Details

Details

Details

Details

Details

Details

Details

Details

Details

Details

ARCHANGEL P/V
L.N.E.RY. Co.
27th May
0430ca
Left Dover for Dunkirk in company with
May
the P/V Biarritz, escorted by the
dr. Verity.
0520
About 6 miles E.N.E. of Calais, fired
on by shore batteries.
0623
Biarritz damaged, returned to Dover.
Verity and Archangel continued to
Dunkirk.
0845
Archangel reported to Verity that she
had insufficient fuel for the round
trip.
0856
Both ships returned to Dover.
0943
Arrived Dover.
Archangel, damaged by shell fire,
took no further part in Operation
Dynamo.
Nil
to
66

Details

BIARRITZ (P/V) Southern Railway Co. Capt. W.H.Baker, Master
27th May
0430ca
Left Dover for Dunkir:, escorted by the
dr. Verity, the P/V Archangel in
company.
0520
Six miles E.N.E. of Calais, shore
batteries opened fire.
Biarritz received about 4 hits, caus-
ing considerable damage in forward
boiler room and elsewhere.
Fireman A. Phillips mortally wounded.
Two other casualties.
0623
Biarritz ordered to turn back. She
headed for Dover, crossing a minefield
in order to get out of enemy gun
range.
0911
Arrived Dover. Assisted into harbour
by tugs.
30th May
0715
To Southampton for repairs.
Nil
Authority - TM. 6213/40.
R.O.III, p.ll2.
The following awards were made:
D.S.C.
Mr. J.L. Crockart, Engineer.
Mention in Despatches (posthumous)
Fireman A. Phillips.
Mention in Despatches.
Capt. W.H. Baker, Haster.
100

Details

FYLDEA
Oropesa trawler (Dover
M/S Command)
Lieut. R. Bill, R.N.
Asst. to Cdr. M/S Dover.
Lieut. J.K.N. Warde,
R.N.V.R., Unit Officer.
Skipper G. Whamond.
27th May
-
Mine-sinking duties, under orders of
the M/S Skipjack.
29th May
0430
Sailed from Ramsgate, in company the 5
Oropesa trs. Arley, Brock, Calvi,
John Cattling and Polly Johnson.
1330
Off Dunkirk harbour, Fyldea and Arley
were ordered inside to pull the P/V
Lochgarry away from the Western (1.e.
inner) side of the East pier.
1420
The other 4 trawlers entered the harbour
and all six of them (triple-banked)
occupied the Lochgarry's berth.
Ahead of the six trawlers was the dr.
Grenade, and outside the Grenade was
the dr. Jaguar. Astern of the
use
then
trawlers was the P/V Canterbury, and
astern of the Canterbury a French
destroyer.
On the eastern (or outer) side of the
east pier was the P/V Fenella, and
at about 1430, the Sp. S/V Crested
Eagle berthed astern of her.
Two French destroyers were on the
opposite side of the harbour.
1530
First air attack, by 6 or 7 bombers;
20/30 bombs dropped, mostly wide.
Polly Johnson damaged by a near miss.
One bomber shot down by fighters.
The six trawlers commenced embarking
troops.
1550ca
The Jaguar, full of trcops, left
harbour to escort the Lochgarry.
1630
Second air attack; 20/30 bombs dropped.
The Jaguar, off the harbour entrance
severely damaged by a near miss.
Raiders driven off by fighters.
The P/V Canterbury left harbour, and
a destroyer [the Verity] took her
Third berth. air attack, by waves of bombers;
1800
about 100 bombs dropped. The
Grenade and the Calvi hit; the
latter sank immediately, the former
shortly after. The east pier was hit
abreast of the Fenella, which was
so damaged that, after transferring
her troops to the Crested Eagle, she
had to be abandoned. [The Crested
Eagle swung clear and proceeded;
but she was hit almost at once,
caught fire and (she was a wooden
Verity slipped and turned ship in
ship) had to be beached. The
the channel. At this stage there
was the troops who began climbing of
an inclination to panic among out
one [cdr. J.C. Clouston,
ship into another. The R.N.] Piermast-
instructed er Lieut. Bill to draw his
revolver, and order was restored.
349

Details

FYLDEA (continued)
29 th May
1805
(contd.)
The Verity cleared the entrance and
1815ca
proceeded to Bray.
The wreck of the Grenade was now
drifting down on to the five trawlers;
the John Cattling was ordered to
attempt to pull her clear. [This
trawler remained in the harbour until
dark to assist the Piermaster].
The Polly Johnson and the Brock
picked up troops and survivors and
proceeded out of harbour; the Arley
was clear, and Lieut. Bill just
managed to jump aboard the Fyldea
as she was leaving the pier. These
4 trawlers then proceeded to the
beaches, where, however, there were
found to be adequate ships for the
troops available.
-
Near Nieuport Bank buoy, the Arley,
which had been standing by the
Polly Johnson, which was leaking
badly and whose engines were damaged
embarked her crew and troops and sank
her by gunfire.
1900ca
With Brock in company, the Fyldea
proceeded to the Jaguar, off Nieuport
Bank buoy; a destroyer the Express
was alongside her taking off her
troops. The Fyldea was ordered to
escort the Jaguar, which had no boats.
The Brock was ordered to proceed
independently.
1930ca
Fourth air attack; four dive bombers
attacked the Jaguar. A fifth bomber
attacked the Fyldea and dropped 6
bombs. The Fyldea took evasive
action; no damage. Jaguar was now
able to increase speed and was soon
out of sight.
-
Between T and S buoys, Fyldea overtook
Brock, who could only steam at half
speed. Fyldea embarked Brock's
survivors and troops, 3 of whom were
seriously wounded.
30th May
0300
Fyldea arrived at Dover. Disembarked
41 troops. (1) Lieut. Bill disem-
barked. The report of the Fyldea's
second trip is compiled from the
reports of the tr. Brock and the M/B'E
Britannia and Skylark'6].
31st May
1030
The M/B Britannia made fast to the
The Fyldea left Dover towing the M/B's
Fyldea at a buoy.
1355(2)
Britannia and Skylark 6, in company
the tr. Brock, towing 4 M/B's, all
bound for Dunkirk by Y route.
A8 Middel Kerke Bank buoy could not
be located, decided to return to R
buoy and proceed by X route.
logged and was abandoned].
[one of Brock's M/B's became water-
(1) D.R. This appears to be an underestimate.
(2) The Brock says it was 350 1410.

Details

2
GRENADE (contd.)
1630ca
29th (contd. May
(contd.)
harbour entrance, was
Fenella, east which was berthed on P/V
damaged by & near miss. severely The
and had to be abandoned; her
side of the east pier was the hit
troops were transferred to the
Crested Eagle.
1700ca
The dr. Verity berthed ahead of the
six trawlers, in a berth which
had just been vacated by the P/V
Canterbury.
1750ca
Attack by dive bombers. A near miss
blew a hole in Grenade's side.
The tr. Calvi, ahead of the
Grenade, was hit and sank.
The Grenade then received two hits
which put the engines out of action
and started a fire.
1800ca
The Verity left the harbour.
The Grenade, now on fire in the
boiler room, the upper mess deck
and the canteen flat, swung round
enabling many of her officers and
men to step on board the tr.
The Grenade was ordered to abandon ship
Polly Johnson.
1815ca
some of her survivors were picked
up board the tr. Fyldea.
by the tr. Brock, others
Boyle The jumped Grenade stepped on was into the now the awash, last water of and the and Cdr. was
Cdr. master,
-
Belgian Cdr. clear hauled and trawlers [the Boyle arranged J.C. John of on then tug the Cattling in Clouston board to fairway. with landed push the the R.N., on the Pier the Crested He the Grenade for harbour then pier, a was
they set to be
board very shortly on fire after (she
hit wooden and had
beached.].
Total 1,000.
Authority - R.O.I. p.68.
R.O.II, p.518.
R.O.VI, p.182.
Date
Lad

Details

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

Details

Drifter
PLAYMATES(1)
(3.66)
Employed to divert traffic from
LEEK
2420
magnetic mines off S. Foreland
30th May
(see Appx. J, signal J.14). 1th the
Dovonia and Brighton THE
Mach ship was then ordered by the
90999 of Thank to act independently.
0455
Plinlimson 100 for La Fance.
3188 usy
1225
Arrived off Let portine Anobored closs
in Eneaty consented shellings
Ordered by a 15.12 to vetch anshor.
TOOK in for a portially disabled u/
with 30 troops on board.
Bohsequently embarked these trops
and advised the M/B to proceed on
her one good engine.
1330
Ordered by Re fing officer in &
destroyers R.A. Dover, in the
Ketthl to proceed into Dunktrks
2425
Secured alongaide best pier,
immediately southward of 00 sunken
travior, (the Calvil.
Embarked troops alosly, ofter sending
officers along the pier to collect
Cast them. off and proceeded with about 900
1740
1755
pilot officer Verity (or Biggin Hill
troops on board.
Messerschmitt, was as the 68010 commity
Aerodrome) having just shot down #
himself shot down, and perachuted
into the see 300 yards aboad of the
Arrived Maymate, Disembarked 900
ship. The was houled on board.
2100
troops, (1)
participation in Operation Dynamo.
The degausaed, was deberred from further
Plinlimmon, not having been
The ship's company volunteered (4.7)
3rd June
0900
whose to crew were examuated.
entire take over the 2.8/8 oriole
returned to
4th June
1400ca
Total 900
Authority - R.O.I, ₽.333.
(1) cording report. to the Plintismon disembarked arror. 150 troops
unn & Wilson Ltd
-
Not mentioned in D.R. D.R's list of ships.
266

Details

P.M/S (7th M.S.F.)
PLINLIMMON (J.66)
Lt. G.P. Baker,
R.N.V.R.
1410
Arrived Harwich in company with the
30th May
P.M/S's Queen of Thanet, Westward-Ho,
Devonia and Brighton Queen.
Each ship was then ordered by the
Queen of Thanet to act independently.
0455
Plinlimmon left Harwich for La Panne.
31st May
1225
Arrived off La Panne. Anchored close
in. Enemy commenced shelling.
Ordered by a F.M/S to weigh anchor.
Took in tow a partially disabled M/B
with 30 troops on board.
Subsequently embarked these troops
and advised the M/B to proceed on
her one good engine.
1330
Ordered by "a flag officer in a
destroyer" [1.e. R.A. Dover, in the
Keith] to proceed into Dunkirk.
1415
Secured alongside east pier,
immediately southward of a sunken
trawler, [the Calvi].
Embarked troops slowly, after sending
officers along the pier to collect
Cast them. off and proceeded with about 900
1740
troops on board.
1755
Pilot officer Verity (of Biggin Hill
Aerodrome) having just shot down a
Messerschmitt, was at the same moment,
himself shot down, and parachuted
into the sea 300 yards ahead of the
Arrived Margate. Disembarked 900
ship. He was hauled on board.
2100
troops. (1)
participation in Operation Dynamo.
The degaussed, was debarred from further
Plinlimmon, not having been
3rd June
The ship's company volunteered (q.v.)
0900
entire take over the P.M/S Oriole
whose to crew were exhausted.
4th June
1400ca
The ship's company returned to
Plinlimmon. (2)
Total 900
Authority - R.O.I, p.333.
(1) (2) Margate According June.R. Plinlimmon disembarked 150 troops
Junn & Wilson Ll
-
This the is clearly an error.

Details

SABRE (continued)
29th May
1815ca
and a stoker from the dr. Grenade;
(contd.)
(contd.)
also some Frenchmen from a raft. Dive
bombed during these operations but
no damage.
-
Proceeded to Bray to land W/T set and
1900ca
telegraphists; requisitioned a small
M/L the Advance] for this purpose.
Continuous dive bombing attacks.
2000ca
The sl. Bideford and the dr. Saladin
seen to be hit; also 3 transports
[among them the Lorina and a trawler.
The Sabre was shaken by near misses.
2010
All ammunition expended. Destroyers
ordered to withdraw. Proceeded in
company with the drs. Verity and
Saladin which could only do 15 knots.
30th May
0515
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 1200 troops.
0830
Proceeded, with a borrowed whaler, to
170
Dunkirk.
1145
Secured to east pier, Dunkirk, and
embarked troops.
-
Grounded when leaving the pier; slight
damage.
1530
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 500 troops.
1615
To Dunkirk by route Z.
-
Sank a drifting mine.
-
Shadowed by a reconnaissance aircraft;
XR
near No. 6 Calais buoy came under fire
from shore batteries. Several hits
on bridge and upper works; one through
the Master gyro compass. A splinter
penetrated the deck and admitted water
to No. 2 Oil fuel tank. D.G. cable
pierced, magnetic compass useless. (1)
Returned to Dover.
2030
Arrived Dover for repairs.
31st May
2120
Repairs completed, sailed for Dunkirk.
1st June
0115
Off the eastern beach. Sent in the
ship's M/B and motor skiff. No
troops found so proceeded further
east.
Went alongside a drifter [probably the
-
Fair Breeze] which was stranded on a
submerged wreck, and trook off the
crew and troops.
0400ca
Off Bray, embarked troops by ship's
boats. Other destroyers were there,
including the Shikari.
0530ca
Meanwhile on orders from R.A. Dover
(in dr. Keith), went alongside a
tug [ the Vincia], took off her
troops and sent her to tow offthe M/S
Speedwell. (2)
(1) Sabre's compass remained unreliable throughout the remainder
(2) The of the operation. does not mention this. The Speedwell Kellett says does she
was Vincia towed off by the M/S Kellett, but the
not mention the incident either.
53

Details

11 & 12 VERITY
Movements may 22-25
22nd
1150 Escorted Canterbury & Maid of Orleans to Calais.
1418
Back at Dover
23rd
2140
To Calais with McNaughton and Canadian staff.
2255
Entered harbour; landed McN. in Gulzar.
Paris (h.s.) slipped and Verity took her place alongside,
24th
0137 McN. re-embarked. To Dunkirk along swept channel.
0247
Attacked by single a/c.
0327
Arrd. Dunkirk; alongside Quai Felix Faure. Quiet.
0500
McN. landed, said would be 2 hours.
0700
Tide falling, nothing from McN., so patrolled outside,
leaving motor boat inside.
0850 Heavy air attack. Another at 0943.
1035 McN. returned. Back to Dover.
1120 Shot down one float plane.
1206 Shelled by Calais shore battery.
1255
Arrd. Dover. Oiled & embarked military ammunition.
1914 Proceeded to salvage Wessex; reported sunk so returned.
1950
Went to assistance of Burza, damaged by bombs. Escorted
her in to Dover (2050).
2120
War Office ordered land military ammunition.
2127 VA Dover ordered embark 80 (actually 76) RM and ammunitia
2230
Somerville took passage.
2335 Proceeded to Calais.
25th
0050 Entered harbour; alongside Gare Maritime.
0105 Shelled by battery to westward - not hit.
0120 Shifted berth to Quai de Maree, ahead of Wolfhound.
Landed men & stores without casualties.
0215
Left for Dover; Somerville still on shore.
0415
Arrd. Dover.
270A

Details

VERITY (D.63) 19th Destroyer Flotilla Lt.Cdr. A.R.M.Black,
R.N.
Lieut. E.L.Jones, R.N.
27th May
0322
Ordered to escort the P/V's Biarritz
0342
and Archangel to Dunkirk.
Sailed from Dover.
0520
Shore batteries around Oye Church
0523
Lt. Cdr. Black seriously wounded, and
opened fire on Verity and convoy.
0530
there were 2 other casualties.
0538ca
Lt. Jones assumed command.
Convoy ordered to return to Dover, as
0600
Gravelines was approached.
0623
Biarritz damaged in the engine room.
Biarritz detached, to Dover. Verity
and Archangel continued on to
Dunkirk.
0748
Decided to use the northern route.
0845
Archangel reported insufficient fuel
for the round trip.
0856
Verity and Archangel returned to
Dover.
0943
Arrived Dover.
-
V. Adl. Sir J.F. Somerville K.C.B.,
D.S.O. addressed the ship's company.
28th May
1330
Sailed for Dunkirk, via the northern
route.
Off Dyck buoy, joined company with
the drs. Greyhound and Impulsive.
1705
Anchored off Bray; lowered boats to
embark troops. During the night,
occasional air attacks on ships at
anchor.
29th May
0148
Weighed and proceeded to Dover with
about 400 troops on board.
0602
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 400 troops
1415
Sailed from Dover for Dunkirk by Y
route. Had on board a medical
party for the beaches. (1)
1700ca
Passed Dunkirk harbour. Ordered by
S.N.O. Dunkirk to enter the harbour.
1720ca
Proceeded alongside the east pier,
ahead of the dr. Grenade and
trawlers [there were six trawlers -
see Fyldea].
1735ca
Heavy dive bombing attack on pier and
1745ca
One ships. trawler hit [i.e. the Calvi].
Grenade hit forward and commenced
sinking.
Verity continuously straddled for
35 minutes.
1800
Slipped and turned ship in channel.
On clearing the trawlers and
Grenade, Verity touched forward.
1805
Cleared Dunkirk harbour entrance and
proceeded to Bray.
1820
Off Bray, in company with the drs.
Sabre and Saladin, being bombed;
Saladin, ahead, was hit.
(1) D.R.
271

Details

VERITY - continued.
1840
29th May
A "paddle trooper" on fire, endeavouring
(contd.
to beach [i.e. the Crested Eagle].
Instructed her to stop and let Verity
get alongside and embark her
troops - but she could not stop.
1845
Embarked 20 B.E.F. and remained under
way in the channel.
1850
Dunkirk and Bray under heavy bombing.
Verity under constant bombing and
m.g. fire.
1910
Embarked 20 more B.E.F.
2010
Bombing eased. No embarkation boats
available; ship's whaler holed.
Verity proceeded towards Dunkirk.
Dunkirk again heavily bombed. Verity
followed Sabre out of Dunkirk roads
to Dover.
30th May
0130
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 104 troops.
Total 504
1
Authority - R.O.I, p.148.
The following awards were made:
D.S.C.
Lieut. E.L. Jones, R.N.
D.S.M.
Actg. L/Sea. F.J. Chivers.
Mention in Despatches.
Lt. Cdr. A.R.M. Black, R.N.
L/Sig. M.R. Dury.
272

Details

VERITY - continued.
1840
29th May
A "paddle trooper" on fire, endeavouring
(contd.)
to beach [i.e. the Crested Eagle].
Instructed her to stop and let Verity
get alongside and embark her
troops - but she could not stop.
1845
Embarked 20 B.E.F. and remained under
way in the channel.
1850
Dunkirk and Bray under heavy bombing.
Verity under constant bombing and
m.g. fire.
1910
Embarked 20 more B.E.F.
2010
Bombing eased. No embarkation boats
available; ship's whaler holed.
Verity proceeded towards Dunkirk.
Dunkirk again heavily bombed. Verity
followed Sabre out of Dunkirk roads
to Dover.
30th May
0130
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 104 troops.
Total 504
1
Authority - R.O.I, p.148.
The following awards were made:
D.S.C.
Lieut. E.L. Jones, R.N.
D.S.M.
Actg. L/Sea. F.J. Chivers.
Mention in Despatches.
Lt. Cdr. A.R.M. Black, R.N.
L/Sig. M.R. Dury.
272

Details

WINDSOR (L.94)
June
Destroyer (Nore Command) Dover. Lt. Cdr. P.D.H.R.Pelly
2300
25th May
Left Dover, dr.
0140
26th May
0300
Off It a raft. picked up 3
vessels to out Calais, cover the if soldiers ordered. to carry from R.N.
so craft was assisted decided back to Verity not Dover. to to evacuate escort Calais, small
0645
0745
Dive-bomb attack - no hits.
Anchored in Downs. Disembarked 3
Fervent. soldiers into a boat from the
Returned
1700
Retired to Dover.
27th May
0635
0904
Left Dover to patrol.
Closed Mona's Isle, full of soldiers;
she had been machine gunned.
Escorted her to Dover.
1515
Resumed patrol.
28th May
1145
Close to No.: buoy (near S. Goodwin
Light Vessel), attacked by 15
dive-bombers supported by 10
fighters.
No direct hits but extensive damage
by bomb splinters and m.g. bullets.
W/T out of action, 30 casualties.
1400
Secured alongside. Repairs put in
hand.
30th May
0930
Sailed from Dover for Dunkirk.
1330
Arrived off La Panne. Embarked troops
from small boats.
1530
R.A. Dover transferred his staff from
the M/S Hebe to the Windsor.
[1630
R.A. Dover landed at La Panne to visit
Lord Gort. Captain Tennant (S.N.O.
Dunkirk) was with Lord Gort, and
the situation was discussed. ](1)
1700
The R.A. Dover transferred to the dr.
2100ca
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 606 troops.
Worcester. The Windsor proceeded.
31st May
0200ca
0600ca
Arrived Dunkirk. Embarked troops.
Left Dover for Dunkirk.
1000ca
Arrived Proceeded. Dover. Disembarked 658 troops.
1200ca
1615
Arrived Left Dover Dunkirk for Dunkirk. harbour. Secured which
alongside the dr. Icarus was
alongside the
-
Arrived Embarked Dover. troops and troops
-
1st June
0545ca
Left Arrived Dover drs. for Dunkirk. Berthed Icarus out-
side and the the
2030
Sailed Embarked for Dover, troops. Icarus in company.
(1) R.A. Dover's report.
325

Details

6
7
WESTERN APPROACHES COMMAND-continued.
(LIVERPOOL AREA-continued.)
WESTERN APPROACHES COMMAND-continued.
(BELFAST AREA.)
BARROW.
HOLYHEAD.
BELFAST.
LARNE.
Base Ship-Clio.
Base Ship-Torch
Base Ship-Caroline.
Base Ship-Racer.
1st M A/S Boat Flotilla.
35th A/S Group (Trawlers).
M/S Trawlers.
[35] Paynter A
[28]
No.
(S.O.)
[28]
M
A/SB
No.
Holyhead.
M/S Drifters.
[35] Lord Hailsham AD
Larne.
[28] M A/SB No.
[6] Boy John S
-
Clyde.
[35] Victrix A D
-
[6] Eloquent S
-
Barrow.
[6] Rime S -
M/S Drifters.
M/S Trawlers.
[7] Gloamin S
-
Belfast.
[15] Tehana X
Liverpool.
[7] Harvest Reaper S-
Belfast.
Attached M/S Trawler.
[7] Jewel S - -
Belfast.
[35] Sir John Lister XD
Larne.
Harbour - Defence Patrol Craft.
Cysne II
-
-
Milford Haven. Repairs. Date
uncertain.
[9] Quest F - -
Barrow.
Verity -
f.o. Gosport.
Harbour Defence Patrol Craft.
M/S Trawlers.
[7] Duchess of Down
[7] May II F
-
-
[7] Reaper F
-
-
Belfast.
[7] Sceptre F
-
-
M/S Drifters.
[7] Surly F
-
-
CAMPBELTOWN.
A/S Base Ship-[28] Nimrod.
Rescue Tug.
S/S Englishman Campbeltown.

Details

The Honours and Awards Committee have carefully
considered the claims to recognition of Officers and Men
for good services in Operation DYNAMO, and submit the
following Appointment and Awards as appropriate:-
Distinguished Service Order
Acting Commander Francis Douglas-Watson, R.N.,
17.177
H.M.S. PANGBOURNE.
Distinguished Service Cross
Lieutenant Commander William George Boaks, R.N.
H.M.S. BASILISK.
Lieutenant Eric Lister Jones, R.N., H.M.S. VERITY
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
Leading Stoker Ronald Kenneth Robb, D/KX. 18359,
H.M.S. PANGBOURNE.
Distinguished Service Medal
Able Seaman Richard Mumford, J.97179, H.M.S. BASILISK
Able Seaman Herbert A. Alderson, J.108085, H.M.S. BASI
Able Seaman Frederick Joseph Chivers, P/J.78575, H.M.S
VERITY
Mention in Despatches
Commander Maxwell Richmond, O.B.E., R.N., H.M.S. BASIL
Able Seaman Horace Rawstron, R.N. 106622, H.M.S. BA
Ordinary Seaman Thomas W.H. Hancock, R.N.V.R., BD/X.17
VXV
H.M.S. BASILI
Lieutenant Commander Arthur Ronald Mawson Black, R.N.,
H.M.S. VERITY
Leading Signalman Martin Robert Dury, P/J64054,
H.M.S. VERITY
Leading Seaman Alfred Reid, D/J. 13129, H.M.S. PANGBOURN
Temporary Lieutenant Sydney Frederick Harmer-Elliott,
Vxv Chief Petty Officer William G. Thompson, C/J.4150,
R.N.V.R., H.M.S. WAVERLE
H.M.S. WAVERLEY.
Posthumous Mention in Despatches
Gunner (T) Ernest George Francis, R.N. (Retd. ), H.M.S.
VX Officer William George Hoare, P/J.80058, R.N., H.M.S. H.M.S.
Petty Warrant Engineer Harold James Tucker, BASILISK. WAKE
PANGBOURNE.
R.Gleadowe
for HEAD OF COMMISSION AND WARRANT BRANCH.
(R. GLEADOWE)
4th October, 1940.
H.M. The king has been Tripor to affore.
leased to approve mayber these awards.
CL:
Navul Societ amara Thealrare of25/10/40. 7/10 all Gazeltids pp 6227/8 otsup 14/10 tolder Gas
forcurs: 29/10/40

Details

SECRET.
OFFICE OF
FLAG OFFICER COMMANDING DOVER.
21st September, 1940.
No. A14/0/1397/40.
Sir,
With reference to Dover Despatch of 5th July, 1940,
No. A14/0/1015/40, be pleased to lay before Their Lordships the
accompanying additional lists of personnel recommended for
Decoration or Mention in Despatches for their services in
Operation "DYNAMO".
2.
The ships concerned are:-
H.M.S. "BASILISK".
H.M.S. "VERITY".
H.M.S. "WAKEFUL".
H.M.S. "GRACIE FIELDS".
H.M.S. "PANGBOURNE".
H.M.S. "WAVERLEY".
In the case of H.M.S. "WAKEFUL" the recommendation is for
one posthumous Mention, and is in addition to those previously
forwarded; in all other cases no recommendations had been sent
in previously as the requisite information was not available
when the original lists were sent in. I am very anxious that
the names mentioned should receive the awards recommended in order
that the services of all the ships that took part in the operations
should be properly and fairly recognised.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Signed) B. H. RAMSAY.
VICE ADMIRAL.
The Secretary of the Admiralty,
Whitehall,
LONDON, S.W.1.

Details

Page 3.
OPERATION "DYNAMO" - RECOMMENDATIONS OF PERSONNEL.
H.M. S. "VERITY" - Lieutenant Commander Arthur Ronald Mawson Black.
While escorting two transports from Dover to Dunkirk
on 27th May, H.M.S. "VERITY" and her convoy came under heavy
shell fire from several shore batteries near Calais. One
transport was hit and both then turned for home. "VERITY"
engaged the batteries and made smoke covering their
retirement which was successfully carried out, though not
without transports receiving further damage.
"VERITY" was
also hit, incurring several casualties including her
Commanding Officer seriously wounded.
On 28th and 29th May the ship completed two round trips
to Dunkirk, conveying 500 men.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
OFFICERS:
Lieutenant Commander Arthur Ronald Mawson Black, R.N.
Acted with great promptitude, coolness and determination
in covering the withdrawal of the two transports.
Although severely wounded he remained at his post on
the bridge of his ship until he lost consciousness.
M
Recommended for Mention.
Lieutenant Eric Lister Jones, R.N.
This officer, who was first Lieutenant of the ship
showed cool leadership and a fine example whilst under shell
fire for half an hour on 27th May.
DSC
He later took over command when Lieutenant Commander
Black was wounded and completed the successful withdrawal
of two transports.
He subsequently commanded the ship during two trips to
Dunkirk in evacuating troops.
DSC
orm.)
Recommended for Decoration.
RATINGS:
Able Seaman Frederick Joseph Chivers, O.N. P/J78575.
This man set an extremely good example under enemy fire
and as Lewis Gunner he was instrumental in shooting down
an enemy aircraft.
DSM
Recommended for Decoration.
Leading Signalman Martin Robert Dury. O.N. P/J64054.
Displayed fine leadership, cheerfulness and coolness
under enemy fire.
Recommended for Mention.

Details

Che
CONFIDENTIAL.
FROM
FLAG OFFICER COMMANDING DOVER.
DATE
5th SEPTEMBER, 1940.
No. B23/1346/40
TO
SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY.
ADMIRAL 6' SEP 1940
With reference to the London Gazette dated
27th August, 1940, it is requested that the following mistakes
in "Mentions in Despatches" may be corrected :-
some. Sup 57"
(a) Chief E.R.A., F.J. Hill, 35048
Name of ship should be "VERITY".
Sup 10hn going 26/9/40
(b) Chief P.O. Telegraphists E.J.W. Amos,
Done. See
Lazy
C/J.24627 and G.F.O. Bloyce, C.240081.
Name of ship should be "LYNX"; it is
p5711 Sup:
regretted that these men were shown
Lohn Gas 26/9/00
only as having been on the staff of the
Flag Officer Commanding Dover and that
their ship was not named.
2.
The men mentioned in (b) were shown in the Gazette as
belonging to H.M. Transport "MONA'S QUEEN" and there has been
a somewhat unfortunate repercussion in that it was apparently
assumed by the late Master of the ship that the Radio Officer
was the recipient of the mention.
I attach a letter
received from the Radio Officer and of my reply.
3.
I experienced great difficulty in obtaining any reports
or recommendations from Personnel Vessels generally and, with
particular reference to the "MONA'S QUEEN", I attach
correspondence with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co., Ltd., in
which I asked that the Master might furnish me with
information, but which request was refused by the Directors of
the Company.
4.
If Their Lordships should wish to make further
inquiries I should be glad to consider any recommendations
with reference to the excellent services which were
undoubtedly performed by that ship, and to submit names for
consideration.
B.A.Saury
VICE ADMIRAL.

Details

316
- 322
Processings by H.H.S. SABRE for the period 27th May to 5th June.
After the first raid "SABRE" left the Dier and on arrival outside
found some men struggling in the water. Having no Doats left it
was necess ry to place the ship alongside each Ran and hoist his
In with a bowling. The survivors XIXX included the Second Enginee
of the "Crested Eagle" and a stoker from "Granade", both badly
burned; also some Frenchmen from a raft. During this time "SABRE"
Was repeatedly attacked by dive bombers but sustained no damage.
Then proceeded off BRAY to land portable wireless
set, loudspenkers, etc, with the talegraphists LA charge of then.
Some time was spent in searching for & boat (SABRE having none),
and 8 small otor launch vis eventually headed off and pressed
into service. The live Dombing attacks were continuous and a
number of ships were seen to be hit including "Bideford" and
"Shladin", three transports and & trawler. "SABRE" kept
ing at high speed and thus escaped, though she was severaly
shaken by near alsses, and every B a on look was blackened with
011 fuel splashes. to 2010 (by which time all assunition was ex-
penied) destroyers were ordered to withdraw. Returned in company
with "Verity" and "Saladin" who could only do 15 knots.
it 0515/30 securet alongside at Dover and landed
troops. Then procested to eastern , un, embarked ammunition and
borrowed a whaler from "Saudhurst". Processed it 0830 and return-
91 to Dunkirk. Secured to last Pier at 1145 and embarked troops.
On shoving off it MAS found that the ship MAS aground, but by
moving troops formard she vis got off without dalay. Some damage
W 8 sustained by the propellers and as LLC tome. At 1530 secured
at Dover. it 1615 proceeded sgain route "2" on account of
low visibility. A irictine nine MAS signted and/ras sunk by M.G.
fire. The 108 gradually disporsed; "SABRE" was shadowed by a re-
connaissance aircraft, and just before reaching No. 6 calais
/Ducy

Details

322
328
- 9 -
Proceedings by H.M.S. SABRE for the period 27th My to 5th JuNe.
All the above came under By own personal observation.
My Engineer Officer also strongly recommends the following, and I
would suggest that theys be placed third and fourth respectively
in the order of merit:-
c/k 65982
S.P.O. Fletcher, who showed great resource in keeping
steam in the boilers under most difficult conditions. On one occasion
the main feed tank was left completely empty for & moment: he at
once switched over to the reserve feed tank thus averting a serious
breakdown;
/
c/kx 86537
Stoker Irvine, who showed great inintive initiative
and resource as an B.R. watchkeeper, continually nursing the
auxiliary machinery without having to be told that to do.
Where the whole ship's company worked so wall -
often till they dropped from sheer exhaustion - it is difficult to
differentiate. The above have, however, been selected as representative
of the whole; and, whatever awards may be made, it will be made clear
that ( as in the case of BY OWN decoration ) it is the ship which
is Deing decorated rather than the individual.
As regards other ships, it is again difficult to
differentiate; but I was struck by the rapidity and accuracy of
"Shikari's" shooting which appeared to silence the guns vast of
Dunkirk. "Verity" also and well in landing her medical unit under
continuous dive-bombine attacks.
D.Dean, londs.
Commanding officer.
THE WE ADMIRAL 1940 *
11 OVNR JUN

Details

124
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 5.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
126
125
Tuesday, 28th May (continued).
to S.N.O., Dunkirk by signal - timed 1555/28 - and provided
for the use of 3 Hospital Carriers, 7 personnel steamers and
2 destroyers at the East Pier, Dunkirk, while some 20
destroyers, 19 paddle and fleet sweepers, 17 drifters, 20 to
40 skoots, 5 coasters, 12 motor boats, 2 tugs, 28 pulling
cutters and life-boats were to be distributed between La
Panne and point 1½ miles East of Dunkirk, on the beaches; the
destroyers running continuous round trips.
It was estimated that the personnel vessels and hospital :o
carriers would be clear of the danger area by 0630. As
regards the beaching and other small craft which had not yet
reached the Dover Straits, arrangements were made with other
authorities to route all small craft, which had not already
been despatched, direct to the beaches East of Dunkirk,
provided they had charts, food, fuel, etc.
At this time some difficulty was experienced in having at
hand the large number of charts required for these additional
vessels.
17,
Owing to the suspension of daylight work by personne
vessels it was necessary to increase the number handled in
Dunkirk during the dark hours as the attempt to use the
surplus personnel vessels off the beaches by night seemed un-
likely to bear fruit. Accordingly, Dunkirk, was
asked whether personnel vessels could be berthed inside
Dunkirk harbour, the only information in Vice Admiral's
k.
possession having indicated that the East Pier of the harbour
entrance was the only suitable berth for such ships to which
British troops could have access. To increase the off-shore
forces, Commander-in-Chief, Nore, was asked to sail CALCUTTA
to be opposite La Panne at 2200 to embark troops using own
boats.
Orders were issued that all ships proceeding to Dunkirk
from Dover were to use the southern route Z provided that the
passage from No. 6 Calais Buoy to Dunkirk could be made in
darkness.
S
18.
At 1830 GRAFTON reported that several thousand
troops remained on beaches at Bray and that more were
arriving. At that time there were off Bray, one tow of
pulling boats, number uncertain, 2 power boats, at least
2 skoots, CALCUTTA, GALLANT, WAKEFUL, VERITY and GRAFTON,
using what survived of their own whalers and motor boats.
This force was reinforced by 2 minesweepers at 2115. Later
reports of concentrations of troops on the beaches were
received, particularly at La Panne and Bray. Craft approach-
ing the coast were directed accordingly. Naval Officer-in-
Charge, Ramsgate, was requested to maintain a continuous
evacuation service by skoots between Margate and Ramsgate and
the beach, and take over responsibility for servicing those
vessels. Meantime CALCUTTA, who was off La Panne, reported
that conditions for embarkation there were very bad owing to
heavy surf, but that they might improve with the rising tide.
Shortly after midnight CALCUTTA was informed that the
third corps of the B.E.F. and the Commander-in-Chief were all
now at La Panne. She was directed to make every endeavour to
concentrate all destroyers and light craft at that end of the
beach/

Details

127
126
128
CONFIDENTIAL..
Page 7.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
29/
Wednesday, 29th May (continued)
well as from Dunkirk harbour, both from the aspect of the
military situation and from the fact that Dunkirk was limited
by a bottle-neck, formed by the narrow gangway along the East
Pier to the points of embarkation. Furthermore, there was
every prospect of the weather improving and the surf reducing
as the tide rose. Nevertheless, an increased number of
H.M. ships was ordered to Dunkirk to augment the personnel
vessels, though it was feared that an accumulation of ships
alongside the East Pier at Dunkirk by day might well invite
intensive air attack,
Subsequently, this fear was fully to be justified.
25. Meantime, considerable anxiety was felt as to the
fate of the personnel vessels which had been despatched in a
steady stream to Dunkirk commencing the previous evening. The
first of these was due back at Dover about 0300, but by 0900
nothing had been sighted or reported. But at 0700, O.,
Dunkirk, had reported that the embarkation there was going on
at the rate of 2000 an hour, so it was presumed that the
transports had failed to enter the harbour during darkness,
had waited outside, and had commenced to enter in succession
at dawn. The necessity for continuous fighter protection in
view of the exposure of these unarmed ships while at Dunkirk
and during the dayligh passage through coastal waters, was
obvious, Constant touch was maintained with R.A.F. Commands
to obtain continuous fighter protection during the hours when
the Vice Admiral, Dover, estimated the largest concentration
of vessels would be present, it being realised that the R.A.F.
3
resources were not sufficient to provide continuous air cover, ed
and to dispense with full cover at less important periods.
26. At 0930 the belated return of the personnel vessels
from Dunkirk commenced, and proceeded steadily through the
day. In addition to the personnel vessels using Dunkirk the
Admiralty were informed of the necessity for X-lighters and
other self-propelled lighters to increase the facilities for
beach evacuation. A Medical Party was shipped in VERITY for
use on the beaches, and a Naval Medical Party was sent to
Dunkirk.
27. The considerable alarm as to the immediate safety
of the B.E.F. felt during the evening and early night of the
k
28th, which caused all available resources to be immediately
concentrated on the French Coast, eased during the 29th. But
e
emergency measures taken late on the 28th had an adverse
effect on the orderly organisation for evacuation so necessary
le
if effective measures were to be devised and put in force.
28. Meantime, in the early hours of the 29th, an un-
fortunate disaster occurred involving the loss or H.M.
destroyers WAKEFUL and GRAFTON, and the danlayer COMFORT.
WAKEFUL, after embarking troops at Bray, sailed for Dover at
2300/28 by the Zuydecoote Pass and North Channel. Approaching
the Kwinte Whistle Buo the speed of the ships was 20 knots,
and a zigzag of 40 degrees every 4 minutes was started. At
0045 two torpedo tracks were observed, one torpedo missed, the
other hit ship smidships. WAKEFUL broke in half and the two
portions sank in 15 secends, each remaining standing midship/ with the

Details

131
1?9
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 9, 130
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
128
7/5
Wednesday, 29th May (continued).
route provided the passage between Calais Bell Buoy and
Dunkirk be made in darkness.
Route X passed some 26 miles to the South-westward of the
extreme N.E. point of the Northern Route Y, the locality in
which enemy M.T.B. attack threatened, and was shielded by the
French minefields in the Ruytingen and Dyck channels. It
appears that the enemy M.T.B. command failed to appreciate the
withdrawal of traffic to the S.W. and did not follow up.
In the evening it was reported that there was no congestion
anywhere on the coast, except at La Panne. The force at La
Panne was accordingly reinforced as ships became available.
30. An additional beach party of 7 officers and a number
of ratings under Captain J. Howson was sailed in SABRE at
1600 for Dunkirk, and Captain E. Bush, who had already visited
Dunkirk and was aware of the general conditions, was sent to
HEBE as S.N.O. afloat off the beaches. An M.T.B. was placed at
the disposal of the S.N.O. on the coast.
31. At about 1600 a heavy air attack commenced on the
East Mole Pier, Dunkirk harbour, mainly by dive bombing,
which lasted continuously for more than 2 hours. At the same
time, other air attacks took place on ships lying off Bray.
Attacks were renewed from time to time up till after 2000,
not only on Dunkirk, but on ships off Bray, in the Zuydecoote
Pass and those in the Southern end of x Route. These attacks
were to have a disastrous result on the evacuation arrangements
at Dunkirk. There were present alongside the inner side of
the Eastern Arm 2 destroyers GRENADE and JAGUAR, 3 Trawlers
ahead of the GRENADE and JAGUAR, 3 more trawlers ahead of them
with the CANTERBURY in the next berth, and a French destroyer
ahead of the CANTERBURY. Outside the harbour on the outside of
the Eastern Arm the Transport FENELLA was berthed opposite the
GRENADE and JAGUAR and the CRESTED EAGLE opposite the 6 trawlers.
In addition, the MALCOLM and VERITY were also in the harbour
but further inside. This presented a very good target and the
ships were soon hit and embarkation of troops ceased for the
time being. CANTERBURY, accompanied by JAGUAR, succeeded in
leaving harbour, but both were hit by bombs and damaged. Both
succeeded in reaching Dover, though JAGUAR had to be towed
part of the way and was subjected to many attacks on passage.
CANTERBURY reached harbour at 2115 and disembarked 1950 troops
but was sufficiently damaged to prevent her being used again
in these operations. To return to Dunkirk - FENELLA was lying
alongside on the outside of the pier, and was hit and sunk.
GRENADE and one of the trawlers on the East side were hit and
the trawler sank in the fairway. GRENADE sinking and on fire
had to be abandoned and appeared to be about to sink in the
fairway. A trawler was detailed to tow her clear. VERITY,
who witnessed this occurrence was continuously straddled by
bombs for 35 minutes. Passage all along the pier having
ceased, she cast off, and skirting the burning GRENADE and
trawler, proceeded out of harbour, grounding slightly on a
sunk drifter in the entrance. At about 1800 KING ORRY arrived
to find the harbour occupied only by burning and sinking ships, was
with no sign of any one on the pier nor any boat moving in thantly
harbour
uld
little
36

Details

131
129
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 10.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
29/5
Wednesday, 29th May (continued).
harbour. She was immediately subjected to heavy bombing
attacks, having previously had her steering gear put out of
action by a dive bombing attack when about mile outside of
the entrance. She remained in sole occupation of the harbour
until shortly after midnight 29th/30th, when her Captain
rightly decided to take the ship out of harbour before she
also was sunk, thus freeing the berth and safeguarding the
channel from being blocked.
Little information of these disasters filtered through to
Dover, except that it was known that Dunkirk was under heavy
air bombardment, and that the destroyers there were being hit
soon after 1600.
32.
At 1.906 the Vice Admiral promulgated the plan for the
night by signal as follows: "Evacuation of British troops to
continue at maximum speed during the night. If adequate
supply of personnel vessels cannot be maintained to Dunkirk
East Pier, destroyers will be sent there as well. All other
craft except hospital carriers to embark from beach which is
extended from one mile East of Dunkirk to one mile East of
La Panne. Whole length is divided into three equal parts
referred to as LA PANNE, BRAY, MALO, from East to West with a
mile gap between each part. LA PANNE and BRAY have troop
concentration points each end and in Middle, MALO at each end.
These points should be tended by inshore craft. Pass the
message by V/S to ships not equipped W/T as opportunity offers".
33,
About 1900 a telephone message was received from
La Panne Military Headquarters through the War Office and the
Admiralty to the effect that Dunkirk harbour was blocked
by damaged ships, and that all evacuation must therefore be
effected from the beaches.
About the same time a corrupt message from S.N.O., ,Dunkirk,
was received stating continuous bombing, one destroyer sinking,
one transport with troops on board damaged and impossible at
present to embark more troops, though pier undamaged.
34. In this confused situation the Vice Admiral, Dover,
at 2128, ordered all ships approaching Dunkirk not to close the
harbour, but instead to remain off the Eastern beach to collect
troops from the shore, and the drifters and minesweepers which
were about to be despatched to Dunkirk harbour were also
diverted to the beaches.
It appeared, therefore, at this time that the use of
Dunkirk harbour would be denied to us except possibly to the
small ships.
Signals addressed to S.N.O., Dunkirk, HEBE, VERITY, who
were known to be in the vicinity of Dunkirk, were sent require-
ing information as to the accessibility of the Eastern pier for
personnel vessels. Admiral Nord was also informed that Dover
was out of touch with Captain Tennant, and asked whether it was
still possible for transports to enter harbour and berth alongside.
No reply to these enquiries could be expected until after midnight.
35, In the event only 4 trawlers and a yacht entered
Dunkirk during the hours of darkness, and as enemy activity was
much reduced only two bombing attacks being made, it subsequently
transpired that a good opportunity had been missed, It is
probable that ships to lift some 8000 to 10, 000 troops could
have been made available for Dunkirk during the night at little
loss to embarkation from the beaches.
36,

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132
130
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 11.
Operation "DYNAMO"
-
Narrative of Events.
29/5
Wednesday, 29th May(continued).
36. Rear Admiral Wake-Walker proceeded from Dover in ESK
at about 1900 for passage to HEBE off the coast where he was
to carry out the duties of S.N.O., Dunkirk in charge of all
embarkation arrangements, taking over from Captain Bush who
had been working in HEBE under the orders of S.N.O., Dunkirk.
He expected to arrive at Dunkirk at 2330.
37. As a result of the heavy casualties and losses amongst
the destroyer force, particularly the misfortunes which befell
those of the larger and more modern types, a consultation was
held between the Admiralty and the Vice Admiral which led to a
decision to withdraw destroyers of the 'H', 'I' and 'J' classes
from DYNAMO. All destroyers of the 'G' class were already
out of action.
There remained available for DYNAMO 15 destroyers:-
ESK
MALCOLM
VERITY
EXPRESS
WHITEHALL
VANQUISHER
ANTHONY
WINCHELSEA
SABRE
KEITH
WORCESTER
SCIMITAR
CODRINGTON
WINDSOR
SHIKARI
Excluding any casualties, this number of destroyers might be
expected to maintain a flow of one destroyer per hour to the
coast and would lift 17,000 troops in 24 hours.
38. The day closed with a formidable list of ships lost
or damaged, a marked reduction in the number of destroyers
available and with failure to achieve the high rate of
evacuation hoped for. Some 38,000 were landed in England
during the 24 hours, but the effect of the day's occurrences
was to be more marked next day when instead of some 50,000 to
60,000 which had been calculated as the probable achievement
only 48,000 odd were in fact transported.
39.
Casualties to H.M. Ships - 29th May.
Destroyer WAKEFUL torpedoed and sunk by M.T.B. off
Kwinte Whistle buoy.
Destroyer GRAFTON torpedoed and sunk by M.T.B. off
Kwinte Whistle buoy.
Special Service Vessel CRESTED EAGLE, whilst off the
beaches at Dunkirk, was bombed and set on fire. Ship was
beached and gutted.
Personnel Vessel NORMANIA attacked by enemy aircraft
and sunk.
Personnel Vessel LORINIA attacked off Dunkirk by enemy
aircraft and sunk.
Personnel

Details

APPENDIX I.
160
to
Operation "DYNAMO"
Narrative of Events.
162
-
LIST OF H.M. SHIPS, PERSONNEL SHIPS AND HOSPITAL CARRIERS
TAKING. PART.
A.A. CRUISER:
CALCUTTA
DESTROYERS:
ANTHONY
HARVESTER
MALCOLM
VIVACIOUS
BASILISK
HAVANT
MONTROSE
WAKEFUL
BLYSKAWICA
ICARUS
SABRE
WHITEHALL
CODRINGTON
IMPULSIVE
SALADIN
WHITSHED
ESK
INTREPID
SCIMITAR
WINCHELSEA
EXPRESS
IVANHOE
SHIKARI
WINDSOR
GALLANT
JAGUAR
VENOMOUS
WOLFHOUND
GRAFTON
JAVELIN
VANQUISHER
WOLSEY
GRENADE
KEITH
VERITY
WORCESTER
GREYHOUND
MACKAY
VIMY
(40)
SLOOPS:
BIDEFORD
GUNBOATS:
LOCUST
MOSQUITO
UNESWEEPERS:
ALBURY
HEBE
QUEEN OF THANET
BRIGHTON QUEEN
HALCYON
ROSS
BRIGHTON BELLE
KELLETT
SALAMANDER
DEVONIA
LEDA
SALTASH
DUNDALK
LYDD
SKIPJACK
DUCHESS OF FIFE
MARMION
SANDOWN
EMPEROR OF INDIA
MEDWAY QUEEN
SNAEFELL
EL
FITZROY
NIGER
SPEEDWELL
GLENAVON
ORIOLE
SUTTON
GLENGO
PANGBOURNE
SHARPSHOOTER
GOSSAMER
PLYNLIMMON
WAVERLEY
GRACIE FIELDS
PRINCESS ELIZABETH WESTWARD HO
A/S VESSELS:
ARLEY
COMFORT
MARETTA
BOTANIC
CONIDAW
NAUTILUS
BROCK
FYLDEA
POLLY JOHNSON
CALVI
GULZAR
SANGASSO
CHICO
JOHN CATLING
STARLIGHT RAYS
re
SPECIAL SERVICE CRESTED EAGLE
GOLDEN EAGLE
ROYAL EAGLE
ESSELS:
"LL" TRAWLERS: INVERFORTH LORD INCHCAPE OUR BAIRNS THOMAS BARTLETT
it
A/S TRAWLERS:
ARGYLLSHIRE
KINGSTON ANDALUSITE STELLA DORADO
ore
BLACKBURN ROVERS
KINGSTON OLIVINE
THURINGIA
CAYTON WYKE
LADY PHILOMENA
WESTELLA
an
GRIMSBY TOWN
SAON
WOLVES
ue
KINGSTON ALALITE
SPURS
OLVINA
all
INE RECOVERY
FIDGET
JACKETA
SILVER DAWN
RIFTERS:
FISHER BOY
LORD CAVAN

Details

Details

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 5.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
Tuesday, 28th May (continued).
to S.N.O., Dunkirk by signal - timed 1555/28 - and provided
for the use of 3 Hospital Carriers, 7 personnel steamers and
2 destroyers at the East Pier, Dunkirk, while some 20
destroyers, 19 paddle and fleet sweepers, 17 drifters, 20 to
40 skoots, 5 coasters, 12 motor boats, 2 tugs, 28 pulling
cutters and life-boats were to be distributed between La
Panne and point 1½ miles East of Dunkirk, on the beaches; the
destroyers running continuous round trips.
It was estimated that the personnel vessels and hospital
carriers would be clear of the danger area by 0630. As
regards the beaching and other small craft which had not yet
reached the Dover Straits, arrangements were made with other
authorities to route all small craft, which had not already
been despatched, direct to the beaches East of Dunkirk,
provided they had charts, food, fuel, etc.
At this time some difficulty was experienced in having at
hand the large number of charts required for these additional
vessels.
17, Owing to the suspension of daylight work by personnel
vessels it was necessary to increase the number handled in
Dunkirk during the dark hours as the attempt to use the
surplus personnel vessels off the beaches by night seemed un-
likely to bear fruit. Accordingly, S.N.O., Dunkirk, was
asked whether personnel vessels could be berthed inside
Dunkirk harbour, the only information in Vice Admiral's
possession having indicated that the East Pier of the harbour
entrance was the only suitable berth for such ships to which
British troops could have access. To increase the off-shore
forces, Commander-in-Chief, Nore, was asked to sail CALCUTTA
to be opposite La Panne at 2200 to embark troops using own
boats.
Orders were issued that all ships proceeding to Dunkirk
from Dover were to use the southern route Z provided that the
passage from No. 6 Calais Buoy to Dunkirk could be made in
darkness.
18. At 1830 GRAFTON reported that several thousand
troops remained on beaches at Bray and that more were
arriving. At that time there were off Bray, one tow of
pulling boats, number uncertain, 2 power boats, at least
2 skoots, CALCUTTA, GALLANT, WAKEFUL, VERITY and GRAFTON,
using what survived of their own whalers and motor boats.
This force was reinforced by 2 minesweepers at 2115. Later
reports of concentrations of troops on the beaches were
received, particularly at La Panne and Bray. Craft approach-
ing the coast were directed accordingly. Naval Officer-in-
Charge, Ramsgate, was requested to maintain a continuous
evacuation service by skoots between Margate and Ramsgate and
the beach, and take over responsibility for servicing those
vessels. Meantime CALCUTTA, who was off La Panne, reported
that conditions for embarkation there were very bad owing to
heavy surf, but that they might improve with the rising tide.
Shortly after midnight CALCUTTA was informed that the
third corps of the B.E.F. and the Commander-in-Chief were all
now at La Panne. She was directed to make every endeavour to
concentrate all destroyers and light craft at that end of the
beach/

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 7.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events,
Wednesday, 29th May (continued)
well as from Dunkirk harbour, both from the aspect of the
military situation and from the fact that Dunkirk was limited
by a bottle-neck, formed by the narrow gangway along the East
Pier to the points of embarkation. Furthermore, there was
every prospect of the weather improving and the surf reducing
as the tide rose. Nevertheless, an increased number of
H.M. ships was ordered to Dunkirk to augment the personnel
vessels, though it was feared that an accumulation of ships
alongside the East Pier at Dunkirk by day might well invite
intensive air attack,
Subsequently, this fear was fully to be justified.
25. Meantime, considerable anxiety was felt as to the
fate of the personnel vessels which had been despatched in a
steady stream to Dunkirk commencing the previous evening. The
first of these was due back at Dover about 0300, but by 0900
nothing had been sighted or reported. But at 0700, S.N.O.,
Dunkirk, had reported that the embarkation there was going on
at the rate of 2000 an hour, so it was presumed that the
transports had failed to enter the harbour during darkness,
had waited outside, and had commenced to enter in succession
at dawn. The necessity for continuous fighter protection in
view of the exposure of these unarmed ships while at Dunkirk
and during the daylight passage through coastal waters, was
obvious. Constant touch was maintained with R.A.F. Commands
to obtain continuous fighter protection during the hours when
the Vice Admiral, Dover, estimated the largest concentration
of vessels would be present, it being realised that the R.A.F.
resources were not sufficient to provide continuous air cover,
and to dispense with full cover at less important periods.
26.
At 0930 the belated return of the personnel vessels
from Dunkirk commenced, and proceeded steadily through the
day. In addition to the personnel vessels using Dunkirk the
Admiralty were informed of the necessity for X-lighters and
other self-propelled lighters to increase the facilities for
beach evacuation. A Medical Party was shipped in VERITY for
use on the beaches, and a Naval Medical Party was sent to
Dunkirk.
27. The considerable alarm as to the immediate safety
of the B.E.F. felt during the evening and early night of the
28th, which caused all available resources to be immediately
concentrated on the French Coast, eased during the 29th. But
emergency measures taken late on the 28th had an adverse
effect on the orderly organisation for evacuation so necessary
if effective measures were to be devised and put in force.
28. Meantime, in the early hours of' the 29th, an un-
fortunate disaster occurred involving the loss of H.M.
destroyers WAKEFUL and GRAFTON, and the danlayer COMFORT.
WAKEFUL, after embarking troops at Bray, sailed for Dover at
2300/28 by the Zuydecoote Pass and North Channel. Approaching
the Kwinte Whistle Buoy the speed of the ships was 20 knots,
and a zigzag of 40 deg es every 4 minutes was started. At
0045 two torpedo tracks were observed, one torpedo missed, the
other hit ship amidships. WAKEFUL broke in half and the two
portions sank in 15 seconds, each remaining standing with the
midship/

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 9.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
Wednesday, 29th May (continued).
route provided the passage between Calais Bell Buoy and
Dunkirk be made in darkness.
Route X passed some 26 miles to the South-westward of the
extreme N.E. point of the Northern Route Y, the locality in
which enemy M.T.B. attack threatened, and was shielded by the
French minefields in the Ruytingen and Dyck channels. It
appears that the enemy M.T.B. command failed to appreciate the
withdrawal of traffic to the S.W. and did not follow up.
In the evening it was reported that there was no congestion
anywhere on the coast, except at La Panne. The force at La
Panne was accordingly reinforced as ships became available.
30. An additional beach party of 7 officers and a number
of ratings under Captain J. Howson was sailed in SABRE at
1600 for Dunkirk, and Captain E. Bush, who had already visited
Dunkirk and was aware of the general conditions, was sent to
HEBE as S.N.O. afloat off the beaches. An M.T.B. was placed at
the disposal of the S.N.O. on the coast.
31. At about 1600 a heavy air attack commenced on the
East Mole Pier, Dunkirk harbour, mainly by dive bombing,
which lasted continuously for more than 2 hours. At the same
time, other air attacks took place on ships lying off Bray,
Attacks were renewed from time to time up till after 2000,
nt only on Dunkirk, but on ships off Bray, in the Zuydecoote
Pass and those in the Southern end or X Route. These attacks
vere to have a disastrous result on the evacuation arrangements
at Dunkirk. There were present alongside the inner side of
the Eastern Arm 2 destroyers GRENADE and JAGUAR, 3 Trawlers
head of the GRENADE and JAGUAR, 3 more trawlers ahead of them
vith the CANTERBURY in the next berth, and a French destroyer
head of the CANTERBURY. Outside the harbour on the outside of
;he Eastern Arm the Transport FENELLA was berthed opposite the
RENADE and JAGUAR and the CRESTED EAGLE opposite the 6 trawlers.
in addition, the MALCOLM and VERITY were also in the harbour
ut further inside. This presented a very good target and the
hips were soon hit and embarkation of troops ceased for the
ime being. CANTERBURY, accompanied by JAGUAR, succeeded in
eaving harbour, but both were hit by bombs and damaged. Both
succeeded in reaching Dover, though JAGUAR had to be towed
art of the way and was subjected to many attacks on passage.
ANTERBURY reached harbour at 2115 and disembarked 1950 troops
ut was sufficiently damaged to prevent her being used again
n these operations. To return to Dunkirk - FENELLA was lying
longside on the outside of the pier, and was hit and sunk.
RENADE and one of the trawlers on the East side were hit and
he trawler sank in the fairway. GRENADE sinking and on fire
ad to be abandoned and appeared to be about to sink in the
airway. A trawler was detailed to tow her clear. VERITY,
no witnessed this occurrence was continuously straddled by
ombs for 35 minutes. Passage all along the pier having
eased, she cast off, and skirting the burning GRENADE and
rawler, proceeded out of harbour, grounding slightly on a
ink drifter in the entrance. At about 1800 KING ORRY arrived
o find the harbour occupied only by burning and sinking ships,
th no sign of any one on the pier nor any boat moving in the
harbour/

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 10.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
Wednesday, 29th May (continued).
harbour. She was immediately subjected to heavy bombing
attacks, having previously had her steering gear put out of
action by a dive bombing attack when about - mile outside of
the entrance. She remained in sole occupation of the harbour
until shortly after midnight 29th/30th, when her Captain
rightly decided to take the ship out of harbour before she
also was sunk, thus freeing the berth and safeguarding the
channel from being blocked.
Little information of these disasters filtered through to
Dover, except that it was known that Dunkirk was under heavy
air bombardment, and that the destroyers there were being hit
soon after 1600.
32. At 1906 the Vice Admiral promulgated the plan for the
night by signal as follows: "Evacuation of British troops to
continue at maximum speed during the night. If adequate
supply of personnel vessels cannot be maintained to Dunkirk
East Pier, destroyers will be sent there as well. All other
craft except hospital carriers to embark from beach which is
extended from one mile East of Dunkirk to one mile East of
La Panne. Whole length is divided into three equal parts
referred to as LA PANNE, BRAY, MALO, from East to West with a
mile gap between each part. LA PANNE and BRAY have troop
concentration points each end and in Middle, MALO at each end.
These points should be tended by inshore craft. Pass the
message by V/S to ships not equipped W/T as opportunity offers".
33. About 1900 a telephone message was received from
La Panne Military Headquarters through the War Office and the
Admiralty to the effect that Dunkirk harbour was blocked
by damaged ships, and that all evacuation must therefore be
effected from the beaches.
About the same time a corrupt message from S.N.O., Dunkirk,
was received stating continuous bombing, one destroyer sinking,
one transport with troops on board damaged and impossible at
present to embark more troops, though pier undamaged.
34. In this confused situation the Vice Admiral, Dover,
at 2128, ordered all ships approaching Dunkirk not to close the
harbour, but instead to remain off the Eastern beach to collect
troops from the shore, and the drifters and minesweepers which
were about to be despatched to Dunkirk harbour were also
diverted to the beaches.
It appeared, therefore, at this time that the use of
Dunkirk harbour would be denied to us except possibly to the
small ships.
Signals addressed to S.N.O., Dunkirk, HEBE, VERITY, who
were known to be in the vicinity of Dunkirk, were sent require-
ing information as to the accessibility of the Eastern pier for
personnel vessels. Admiral Nord was also informed that Dover
was out of touch with Captain Tennant, and asked whether it was
still possible for transports to enter harbour and berth alongside.
No reply to these enquiries could be expected until after midnight.
35.
In the event only 4 trawlers and a yacht entered
Dunkirk during the hours of darkness, and as enemy activity was
much reduced only two bombing attacks being made, it subsequently
transpired that a good opportunity had been missed. It is
probable that ships to lift some 8000 to 10, 000 troops could
have been made available for Dunkirk during the night at little
loss to embarkation from the beaches.
36/

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 11.
Operation "DYNAMO"
-
Narrative of Events.
Wednesday, 29th May(continued).
36. Rear Admiral Wake-Walker proceeded from Dover in ESK
at about 1900 for passage to HEBE off the coast where he was
to carry out the duties of S.N.O., Dunkirk in charge of all
embarkation arrangements, taking over from Captain Bush who
had been working in HEBE under the orders of S.N.O., Dunkirk.
He expected to arrive at Dunkirk at 2330.
37. As a result of the heavy casualties and losses amongst
the destroyer force, particularly the misfortunes which befell
those of the larger and more modern types, a consultation was
held between the Admiralty and the Vice Admiral which led to a
decision to withdraw destroyers of the 'H', 'I' and 'J' classes
from DYNAMO. All destroyers of the 'G' class were already
out of action.
There remained available for DYNAMO 15 destroyers:-
ESK
MALCOLM
VERITY
EXPRESS
WHITEHALL
VANQUISHER
ANTHONY
WINCHELSEA
SABRE
KEITH
WORCESTER
SCIMITAR
CODRINGTON
WINDSOR
SHIKARI
Excluding any casualties, this number of destroyers might be
expected to maintain a flow of one destroyer per hour to the
coast and would lift 17,000 troops in 24 hours.
38. The day closed with a formidable list of ships lost
or damaged, a marked reduction in the number of destroyers
available and with failure to achieve the high rate of
evacuation hoped for. Some 38,000 were landed in England
during the 24 hours, but the effect of the day's occurrences
was to be more marked next day when instead of some 50,000 to
60,000 which had been calculated as the probable achievement
only 48,000 odd were in fact transported.
39.
Casualties to H.M. Ships - 29th May.
Destroyer WAKEFUL torpedoed and sunk by M.T.B. off
Kwinte Whistle buoy.
Destroyer GRAFTON torpedoed and sunk by M.T.B. off
Kwinte Whistle buoy.
Special Service Vessel CRESTED EAGLE, whilst off the
beaches at Dunkirk, was bombed and set on fire. Ship was
beached and gutted.
Personnel Vessel NORMANIA attacked by enemy aircraft
and sunk.
Personnel Vessel LORINIA attacked off Dunkirk by enemy
aircraft and sunk.
Personnel

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 11.
Operation "DYNAMO"
-
Narrative of Events.
Wednesday, 29th May(continued).
36. Rear Admiral Wake-Walker proceeded from Dover in ESK
at about 1900 for passage to HEBE off the coast where he was
to carry out the duties of S.N.O., Dunkirk in charge of all
embarkation arrangements, taking over from Captain Bush who
had been working in HEBE under the orders of S.N.O., Dunkirk.
He expected to arrive at Dunkirk at 2330.
37. As a result of the heavy casualties and losses amongst
the destroyer force, particularly the misfortunes which befell
those of the larger and more modern types, a consultation was
held between the Admiralty and the Vice Admiral which led to a
decision to withdraw destroyers of the 'H', 'I' and 'J' classes
from DYNAMO. All destroyers of the 'G' class were already
out of action.
There remained available for DYNAMO 15 destroyers:-
ESK
MALCOLM
VERITY
EXPRESS
WHITEHALL
VANQUISHER
ANTHONY
WINCHELSEA
SABRE
KEITH
WORCESTER
SCIMITAR
CODRINGTON
WINDSOR
SHIKARI
Excluding any casualties, this number of destroyers might be
expected to maintain a flow of one destroyer per hour to the
coast and would lift 17,000 troops in 24 hours.
38. The day closed with a formidable list of ships lost
or damaged, a marked reduction in the number of destroyers
available and with failure to achieve the high rate of
evacuation hoped for. Some 38,000 were landed in England
during the 24 hours, but the effect of the day's occurrences
was to be more marked next day when instead of some 50,000 to
60,000 which had been calculated as the probable achievement
only 48,000 odd were in fact transported.
39.
Casualties to H.M. Ships - 29th May.
Destroyer WAKEFUL torpedoed and sunk by M.T.B. off
Kwinte Whistle buoy.
Destroyer GRAFTON torpedoed and sunk by M.T.B. off
Kwinte Whistle buoy.
Special Service Vessel CRESTED EAGLE, whilst off the
beaches at Dunkirk, was bombed and set on fire. Ship was
beached and gutted.
Personnel Vessel NORMANIA attacked by enemy aircraft
and sunk.
Personnel Vessel LORINIA attacked off Dunkirk by enemy
aircraft and sunk.
Personnel

Details

APPENDIX I.
to
Operation "DYNAMO"
-
Narrative of Events.
LIST OF H.M. SHIPS, PERSONNEL SHIPS AND HOSPITAL CARRIERS
TAKING. PART.
RUISER:
CALCUTTA
YERS:
ANTHONY
HARVESTER
MALCOLM
VIVACIOUS
BASILISK
HAVANT
MONTROSE
WAKEFUL
BLYSKAWICA
ICARUS
SABRE
WHITEHALL
CODRINGTON
IMPULSIVE
SALADIN
WHITSHED
ESK
INTREPID
SCIMITAR
WINCHELSEA
EXPRESS
IVANHOE
SHIKARI
WINDSOR
GALLANT
JAGUAR
VENOMOUS
WOLFHOUND
GRAFTON
JAVELIN
VANQUISHER
WOLSEY
GRENADE
KEITH
VERITY
WORCESTER
GREYHOUND
MACKAY
VILY
BIDEFORD
TS:
LOCUST
MOSQUITO
EEPERS:
ALBURY
HEBE
QUEEN OF THANET
BRIGHTON QUEEN
HALCYON
ROSS
BRIGHTON BELLE
KELLETT
SALAMANDER
EL
DEVONIA
LEDA
SALTASH
DUNDALK
LYDD
SKIPJACK
DUCHESS OF FIFE
MARMION
SANDOWN
EMPEROR OF INDIA
MEDWAY QUEEN
SNAEFELL
FITZROY
NIGER
SPEEDWELL
GLENAVON
ORIOLE
SUTTON
GLENGOWER
PANGBOURNE
SHARPSHOOTER
GOSSAMER
PLYNLIMMON
WAVERLEY
GRACIE FIELDS
PRINCESS ELIZABETH
WESTWARD HO
ESSELS:
ARLEY
COMFORT
MARETTA
BOTANIC
CONIDAW
NAUTILUS
BROCK
FYLDEA
POLLY JOHNSON
CALVI
GULZAR
SARGASSO
CHICO
JOHN CATLING
STARLIGHT RAYS
AL SERVICE CRESTED EAGLE
GOLDEN EAGLE
LS:
ROYAL EAGLE
TRAWLERS: INVERFORTH LORD INCHCAPE OUR BAIRNS THOMAS BARTLETT
RAWLERS:
ARGYLLSHIRE
KINGSTON ANDALUSITE STELLA DORADO
BLACKBURN ROVERS
KINGSTON OLIVINE
THURINGIA
CAYTON WYKE
LADY PHILOMENA
WISTELLA
GRIMSBY TOWN
SAON
WOLVES
KINGSTON ALALITE
SPURS
OLVINA
RECOVERY
FIDGET
JACKETA
ERS:
SILVER DAWN
FISHER BOY
LORD CAVAN

Details

Details

Details

Page 2.
HICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940.
WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS.
CRUISER.
TTTA
ROYERS.
ONY
INTREPID
VENOMOUS
LISK
IVANHOE
VERITY
INGTON
JAGUAR
VIMY
JAVELIN
VIVACIOUS
ESS
KEITH
WAKEFUL
ANT
MACKAY
WHITEHALL
TON
MALCOIM
WHITSHED
ADE
MONTROSE
WINCHELSEA
HOUND
SABRE
WINDSOR
ESTER
SALADIN
WOLFHOUND
NT
SCIMITAR
WOLSEY
US
SHIKARI
WORCESTER
LSIVE
VANQUISHER
P.
EFORD
VETTES.
LLEMOT
MALLARD
SHELDRAKE
GFISHER
SHEARWATER
WIDGEON
BOATS.
UST
#
MOSQUITO
ESWEEPERS.
ROSS
URY
HEBE
SALAMANDER
GHTON BELLE
KELLETT
SALTASH
GHTON QUEEN
LEDA
SANDOWN
ONIA
LYDD
SHARPSHOOTER
HESS OF FIFE
MARMION
MEDWAY QUEEN
SKIPJACK
DALK
SNAEFELL
PEROR OF INDIA
NIGER
SPEEDWELL
CZROY
ORIOLE
SUTTON
ENAVON
PANGBOURNE
WAVERLEY
ENGOWER
PLINLIMMON
WESTWARD HO
SSAMER
PORTSDOWN
CIE FIELDS
PRINCESS ELIZABETH
WHIPPINGHAM
LCYON
QUEEN OF THANET
(Continued)
Sunk.

Details

60
10 last lookout to leave the bridge was seriously wounded
the chest. Other ratings wounded were in the after supply
rty and were hit by bullots which penetrated the after
ireen, and on the Fore Mess Decks and in the Signal
stributing Office were hit by bullets penetrating the deck
ads. All aircraft made off, presumably when they had
pended their ammunition, and course was set for Dunkirk
company with Greyhound and Verity, who had by this time
rived from the eastward.
On arrival at Dunkirk there
is no berth available alongside the gier, four destroyers
bing alongside already, so I anchored off and waited for
berth to be vacated. At 1730 Gronade sailed and I proceeded
longside in her place. Smoke floats and a whaler for placing
ham were then handed over to the Naval Officer in charge of
mbarkation. About 1000 troops were embarked and I sailed,
1th Jaguar in company, by route Y, arriving at Dover after
n uneventful passage at 0100 on May 29th.
At 0400 after disembarking troops
moved out to No.11. buoy to repair damage which had been
aused during the machine gun attacks. The pipe from B gun
and two copper pipes in the engine room which had been fractured
y the detonation of near bomb misses, were sent to Sandhurst
or repair and efforts were made by the ship's staff to repair
the D/C coil. By 1300 the ship was once again ready for sea
accept for the D/G goil, which was temporarily repaired later
in the day.
At 0500 on May 30th Impulsive
iailed for Sheerness in company with Javelin, Intrepid, Ivanhoe,
Coarus, Havant and Harvester, arriving and securing to No.10
moy at 0900. At 1600 orders were received to proceed with
all despatch to Dunkirk, and Ivanhoe, Icerus, Impulsive and
larvester sailed in company by route X. On arrival, Impulsive
proceeded alongaide the East Pier, the inshore berth, and
ambarked 1300 troops. This was the largest number embarked
and I did not consider there was room for any more. The passage
back to Dover by route X was uneventful and at 2400 the ship
secured alongside Admiralty Pier, after a long wait in the
outer harbour for a berth to become vacant.
At 0400 on May 31st, the ship
8. Dunkirk by route I, with orders to enbark troops
sailed Dunkirk for beach, and arrived off the beach at 0700. Although
from thousands of soldiers on the beach there were very
few whaler. The only power boat in the neighbourhood, in
there boats were to bring them off. Impulsive had no power boats and a
large came alongside. This boat, towing a cutter difficult
only one War Department motor boat with Colonel Hutchings and
charge, Impulsive's whaler, did magnificent work under
conditions and between 0800 and 1315 had transferred approx-
imately 450 troops from the beach to the ship.

Details

690
SECRET.
Report of Proceedings - H.M.S.Viry - No.154/7/35 dated 11/6/40.
6. (cont). between 1 titudes of Goodwin Knoll buoy nd S.W.
Goodwin Buoy.
17.
H.M.S."Sheldrike" joined the hunt in coord nce with
C in C Nore's sign 1 timed 0708.
18. "Sheldrake" nd Tr wlers in coord nce with c in C Nore's signal
Proceeded fr Dunkirk to 1030 le ving hunt to H.M.S.
timed 100
19.
rrived off Dunkirk t 1230 nd secured longside
B st Pier Bows Out t 1300.
20. further to se 7 rd on two OCC sions between 1300 nd 1335 nd
The 1 lling tide . de it necess ry to shift berth
it 400 I left to secure longside the end of the Pier Bows in.
21. by shore b tteries 7 S bserved at the 1 DUV rd end of the Pier.
While troops were being emb rked intermittent shelling
22.
Prodeeded for Dover t 538.
23.
rrived Dover to disemb rice troops securing to
dmir Ity Pier t 1856
24.
st June 1940
24
Completed with oil fuel nd pr ceeded for Dunkierk
t 0100.
25.
In collisi n with H.M.Y. mulree in position 270° I.W.
dwin bucy 1 ble to 0156.
were 26. put to A Full Speed stern nd the wheel I rd- -st rb rd.
single white light 18 sighted he d. The engines
Amulree rently Itered to Port 8 "Viny's" stem entered her
went cle F-s nd S nk immedi tely. Own speed bef ree c llisi n
st rbo rd pp bow. 8 seen S the ship g thered stern-way Imuree
If S 151 Imets.
27. t: pick up survivors, nd 0233 I ceeded for Dover h ving
The skiff being the only ren ining Do t If S 1 wered
recovered 11 members of Imuree's crew.
28.
rrived Dover nd secured to No.2 bucy 0340.
2nd June 1040.
20
Proceededin coord nce with W. Dover's sign 1 timed
1942/ for C rdiff it 0605.
30. 1514 for Portsmouth t 1540.
Proceeded in coord nce with dmir Ity's sign 1 timed
31. longside "Verity" t 1680 tobe ken in h nd for rep irs.
rrived Portsmouth nd secured t North Corner Jetty
VICE ADMIRAL
15 JUN 1940
.
EdePentworth
OVER

Details

Dynamo 336.
2979
SECRET.
WAR. DIARIES.
DOVER
In compliance with Memo No. A14/0/330/40 dated 5th
February, the following record of the part played by the Dock-
yard Departments at Dover in the events which took place between 10th
May 1940 and 5th June, 1940 is forwarded.
ON MAY 10TH, at 0400 the German invesion of Holland, Belgium
and Luxemburg began.
In accordance with previous orders the operation XD was commenced
at about 0630 May 10th, and by 0830 over 20 tons of explosives had
been placed on board "Falconet", "Lady Brassey", "Gondia" and
"Simla". These stores and & Naval Demolition Party of 300 men
were then embarked in H.M.S. "Whitshed" "Wild Swan" "Verity" and
"Brillient" who sailed at noon for Dutch and Belgian ports.
ON MAY 11th. H.M.S. "Whitshed" arrived with several easualties
H.M.S. "Sandhurst" and at once taken in hand for repairs.
and damage caused by heavy air attacks. She was placed alongside At
2030 H.M.S. "Venimous" and "Verity" each embarked a Royal Marine
detachment with stores and ammunition and proceeded at midnight
for the Hook of Holland.
FROM TO MAY 22ND the principle activities in the Some Dockyard
were MAY 11TH with repairs to ships damaged by bombs.
destroyers concerned had between 50 and 80 holes caused by bomb splinters or or
aircraft patching. cannon, Damage to electrical circuits was also by
repairs to which were affected by welding sustained
nearly all
Belgian coast became expended and the difficulty of for the sole duty
The supply urgent owing to the large embarking number this rounds at of
ships. of ammunition to vessels operating of on the
A.A. ammunition Some destroyers were detailed coast. A
any of other port. to the vessels on the Belgian for them where
berth crane and at West reilway Pier, facilities are available. also
carrying ammunition Submarine Basin was reserved Ammunition was
sent off to ships in harbour tugs.
AT of to H.M.S. 0900 explosives ON "wild MAY were 23RD Swan", loaded operation "Venimous" in "Falconet" XDI were and was "Viay". carried also and embarked. "Simla" out, About about and 470 Commander taken 26 Royal tons off
Marines and details of the landing party. sailed for Boulogne.
from the Army At 1230 the
Welman, operation R.N. was was completed in charge and the destroyers of
ON MAY 24TH "Wolsey" and "windsor" and sailed embarked with at severe 0945. 6 tons damage in H.M.S.
"Wild explosive, the and at embarked and 80 were Royal taken Marines hand and
sustained for in action 1600 H.M.S. "verity"
ON H.M.S. "Wolsey" and Calais. "Wolfhound" embarked Military used for stores
ammunition repairs. and sailed for Calais.
The Prince ammunition of Wales Pier and stores from now in lighters and barges and for Dunkirk. small
and MAY 25TH and sailed for on was extensively for
The craft Submarine requiring repairs. "Burza" The in The ship's bottom in the
embarkation of Basin water was used for tugs a the had sailed
with been the Polish destroyer by air shattered attack. but temporary the night repairs the enemy had
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< certain the During aress Harbour, in of it and had several the been Harbour mine swel,
No outside seen and reported. and exploded. being laid.
was carried mines closed out were to 8 found in until Harbour but These the lgying positions One mine were exploded plott
and actually the mines had in been the later Western were Entrance swept within an hour of
damage was sustained.

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. II
refugees who got on board. The numbers evacuated by the destroyers con-
cerned were approximately :-
Keith
180
Vimy
...
...
150
Whitshed
...
...
580
Vimiera
...
...
Wild Swan
1955 403 (in two trips)
...
...
Windsor
...
600
Venomous
...
500
Total
...
4368
The Venetia, damaged, did not get alongside a quay. During the night
22 23rd May, before the evacuation under fire, the Verity took off two General
Officers and some 150 troops.
In addition to the Venetia, the Wild Swan, Whitshed, Keith and Venomous
all received damage during the evacuation. The Keith lost Captain D. (19) and
7 ratings killed, and had 28 wounded; the Vimy had one officer killed and her
Commanding Officer, Lieut.-Comdr. C. G. W. Donald R.N. was seriously
wounded and died subsequently ; the Whitshed lost one officer killed and had
12 ratings wounded; the Venetia had 20 ratings killed or missing and 11
wounded; the Commanding Officer of the Verity, Lt. Cdr. A. R. M. Black R.N.
was wounded and subsequently died.
23RD 24TH MAY
The "Weygand" Plan
In the midst of this changing panorama of events, on the 23rd May, General
Weygand became Commander-in-Chief in all theatres of war". He had,
however, previously formulated the ' Weygand plan". This plan contem-
plated a counter-offensive on a large scale¹ and, briefly, it consisted of 3
operations:- :-
(a) An attack south-westward from the north, by the French 1st Army
and the B.E.F., with the Belgian Cavalry Corps supporting the
British right.
(b) An attack northward from the line of the Somme, which line the newly
formed Third French Army Group was reported to be organising.
(c) Operations on the line of the Somme west of Amiens, by a new Cavalry
Corps which was assembling south of the river near Neufchatel.
On the 23rd May Lord Gort received a telegram from the British Prime Minister
to extract:- the French Prime Minister, M. Reynaud, of which the following is an
"Strong Salvation enemy armoured forces have cut Armies.
gand's plan. of these I Armies can only be obtained communications by immediate of execution Northern of Wey-
north Not could feeling sure that the situation armies in the
to General be accurately appreciated developing for the Lord Allied Gort telegraphed
I Sir John Dill asking him to except fly over on the that spot, day.
Lord Gort's Second Despatch, para. 38
10

Details

THE WEEK BEFORE OPERATION "DYNAMO"
CHAP. II
the whole day, might at any time become impossible to close; were this to
happen, my last hope of reaching the coast would be gone".'
In order to secure the British northern flank Lord Gort decided to issue
orders for the occupation, as quickly as troops could be made available, of the
line of the Ypres - Comines canal and the positions covering Ypres. In the
absence of General Blanchard, who was visiting the Belgian G.Q.G. at Bruges,
Lord Gort communicated this decision that evening to the Headquarters of
the French First Group of Armies.¹
The necessity of evacuation was becoming a matter of paramount immediacy.
British destroyers bombard suburb of Calais
Meanwhile, on the 25th May, the trawler Lord Howe sailed to Calais with a
cargo of ammunition². She entered the port and discharged part of her cargo
in the face of heavy enemy fire from the dunes to the southward. In view of
the risk involved, Commodore W. P. Gandell, R.N. (P.S.T.O., French Ports),
who was on the quay, then ordered the Lord Howe to sail.
Outside Calais the destroyer Greyhound closed the Lord Howe, which was
carrying a request for bombardment support of the town. At the same time,
the Greyhound received a signal from the Vice-Admiral, Dover, ordering the
bombardment of the Calais suburb of St. Pierre. The Greyhound opened fire,
and at 2000, an H.A. battery east of Sangatte registered a hit on her, killing
2 and wounding 3. About this time the destroyer Grafton arrived and also
opened fire. The 2 destroyers returned to Dover as darkness set in.³
Evacuation of Calais countermanded
At 2130 a force of seven trawlers⁴, three yachts⁵ and two drifters⁶, sailed for
Calais road, ready to evacuate troops from Calais, the moment an order was
received to do so. Five of the trawlers towed motor boats. Commander
W. V. H. Harris, R.N. (Commander M/S, Dover), in the Grey Mist, was in
command. The destroyers Windsor and Verity left Dover at 2300, to cover
the withdrawal of this force.
On arrival off Calais, two of the motor boats were ordered into Calais harbour.
At about 0300/26, a signal was received that Calais was to be held at all costs;
furthermore, it was ordered that this signal was to be sent by hand to the
Brigadier commanding on shore. The Conidaw went in to deliver the signal.
All ships were then ordered back to the Downs, but the Botanic and Maretta
remained behind until the two motor boats and the Conidaw returned.⁷
The Botanic and Maretta were damaged by gunfire when returning on the
26th May, and were unable to take part in Operation "Dynamo".
I Lord Gort's Second Despatch, para. 43.
2 Lieut. L. C. Whittle, R.N.R., in the Lord Howe, says it was the 24th May.
3 Vice-Admiral, Dover's 1907/25/5.
4 The Botanic, Fyldea, Maretta, Arley, Polly Johnson, Brock and Calvi.
6 The Grey Mist, Conidaw and Chico.
5 The Playmates and Willing Boys.
7 Report by Commander M/S, Dover (R.O. II, p. 497).
13

Details

MONDAY, 27TH MAY
CHAP. IV
task now is to evacuate to England maximum of your force possible."¹ No
policy had yet been laid down by French G.Q.G., or any other French higher
authority, for a withdrawal northward of the Lys, and, says Lord Gort, "I had
no idea what plans either he [General Blanchard] or Admiral Abrial had in
mind".'
Lord Gort failed to contact General Blanchard either at La Panne, or at the
French naval headquarters, situated at Bastion No. 32, Dunkirk. While at the
Bastion, however, at 2300, he was informed in the course of conversation with
General Koeltz (General Weygand's deputy) that the King of the Belgians
had asked for an armistice from midnight that night. The British Commander-
in-Chief thus found himself suddenly faced with an open gap of 20 miles between
Ypres and the sea, through which enemy armoured forces might reach the
beaches².
Owing to congestion on the roads Lord Gort was unable to reach his head-
quarters at Houtkerque until 0430 on 28th May; he then found that a telegram
had been received from the War Office at 0130/28 saying that the King of the
Belgians was capitulating at midnight, 27th/28th May.³
This was the derelict situation facing Lord Gort in the early hours of the
morning.
Dunkirk locks prepared for demolition
On the 27th May, on the orders of Admiral Abrial, the Royal Naval
demolition party which had arrived at Dunkirk on the 23rd May placed
demolition charges at the New, the Trystram and the Guillain locks in Dunkirk
harbour.
Route Z under fire Route Y adopted Route x prepared
Owing to the great lack of inshore craft for beach work the main naval effort
during the day had been confined to maintaining the flow of personnel vessels
to Dunkirk at the rate of 2 every 31/2 hours. Even this limited transport service
had been seriously interrupted by the fire of shore batteries between Les
Hemmes (east of Calais) and Gravelines. At 0623 the Biarritz and Archangel,
en route for Dunkirk escorted by the destroyer Verity, were shelled 6 miles
E.N.E. of Calais. The Biarritz was hit several times and had 1 killed and 2
wounded. The Archangel was also apparently damaged, and neither ship
took any further part in "Dynamo". At 0640, the M/V Sequacity and the
freighter Yewdale were also shelled off Calais. The Sequacity was hit four
times, and at 1020, when north of Dunkirk channel, after the crew had been
transferred to the Yewdale, the Sequacity went down by the head and sank.
At 0750 the armed boarding vessel Mona's Isle, loaded with troops, suffered
severe casualties and damage from shore guns off Gravelines, and also from
an air attack shortly afterwards, and had to go into dock for repairs. At
0800 the H/C Isle of Thanet was shelled off Calais and returned to Dover. At
0900, the A.B/V King Orry, returning from Dunkirk loaded with troops also
suffered casualties and damage from the Calais guns.
As a result of these happenings the Vice-Admiral, Dover, reported to the
Admiralty that the normal or southern route, Dover to Dunkirk (later known
as Route Z), was impracticable in daylight. Another, more northern route
(later known as Route Y), via the Dyck Whistle buoy, Middelkerk buoy, and
Zuydcoote Pass, was accordingly adopted. This, however, increased the
I Lord Gort's Second Despatch, para. 51.
2 Lord Gort's Second Despatch, para. 49.
3 Lord Gort's Second Despatch 50.
19

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. V
off Dunkirk at 1315. They had picked up that morning from arrived
The destroyers Codrington, Jaguar and Javelin, 33 survivors diverted from patrol,
S.S. Abukir, which had been torpedoed by United an E-boat while returning the
about 200 evacuees from Ostend to Grenade the which Kingdom; these survivors with
Javelin Dunkirk. were transferred using The their Codrington to own the boats, destroyer went embarked into Dunkirk troops harbour, from subsequently Bray while beach. the went Jaguar At on 1730 and to
the Grenade left Dunkirk with 1,000 troops on board.
skoot Lena. The Vimy also made a second
359 troops from Zuydcoote, assisted by ships' a the second.t.Bip,embarked
Between 1230 and 1815 the Vivacious, a her
Dunkirk harbour.
More ships were on the way. From 1230 onwards 19 minesweepers were
sailed from Harwich, from Dover and the Downs, for Dunkirk and the beaches.
By 2130 five of them had arrived off Bray beach I, and four off La Panne²;
three reached Dunkirk by 2140³.
Four other minesweepers arrived off the beaches late on the night of
28th/29th May4, and two more reached the beaches at 0600/29⁵.
Early on the 28th May the eight ships of the 7th and 8th minesweeping
flotillas had been ordered from Rosyth to Harwich, to work under the orders
of the Vice-Admiral, Dover⁶; they could not, however, reach the beaches
until about 72 hours later.
During the forenoon and afternoon of the 28th May the call went out for
more and more destroyers, and seven reached the evacuation area next day⁷.
In the signals from the Admiralty and the Vice-Admiral, Dover, summoning
them there sounds the same note of extreme urgency, traceable to S.N.O.
Dunkirk's message⁸ declaring that evacuation on the night of 28th/29th May
was problematical. "If the older class destroyers and other vessels cannot
compete with the situation signalled the Admiralty, destroyers of all classes
are to be used for bringing men off'.9 Every available destroyer" in the
Western Approaches and Portsmouth Commands was to be sailed to Dover.
Destroyers on patrol or on escort duty were to be diverted to Dunkirk or the
beaches.¹¹
Vulnerability of personnel vessels
The vulnerability of the personnel vessels, with their large troop-carrying
capacity, was a cause of anxiety. On the 27th May the Biarritz and Archangel,
the Mona's Queen, King Orry, Sequacity, Yewdale, and the Isle of Thanet12,
I The Albury, Gossamer, Leda, Kellett and Sutton.
2 The Salamander, Halcyon, Skipjack and Waverley.
3 The Ross, Pangbourne and Lydd.
4 The Hebe, Sharpshooter, Duchess of Fife snd Emperor of India.
5 The Oriole and Marmion.
6
A.M.0163/28.
7 The Verity, Harvester, Esk, Malcolm, Express, Shikari and Scimitar.
8 Appendix M.4.
9 A.M.0754/28.
10 A.M.1229/28.
11 Appendices D.4, D.5 and D.7.
collided with the Examination Service Vessel leaving Ocean Reward, which sank
12 At 0254, on 28th May, shortly after Dover for Newhaven, the Isle of Thanet
Assisted by the tug Lady Brassey, a search was made for survivors, but none was found.
28

Details

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

Details

TUESDAY, 28TH MAY
CHAP. VI
1650, she left the harbour, but soon after was damaged by a near miss. She
was able to reach Dover, but took no further part in "Dynamo." At 1720
the berth vacated by the Canterbury in Dunkirk harbour was taken by the
destroyer Verity.
Intrepid severely damaged
Meanwhile, at 1700, the Intrepid, hurrying back to Dunkirk from Dover
(where she had disembarked 661 troops), was bombed between Middelkerke
Bank and La Panne. A near miss caused severe damage, started fires, and
killed 2 and wounded 19. The Intrepid had to return to Dover, and took no
further part in Operation "Dynamo."
Hospital ship deliberately bombed
At 1700 also, the H/C St. Julien, en route for Dunkirk harbour, was de-
liberately bombed for a considerable period" in the vicinity of Nieuport
Bank buoy1; she was slightly damaged by near misses. The St. Julien lay
off Dunkirk harbour for about 1/2 an hour waiting for an opportunity to enter;
when air attacks recommenced, however, she sailed for Dover without having
entered the harbour.
At 1730 the Siroco sailed from Dunkirk harbour with 500 troops and a little
later was joined outside by the Mistral which had only embarked 4 troops.
Both the French destroyers proceeded to Dover. The Mistral took no further
part in "Dynamo."
Grenade hit, Calvi and Fenella sunk
At about 1750 the third air attack was made over Dunkirk harbour by waves
of bombers; some 100 bombs were dropped. Allied fighters, being engaged
by enemy fighters, were unable to interfere with the bombing². A near miss
blew a hole in the Grenade's side; the trawler Calvi, lying outside the John
Cattling, received a direct hit and sank immediately. Her masts and funnel
were above water, and her ensign remained flying from the foremast. The
personnel vessel Fenella, which by then had 650 troops on board, was hit on
the promenade deck; a second bomb hit the pier, and blew some concrete
through the Fenella's side below the waterline; a third bomb, falling between
the pier and the Fenella's side, wrecked the engine room. The Fenella's
troops were disembarked on to the pier and re-embarked in the Crested Eagle.
The Fenella was abandoned while sinking. The P/V St. Seiriol, which shortly
before had secured alongside the outer east pier, astern of the Crested Eagle,
cast off and shifted eastward to the beaches.
Grenade hit, set on fire, and abandoned
Then five minutes after the third air attack had begun the Grenade received
two direct hits; her engines were put out of action and she caught fire. As
she swung round, some of her ships company were able to step on board the
damaged trawler Polly Johnson. The Verity (which had been continuously
I Reports by Pangbourne and Lydd.
2 According to the R.A.F. Narrative, p.327, two Hurricane squadrons which arrived at
1710 were attacked by large numbers of Me. 109's ; one Spitfire squadron was attacked
from above and behind at 1715, and another was in combat with enemy fighters at 1740.
" None of our squadrons encountered enemy bombers, and the attacks on our shipping
between 1630 and 1745 hours (resulting, amongst other casualties, in the Crested Eagle
being hit and beached off Bray) can thus not have been interfered with by our patrols'
R.A.F. Narrative, p.327).
43

Details

CHAP. VI
THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
straddled by bombs for and 35 minutes), the seeing burning that Grenade traffic all along the east
proceeded out of harbour, out of a into drifter in the Calvi,
had ceased, cast off, skirting grounding slightly on sunk and the sunken pier
The troops now of began the Piermaster climbing Cdr. J. one C. Clouston, ship
restored the instructions order.
having arrangements of his in the clear of the fairway,', R.N.,
At 1815 made the Grenade was abandoned with the Piermaster and her Captain, to tow her Cdr. R. C. Boyle,
embarked with some ship's company Crested Eagle.
Polly Johnson sunk
to the five remaining her Oropesa and the John Cattling was instructed on
The burning wreck of the Grenade trawlers. did, The in fact, commence to drift down
attempt vivors to pull clear, out of the remaining harbour 4 trawlers, with troops and to
on board, proceeded towards the beaches. A sur-
later, of the near Nieuport caused Bank buoy, miss the in Polly Johnson, leaking badly as a result little
engine, was abandoned; Arley embarked her crew and troops and sank
damage by a the near the first air attack, and with damaged
her by gunfire.
Grenade blown up
She burned fiercely for some hours and then blew up.
The Grenade was guided into a pocket to the westward of the main channel.
Crested Eagle blazing, is beached
swung clear of the east pier and proceeded on an easterly course. Shortly
Meanwhile, when the Verity left the harbour at 1755, the Crested Eagle
afterwards, she however, she was hit by 4 bombs and caught fire; out of control,
about she might transfer her troops; but the Crested Eagle could not stop. At
that continued under way. The Verity instructed the Crested Eagle to stop so
in Eagle ran aground west of Bray beach. The 200 survivors, who could be seen
1830, blazing fiercely fore and aft (she was a wooden ship) the Crested
to the the water, were heavily machine-gunned from the air, and the ships that came
rescue were bombed. Some of the survivors, several with severe burns,
Captain and other survivors of the Grenade, by the minesweeper Albury.
were picked up by the minesweepers Hebe and Lydd; others, including the
Among those picked up by the Sabre was the Second Engineer of the Crested
Eagle and a stoker from the Grenade.
Normania sunk
gunboat Ross took Mosquito, but then began to sink. The Mosquito and the minesweeper by
by a bomb off 11 W buoy. She was towed clear of Dunkirk channel was the
In the course of this third air attack the personnel vessel Normania hit
sank off off the crew and the few troops that on board. The Normania
11 W buoy at about 0245 the following were day.
Saladin and attacks The 2000. fourth off severely Ships Bray air attack, returning beach damaged, which to was England Lorina widespread, sunk were bombed. took place There between were about continuous 1830
was so company there were attacked; the destroyers attacked Sabre, 10 times,
Saladin in and its vicinity; the Verity and
severely damaged in the engine room by Saladin, a near miss that she had to
44

Details

WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY
CHAP. VI
route was shielded by the French minefields in the Ruytingen and Dyck
channels. The E-boat Command apparently failed to appreciate this with-
drawal of traffic to the south-west, and did not follow up.¹
Barge piers impracticable
The considerable alarm as to the immediate safety of the B.E.F. felt during
the night of 27th/28th and the forenoon of 28th May, which caused all available
resources to be immediately concentrated on the French coast, eased during
the 29th. But emergency measures taken late on the 28th had an adverse
effect on the orderly organisation for evacuation so necessary if effective
measures were to be devised and put in force². On the 29th, for instance, the
practicability was considered of building piers on the beaches to facilitate
embarkation, using lines of barges³; but reports from ships that worked off
the beaches showed that the very gradual shoaling of the water at all states of
the tide would necessitate such piers being inordinately long, and beyond the
resources available. A much needed Medical Party was shipped in the Verity
for use on the beaches, and a Naval Medical Party was sent to Dunkirk.
Captain Howson sails for Dunkirk
As the result of a report of an Army Officer recently evacuated it was decided
that a party of Naval officers was required on the beaches between La Panne
and Dunkirk. Accordingly, Captain J. M. Howson R.N., with Commanders
H. G. Gorton and R. J. O. Otway-Ruthven, R.N., Lt. Cdrs. Cockburn, R.N.
and R. G. Wardrop, R.D., R.N.R., and Lieuts. Whalley, Nettle and Jones
sailed at 1600 in the Sabre for Dunkirk.⁴ Captain Howson arrived at Dunkirk
at 1815 to find that S.N.O., Dunkirk, had been away at La Panne since noon
on a visit to Lord Gort. Captain Tennant returned to Dunkirk at about 2140,
and at 2300 Captain Howson was able to have a consultation with him.
Captain Howson then divided the beach party into two; 3 officers under Cdr.
Gorton proceeded to the beach east of Bray, and two officers under Cdr. Otway-
Ruthven to the beach at Bray. Captain Howson went with the latter party.
These appointments appear to have had good results, for embarkations at
the beaches reached peak next day.
Rear-Admiral, Dover sails for Dunkirk,
Captain E. W. Bush, D.S.C., R.N., had also taken passage in the Sabre at
1600, to act as S.N.O. afloat off, the beaches' in the Hebe5 but an hour
and a half later, the Admiralty appointed Rear-Admiral W.F. Wake-Walker,
O.B.E. as Rear-Admiral, Dover, for command of sea-going ships and vessels
off the Belgian coast", and left it to the Vice-Admiral, Dover, to decide in
which ship the R.A., Dover, should fly his flag⁶. Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker,
who was to take over from Captain Bush⁷, sailed in the destroyer Esk at 2000
for Dunkirk. With him on board were Vice-Admiral (acting Commodore)
G. O. Stephenson, C.B., C.M.G., and Vice-Admiral (acting Commodore) T. J.
Hallett, C.B., C.B.E. Also on board were 12 officers and 60 ratings to act as
beach parties. On the way over he arranged that Commodore Stephenson
I D.R. p.9, para. 29.
2 D.R. p.7, para. 27.
3 Appendix G.
4
Captain Howson's report. (R.O.III, p.394).
5 D.R. p.9, para. 30, and R.O.III, p.394.
6 Appendix O.4.
7 D.R. p.11, para. 36.
C
49

Details

WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY
CHAP. VI
route was shielded by the French minefields in the Ruytingen and Dyck
channels. The E-boat Command apparently failed to appreciate this with-
drawal of traffic to the south-west, and did not follow up.¹
Barge piers impracticable
The considerable alarm as to the immediate safety of the B.E.F. felt during
the night of 27th/28th and the forenoon of 28th May, which caused all available
resources to be immediately concentrated on the French coast, eased during
the 29th. But emergency measures taken late on the 28th had an adverse
effect on the orderly organisation for evacuation so necessary if effective
measures were to be devised and put in force². On the 29th, for instance, the
practicability was considered of building piers on the beaches to facilitate
embarkation, using lines of barges³; but reports from ships that worked off.
the beaches showed that the very gradual shoaling of the water at all states of
the tide would necessitate such piers being inordinately long, and beyond the
resources available. A much needed Medical Party was shipped in the Verity
for use on the beaches, and a Naval Medical Party was sent to Dunkirk.
Captain Howson sails for Dunkirk
As the result of a report of an Army Officer recently evacuated it was decided
that a party of Naval officers was required on the beaches between La Panne
and Dunkirk. Accordingly, Captain J. M. Howson R.N., with Commanders
H. G. Gorton and R. J. O. Otway-Ruthven, R.N., Lt. Cdrs. Cockburn, R.N.
and R. G. Wardrop, R.D., R.N.R., and Lieuts. Whalley, Nettle and Jones
sailed at 1600 in the Sabre for Dunkirk.⁴ Captain Howson arrived at Dunkirk
at 1815 to find that S.N.O., Dunkirk, had been away at La Panne since noon
on a visit to Lord Gort. Captain Tennant returned to Dunkirk at about 2140,
and at 2300 Captain Howson was able to have a consultation with him.
Captain Howson then divided the beach party into two; 3 officers under Cdr.
Gorton proceeded to the beach east of Bray, and two officers under Cdr. Otway-
Ruthven to the beach at Bray. Captain Howson went with the latter party.
These appointments appear to have had good results, for embarkations at
the beaches reached peak next day.
Rear-Admiral, Dover sails for Dunkirk,
Captain E. W. Bush, D.S.C., R.N., had also taken passage in the Sabre at
1600, to act as S.N.O. afloat off, the beaches" in the Hebe⁵; but an hour
and a half later, the Admiralty appointed Rear-Admiral W.F. Wake-Walker,
O.B.E. as Rear-Admiral, Dover, for command of sea-going ships and vessels
off the Belgian coast", and left it to the Vice-Admiral, Dover, to decide in
which ship the R.A., Dover, should fly his flag⁶. Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker,
who was to take over from Captain Bush⁷, sailed in the destroyer Esk at 2000
for Dunkirk. With him on board were Vice-Admiral (acting Commodore)
G. O. Stephenson, C.B., C.M.G., and Vice-Admiral (acting Commodore) T. J.
Hallett, C.B., C.B.E. Also on board were 12 officers and 60 ratings to act as
beach parties. On the way over he arranged that Commodore Stephenson
I D.R. p.9, para. 29.
2 D.R. p.7, para. 27.
3 Appendix G.
4 Captain Howson's report. (R.O.III, p.394).
5 D.R. p.9, para. 30, and R.O.III, p.394.
6 Appendix O.4.
7 D.R. p.11, para. 36.
C
49

Details

WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY
CHAP. VI
No contact with S.N.O. Dunkirk
At 2057 the Vice-Admiral, Dover, asked the Verity and the S.N.O., Dunkirk,
whether the harbour was blocked¹. At 2120 the Verity replied that the eastern
half of the channel was blocked, and that on leaving the harbour she had
grounded slightly on a sunken drifter in the entrance. S.N.O. Dunkirk replied
at 2150 that the harbour was not blocked, but that it was doubtful whether
much more could be done during daylight hours². It is not known if or when
this reply was received, because as late as 2357 V.A. Dover signalled Admiral
Abrial, "I cannot get in touch with Captain Tennant. Can you inform me
whether it is still possible for transports to enter harbour and berth alongside."
It is noteworthy that reception on the Naval W/T set at Dunkirk was not
established until 2300 on the 30th May, and full communication with Dover
was not established on the set until daylight on the 31st May.³
Vice-Admiral, Dover, diverts all ships to the beaches
Indeed, already at 2128, the situation, as it could be seen by the staff at
Dover, was confused, and it seemed probable that the use of Dunkirk harbour
would be denied to us except possibly for small ships⁴. Consequently, the
Vice-Admiral, Dover, ordered all ships approaching Dunkirk not to close the
harbour, but to remain off the eastern beach and collect troops from the shore5;
drifters and minesweepers which were about to be despatched to Dunkirk
harbour were also diverted to the beach⁶.
A good opportunity at Dunkirk missed
In the event, only 4 drifters and a yacht⁷ entered Dunkirk during the hours
of darkness, and as only 2 bombing attacks were made a good opportunity was
missed. It is probable that about 10,000 troops could have been lifted from
the harbour during the night with little reduction of the numbers embarked
from the beaches⁸. Nevertheless, it was only by good fortune that the vital
Dunkirk channel was not blocked by sinking ships at this early date⁹.
Admiralty's urgent call for small craft
Meanwhile, during the forenoon of the 29th May, in response to the insistent
call for beaching craft, the Admiralty called on the C's in C. Portsmouth and
the Nore "to investigate as a matter of urgency the provision of additional
small motor craft and X and other self-propelled lighters, which could be made
available within 48 hours from all ports in their Commands¹⁰. Thereafter, the
supply of beaching craft increased rapidly.
The A.L.C.'s arrive off the beaches
On this day, however, only the first trickle of the anxiously awaited small
motor craft began to arrive off the beaches. The most important arrivals
I S.N.O. Dunkirk's report. (R.O.III, p.350).
2 Appendix O.12.
3 See p. 67.
4 D.R. p.10, para. 34.
5 D.R. p.10, para. 34.
6 D.R. p.10, para. 34.
7 The 4 drifters of the 1st M/R Flotilla - the Fidget, Fisher Boy, Jacketa and Silver Dawn
and the yacht Bystander.
8 D.R. p.10, para. 35.
V.A. Dover's letter No. A 14/0/876/40 of 10th June 1940 (covering his report on Opera-
tion Dynamo), para. 7(b).
10 Appendix G.14.
51

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. VI
and returned to harbour; the remainder Chantecler reached and the La Panne at 0500/30.
Dutch eel-boats Johanna and Chantecler M.B. Golden Lily also The
and Ramsgate " compass at which 2200/29. was reached situated The the over beaches, the was engine. however, only capable revolved at 0900 of slowly 4 knots, round and and left her
she had no charts, lost way 30th Later darkness, and returned to
and brought back 30 troops. her in the Downs in the get over on May,
round"¹. She The Johanna did not on the 30th
Ramsgate on the morning of the May. on that day she was towed
to the beaches by the skoot Jutland.
Troops transported on 29th May
reduction in the number of destroyers available and with failure to achieve
The 29th May closed with a formidable list of ships lost or damaged, a marked
the high rate of evacuation hoped for. The effect of the day's occurrences
even more marked next day, when instead of the 50,000 to 60,000 British was
troops which had been calculated as the probable achievement, only 48,000 odd
were in fact transported.²
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 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
21 times the number of troops were lifted from the beaches on 29th May as
compared with the number lifted on the previous day. Seventeen destroyers
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.
40,724. This figure probably puts does not include troops carried by foreign ships (See Prague,
3 2 D.R., D.R. p.11, which para. incidentally 38. the total of troops and casualties landed on 29th Table May 2). as
The Côte d'Argent, Killarney, King George V, Maid of Orleans, Manxman,
Javelin, Malcolm, Express, Verity, Wolsey and Marmion
Royal 5 The Daffodil, Anthony, Royal Codrington, Sovereign, Esk, Scotia, and Tynwald. Greyhound, Harvester, Intrepid, Worcester. Ivanhoe,
6 The Albury, Duchess Sabre, of Scimitar, 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

WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY
CHAP. VI
Ships lost or damaged on 29th May
H.M. SHIPS SUNK
The destroyers Wakeful, Grafton and Grenade.
The armed boarding vessel King Orrry
The Special Service Vessel Crested Eagle.
The Paddle Minesweepers Waverley and Gracie Fields.¹
The Personnel Vessels Normania,1 Lorina, Fenella and Mona's Queen.
The trawlers Polly Johnson and Calvi.
The danlayers Comfort and Nautilus.
The drifter Girl Pamela².
H.M. SHIPS DAMAGED AND PUT OUT OF ACTION.
The destroyers Saladin, Greyhound, Intrepid, Montrose, Mackay, Gallant
and Jaguar.
The sloop Bideford.
The minesweeper Pangbourne (required dockyard repairs).
The personnel vessel Canterbury.
The hospital carrier Isle of Guernsey.
OTHER VESSELS
SUNK A.L.C.16, the S.S. Clan Macalister (6,900 tons), the M/B's Minikoi,
Viewfinder, Bobeli, Hanora, Sceneshifter and Queen of England.
DAMAGED AND PUT OUT OF ACTION The tug Sun V.
Destroyers of the "H," "I" and "J" Classes withdrawn
As a result of the heavy casualties and losses amongst the destroyer force,
particularly the misfortunes which befell those of the larger and more modern
types, a consultation was held between the Admiralty and the Vice-Admiral,
Dover, on 29th May, which led to a decision to withdraw the 7 destroyers of
the "H", "I" and "J" Classes from "Dynamo"3; they were the only
modern destroyers remaining with Vice-Admiral, Dover. All destroyers of
the "G" class⁴ were already out of action.
There remained available for "Dynamo" 15 destroyers : :-
Esk
Malcolm
Verity
Express
Whitehall
Vanquisher
Anthony
Winchelsea
Sabre
Keith
Worcester
Scimitar
Codrington
Windsor
Shikari
Excluding any casualties, this number of destroyers might be expected to
maintain a flow of one destroyer per hour to the coast and would lift 17,000
troops in 24 hours⁵. It is noteworthy that in spite of their unsuitability for
the work of troop carrying, the 39 destroyers so employed in Dynamo"
brought off more troops-96,000-than any other type of ship (see Table 1).
The 45 personnel vessels brought off 87,000; the 36 minesweepers 46,000;
the 39 skoots 22,000 ; and among the smaller vessels, the 51 drifters brought
off 12,000.
I Actually sank on 30th May, as a result of damage received on 29th May.
2 In collision with the Lydd off Dunkirk harbour on the night of 28th/29th May.
3 The Icarus, Impulsive, Intrepid, Ivanhoe, Harvester, Havant and Javelin.
4 The Gallant, Grafton, Grenade and Greyhound.
5 D.R. p.11, para. 37.
55

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

WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY
CHAP. VI
Ships lost or damaged on 29th May
H.M. SHIPS SUNK
The destroyers Wakeful, Grafton and Grenade.
The armed boarding vessel King Orrry
The Special Service Vessel Crested Eagle.
The Paddle Minesweepers Waverley and Gracie Fields.¹
The Personnel Vessels Normania,1 Lorina, Fenella and Mona's Queen.
The trawlers Polly Johnson and Calvi.
The danlayers Comfort and Nautilus.
The drifter Girl Pamela².
H.M. SHIPS DAMAGED AND PUT OUT OF ACTION.
The destroyers Saladin, Greyhound, Intrepid, Montrose, Mackay, Gallant
and Jaguar.
The sloop Bideford.
The minesweeper Pangbourne (required dockyard repairs).
The personnel vessel Canterbury.
The hospital carrier Isle of Guernsey.
OTHER VESSELS
SUNK A.L.C.16, the S.S. Clan Macalister (6,900 tons), the M/B's Minikoi,
Viewfinder, Bobeli, Hanora, Sceneshifter and Queen of England.
DAMAGED AND PUT OUT OF ACTION The tug Sun V.
Destroyers of the "H," "I" and "J" Classes withdrawn
As a result of the heavy casualties and losses amongst the destroyer force,
particularly the misfortunes which befell those of the larger and more modern
types, a consultation was held between the Admiralty and the Vice-Admiral,
Dover, on 29th May, which led to a decision to withdraw the 7 destroyers of
the "H", "I" and "J" Classes from "Dynamo"3; they were the only
modern destroyers remaining with Vice-Admiral, Dover. All destroyers of
the "G" class4 were already out of action.
There remained available for "Dynamo" 15 destroyers :-
Esk
Malcolm
Verity
Express
Whitehall
Vanquisher
Anthony
Winchelsea
Sabre
Keith
Worcester
Scimitar
Codrington
Windsor
Shikari
Excluding any casualties, this number of destroyers might be expected to
maintain a flow of one destroyer per hour to the coast and would lift 17,000
troops in 24 hours⁵. It is noteworthy that in spite of their unsuitability for
the work of troop carrying, the 39 destroyers so employed in ' Dynamo "
brought off more troops-96,000-than any other type of ship (see Table 1).
The 45 personnel vessels brought off 87,000; the 36 minesweepers 46,000 ;
the 39 skoots 22,000 ; and among the smaller vessels, the 51 drifters brought
off 12,000.
I Actually sank on 30th May, as a result of damage received on 29th May.
2 In collision with the Lydd off Dunkirk harbour on the night of 28th/29th May.
3 The Icarus, Impulsive, Intrepid, Ivanhoe, Harvester, Havant and Javelin.
4 The Gallant, Grafton, Grenade and Greyhound.
5 D.R. p.11, para. 37.
55

Details

Details

INDEX
I, 72n. small craft, 61.
29n, 53 (rams and sinks Queen of England).
Tilly Tolly, 71n.
Torbay 23n.
53, 60n, 74, 75n.
Tugs, Troup, use as transports, 41.
Triton, Cdr. H. R., 21, 118, 86. 128.
Twente, 20n, 24, 29n,
Two Rivers, 75n.
Tynwald, 29n, 54n, 64n, 107n, 109, 112n, 114n, 118 (record lift).
U-boats, see Submarines.
Ut Prosim, 23n, 63, 107n.
V.A. Dover, see Ramsay, Vice-Admiral B. H.
Vanguard, 60.
Vanquisher, 37-8, 54n, 55, 61, 62 (make two trips on 30th May), 87, 107n, 108 (sent back
empty), 112n, 114n, 118.
Vavasour, Lt. G. W., 79-81.
Vega, 34, 42, 69.
Venetia, at Boulogne, 9-10.
Venomous, at Boulogne, 9-10; in Dynamo, 61, 101, 107-8, 114n, 118.
Vénus, sunk, 93.
Verity, at Calais, 10; in Dynamo, 13, 19, 28n, 32, 43-4, 49, 51 (reports on Dunkirk),
54n, 55.
Victor-Erna, 73n.
Viewfinder, sunk by Belgian troops, 53.
Viking, 60.
Vimiera, at Boulogne, 9-10.
Vimy, at Boulogne, 8-9; in Dynamo, 20, 23, 27-8, 62 (makes two trips on 30th May), 64n,
69 (hunts S/M.), 74 (rams and sinks Amulree), 95.
Vivacious, 23, 27-8, 45, 61 (calls for more ships and boats), 74 ( -boats), 83 (damaged),
Vincia, 71n, 90.
87, 111-2 (in Operation CK), 127.
V.T.B.25, 116 (evacuates Admiral Abrial), 120 (towed to Dover).
Vulture, 72n.
W.24, 60.
W.26, 72n.
Wakeful, 20n, 23, 24n, 27, 32, 36 (sunk), 37, 85.
Wake-Walker, Rear-Adm. W.F. (R.A. Dover) Apptd. S.N.O. Afloat, 49, 50 ; takes over
duties, 58; tranships four times in 24 hours, 59; general policy, 71; urges M.B's. to
be sent back, 74; investigates position E. of Dunkirk, 85-6; transfers to M.T.B.102,
90 clears Dunkirk of ships, 103; activities night 2/3 June, 108; on the final night,
115; effect of his arrival, 126.
Walker I, 32n.
Walker II, 32n, 114n.
Wardrop, Lt. Cdr. R. G., R.N.R., 49.
Warren, Lt. Cdr. G. H., 88.
Water supply, shortage at Dunkirk and beaches, 26, 31, 62.
Wave Queen, 72n.
Waverley, 28n, 42 (sunk), 47n.
Weather, affects boat work, 36, 48.
Weddle, S/Lt. J. S., R.N.R., 85.
Wells, Lt. J. G., 79-82.
Welman, Lt. Cdr. A. E. P., 8, 9.
Westcove, 111-2, 120.
Westella, 34n, 38 (sinking of), 69 (hunts S/M.), 110 (sunk).
Westerley, 72n.
Westward-Ho, 89 (damaged), 107n.
Weygand, General, 5, 10 (Plan), 11, 27, 96.
Whalley, Lt. 49.
Whippingham, overloaded, 87.
Whitehall, 55, 83 (damaged), 84 (shoots down bomber), 91.
White Heather, 72n.
Whitfield, Col., 22.
207

Details

Details

LIST OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS.
A.A. CRUISER.
CALCUTTA
DESTROYERS.
ANTHONY
INTREPID
VENOMOUS
BASILISK
IVANHOE
VERITY
CODRINGTON
JAGUAR
VIMY
ESK
JAVELIN
VIVACIOUS
EXPRESS
KEITH
WAKEFUL
GALLANT
MACKAY
WHITEHALL
GRAFTON
MALCOLM
WHITSHED
GRENADE
MONTROSE
WINCHELSEA
GREYHOUND
SABRE
WINDSOR
HARVESTER
SALADIN
WOLFHOUND
HAVANT
SCIMITAR
WOLSEY
ICARUS
SHIKARI
WORCESTER
IMPULSIVE
VANQUISHER
SLOOP.
BIDEFORD
CORVETTES.
GUILLEMOT
MALLARD
SHELDRAKE
KINGFISHER
SHEARWATER
WIDGEON
GUNBOATS.
LOCUST
MOSQUITO
MINESWEEPERS.
ALBURY
HEBE
ROSS
BRIGHTON BELLE
KELLETT
SALAMANDER
BRIGHTON QUEEN
LEDA
SALTASH
DEVONIA
LYDD
SANDOWN
DUCHESS OF FIFE
MARMION
SHARPSHOOTER
DUNDALK
MEDWAY QUEEN
SKIPJACK
EMPEROR OF INDIA
NIGER
SNAEFELL
FITZROY
ORIOLE
SPEEDWELL
GLENAVON
PANGBOURNE
SUTTON
GLENGOWER
PLINLIMMON
WAVERLEY
GOSSAMER
PORTSDOWN
WESTWARD HO
GRACIE FIELDS
PRINCESS ELIZABETH
WHIPPINGHAM
HALCYON
QUEEN OF THANET
Sunk.
(Continued)

Details

ST OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS.
A.A. CRUISER.
CALCUTTA
DESTROYERS.
ANTHONY
INTREPID
VENOMOUS
BASILISK
IVANHOE
VERITY
CODRINGTON
JAGUAR
VIMY
ESK
JAVELIN
VIVACIOUS
EXPRESS
KEITH
WAKEFUL
GALLANT
MACKAY
WHITEHALL
GRAFTON
MALCOLM
WHITSHED
GRENADE
MONTROSE
WINCHELSEA
GREYHOUND
SABRE
WINDSOR
HARVESTER
SALADIN
WOLFHOUND
HAVANT
SCIMITAR
WOLSEY
ICARUS
SHIKARI
WORCESTER
IMPULSIVE
VANQUISHER
SLOOP.
BIDEFORD
CORVETTES.
GUILLEMOT
MALLARD
SHELDRAKE
KINGFISHER
SHEARWATER
WIDGEON
GUNBOATS.
LOCUST
f
MOSQUITO
MINESWEEPERS.
ALBURY
HEBE
BRIGHTON BELLE
ROSS
KELLETT
BRIGHTON QUEEN
SALAMANDER
LEDA
DEVONIA
SALTASH
LYDD
DUCHESS OF FIFE
SANDOWN
MARMION
DUNDALK
SHARPSHOOTER
MEDWAY QUENEN
EMPEROR OF INDIA
SKIPJACK
NIGER
FITZROY
SNAEFELL
ORIOLE
GLENAVON
SPEEDWELL
PANGBOURNE
GLENGOWER
SUTTON
PLINLIMMON
GOSSAMER
WAVERLEY
PORTSDOWN
GRACIE FIELDS
WESTWARD Ho
HALCYON
PRINCESS ELIZABETH
WHIPPINGHAM
QUENN OF THANET
Sunk.
Conti