Details

CHASSEUR 11
French S/M chaser
Enseigne Montillier. de vaisseau
30th May
1900
Sailed from Cherbourg for the Downs,
Palmer (1911 tons) and Caudebec
escorting the cargo ships Chateau
(1471 tons).
31st May
0800
1200
Arrived in the Downs.
Went alongside the Savorgnan de Brazza
in Dover harbour.
1400
Sailed Rouen. for Dunkirk, escorting the P/V
1900
Arrived Dunkirk, and secured alongside.
1st June
0500
Ch.11 was hit by a shell. Damage not
serious.
a.m.
Air attacks.
2nd June
A fire in an adjoining shipyard set
light to Ch.ll's bridge. The fire
was extinguished.
3rd June
1500
The Chasseurs 6 and 1 having arrived
from Havre, the Captains of the
three ships were sent for by Admiral
Abrial, who issued the following
orders:
Ch.6 was to sail immediately and
evacuate military officers;
Ch.11 and 7 were to remain at
immediate notice at the disposition
of the Admiral and his staff.
1900
Ch.6 sailed.
2200
Two fast French M/B's [V.T.B.25 and
V.T.B.26] came alongside the Ch.ll.
2300
Admiral Abrial embarked in one of the
M/B's V.T.B.25 his staff
embarked in Ch.11 and I, which also
embarked the last men from the quay.
2315
Sailed for Dover. (See Malcolm)
4th June
Fog all night.
0500
Arrived Dover. Chasseur 11(1)
disembarked 88.
Chasseur 7 disembarked 39.(2)
5th June
Sailed for Cherbourg, escorting a
convoy of French and Belgian
trawlers.
Total 88
Authority - French Admiralty record, Folio No.33.
(1) D.R. says "Chasseur".
(2) D.R.
183

Details

CYCLONE
French Torpedo
boat
Capitaine de vaisseau
(6th Division)
U. de Portzampare, Capt. (D),
2nd Flotilla.
[Note: The times given in this French report
G.M.T. In order to conform to other French are
reports, they are here converted to B.S.T.]
29th May
0900
Assembled in the Downs, at 1/2 hour's
notice were the French T/B's Cyclone
and Siroco, the dr. Epervier,
and the minesweeping sloops [avisos]
Boudeuse, Impetueuse, Arras and
Belfort. (The T/B Mistral had sailed
from the Downs at 0800 to refuel at
Dover).
1015
The Cyclone, Siroco and Epervier
sailed for Dunkirk, and the Mistral
was ordered to rejoin Cyclone.
1050
The Mistral joined company with the
Cyclone and the Epervier was ordered
back to the Downs.
The 6th Division, i.e. the Cyclone,
Siroco and Mistral set course at 24
knots via West Hinder and Kwinte buoy.
1330
A battery from Nieuport opened fire
on the Cyclone.
1332
The 6th Division opened fire, the
Cyclone firing 34 rounds.
1430
The Cyclone wentalongside Dunkirk east
pier, but was ordered by the traffic
controller to shift to the Quai
Felix Faure. The Mistral and Siroco
went alongside the west pier.
-
The Cyclone embarked 575 troops.
During the embarkation there were
several air attacks, and the Mistral
was hit [the quay was hit].
1630
The Cyclone proceeded via the channel
east of Dunkirk.
1700/
Attacked by 12 bombers. The Cyclone was
1730
straddled; slight damage to her
hull.
1755
A ship 2 miles ahead was seen sinking
by the bows.
1757
An R.A.F. plane fell in the water
nearby. Several tugs in sight, one of
which went to the rescue of the
airman.
The Cyclone proceeded to the
assistance of the sinking ship. She
proved to be the P.M/S Waverley.
Picked up 158 survivors. Several
tugs arrived and picked up other
survivors.
1840
Set course for Dover.
2200
Arrived Dover.
2230
Disembarked 460. (1)
30th May
At Dover were the T/B's Cyclone,
-
Siroco, Mistral and Foudroyant.
The sloop Savorgnan de Brazza which
had just arrived, ordered the Mistral
(1) D.R. According to the Cyclone she had 733 on board.

Details

LA NANTAISE
French patrol
vessel (1st
Lieut. de vaisseaux Jaume.
Group, 13th
Squadron).
24th May
1800
Sailed from Cherbourg for Dunkirk, the
Sauternes and Cerons in company,
escorting the food and munition ship
St. Camille (3274 tons), Cap
Tafelneh (2299 tons), Monique
Schiaffino (3235 tons) and Ceres
(3072 tons).
25th May
1500ca
Off Calais, fired at by shore batteries;
altered course to the northward.
-
Off Gravelines, attacked by aircraft;
no hits.
1830ca
The convoy and escort anchored off
Dunkirk - the Nantaise alone entered
the harbour and secured alongside the
Patrie.
At nightfall, 4 pilots were sent to
bring in the convoy.
25th/26th
During the night the other two escort
May
ships and the convoy came in -
except the St. Camille which blew up
on a mine shortly after weighing.
The two escort ships secured alongside
the Quai de l'Embecquetage.
26th-28th
Intense bombardments.
May
28th May
2300
The Nantaise sailed with the dr. Flore
and a convoy of troops. (1) Took on
board a number of passengers including
the commandant of the Sub division of
a Valenciennes and a Paymaster
Lieutenant bringing the treasure of
the Flanders Army.
The S.S. Douaisien( 2) blew up on a
mine shortly after sailing.
Route Y. Stood by the convoy at Kwinte
-
buoy while the Flore searched for the
Douaisien.
29th May
Arrived Dover.
Led the convoy to Cherbourg.
-
30th May
Moored at Cherbourg. Landed passengers
-
and mails.
31st May -
Under repair.
lst June
2nd June
Sailed with the Jacobsen (523 tons)
for the Downs; she was carrying mails
and food for Dunkirk.
3rd June
Left the Jacobsen in the Downs and
reported to the Savorgnan de Brazza.
Repairs to W/T.
(1) No available.
(2) 2954 details tons; port of origin, Dunkirk.
147

Details

V.T.B.25
V.T.B.26
French fast M/B's (Vedettes)
3rd June
1500
Rear sloop Admiral Landriau (on board
ordered Savorgnan de Brazza at Dover) the
these two new French
Cherbourg, to proceed to Dunkirk and
vedettes, which had just arrived from
2200
report to Admiral Abrial.
The two vedettes arrived at Dunkirk and
2300
Admiral Abrial sailed for Dover in
secured alongside the Chasseur 11.
V.T.B.25. En route, this vessel
struck a wreck and damaged a propeller
but speed. was able to proceed at slow
4th June
0400ca
Near the North Goodwin, the V.T.B.25
assisted in picking up survivors
from the Belgian trawler Marechal
Foch. The dr. Malcolm, which was also
there, embarked Admiral Abrial, and
took V.T.B.25 in tow to Dover.
The V.T.B.26 with a damaged engine,
finished by securing to a buoy in
the mouth of the Thames. (1) No. of
passengers, if any, not known.
Authority - French Admiralty record, Folio No.9.
(1) The Amiens was ordered to search for the V.T.B.26 and states
that during the night of 4th/5th June, she was informed
that the V.T.B.26 had arrived at Clacton.
88 290

Details

Details

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

Details

SIGNALS
APPENDIX Q
APPENDIX Q
SIGNALS RE EVACUATION ON 31st MAY AND
NIGHT OF 31st MAY 1st JUNE
Friday, 31st May
1. VICE-ADMIRAL to Gossamer, Leda, Speedwell, Halcyon, Skipjack, Salamander, Niger,
Ross, Albury, Kellett, Fitzvoy, Sutton, Saltash, Lydd, Dundalk, (R) C.-in-C.
Nore, F.O.I.C. Harwich.
Ships addressed are grouped as follows for special embarkation today Friday.
Group one. Gossamer, Leda, Ross, Albury.
Group two. Halcyon, Skipjack, Speedwell, Dundalk.
Group three. Niger, Salamander, Fitzroy, Sutton.
Spare. Kellett, Saltash, Lydd.
Each ship is to adjust programme forthwith as necessary to rendezvous empty
with Senior Officers of groups at W buoy
at 2200/31. Object final evacuation
of covering force of five thousand troops.
Execution. Groups are to proceed so as to arrive off beach eastward of Dunkirk
in following positions vide chart 1872 as close as possible to the shore at 2400/31.
Group One. Bray Dunes Hotel, 5 cables apart.
Group Two. La Panne light 41 cables apart.
Group Three. Niger, Salamander, Rosendael.
Fitzvoy, Sutton, battery longitude 02° 27' E.
Kellet, Saltash, spare ship between Groups One and Three and
Groups One and Two respectively. Lydd is to make rendezvous, and if not re-
quired to complete Groups, to lie off Braye.
Troops will be brought off in three fights by waiting motor boats commencing at
0130 or earlier. Maximum speed of embarkation essential. Seven ocean tugs will
lie to seaward of minesweepers to take overflow but maximum loading of ships is
necessary to ensure complete evacuation. Group One is to return to Sheerness,
Groups Two and Three to Dover. Spare ship to Harwich. Acknowledge.
0400/31
Note: The above signal was amended later-see Appendix Q.18.
2. S.N.O. DUNKIRK to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
Every available ship will be required at Dunkirk during next 2 hours to evacuate
rest of Army.
0445/31
3. REAR-ADMIRAL, DOVER to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
Conditions on beach bad. On-shore wind. Whalers capsized.
0651/31
4. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to ADMIRAL [LANDRIAU], Savorgnan de Brazza
Request you will send in all your available destroyers and ships to Dunkirk and
to beaches at once.
0819/31
5. ADMIRAL [LANDRIAU] to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
C.-in-C. Dover from French Admiral, Pas de Calais:
This night and tomorrow I continue maximum effort. I request support of aviation
on Dunkirk tomorrow as today.
T.O.R. 2104/31
179