the beaches by the skoot Jutland.
Troops transported on 29th May
reduction in the number of destroyers and with failure to
The 29th May closed with a formidable available list of ships lost or damaged, a marked
the high rate of evacuation hoped for. The effect of the day's occurrences achieve
even more marked next day, when instead of the 50,000 to 60,000 British was
were in fact transported.²
troops which had been calculated as the probable achievement, only 48,000 odd
Nevertheless, 47,310 troops (including some 2,000 casualties) were landed
in England on the 29th May (see Table 2), 13,752 having been lifted from the
beaches and 33,558 from the harbour. Only about 11/2 per cent of these were
French troops³, whose organised evacuation had not yet begun. (See Appen-
dices Y.2 to Y.5).
During the morning and forenoon of the 29th May, when there was no
bombing of Dunkirk harbour, 1Q personnel vessels⁴ lifted 14,760 troops from
the east pier; during the afternoon, in spite of the bombing, the Canterbury
lifted a further 1,960.
The development of beach evacuation is indicated by the fact that nearly
2½ times the number of troops were lifted from the beaches on 29th May as
compared with the number lifted on the previous day. Seventeen destroyers⁵
each made one round trip during the 24 hours of the 29th May and an eighteenth
destroyer, the Icarus, made two such trips. On these trips the 18 destroyers
embarked and transported to England 10,694 troops of which 6,198 were
lifted from the beaches and 4,506 from Dunkirk harbour. Nine minesweepers6
together lifted 2,426 troops from the beaches although one of them, the Albury
did not land her troops in England until the next day.⁷ Among other ships
which brought back troops from the beaches was the cruiser Calcutta with
1,200.
The record of troops landed in England now stood as follows :-
From the
From the
Total for
beaches
harbour
the day
26th May
Nil
Nil
Nil
27th May
Nil
7,669
7,669
28th May
5,930
11,874
17,804
29th May
13,752
33,558
47,310
I Report by Chantecler.
3 D.R., which incidentally puts the total of and casualties landed on 29th Table May 2). as
2 D.R. p.11, para. 38.
40,724. This figure probably does not include troops carried by foreign ships (See Prague,
4 The Côte d'Argent, Killarney, King George troops V, Maid of Orleans, Manxman,
Royal Daffodil, Royal Sovereign, Scotia, and
Javelin, Malcolm, Sabre, Scimitar, Verity, Wolsey and Worcester. Marmion
5 The Anthony, Codrington, Esk, Express, Tynwald. Greyhound, Harvester, Intrepid, Ivanhoe,
6 The Albury, Duchess of Fife, Emperor Shikari, of Vanquisher, India, Fitzroy, Halcyon, Hebe, Leda,
and Sharpshooter.
7 See Table 3, in conjunction with the reports of ships' proceedings in Vol. II.
54

Details

THE NIGHT 2ND-3RD JUNE
CHAP. XI
Teteghem, the event this was postponed 2000 and when it took place some
on a front of two miles. The until French intended to counter-attack at
There was no movement in the port. Later Admiral
was in the hands of the enemy, but they had not
advanced beyond. Further attacks were expected by the French this day,
when the situation regarding munitions might become critical.
Sailing of the night flight from England
The movement from England towards Dunkirk commenced at 1700. The
armada consisted of 13 personnel vessels, 2 large store carriers, 11 destroyers,
5 paddle minesweepers, 9 fleet sweepers, 1 special service vessel, 9 drifters,
6 skoots, 2 armed yachts, 1 gunboat, a large number of tugs, lifeboats, etc.,
formed either in organised tows or proceeding individually. For various
reasons, however, not all of these ships evacuated troops.¹
The composition of the French contingent was not known at Dover. Actually,
3 French torpedo boats, two minesweeping trawlers, two patrol vessels, and
17 trawlers and motor fishing vessels landed troops in England on the 3rd June.
One Belgian patrol boat and 16 or 17 trawlers brought troops.
B.E.F. evacuated, 2330/2
The first destroyers to reach Dunkirk were the Sabre and Shikari, which
sailed together from Dover at 1845. As the latter ship rounded No. 6 W buoy
enemy shore batteries opened fire, but caused no damage. Berthing was
carried out by an officer with a loud speaker at the pier head. Both destroyers
sailed again at 2200, the Sabre with 500 and the Shikari with 700 troops. The
Venomous, which arrived at 2150, had difficulty in going alongside the East Pier.
This was not a solid jetty, but was built of concrete piles through which the
west-going tide set. This, coupled with a fresh easterly wind, made it very
I The following ships (other than those on patrol which picked up survivors and landed
them) landed troops in England on 3rd June, (numbers in brackets) :-
BRITISH Destroyers - Codrington (44), Esk (500), Sabre (500), Shikari (700), Vanquisher (37),
Venomous (1500), Whitshed (82), Winchelsea (152), Windsor (1022) ;
Gunboat Locust (800)
Minesweepers - Albury (200), Duchess of Fife (300), Dundalk (399), Gossamer (490),
Halcyon (416), Kellett (364), Marmion (198), Medway Queen (481), Niger (430),
Oriole (750), Pangbourne (47), Speedwell (300), Westward-Ho (48) ;
Special Service Ship Golden Eagle (1);
Drifters - Forecast (108), Golden Sunbeam (163), Lord Howard (100), Midas (43),
Netsukis (119), Starlight Rays (319), Ut Prosim (49), Yorkshire Lass (103)
Trawler Cayton Wyke (300) ;
Skoot Doggersbank (50) ;
Yacht Sargasso (252) ;
Personnel ships - Côte d'Argent (955), King George V (1460), Newhaven (396),
Lady of Mann (18), Rouen (1286), Royal Sovereign (1500), St. Helier (2000),
Tynwald (1200) H.M.S. Nelson's M.B. (27)
Tugs - St. Olaves (200), Sun X (211), Sun XI (188), War Dept. M.Ls. (69)
Sailing barge Glenway (213)
R.N.L.I. Lifeboats Cecil & Lilian Philpot (51), Michael Stephens (52) :
3 motor boats and launches (300).
FRENCH Torpedo boats - Bouclier (340), La Flore (410) ;
Destroyer Léopard (19) ;
S/M Chaser 6 (50, apparently disembarked at Havre) ;
M/S trawlers - Ste. Bernadette de Lourdes (79), Ste. Denise Louise (78) ;
Patrol vessels - Lucien Gougy (78), Reine des Flots (500) ;
17 trawlers and M.F.V's. (1663).
BELGIAN Patrol boat A.5 (229) ;
17 trawlers (1583).
107

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. XI
difficult for ships to get alongside until the tide turned, about 2300. Rear-
Admiral Wake-Walker, who was afloat in M.A/S.B. 10 used the latter to
harbour was now filled with numbers of small French craft of every sort, size
the Venomous in and tried to get other small craft to do likewise. The narrow push
and description. At this moment a defect Venomous developed in the M.A /S.B's clutch,
apparently her from going as the astern result and of down pushing made on turning her the from a most both alongside, directions. hazardous which adventure prevented with
boats of all sorts bearing The
was away again in half an hour, with 1,500
Alexander and his staff who had been taken on
Admiral Wake-Walker and transferred to the
had difficulty in getting alongside but managed to clear the harbour with 1,022
troops, one minute before the next destroyer was due to enter. The stream of
British troops was evidently diminishing in volume now, for the Winchelsea,
which arrived at the pier at 2300, embarked only 152. The gunboat Locust,
however, which sailed two minutes later, carried 800 troops, a proportion of
whom were French.
Eight drifters disembarked 1,004 men in England, the Starlight Rays bringing
319 of these. The yacht Sargasso brought 252. Only two personnel vessels
lifted British troops from the East Pier; the King George V embarked 1,460
in 27 minutes and sailed at 2225 and the St. Helier embarked 2,000 and sailed
at 2330 for England.
This completed the evacuation of the British rearguard.
At 2330 Captain Tennant made the welcome signal "B.E.F. evacuated."
He embarked in M.T.B. 102, together with the demolition party and left for
Dover.
A pause in the embarkation
After the last of the B.E.F. were clear there was a long pause. French
troops should have followed the British rearguard on the East Pier, but they
did not appear. The West Quay, however, was crowded with French in their
distinctive helmets, though there seemed a scarcity of ships on that side of the
harbour. The personnel ship Royal Sovereign, which had been joined that
afternoon by Commander L.P. Skipwith as adviser to the Master, Captain T.
Aldis, went alongside the West Quay at 2130, handled magnificently, turning
and going alongside bows out", as Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker reported. She
embarked 1,500 French troops and sailed at 2205 for Margate. The Rear-
Admiral also sent the personnel ship Rouen, a French cross-channel steamer,
to the West Quay. In getting away she got broadside on to the wind and
grounded just to the westward of the quay, where she lay, on a falling tide,
showing up clearly against an oil fuel fire behind her. A tug was sent to help
her but drew too much water and could not get near. However, the ship
remained unhit throughout the shelling, and she floated off with the next tide
in daylight and reached England safely with 1,286 men.
Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker was unable to discover the reason for the
cessation of the flow of French troops to the East Pier; it was apparently caused
make a counter-attack, for the counter-attack which was to have been made
by the necessity either of repelling a German attack or holding them up to
at 1500 to restore the line east of Bergues was postponed until 2000. With
destroyers waiting to be filled the situation was most exasperating. Five
destroyers had to be sent back to England for lack of to fill them. The
she Vanquisher was ordered to return to Dover to 0230, taking troops only 37 troops which
embarked from a small boat while lying off the harbour. The Codrington
108

Details

THE NIGHT 2ND-3RD JUNE
CHAP. XI
also stopped off the harbour by entered orders at the 0050 harbour and had only 44 troops when
she devoid of troops and was by Whitshed found Wake-Walker to return to
was sailed at 0250. The Express ordered Rear-Admiral at 0200, found the pier
sailed at 0245 with 82 men collected small craft. Finally, the Malcolm
and Dover lay outside with orders to hail from stop other ships from entering. She
with the Codrington. The and no berth on arrival at 0030
was ordered back at 0248, empty. Thus five destroyer trips were wasted.
Only the minesweepers which berthed at the inner end of the East Pier after
the British rearguard had embarked, managed to collect normal quotas from
the trickle of French troops.
Dunkirk was the headquarters of a French Naval Command and there was
always a considerable number of French marines in evidence. But after the
British naval ratings left at 2300 there was difficulty in getting ships berthed,
as the French did not replace them.
The Albury embarked 200 French troops, the Duchess of Fife 300, the Dundalk
399, the Gossamer 490, the Halcyon 416, the Kellett 350 French and 14 British,
the Marmion 198, the Medway Queen 481, and the Speedwell 300. The Niger
slipped at 0120 with 430 French troops. While turning an unknown French
craft crossed her bows and was rammed, though apparently no damage was
done to her. A few minutes later the Frenchman returned and rammed the
Niger.
Personnel ships did well. The Royal Sovereign sailed at 2205 with 1500
troops, the King George V at 2225 with 1460, the St. Helier at 2330 with 2,000.
The Côte Argent took 955 men, the Newhaven 396 French, the Tynwald 1,200,
the Rouen 1,286; but the Lady of Mann was ordered back for lack of troops
and took only 18 French embarked from a small boat.
Amongst the French ships the torpedo-boat Bouclier embarked 340 men and
the La Flore 410. The patrol vessel Reine des Flots embarked 500 troops
during a violent bombardment" and also reported air attacks (from German
strays returning no doubt), en route to England, for which she sailed from
Dunkirk at 2300 on the 2nd. Seventeen French trawlers and motor fishing
vessels brought off 1,662 troops and a Belgian patrol boat 229.
Summary of troops evacuated, night 2nd-3rd June
To Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker, who had worked out a programme by
which 37,000 men could have been lifted, in addition to those that would get
off in small craft, this had been a most disappointing night's work, owing to
the long pause when the flow of men to the East Pier ceased for some hours
after the British rearguard completed its embarkation, and the difficulty of
getting ships berthed owing to the failure of the French to replace the British
naval parties after these left Dunkirk. Between midnight on 2nd-3rd and
0300 on the 3rd a lifting capacity of about 10,000 men was left empty.
There were disembarked in England on 3rd June 26,700 troops. Of these,
British ships lifted 21,671, French ships 3,216 and Belgian ships 1,812. The
great majority of these, namely 24,830, were embarked in Dunkirk harbour,
principally by ships berthed alongside, though a few were ferried to ships
waiting outside the port. Most of the remainder were taken out of small craft
by ships which were likely to reach England with greater expedition and
certainty many of these found in small craft had no doubt come off from
the beaches.
109

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. XI
The Admiralty had already continued (2312/2) for the undertaken evacuation that ships would be
night the evacuation 3rd to 4th on June, this and night. they To this the French agreed. complete on the
vided and air protection now urged the French of Admiralty trops pro-
Plan for the night
embarkation, the hours of 2230/3 and with such ships for
For this last and night the maximum it was decided effort to was cut to down be made, by one hour the time
mained available, between to be made by personnel 0230/4. From the as re-
Pier, liftings were to be sent to the entire vessels, destroyers, and East
minesweepers; be ships received, were and it was estimated that length of the pier as paddle
as they could Drifters and fast
thus be provided and for docks 14,000 of men. the inner harbour. small craft were to go would
up to the quays be French ships, for which right
latter pier the remaining would also lift ships (minesweepers the other than paddle, the
beach, the Quai Félix Faure, British Avant Port (West Pier) ; from
numbers could be estimated, were and the to New responsible for evacuation from Malo no
boats. Locust was to remain loads ferried out to her by small
vettes and skoots) outside and troops, receive to number of 5,000. The gunboat cor-
It was intended to employ on the work a force of 9 personnel vessels, 9
destroyers (all that were available), 4 paddle minesweepers, 7 fleet minesweepers,
9 drifters, the Locust, 2 corvettes, 4 French torpedo boats, and a number of
organised motor boats flotillas including lifeboats from Ramsgate and Dover,
together with a large number of French and Belgian fishing vessels. Eleven
small French ships and 3 small tugs left Cherbourg for Dover on the night
2nd-3rd June ; Le Havre was scheduled to send 8 trawlers, 2 minesweepers,
1 tug, and 20 small dinghies ; and Fécamp sent 14 trawlers.
During the afternoon of the 3rd the French authorities transmitted the figure
of French troops still remaining in Dunkirk. This was about 30,000, a pro-
portion of whom belonged to other than combatant units. The total capacity
of the lifting force, if used to the full, was 30,000, but this was about 5,000 more
than the facilities within the port would permit of being embarked in 4 hours,
even if the French troops moved with the greatest rapidity at all points of
embarkation. On previous occasions there had been some instances of difficulty
in persuading French troops to embark otherwise than as complete units.
Vice-Admiral Ramsay consequently impressed on the French liaison officers
the necessity of speed, and he added a number of French officers and ratings
to the augmented pier parties which were despatched to Dunkirk at 2200, in
I The following ships landed troops in England on 4th June (numbers landed in brackets)
British - destroyers Express (611), Malcolm (736), Sabre (592), Shikari (383), Vanquisher
Minesweepers Albury (400), Halcyon (501), Kellett (30), Leda (500), Medway Queen (266),
ferred to trawler off Dunkirk on account of collision damage) Gunboat Locust (196)
(414), Venomous (1200), Whitshed (444); Corvettes Guillemot (460), Kingfisher (200, trans-
Princess Elizabeth (329), Queen of Thanet (150), Speedwell (396) Trawler Saturn (418)
Drifters Forecast (123), "L.H.W.D." (90) Skoots Bornrif (96), Hondsrug (308), Pascholl
(255), Ruja (300) ; Yacht Gulzar (140) ; Personnel vessels Autocarrier (712), Canterbury
Princess (659), Côte d'Argent (1349), King George V (817), Lady of Mann (1244), Newhaven (729),
(1350), Tynwald (3000) ; Tugs Racia (123), Sun XV (37) War Dept. M.Ls.
Maud (1270), Royal Sovereign (took the place of Manxman which refused to sail)
Pigeon (23), Swallow (23) ; Sailing Barge Beatrice Maud (31), Tanga not reach England until 5th
and June) launches (260) ; R.N.L.I. lifeboats Edward Z. Dresden (50), Greater (did London (48) ; Motor boats
Nayland Bonny Heather (210), Diana Mary (28), Elizabeth Green (10), Meuse (50),
Coliath trawlers (355), 3 patrol vessels (836), 13 trawlers and M.F.Vs. (1416), 1104. Belgian Tug
3 M/S (55), Walker II (76). French 5 Torpedo boats 2 S/M chasers (127),
(183), 5 trawlers (554).
114

Details

THE FINAL NIGHT, 3RD-4TH JUNE
CHAP. XII
advance of the evacuation force. Captain de Revoir, the French Naval Attaché,
also crossed over to assist.
There were still many British wounded in Dunkirk, and Admiral Nord was
asked to make special arranagements to evacuate as many as possible in return
for the effort the British were making on behalf of the French Army.
Air Protection
Coastal Command were to provide protection for shipping between Dover
and Dunkirk during the period from 1930 on the 3rd until dark.
Fighter Command was to maintain a continuous patrol by one Blenheim
over the Dunkirk area during the dark hours. Fighter protection over the
Dunkirk area and shipping in the Channel was arranged for first light, the
intention being that Fighter Command should patrol from 0345 to 0600 on
June 4th, and Coastal Command from 0600 to 0800. The execution of the
first part of this programme was hindered, and that of the second part pro-
hibited by fog which, however, no doubt supplied an even more thorough form
of protection for the ships.
From 0430 to 0615 four Spitfires squadrons were on the line, but encountered
no enemy aircraft. Fog rendered their landing in England difficult on their
return. Hurricane squadrons continued the patrol, reaching the Dunkirk
area about 0530 again no enemy aircraft were encountered, and again great
difficulty was experienced in landing, one squadron losing 4 aircraft. With
this unfortunate anti-climax, the fighter patrols over Dunkirk came to an end.
The scene at Dunkirk 2200, 3rd June
Movements from England of the 50 or so ships and numerous small craft
for the night's evacuation commenced according to plan. Rear-Admiral
Wake-Walker, who had come over to Dover earlier in the day for consultation,
returned to Dunkirk, arriving at 2200 in M.T.B. 102 " to find the harbour
swarming with French fishing craft and vessels of all sorts. They were yelling
and crowding alongside the East Pier which was already thick with French
troops. At one time it looked as if they would get in the way of the transports
and destroyers which were on their way, but I managed to get them to go on
up the inner harbour and out of the way in time."¹
"The congestion", said Lieutenant J. N. Wise, R.N.V.R., one of the officers
of the skoot Pascholl which arrived at Dunkirk at 2300, was chaotic, ships
going astern into others coming ahead. French destroyers shrieking on their
sirens, small craft nipping here and there, rendering the exit most dangerous."
The numerous wrecks in the harbour and its approaches increased the
difficulty and danger of entering. In addition to old wrecks marked on the
charts there were now a dozen or more new ones, 3 to the west, and 9 to the
east, half of them in the fairway; and more wrecks lay in the harbour. One
lay alongside the East Pier ; there was a wrecked trawler off the end of the
piling on the west side of the Channel leading up harbour and blockships in
the Channel, though luckily the tide was high.
Off the Thanet Coast and in mid-Channel there was thick fog (the Royal
Sovereign, 40 minutes out from Margate, reported visibility nil), though the
ships were spared this added difficulty at Dunkirk where a fresh easterly wind
was blowing and there was a choppy sea at the entrance.
M.017978/41 Report of R. A. Wake-Walker, p.37.
115

Details

THE FINAL NIGHT, 3RD-4TH JUNE
CHAP. XII
on motor boats, sailed the Thark with the motor boats,
the 3rd the tugs Sun from IV, Tanga, Ramsgate Sun to XV, Dunkirk. and Racia, Two towing of between them
were on account of water trouble petrol; the Diana Mary was
14 abandoned on the way across: in the while foul propeller and rudder,
mouth, to piled up 28 Dunkirk troops), on some with and submerged engine the barge masonry of the (though Admiral in Dunkirk she Superintendent, eventually harbour and returned Ports- was
abandoned. After waiting off Dunkirk since 2300 on the 3rd, the four tugs
ordered at about 0200 on the 4th to go alongside the (East) Pier and
embark were as many troops as possible, and by the time they were ordered to
out they had collected 203 between them. Of the 14 motor boats which
started clear from Ramsgate with the tugs only 5 or 6 found their way back ; all
the remainder were abandoned for one reason or another.
Embarkations at the West Pier (see Plan 4)
Owing to confusion of nomenclature it is impossible in every case to specify
definitely at which of the west piers or jetties the ships (other than destroyers
and personnel vessels which berthed at the east pier) embarked their troops.
In the western part of the port, reading from west to east, were (1) the West
Pier (termed western jetty in the Sailing Directions), (2) the West Quay or
Guiding Jetty, and (3) the Inner Western Pier (the inner or old western jetty
of the Sailing Directions). Of the other three skoots that came over with the
Lena, the Bornrif stated that she embarked 96 troops at the West Mole"
between 2230 on the 3rd and 0100 on the 4th, and the Hondsrug 308 at the
"West Pier' between 2245 and 0000; while the Pascholl, which had been
commanded by four different captains in 8 days, does not specify from which
part of the port she lifted the 255 troops with which she sailed at 0030. Another
skoot, the Rina, which had spent 24 hours at Dunkirk, sailed about this time
with 300 troops.
The corvette Guillemot, which had come over with the Kingfisher, went to
the Western mole" and secured ahead of the minesweeper Speedwell at 2355,
leaving again at 0154 with French troops embarked to capacity" (460).
This was her first and only trip, her previous service having been as base ship
at Margate. The Speedwell which had berthed nearly an hour earlier than the
Guillemot, took off 396 French troops, and the Halcyon, which had sailed from
Dover in her company, 501.
The minesweeper Kellett grounded forward against the western breakwater
on a falling tide when she attempted to go alongside at 0100. It was an
anxious moment, for almost simultaneously there same a report that 6 enemy
T.B.Ds. were proceeding south-westward from off Ostend ; but the motor
lifeboat Greater London towed the Kellett's stern away from the wall and enabled
her to back away. She embarked a few troops from motor boats and sailed
for Margate at 0220 by orders of Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker, for the West
Pier was occupied and it would be some time before she could be loaded, and
the Rear-Admiral feared that so slow a ship might not be able to reach England
while our fighter patrols were operating. Two of the personnel ships were sent
by Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker to the West Pier instead of to the East Pier,
since the former was continuously crowded with French troops, whereas at
the East Pier there were gaps in the flow of men. One of the two, the Royal
Sovereign, embarked 1,350 men and sailed overladen half an hour after
she should have been clear.
Among the many ships and craft of which few or no details are recorded
117

Details

SIGNALS
APPENDIX R
18. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to ADMIRALTY, S.N.O. C.-IN-C. NORTHERN NAVAL FORCES
GENERAL ALEXANDER, DUNKIRK
My 1609/1 [Appx. R.8] and S.N.O. Dunkirk 1754/1 [Appx. R.11] :
Casualties to shipping are now being caused by heavy artillery. All shipping
has been ordered to withdraw before daylight tomorrow Sunday.
2214/1
19. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to ADMIRALTY
A.M. 2025/1 [Appx. R.16] paras. (a) to (f), S.N.O. Dunkirk 1754/1 stating
General concurs that evacuation for transports is to cease at 0300 :
Channels to Dunkirk now all under fire of German batteries. New battery came
into action this evening, suspending traffic on only remaining daylight route,
namely X, maintaining heavy barrage, sinking transports Mona's Queen and
Brighton Queen1 and a trawler in the fairway near No. 5 buoy.
French destroyer nearby turned back Royal Daffodil and " Royal Scot' [?Royal
Sovereign]. Eight transports have now been lost and eight disabled. Crews of
others difficult to keep on service.
The above facts coupled with recent naval losses and also military losses by
drowning have convinced me that any attempt to continue evacuation during the
day is unwise. Permission is therefore requested in accordance with A.M. 2021/1
[Appx. R.15] para. (G) to withdraw all forces at 0300 until the following 2329/1 night.
Sunday, 2nd June
20. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to S.N.O. DUNKIRK
Admiralty has directed that evacuation by personnel steamers from Dunkirk
pier shall continue until 0700.
0055/2
21. ADMIRALTY to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER (R) R.A. Dover Straits, S.N.O. Dunkirk
Your 2329/1
(a) Evacuation up to 0700 in accordance with Admiralty telegram 2025/1 to
V.A. Dover, and 2021/1 to R.A. Dover Straits and S.N.O. Dunkirk, is to be
carried out using destroyers only.
(b) Destroyers to be ready to open fire on any batteries.
(c) If further experience shows that the channel is prohibitively dangerous due
to gunfire, evacuation by day is to cease and Admiralty informed immediately.
0115/2
22. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to FORCE K
Evacuation by destroyers is to continue until 0700 from Dunkirk harbour. Trans-
ports are to leave Dunkirk at 0300. Destroyers inform transports. Fire of shore
batteries should be returned.
0125/2
23. Winchelsea to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
Your 0055 and your 1729/1 not passed to S.N.O. Dunkirk.
0416/2
24. S.N.O. DUNKIRK to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER (R) Admiralty, War Office
Your 1609/1/6 [Appendix R.8] not received until 0430. Large proportion naval
personnel evacuated. Estimated approximately 20,000 British and French evacu-
ated, greater (proportion ?) being French.
I No transports were sunk by gunfire on 1st June. The Mona's Queen was sunk
by magnetic mine on 29th May the A.B/V Mona's Isle was straddled by shore
guns on 1st June and sustained some damage. The minesweeper Brighton Queen
was sunk by aircraft on 1st June. The minesweeper Sandown came under fire of
Nieuport guns on 31st May.
185

Details

INDEX
Royal Air Command, 64, 83-4, 4, 88 (evacuated (fired from France), 17, 20, 30,
(attacks 38 all that was asked of them, concentrated 123. at dawn and dusk): 100,
(patrols Stren batteries) ; 99 (patrols on by own ships), 89, 93, 99
Royal Daffodil, 20, 25, 100-1. 29, 54n, 62, 102, 110 (damaged).
110-111, 115; did
Royal Royal Sovereign, 29n, 54n, 64n, 107n, 108-9, 114n, 115, 117.
Eagle, 42, 81,
95 (sunk).
Royally,114n,
Sabre, 23, 27, 44, 47n, 49 (takes across with beach parties), 53, 54n, 55, 62n, 64 (damaged), 86,
97, 101, 107, 114n, 118 (crosses compass damaged).
St. Abbs, 71n, 90 (sunk).
Achilleus, sunk, 93.
St. St. Andrew, Shelled, 18: bombed, 20 ; last trip, 87.
Ste. Bernadette de Lourdes, 107n.
St. Clears, 32, 46.
St. David, damaged, 38, 95.
Ste. Denise Louise, 107n.
St. Fagan, 71n, 88 (sunk).
St. Helier, 20, 25, 64n, 94, 98-9, 108-9.
Ste. Isabelle, 74.
St. Julien, shelled, 17 bombed, 20, 43; crew supplemented, 48n; last trip, 87.
St. Olaves, 107n.
St. Patrick, 75n.
St. Seiriol, 22, 24, 29, 43, 48 (damaged).
Saladin, 44-5 (damaged).
Salamander, 28n, 31, 42, 47, 86 (damaged), 89-90.
Saltash, 91-2.
Sambre, 60.
Sandown, 23n, 27, 31, 42, 105 (forbidden to sail).
Santosy, lost, 117.
Saon, 34n, 110.
Sargasso, 60n, 107n, 108.
Sark, 60.
Saturn, 114n, 118.
S.C.6 (French), 107n.
Sceneshifter, rushed and sunk by French troops, 53.
Schuyts. see skoots.
Scimitar, 20n, 28n, 54n, 55, 62n, 91.
Scotia, 29n, 54n, 83 (in collision), 92 (sunk), 118 (record lift).
Scottish Co-operator, 60.
Sea Falcon, 75n.
Seaplane Tender 243, 71n, 75n, 110 (sunk).
Seaplane Tender 254, 71n.
Seaplane Tender 276, 71n, 110.
Seaplane Tender 291, 71n, 75 (damaged).
Seasalter, 60.
Sea Transport Officials, serve in personnel ships, 48; in Dynamo Room, 74.
Secrecy, effect on supply of small craft, 15.
Seine, 31n, 60, 102.
Sequacity, 19, 28.
Seriola, 71n.
Shamrock, lost, 53.
Sharpshooter, 28n, 54n, 97.
Shearwater, 34, 88, 99.
Sheldvake, 34, 37n, 69 (hunts S/M.), 93.
Shell fire (German) : causes serious interruption to shipping, 19; Route Y under fire, 48;
La Panne beach shelled, 60, 76; interrupts sailings of personal ships, 70; danger of,
magnified at Dover, 98.
Sherfield, 72n, 90.
Shelland, 60.
Shikari, 20n, 28n, 47n, 54n, 55, 97, 102, 107, 114n, 119-20 (in Operation CK), 127.
Shipmates, 23n.
Signalling, see Communications.
Silver Dawn, 32n, 51n.
205

Details

INDEX
Silver Moon, crosses to France without charts or compass, 53.
Silver Queen, 53, 60n.
Simpson, Ch. Skpr. D. W. L., R.N.R., lost, 34.
Simson, Capt. D. J. R., Capt. D. (19), killed, 9.
Siroco, 39, 43, 62n, 69 (sunk), 85.
Skipjack, 20, 28n, 31, 60, 86, 90 (sunk).
Skipwith, Cdr. L. P., handling of Royal Sovereign, 108.
Skoots: Commissioned, 7; return to Downs in error, 20; reach Dunkirk and beaches, 29;
continuous service, 30.
Skylark, sunk, 72.
Small craft: provision of 5, 15, 17, 21, 32, 51 manning difficulty, 17; sent to Dover,
in error, 21, 22; shortage of, 24-5, 32-3, 61, 76, 80-82, 127 losses of 32, 36; difficulties
due to weather, 36, 48, 69-70; overcrowding, 36; supply increases, 51, 61, 71
ordered to move towards Dunkirk, 86-7; return empty to England, 100.
broached to and stranded, 58, 69-70; cast adrift and lost, 60; all vanished, 86;
Snaefell, 100-1.
S.N.O. Afloat, see Bush, Capt, E. W. and Wake-Walker, Rear-Adm. W. F.
S.N.O. Dunkirk, see Tennant, Capt. W. G.
Solomon, S/Lt. M. B. H., R.N.V.R., 73n.
Spanish refugees, 100-1.
Speedwell, 86, 90, 107n, 109, 114n, 117.
Spurs, 32n, 69 (hunts S/M.), 110 (damaged).
Starlight Rays, 60n, 107n, 108.
Stella Dorado, 34n, 69, 85 (sunk).
Stella Reigel, 85.
Stephenson, Vice-Adm. G. O., 49 (act. Cdre.), 58 (takes charge off La Panne), 66-7, 79,
83; effect of his arrival, 126.
Strathelliot, 72, 101.
Stubbs, Lt., 81.
Submarine Chaser 6, 107n.
Submarines (German): believed minelaying, 38; sighted, 69.
Sunshine, 60n, 75n.
Sun IV, 71n, 104n, 117.
Sun V, 32, 36 (put out of action).
Sun VII, 71n.
Sun VIII, 71n.
Sun X, 107n, 111.
Sun XI, 71n, 107n, 111.
Sun XII, 71n.
Sun XV, 71a, 104, 114n, 117.
Sunny Isle, lost, 110.
Surcouf, 62n.
Sursum Corda, 29n.
Survivors, machine gunned, 44, 90, 92.
Sutton, 28n, 31, 42, 47, 86 (attacked), 101.
Swallow, 69-70, 72n, 114n.
Swift Wing, 7In.
Tanga, 71n, 88, 114n, 117.
Tanks, British worn out, 6.
Taransay, 71n.
Taylor, Rear-Adm. (act. Cdre.), A. H., (Dynamo Maintenance Officer), 21, 97.
Tennant, Capt. W. G., 16, 50 (appointed S.N.O. Dunkirk); 21-22 (assumes duty)
22 (sends dramatic signal) 24, 48 (asks for all ships to be sent to Dunkirk) ; 50 (res-
ponsible England). under R.A. Dover) ; 50n (false report sent in his absence) ; 108 (embarks for
Thark, lost, 117.
Thele, 71n.
Thérèse Compas, 73.
Thérèse Louis, 62n.
Thirlwall, A/Ldg. Sea. R., 93.
Thomas Bartlett, sunk, 34.
Thornton, Lt. Cdr. M., 47n.
Thuringia, sunk, 34, 38.
Thurston, Lt. N., mortally wounded, 86.
Thyra, 71n.
Tibbits, Lieut., 79.
206

Details

DUNKIRK
MAY/JUNE 1940
LOG OF "LETITIA"
"LETITIA" was an ex-naval harbour launch conversion, 52-ft.
long, 12-ft. beam and 4-ft.9-ins. draught, schooner rigged, fitted
with twin screws driven by Thornycroft R.A.4 petrol-paraffin engine.
She attended the Pavillon d'Or Rally at Liege, Belgium, in
July 1939 her number being 73. After the Rally she returned to
her moorings in Chichester Canal just before war broke out and was
laid up there until requisitioned by the Ministry of Shipping on
the 30th of May 1940 for the Dunkirk Evacuation.
EXTRACT FROM LOG:
"Friday - 31st May 1940. In Chichester Canal, painting
yacht grey, preparing for sea and getting crew together.
h.
Saturday - 1st June 1940. Filling up tanks with petrol
and paraffin. Orders came through at 6 p.m. to proceed
to Ramsgate. Waiting tide until 10 p.m. when locked out
d
of Canal and proceeded to moorings outside awaiting day-
light. Went ashore for final orders.
er-
Sunday - 2nd June 1940. Left moorings at 6 a.m. and pro-
ceeded down Harbour in company of yachts "FALCON", "WARRIOR"
and "IDAHO". Clear of Chichester Harbour at 7.15 a.m.,
proceeding up Channel, Owers Light Vessel abeam at 10 a.m.
-
Beachy Head abeam 3.45 p.m. Wind strong from the east with
some swell. "ROYAL SOVEREIGN" abeam 5 p.m. Swell getting
h
worse. Noticed some trouble on board "IDAHO" and nearly
rammed by same. "WARRIOR" standing by "IDAHO" at 5.15 p.m.
age
"FALCON" came alongside and gave us instructions to proceed
.ved
on passage at 5.30 p.m. "IDAHO" in tow of "WARRIOR" 6 p.m.
Lost sight of them at 6.30 p.m. Lost sight of "FALCON" at
the
7.15 p.m. Proceeded on passage alone. Ship dipping nose
40 p.m
under swells with smart breeze. Dungeness abeam 9 p.m.
Darkness came on; we went in close to the coast and anchored
in 10 fathoms of water off Hythe at 10.15 p.m.
Monday - 3rd June 1940. Hove up anchor at 4 a.m. and pro-
ceeded on passage. Wind and swell abated in the night.
Dover abeam at 6.35 # a.m. Reported to the Admiralty the
arrival of the "LETITIA". Sub-Lieutenant and three sailors
came on board and took over. Proceeded alongside oil wharf
to get more fuel on board and alongside another wharf to get
a machine gun and ammunition on board. Taking out ship's
masts and putting on quay and fixing machine gun on deck - -
all ready to sail at 2.30 p.m. Orders came to proceed
outside harbour at 4 p.m. to the Tug "SUN XV" to be towed
across in company with other yachts. Three other yachts
make fast astern of us, under way 6.35 p.m. Engines running
at half-speed to ease the strain of the tow ropes. Slight
swell. The tow ropes of two of the yachts broke and they
were told to proceed on under own power. Arrived off Dunkin
at 11.30 p.m. and cast off from Tug. Proceeded into Dunkir
past the Mole, and up the Canal for about 2 miles. Moored
alongside the quay and proceeded to take troops on board.
Could find no Englishmen so took on board 40 Frenchmen.

Details

DUNKIRK
MAY/JUNE 1940
LOG OF "LETITIA"
"LETITIA" was an ex-naval harbour launch conversion, 52-ft.
long, 12-ft. beam and 4-ft.9-ins. draught, schooner rigged, fitted
with twin screws driven by Thornycroft R.A.4 petrol-paraffin engine.
She attended the Pavillon d'Or Rally at Liege, Belgium, in
July 1939 her number being 73. After the Rally she returned to
her moorings in Chichester Canal just before war broke out and was
$
laid up there until requisitioned by the Ministry of Shipping on
the 30th of May 1940 for the Dunkirk Evacuation.
EXTRACT FROM LOG:
r
"Friday - 31st May 1940. In Chichester Canal, painting
yacht grey, preparing for sea and getting crew together.
ch.
k
Saturday - 1st June 1940. Filling up tanks with petrol
and paraffin. Orders came through at 6 p.m. to proceed
ed
to Ramsgate. Waiting tide until 10 p.m. when locked out
of Canal and proceeded to moorings outside awaiting day-
rer-
light. Went ashore for final orders.
Sunday - 2nd June 1940. Left moorings at 6 a.m. and pro-
ceeded down Harbour in company of yachts "FALCON", "WARRIOR"
and "IDAHO". Clear of Chichester Harbour at 7.15 a.m.,
S-
proceeding up Channel, Owers Light Vessel abeam at 10 a.m.
Beachy Head abeam 3.45 p.m. Wind strong from the east with
th
some swell. "ROYAL SOVEREIGN" abeam 5 p.m. Swell getting
worse. Noticed some trouble on board "IDAHO" and nearly
sage
rammed by same. "WARRIOR" standing by "IDAHO" at 5.15 p.m.
ived
"FALCON" came alongside and gave us instructions to proceed
on passage at 5.30 p.m. "IDAHO" in tow of "WARRIOR" 6 p.m.
t the
Lost sight of them at 6.30 p.m. Lost sight of "FALCON" at
6.40 p.
7.15 p.m. Proceeded on passage alone. Ship dipping nose
under swells with smart breeze. Dungeness abeam 9 p.m.
Darkness came on; we went in close to the coast and anchored
in 10 fathoms of water off Hythe at 10.15 p.m.
Monday - 3rd June 1940. Hove up anchor at 4 a.m. and pro-
ceeded on passage. Wind and swell abated in the night.
Dover abeam at 6.35 # a.m. Reported to the Admiralty the
arrival of the "LETITIA". Sub-Lieutenant and three sailors
came on board and took over. Proceeded alongside oil wharf
to get more fuel on board and alongside another wharf to get
a machine gun and ammunition on board. Taking out ship's
masts and putting on quay and fixing machine gun on deck -
all ready to sail at 2.30 p.m. Orders came to proceed
outside harbour at 4 p.m. to the Tug "SUN XV" to be towed
across in company with other yachts. Three other yachts
make fast astern of us, under way 6.35 p.m. Engines running
at half-speed to ease the strain of the tow ropes. Slight
swell. The tow ropes of two of the yachts broke and they
were told to proceed on under own power. Arrived off Dunkir
at 11.30 p.m. and cast off from Tug. Proceeded into Dunkir
past the Mole, and up the Canal for about 2 miles. Moored
alongside the quay and proceeded to take troops on board.
Could find no Englishmen so took on board 40 Frenchmen.

Details

Page 4.
OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYN/MO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940.
PART I - - BRITISH SHIPS (contimued)
PERSONNEL AND HOSPITAL SHIPS
ARCHANGEL
MANXMAN
AUTOCARRIER
MONA'S QUEEN
BEN-MY-CREE
NEWHAVEN
BIARRITZ
NEPHRITE (Store Ship)
CANTERBURY
NGAROMA
CLAN MACALISTER
NORMANIA
COTE D'ARGENT
PARIS (Hospital)
COTE D'AZUR
PRAGUE
DINARD (Hospital)
PRINCESS MAUD
DORIAN ROSE (Store Ship)
QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL
FENELLA
ROEBUCK
FOAM QUEEN
ROUEN
ISLE OF GUERNSEY (Hospital)
ROYAL DAFFODIL
ISLE OF THANET (Hospital)
ROYAL SOVEREIGN
KILLARNEY
ST. ANDREW (Hospital)
KING GEORGE V
ST. DAVID (Hospital)
LADY OF MAN
ST. HELIER
LEVENWOOD (Store Ship)
ST. JULIAN
LOCH GARRY
ST. SEIRIOL
LORINA
SCOTIA
MAID OF ORLEANS
TYNWALD
MALINES name
WORTHING (Hospital)
MANXMAID
of Inen
WHITSTABLE
OTHER BRITISH SHIPS
ADVENTURESS
BONNY BELLE
AGNESS CROSS (Life-boat)
BOURNEMOUTH LIFE-BOAT
ALBATROSS III
B.P. ONE
ALOUETTE
BRITANNIA
ANDORA
BULLFINCH
ANDORA II (R.A.F. Launch)
CABBY
ANNE IV
CANVEY QUEEN
ATHOLA
CAVERSHAM (M.B.)
AURA
CHAMOIS (Lighter)
BAIL
CHERFIELD
BAT (Lighter)
CLAUDE (Water Boat)
BEE (Lighter)
COMMODORE
BELFAST
CONSTANT NYMPH
BLACK ARROW
CORDELIA
BLACK JAVA
CORNELIA
BLACKPOOL
C. 9
)
BOBELI (Motor Cruiser)
(Tugs)
C. 11
)
BONNY HEATHER
C.Y. 63
DABB II
DEFENDER
DHOON (Trawler)
Sunk
(Continued)

Details

DUNKIRK CLAIMS
has COMMITTEE Regards WINDSORA GERBERA
H.O.
WINDSONG
SANG
193
T.S.M.Y. "WARRIOR" CHICHESTER to RAMSGATE
2.6.1940
Returned to "Warrior" 2 a.m. from Club, turned in 3 a.m.
heard creaking and found that we had grounded. Tide left her
12 inches, slight list, tide turned and we floated about 6 a.m.
Left mooring 6.30 a.m.
Piloted to bar by yacht cleared bar 8 a.m. Steered S.13 E to
Bullock Patch and NAB.S. 62 E to Boulder By and Owers, passed
Owers 10 a.m. streamed log S.85. E.
Some drifting timber loose and cans passed, and school of
porpoises 3.45 p.m. Log showing 44 shifted to N.25.E passed
Beachy Head about 4 miles off. Due east and passed "Royal
Sovereign Lightship". Passed about 1 ² miles inside "Sovereign"
4.30 p.m. Engine speeds between 850 to 950. Gave my log
reading at intervals to "Falcon" "Letitia" and "Idaho".
East wind increased after rounding Beachy Head and met strong
head swell. "Warrior" running very easily and quite comfortable,
considerable amount of flotsam everywhere, inner tubes, boxes
and timber - had to keep a sharp look out. Swell increased,
saw right under "Letitia" several times.
5.15 p.m. noticed "Idaho" sheer hard to Port, eased engines and
watched her for a few minutes, decided she was out of control,
and blew for rounding to port. Rounded and drew alongside.
Much crashing from galley when getting round, owing to very
heavy rolling. Got hands to pack everything possible, nursed
"Warrior" to leeward of "Idaho" and slowly closed to. Managed
had been pulled in showing 57 miles.
to get a line to her and heard she had lost her rudder. Log
"Idaho" extremely hard to handle, running in either direction and
parted line after 10 minutes, got after anchor cable up, and floated
pitching badly. Passed wire rope back to him, got it fast, wire
pulled round after cable aboard and made fast. I rigged a rope spring
a back to him on petrol can. "Idaho" picked up can and
and saloon roof to take snatch of cable. Pitching
run headway against wind, and must try to get both boats round and
rolling very heavily, decided I could not make enough
Managed had to get both round and headed for Beachy Head.
xxxxxxxxwxxd before wind to get shelter of Beachy Head.
slow a to trip round saloon during this. Had to ease down Radio to dead
keep head ease snatch of tow with occasional burst of engines
to Beachy Head owing to "Idaho" almost pulling me round. to
after taking on Petrol
About 10.30 a.m. an we arrived at Southend Pier and
15
were asked to take the vessel to Dunkirk as there were
not sufficient Naval Ratings available. Provisions for
three days and more petrol were taken aboard, and we were
-1-

Details

28
88
ANTILE LINE SERVICE
to H. bamp bell
Bruce Shiel
87
umbarton
2
7th February, 1941.
41
Dear Sir,
with reference to your letter of
the 2nd February, I have pleasure in
enclosing a letter signed by the Minister
ret the loss of my
&
of Shipping similar to that which was
rough enemy action
in
lost on the m.v. "Royal Sovereign".
:
the letter that
w
Yours faithfully,
in of Dunkirk
h
me have a
D.G.
a
Private Secretary.
ce.
nation
S.C.
D.H
Captain T. J. Aldis.
Mi
00 a subject raised by Mr. Wilson at the las
Me
or the Advisory Council.
Copies to:-
Mr. Jackson
Mr. Hynard
Mr. Guttery
FLAG OFFICER COMMANDING
DOVER.
25th October, 1940.

Details

Page 4.
LIST OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940.
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS (contimued)
PERSONNEL AND HOSPITAL SHIPS
ARCHANGEL
MANXMAN
AUTOCARRIER
MONA'S QUEEN
BEN-MY-CREE
NEWHAVEN
BIARRITZ
NEPHRITE (Store Ship)
CANTERBURY
NGAROMA
CLAN MACALISTER
NORMANIA
COTE D'ARGENT
} french
PARIS (Hospital)
COTE D'AZUR
PRAGUE
DINARD (Hospital)
PRINCESS MAUD
DORIAN ROSE (Store Ship)
QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL
FENELLA
ROEBUCK
FOAM QUEEN
ROUEN
ISLE OF GUERNSEY (Hospital)
ROYAL DAFFODIL
ISLE OF THANET (Hospital)
ROYAL SOVEREIGN
KILLARNEY
ST. ANDREW (Hospital)
KING GEORGE V
ST. DAVID (Hospital)
LADY OF MAN
ST. HELIER
LEVENWOOD (Store Ship)
ST. JULIAN
LOCH GARRY
ST. SEIRIOL
LORINA
#
SCOTIA
MAID OF ORLEANS
TYNWALD
MALINES
WORTHING (Hospital)
MANXMAID
WHITSTABLE
OTHER BRITISH SHIPS
ADVENTURESS
BONNY BELLE
AGNESS CROSS (Life-boat)
BOURNEMOUTH LIFE-BOAT
ALBATROSS III
B.P. ONE
ALOUETTE
BRITANNIA
ANDORA
BULLFINCH
ANDORA II (R.A.F. Launch)
CABBY
ANNE IV
CANVEY QUEEN
ATHOLA
CAVERSHAM (M.B.)
AURA
CHAMOIS (Lighter)
BAIL
CHERFIELD
BAT (Lighter)
CLAUDE (Water Boat)
BEE (Lighter)
COMMODORE
BELFAST
CONSTANT NYMPH
BLACK ARROW
CORDELIA
BLACK JAVA
CORNELIA
BLACKPOOL
C. 9 (Tugs)
BOBELI (Motor Cruiser)
C. 11
BONNY HEATHER
C.Y. 63
DABB II
DEFENDER
DHOON (Trawler)
Sunk
(Continued)

Details

June,
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 3.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Work of Personnel Vessels.
Personnel Vessels (continued).
remaining; she started a trip but failed to make Dunkirk. On
return, the original Captain rejoined with some of the original
crew. She should then have sailed at 2010/3, but the Captain
reported 3 engineers short at the last minute. It was not
considered necessary to wait for the engineers and the Master
and crew disembarked and the new crew provided for the second
time. Before further use could be made of her, however, the
evacuation terminated.
9. The MONA'S QUEEN was sunk by a mine on her second
voyage to Dunkirk, and the FENELLA was bombed and sunk on her
first voyage.
10. The MALINES who had completed two trips, refused to
sail on the 1st, left Dover at 1600 on the 2nd without orders and
was subsequently found to have proceeded to Southampton.
11. It was felt that trouble might occur in the ST.HELIER
and PRINCESS MAUD, and accordingly a naval party was put on
board to supplement the ships crews, and in consequence no
trouble occurred.
12. The outstanding ships were the MAID OF ORLEANS 6 trips,
one being diverted without completing the trip, and once
returning due to collision. ROYAL DAFFODIL 7 trips, on one of
which she was turned back by a French destroyer -
ROYAL SOVEREIGN 6 trips
KING GEORGE V
5 trips
COTE d'ARGENT
5 trips
ST. HELIER
4 trips after having refused to
158 rgdl
sail once.
PRAGUE
3 trips with full loads, bombed,
85mght
severely damaged and
beached on the last return
trip.
13. Eleven other ships were concerned in the Operation,
details of which are as follows:
27th May BIARRITZ
27th May
Damaged by shell fire and returned.
ARCHANGEL
27th May
Damaged by shell fire and returned.
QUEEN OF THE
Sunk by bombing attack.
CHANNEL
28th May
LORINA
Sunk by bombing attack.
29th May
NORMANIA
Sunk by bombing attack.
28th May LOCH GARRY
One trip.
28th May SCOTIA
One trip.
2nd June
THE
28th May KILLARNEY
Sunk by bombing attack.
One trip.
2nd June ROUEN
One trip.
2nd and 3rd
Acapt R.
June AUTO CARRIER
Two trips.
2nd and 3rd
June NEWHAVEN
Two trips.
fice of
Enclosure:-
g Officer Commanding,
Details of Personnel
ER.
Ships used.
2 June, 1940.
authorized.

Details

Details

-2-
of Ship.
Name & Address of Owners
Name of Master.
LAN MACALISTER
Clan Line Steamers, Ltd.
Capt. R.W. Mackie
Tylney Hall,
longuines are still learning
Rotherwick,
made as to whicher
Near Basingstoke, Hants.
office is still alive.
KOHISTAN *
F.C. Strick & Co. Ltd.
Capt. W.C. Robertson
117-121, Leadenhall St.
E.C.3.
BENLAWERS *
Petrograd Steamers Ltd.,
Capt. J.P. Drummond.
28, Bernard Street,
Leith
(Managers: Wm. Thompson
& Co.)
K
L
CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH
Ellerman & Bucknall
Capt. A.W. Wooster
S.S. Co., Ltd.
Tudor Court,
Cobham, Surrey.
K1
ROEBUCK
c/o Chief Docks Manager,
Capt. .Larbalestier.
G.W. Railway Company,
Cardiff.
ST
KITTY
Basso & Company,
Mr. W. McCondach,
Weymouth.
13, Ox Street,
Weymouth.
ST
SPINEL +
William Robertson Ltd.,
Capt. R. Humphreys
ST
Glasgow, C.1.
ST
QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL
The General Steam
Capt. W.J. O'Dell
PAR
Navigation Co., Ltd.,
"
ROYAL DAFFODIL
G. Johnston
ISL
ROYAL SOVEREIGN
15, Trinity Square,
"
T. Aldis
DIN
E.C.3.
WOR
ISLI
MONA'S QUEEN
Isle of Man Steam Packet
~~
Capt. A. Holkham
"
R. Duggan $
FENELLA
Company Limited,
Capt. W. Cubbon
MANXMAN
x
Imperial Buildings,
If
P.B. Cowley
TYNWALD
*
Douglas,
-
qual
&
Isle of Man.
Chief Officer
J.Whiteway 0
BEN-MY-CHREE
X
Capt. G. Woods and
Chief Officer
T. Cain /
LADY OF MANN
Capt. T.C. Woods
LORINA
Southern Railway Co.,
Capt. A. Light.
NORMANNIA
Waterloo Station,
Capt. M.C. Whiting
CANTERBURY
S.W.1.
Captain C. Hancoc
MAID OR ORLEANS
2
(Capt. A.E. Larki
(Capt. G. Walker
BIARRITZ
Capt. M.H. Bake
AUTOCARRIER
Capt. C. Maste
orized.

Details

Mr. Dilke
36
COPY FOR - MR. W. G. HYNARD,
Director of Sea Transport,
Ministry of Shipping,
Berkeley Square House,
Berkeley Square, W.L.
197
WJP/LK
13th August, 1940.
The Right Hon. Ronald H. Cross, M.P.,
Minister of hipping,
Berkeley Square,
LONDON, W.L.
Dear Bir,
EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
Further to our Chairman's letter of the 27th
ultimo, we understand that you wish to collect information
Navy in connection with the evacuation of the B.E.F. from
regarding the services rendered by the ships of the Merchant
for THE GENERAL STEAM NAVIGATION CO. LTD.
e
Northern France and Flanders and we, therefore, take the
,wo
which liberty of attaching copies of a few confidential reports
we have received from various sources. If it would
Yours faithfully,
be of interest to you we should be pleased to forward
the
Company when we are able to obtain same.
similar information regarding other vessels owned by this
so
perience coasting and home trades, and the special knowledge and
passenger vessels of this Company operate chiefly cargo in the
As you are aware, in normal times the and
tense
ming
and which our Masters and Officers have of the channels ex-
ut
under them to find their way to the beaches and berths coasts,
enabled approaches to the Northern French and Belgian
15.0
y to
and their ships, their shallow draft was also of the
pleasure the difficult conditions. In the case of
a
journeys good bunker capacity enabled these vessels assistance make
backwards and forwards with a minimum of delay. to
O t.
The copies of reports enclosed, refer to :-
ship)iight
m.v. "ROYAL SOVEREIGN"
m.v. "QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL" (cross channel
O.
ch the
19
p.s. "GOLDEN EAGLE
(cargo vessel managed by G.S.N.
(Passenger paddle steamer
" passenge
cut
S.S.
"ABUKIR"
rd in-
Lowed
for the Ministry)
ing the
is and
Newman of
th
an escort
our entrance bombs. enemy A waiting for me aircraft off the
the consisting British the the the half be an hour when the
port. returned to Ostend.

Details

The General Iteam Navigation Company Ltd
ALEGRAMS-GLYCONIC TELEX LONDON
ELEPHONE-ROYAL 3200.7 (23 LINES)
CLORE
CODEs-PRIVATE
15, Trinity Square,
BENTLEYS PHRASE
SCOTTS 10TH EDTN.
A.B.C. 5TH EDTN.
BOE
London.E.c.3
Bofons
20mg
OUR REFERENCE WJP/LK
only
NUTOP
YOUR REFERENCE
13th August, 1940.
199
SECTO
The Right Hon. Ronald H. Cross, M.P.,
Minister of Shipping,
Berkeley Square,
LONDON, W.1.
Dear Sir,
EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
Further to our Chairman's letter of the 27th
último, we understand that you wish to collect information
regarding the services rendered by the ships of the Merchant
for THE GENERAL STEAM NAVIGATION M.Philpott CO. LTD.
Navy in connection with the evacuation of the B.E.F. from
Northern France and Flanders and we, therefore, take the
liberty of attaching copies of a few confidential reports
Yours faithfully,
which we have received from various sources. If it would
be of interest to you we should be pleased to forward
e
Company when we are able to obtain same.
similar information regarding other vessels owned by this
,WO
As you are aware, in normal times the cargo and
the
passenger vessels of this Company operate chiefly in the
10
coasting and home trades, and the special knowledge and
perience and which our Masters and Officers have of the channels ex-
enabled approaches to the Northern French and Belgian coasts,
tense
them to find their way to the beaches and berths
ming
under the difficult conditions. In the case of the
ut
and pleasure ships, their shallow draft was also of
15.
journeys backwards and forwards with a minimum of delay. to
their good bunker capacity enabled these vessels assistance make
y to
L a
The copies of reports enclosed, refer to :-
)
m.v. "ROYAL SOVEREIGN"
m.v. "QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL" (cross channel
to
"
o t.
p.s. "GOLDEN EAGLE
(cargo vessel managed by G.S.N.Co.
(Passenger paddle steamer)
" passenger ship)
S.S. "ABUKIR"
for the Ministry)
ch
the
cut
.rd in-
Lowed
ing the
agreed. my cluding out entrance lines of the crew, and enemy A port sailed soldiers the and British Belgi S.S. was dopping "MARQUIS" sent informed waiting out Verey as me for Mr. that lights me Newman an off and escort the of
bombs. the consisting British the be an hour when the aircraft
port. returned to Ostend.

Details

3th
STATE
street
to
Jues
COPY
the
PARTY
H.T. "ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
32
OF
to
205
este
abouto
In reply to your communication of June 5th asking for a narrative
THE
of events in connection with the evacuation of Dunkirk, I have pleas-
ure in replying as follows:-
THE SOUTH THE & UTATE OF Should at JOON 3 CREA STA
May 26th whilst laying in Southampton roads received orders to get
ready to proceed at two hours notice.
May 27th at 1320 received orders to proceed to Dover and at 1500
OF Date THE DEIOS of FRE OF
hove up and proceeded on passage. 2340 passed through Folkestone
gateway.
May 28th 0020 received visual signals from Dover to anchor in Downs.
ST
1150 saw first raid carried out on shipping but raider successfully
the
driven off. 1740 received orders to sail at 2030 for Dunkirk, using
prescibed route.
May 29th 0250 arrived off East Jetty Dunkirk and anchored, whole west
side of town in flames. 0445 hove up and proceeded to Eastern Jetty.
0455 in berth and commenced embarking troops. 0535 ship filled with
troops, each man having been given a lifebelt and received instruction
on same. 0540 Clear of harbour. 0858 reported floating mine to
patrol vessel.
0925 stopped by examination vessel and ordered to Margate Pier.
10.10 anchored off Pier. 12.15 arrived alongside of Pier.
13.30 left Matgate Pier. 1735 arrived off La Panne and witnessed a
heavy dive bombing attack carried out with heavy losses to shipping.
1800, hove up anchored and proceeded to assist m.v. "Bullfinch" laden
with troops&ashore. 1815 "Bullfinch" afloat and proceeded. 1820
commenced embarking troops from beaches.
May 30th 0410, hove up and proceeded lower down beach. 0430 embark-
ing more troops. 0530 vesselfull, and proceeded to Margate. 1025,
arrived off Margate, 1135 alongside of Margate Pier disembarking
troops. 1300 left Margate. 1735 anchored off Dunkirk on naval
instructions. 1820 anchored and commenced embarking troops.
May 31st 0130 hove up and proceeded. 0315 shopped at Dyke buoy to
pick up four survivors of a French steamer which had been bombed.
0710 arrived alongside Margate Pier. 0830 anchored off Pier. 1805,
hove up and proceeded towards Dunkirk.

Details

(2)
the TS the THE you cdusy of
May 31st Continued
206
2210 anchored off Pontoon Pier at Dunkirk. 2240 ordered by H.M. Ship
to La Panne, hove up and proceeded. 2315 anchored off La Panne.
June 1st 0220, troops on board, terrific bombarding and shelling of
SOUTH
beach taking place so have up and proceeded. 0615, anchored off
USA
Margate roads. 0745, hove up and proceeded to Pier. 0830 at anchor
FORM
under 1 hours notice. 1315, left for Dunkirk. 1520, attacked and
bombed by enemy aircraft, three bombs dropped; avoiding action taken.
1552, attcked and bombed by aircraft, three bombs being dropped,
again took avoiding action, and by doing so definitely saved ship.
Now came under heavy fire from enemy position at Gravelines Pier,
and as two ships appeared to be blocking channel returned to Margate
for instructions. 1730, arrived Margate roads. 1900 vessel under
1 hour's notice.
June 2nd 0115 received orders to sail. 0140 received orders not to
sail. 1800 left anchorage. 2000 passed Hospital ship Paris, having
been bombed and ship's company in lifeboats, but all very cheerful
and proceeded to Dunkirk. 2100 Heavy firing from shore batteries.
2130 arrived at Dunkirk and commenced embarking French troops from
middle pier in harbour. 2205 cleared harbour with more than comple-
ment of troops.
Monday June 3rd 0155 arrived at Margate Pier and commenced disembark*
ing troops. 0203, anchored off Pier. 1200 returned to Pier. 1400,
four seamen and two catering staff leave ship. 2015 left for Dunkirk.
2055, dense fog, visibility reduced to nil, but continue towards
Dunkirk.
Tuesday June 4th 0115, had slight collision with unknown steamer off
No. 3 Dunkirk buoy. 0220 arrived at middle pier in harbour. 0255,
overladen with troops and left pier, cutting our own forward ropes.
Heavy gun fire continuously; leaving harbour saw crew of unknown
vessel being rescued by small boats. 0600, arrived Margate after 1
hours dense fog, and disembarked troops and at 0700 departed to
anchorage. 2000 hove up and proceeded to Southampton. 2355 "Royal
Sovereign" light vessel abeam.

Details

as
opposite)
number
254
622
THE WINE AND SPIRIT TRADE RECORD
17TH JUNE, 1940.
Co.'s Sherries). In giving a picture of Mr. Clarkson
LICENSED PREMISES, CLUBS, ETC.,
(captain of the Mimosa) and Mr. Clark (who organised
IN 1939.
the "Brighton Navy The Daily Sketch, in its issue
of 5th June, remarked that "nothing more glorious
in the annals of Britain's sea history has been done
THE Report of the Commissioner of Police of the
than the work of our longshoremen in the rescue of
Metropolis for 1939 contains the following remarks
the B.E.F. from Dunkirk."
concerning "on" and "off" licences, etc.:-
When the full story can be told, Londoners will
be proud of the gallant part played in the evacuation
LICENSED PREMISES.
of our soldiers from Dunkirk by the G.S.N. Co.'s
"The number of premises licensed for the sale of
pleasure steamers which, in happier days carried
intoxicating liquor 'on' and ' off' the premises
thousands of holiday-makers from London and
Chatham to the holiday resorts of Essex and Kent, and
increased by 4 to 7,603. The number of 'off' licences
also to the near Continental holiday centres. Such
was unchanged at 3,553. The number of licences for
well-known ships as the P/S.s Royal Eagle, Crested
Wine and Spirit dealers is 251 and for theatres 76.
Eagle, Medway Queen, M/V.s Royal Daffodil, Royal
Sovereign and Queen of the Channel, all took their
" Applications were made by most licensed
share in this hazardous undertaking. Not only
premises for extension of the permitted hours on 23rd
pleasure steamers of the General Steam Navigation
December and on New Year's Eve. These days were
Co. took part, but also their cargo boats. Here is what
may be described as a typical performance by one of
regarded as special occasions justifying the grant of
the company's cargo boats:-
Special Orders of Exemption, and 14,114 Orders were
NOTES FROM CAPTAIN H. BUXTON'S REPORT.
granted. There was no increased drunkenness which
M.v. Bullfinch.
At 10.20 p.m. on 28th May, 1940, whilst at anchor in
could be attributed to the grant of these facilities.
Small Downs, the m.v. Bullfinch received orders to sail at
CLUBS.
once for La Panne beaches. The ship arrived off the beaches
about 4.50 a.m. on 29th May. The beach was crowded with
"The number of registered clubs increased by 216
troops but there were only a few boats bringing off small
numbers. The Master received orders to beach the Bullfinch
and on 31st December, 1939, the total number was
and accordingly he let go the kedge anchor and headed slow
3,085. This increase is almost entirely accounted for
for the beach. The vessel grounded about 5.45 a.m., but
owing to the kedge anchor not holding, her stern swung to
by the formation of registered clubs at fire stations
the eastward and the ship was aground fore and aft with
the beach.
and auxiliary fire stations. Since the outbreak of war,
After the first boatload came aboard one of the troops
no less than 193 such clubs were formed.
swam ashore with a line. Two 5in. ropes were run ashore
and hauled boats off and back to the beach. When the tide
"The short life of many 'Social' clubs of the type
receded the troops waded off and embarked up the ship's
ladders. Embarkation proceeded until the ship had about
which give trouble to the police was once again
1,500 on board, during which time the ballast tanks were
noticed. During 1939, 262 such clubs were registered
pumped out. The ladders were then pulled up, as the ship
could take no more.
and 253 were closed or struck off the register.
The troops had two Bren guns with them, which were
Proceedings for irregularities were taken against
mounted one each side of the boat deck. The troops also
manned the ship's Lewis gun. Bomb attacks were taking
82 registered clubs, of which 54 were struck off the
place all day and after a very anxious time from 5.30 p.m.
until 6.15 p.m., the vessel floated and proceeded.
register. The amount of fines and costs imposed was
German aircraft attacked the ship repeatedly. When
£5,364 9s. 7d. and 15 persons were sent to prison in
passing Dunkirk several bombs dropped close to the vessel's
stern, the concussion from which caused the circuit breaker
default of payment of fines.
to come out and put the steering gear out of action. The
BOTTLE PARTIES.
engines were stopped whilst the engineers effected repairs,
and the ship then proceeded.
"There was a slight increase during the year in
Three dive bombers then attacked the Bullfinch from aft.
One of the Bren gunners, Sergeant Cook, shot one down into
the number of known 'bottle parties' from 24 to 28
the sea. Shortly afterwards three others attacked from
forward and the sergeant again shot one down. Further
Successful proceedings were taken by the police in 32
attacks were made at frequent intervals until a formation
cases for liquor offences, or for unlicensed pub
of Spitfires drove the enemy off.
On arrival in the Small Downs the Bullfinch received
music and dancing, or for both these offences, ar.
orders to proceed to - Harbour where the troops were
fines and costs amounting to £3,420 6s. 10d. were
promptly disembarked.
It was afterwards discovered that the concussion from
imposed. In three cases the proprietors of the bottle
the exploding bombs had put both compasses out. The ship
was on one occasion attacked by machine-gun fire, but only
parties were sentenced to imprisonment without the
one soldier was wounded. The Master of the Bullfinch stated
option of paying a fine. In addition, proceedings were
that he could not speak too highly of the Bren gunner who
held his fire until the planes were close to the vessel and
taken in a number of cases by the Customs and Excise
undoubtedly saved the ship.
on evidence supplied by the police, for soliciting orders
We hope on a later occasion to give further details
of the magnificent work done by the seamen and others
for intoxicating liquor on the premises of the 'bottle
of the General Steam Navigation Co., Ltd., work of
party or for failing to have a tobacco licence, or a
which the directors of the company are justifiably
refreshment house licence. This resulted in additional
proud.
penalties amounting to £863 9s. Od."