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EM
GERBERA
M/L's
WINDSORA
(Owner, Charles Hill & son, Windsor)
[+++
10% June
0715
Taken in tow by the are. Thettix.
Other ships in the top sere the N.L/Ba
These vessels were unsuitable and took no 1975,
part 0725 in Dynamo. d White Bear.
Moid
Left Dover.
1537
Net the Yvonne of Mombe (of Oravalines)
with 1 English soldier heading for
England - she turned and headed
towards Dunicise.
1615
Air attach Tow broken by blast.
Men thrown in water; all picked up.
About this time, the Yvonne 03 Nombe
was sunk by a direct hit.
1635
Air attack continues.
1652
Bombe heard dropping. Drifters heading
home without leaving orders. Some
small boats turn back.
1710
Abdy Beanclork, only, in company.
1718
The life boat "Hosa Bood" [1.00 the
ROBS good and Phyllis Lunn Joined
company. The None Wood and Phyllis
Lunn decided to return to Dover.
1740
Closed B. drifter.
1821
Air attack continues, The Abdy
Resueler's and the Rosa wood turn back.
1854
Lieut. Meed in the carried on
towards Dunkirk.
1926
The M/B Cairngory in reply to B query,
signalled "steer 0.55 E. for Dustirk".
2030ca
Joined company with the tog SUN IV .
2044
Arrived off Dunking vith son IV.
2100
Lt. Mond boarded the Sen IT-
2135
Dunkirk harbour. PASSION Eroope to the
M/S Nisst and other ships lying out-
side the harbour, shilst coming
alongside the towing a boat in
which was Bee Codet Jest, 31dmouth-
Willing), a sholl exploded nearby;
Lientenent Head WSS mortally wounded,
and died in 15 minutes.(1)
2nd June
0423
The left Dankirk in tow of the
1010
Arrived Bun IV.
1030
The Bun XY and the LEER together
disembarked 142 $20000. (See Qua IV)
3rd June
1026
Left Benagate.
1355
Arrived Dover-
Total S
Authority - R.O.II, D.230+
The following evards
Hentton in Degratches (Posthunous)
17, Linot. R.H. Head, B.S.V.R.
Brassen in Despatchee
A.D. Tol. Wells Gooley*
Mecksnus.
(1) Report by Burg. Lieut. 278 of EXHIR

Details

EXPRESS (continued)
Owners,
the
4th (continued) June
0300
0610
Proceeded. Fog in the Downs.
1200
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 611 troops.
Express Portsmouth. and dr. Windsor sailed for
Total 3,277
- TO.9144.
TO.9436.
Authority - R.O.I. p.29.
The following awards were made:
D.S.O.
Captain J.G. Bickford, D.S.C., R.N.
D.S.C.
Lieut. D.H. Maitland-Makgill-Crichton, R.N.
D.S.M.
E.R.A.1st Cl. J. Barton, R.N.R.
P.O.
M.W. Crisp.
Actg.L/Sea.
J. Mountain.
A.B.
F. Stroud.
A.B.
G.A.D. Rooke, R.N.V.R.
Mention in Despatches.
Lieut. Cdr. D.W. Deane, R.N.
P.O. Stwd. A.V. Read.
A.B.
E.C. Holloway.
S.B.A.
J.Yeoman, R.N.A.S. B.R.
304

Details

HAZARD
M/B (Owner, Crescent Trade Facilities Ltd.)
lst June
Left Southend.
1130
Disabled, the Hazard arrived at
Ramsgate in tow of the M/B Sea Hawk
There is no evidence that the Hazard
went over to Dunkirk. She was,
however, lost, having "broken from
tow" [probably when returning to her
home station].
0350
by 100
troope had been
Authority TO.9144/40.
number
of
stretcher
then proceeded.
1010
Dover, Disembarked 550
troope.(1)
1410,
Procesded for La Panne by route Y.
1840
ore whistle Buoy, Heavy dive bombing
raid in progress, Hebe attacked by
1900
3 Heinkele. After the attack, picked
up a wounded R.A.F. officer, and
proceeded into Dunkirk harbour, where
Capt. E.W. Buch, D.B.C., R.H. who
had been acting as S.N.O. (afloat),
was embarked.(2)
2115
Embarked survivors from a troop ship
[the Crested Bagle, a wooden ship
which had eaught fire] which had been
sunk in the raid at 1900. There were
several severe casualties suffering
from burne. (See M.T.B.68)
2230
Arrived at La Panne, under the orders
of Capt. Bush.
30th May
0045
Received a signal from the are Sex to
send a boat for the Red. Dover
[Rear-Admire] U.P. Wake-Walker 0.8.5.
and staff.
0100
staff embarked in Hobel
[Capt. Bush then made B general
situation report to R.A. Dover, who
had been appointed B.N.O. (afloat)].
Troops unbarked from boats between La
Panno and Bray,
1000
Proceeded alonguide at Dunkirk and
filled to consecty. [The R.A. Dover
landed, to see the @.N.O. Dunkirk
Capt. 0. Tennant, R.N.),
but he use away on 4A visit to
Co.nt as LA Pannel.
The Haba laft under the orders
Off aray, R.A. Dover. the R.A. Dover and his staff
tronsferred to the are Windsor(b)
(1) D.R. This 1a considered excessive and is probably a
mincript for 150.
(2) D.R. states that Captain Bush was sent to Hebe as "S.N.O.
afloct off the besches".
(3) R.A. nover gives the time 0.0 0200. Generally speaking,
Heba's times differ from those of ReAs Dover by about 45
minutes. R.A. Dover states, however, that such of his
report had to be completed from memory.
(4) The Rebe's report incorrectly states that R.A. Dover
to the 21 Keith at 1515.

Details

HEBE (N.24)
lst M.S.F.
Lt.Cdr. J.B. G.Temple, R.N.
28th May
1723
Arrived Dover.
1830
Ordered to raise steam and proceed to
La panne, using route Y.
-
Experienced difficulty in finding the
Whistle Buoy marking the channel
off Braye-Dunes. Having eventually
29th May
0110
found the buoy, the Hebe anchored off
La panne.
[on passing the Whistle Buoy, a heavy
explosion occurred about 1/4 mile to the
eastward
Using ship's boats, embarked troops
0350
until dawn, by which time about 100
troops had been embarked, 'including
a number of stretcher cases. Hebe
then proceeded.
1010
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 550
troops. (1)
1410
Proceeded for La Panne by route Y.
1840
off Whistle Buoy. Heavy dive bombing
raid in progress. Hebe attacked by
1900
3 Heinkels. After the attack, picked
up a wounded R.A.F. officer, and
proceeded into Dunkirk harbour, where
Capt. E.W. Bush, D.S.C., R.N. who
had been acting as S.N.O. (afloat),
was embarked. (2)
2115
Embarked survivors from a troop ship
[the Crested Eagle, a wooden ship
which had caught fire] which had been
sunk in the raid at 1900. There were
several severe casualties suffering
from burns. (See M.T.B.68)
2230
Arrived at La Panne, under the orders
of Capt. Bush.
30th May
0045
Received a signal from the dr. Esk to
send a boat for the R.A. Dover
[Rear-Admiral W.F. Wake-Walker O.B.E.]
and staff.
0100
R.A. Dover and staff embarked in Hebe(
[Capt. Bush then made a general
situation report to R.A. Dover, who
had been appointed S.N.O. (afloat)
-
Troops embarked from boats between La
Panne and Bray.
1000
Proceeded alongside at Dunkirk and
filled to capacity. [The R.A. Dover
landed, to see the S.N.O. Dunkirk
(Capt. W.G. Tennant, M.V.O., R.N.),
but he was away on a visit to
Lord Gort at La Panne].
The Hebe left Dunkirk under the orders
of R.A. Dover.
1530
off Bray, the R.A. Dover and his staff
transferred to the dr. Windsor( 4)
(1) D.R. This 1a considered excessive and is probably a
miscript for 150.
(2) D.R. states that Captain Bush was sent to Hebe as "S.N.O.
afloat off the beaches".
(3) R.A. Dover gives the time as 0200. Generally speaking,
Hebe's times differ from those of R.A. Dover by about 45
minutes. R.A. Dover states, however, that much of his
report had to be completed from memory.
(4) The Hebe's report incorrectly states that R.A. Dover
transferred to the dr. Keith at 1515.

Details

ICARUS (continued)
31st May
1100
x route to Dunkirk. Collided with dr.
(continued)
Scimitar in the Goodwin Channel.
Only slight damage.
1400
Lay off Dunkirk harbour.
1615
Secured alongside eastern arm. dr.
Windsor and an "S" class(1) destroyer
berthed outside Icarus. Embarked
troops during air raid.
1800
To Dover by X route. Dive bomb attack
(1 A/C) en route.
2045
Dover. Disembarked 682 troops.
1st June
0130
To Dunkirk.
0415
Secured alongside the P/V Maid of
Orleans. (2) Embarked troops during
an air raid.
0530
dr. Vanquisher berthed outside Icarus.
Shortly after, Windsor berthed outside
Vanquisher.
0730
Proceeded to Dover.
1015
Dover. Disembarked 1,114 troops.
2030
To Dunkirk, Windsor in company.
2300
Secured alongside eastern arm, Dunkirk.
2nd June
0001
To Dover by X route.
Collided with a small trawler in
Dunkirk Channel. Damage to trawler
not known.
0400
Dover Disembarked 677 troops.
1830
Sailing orders cancelled on account
of slight damage.
4th June
1145
To Portsmouth, under orders of dr.
Vivacious.
Total 4,704
Authority - R.O.I. p.60.
(1) This is incorrect. No "S" class destroyer was inside the
harbour at this period.
(2) Icarus says "St. Hillier", meaning St. Helier; but St.
Helier did not enter Dunkirk until 1530/1.
51

Details

MAID OF ORLEANS
S.Ry.Co.
Capt. A.E. Larkins, Master.
P/V Ts,
Capt. G.D. Walker, Master.
26th May
1100
Left Dover (Capt. Larkins 1/c), with
6,000 2-gallon cans of water,
stores and 250 troops.
-
Off Dunkirk. Air raid. "Unable to
effect an entrance and returned to
1503
p.m.
Dover 1) and created back to Dover.
Dover". was mer in mid Channel by the dr. wildSwan
1726
Proceeded to Dunkirk, escorted by dr.
W1ld Swan.
2000ca
Entered Dunkirk and berthed alongside
E
Mona's Queen, which was already loaded
with troops, at the Gare Maritime;
where the P/V Mona's Queen proceeded,
Maid of Orleans took her berth
alongside and landed water and stores.
Troops were then embarked.
2030
P/V Canterbury berthed outside Maid of
Orleans and embarked troops.
27th May
0020
Canterbury proceeded.
0300ca
Maid of Orleans proceeded.
0600
Dover. Disembarked 980 troops and 8
civillans.
p.m.
To Dunkirk.
-
Dunkirk roads. The P/V Canterbury
Captain Albert Edward Larkins, master
of the railway-owned cross-Channel vessels
signalled to Maid of Orleans the
for 20 years, died on Wednesday at Canter-
S.T.O. [?S.N.O.] Dunkirk's order not
bary at the age of 57. He was in command
to enter. Proceeded.
of the Maid of Orleans at the evacuation
of Dunkirk. Times 20.7.1956
28th May
-
Dover. Capt. Larkins reported sick.
Capt. Walker took command.
29th May
0437
To Dunkirk.
-
Berthed alongside Dunkirk East Mole.
Embarked troops. Alongside about
5 hours. Shifted berth 3 times as the
tide ebbed. Proceeded.
-
off Nieuport picked up 2 French officers
from a small open boat.
Dover. Disembarked 1372 troops.
-
30th May
2145
To Dunkirk.
31st May
0100ca
Berthed alongside East Mole. Embarked
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 1253 troops
1253 troops.
a.m.
including 42 stretcher cases).
lst June
0030
To Dunkirk.
0330ca
Berthed at East Nole. Alongside about
6 embarked troops across the decks while
hours during which two destroyers (2)
Embarked 1,856 troops. Proceeded.
air attacks were in progress.
0900ca
Air attack; 4 bombs dropped.
(1) D.R. states 988 troops landed on 26th May. This appears
(2) Icarus to be incorrect. Icarus says she berthed arrive alongside at she
"Sto and Vanquisher. but the St. Helier did Vanquisher not says
Dunkirk secured Hillier", alongside on 1st June Icarus; until 1530. Windsor outside Vanquisher.
218

Details

Details

MONA'S ISLE
A.B/V.
Cdr. J.C.K. Dowding, R.D.,
R.N.R.
26th May
2000
2116(1)
Anchored off Deal.
Sailed for Dunkirk, by Calais route.
27th May
0115
Off Dunkirk.
Entered the harbour, but fouled the
propeller, so backed out of the
harbour. The propeller cleared
itself.
0130
Proceeded down channel to interrogate
French craft as to the situation.
0250
Signalled V.A. Dover for instructions.
A.B/V. King Orry"in similar position".
0321
Ordered to enter harbour at daylight.
0416
Entered harbour and berthed at Quai
Felix Faure during an air attack.
0530
Commenced embarking about 1500 troops.
0704
Proceeded out of harbour.
0730ca
Off Gravelines, some small craft and a
hospital ship [the Isle of Thanet]
were observed some distance ahead
being shelled.
0750
Mona's Isle straddled by shore guns;
some casualties.
0825ca
Attacked by six Messerschmitts;
casualties and damage.
0924
The dr. Windsor came alongside and put
a doctor on board. She then
escorted Mona's Isle to Dover.
1214
Entered Dover harbour, assisted by the
tugs Lady Brassey and Simla.
1353
Disembarked 1420 troops( (2) including
23 dead and 60 wounded.
1835
To Granville Dock for repairs.
1st June(3)
0909
Left dock. Proceeded to Dunkirk by X
route.
1305
Observed the wreck of the P/V Scotia.
H.15 [the dr. Esk] was alongside the
wreck taking off survivors. Closed
the wreck in company with a great
number of small craft proceeding to
Dunkirk; lowered 3 boats and picked
up a few survivors.
1422
Proceeded towards Dunkirk.
1505
Between Nos. 11 and 13 buoys, straddled
by 2 salvoes from dive bombers.
Ship shaken, but no damage.
1540
Berthed inside Dunkirk at east pier.
Embarked troops.
1730
About 1500 troops on board. Waited till
darkness set in.
2100
Proceeded.
(1) D.R. first of the personnel vessels to reach was
Dover states that the Dynamo had commenced at 1857/26, at
the after Operation vessel Mona's Isle which arrived
Cdr. 2230/26 with 1312 definitely troops. states that his ship made and 2nd trips
armed boarding This is evidently incorrect. 2
Dowding at Dover on 27th May Mona's June
It only, 1s disembarking that troops D.R. has mentioned the although A. B/V. the
Isle probable P/V Mona's Queen, hours
latter in did error not for arrive the at Dover until the early of
(2) D.R.
27th May.
(3) D.R. Isle disembarked 1,500 troops (1) on
lst states June; that this Mona's is evidently incorrect (see Note
above).
295

Details

TRITON
M/B (Owner, W.D. Wills)
Lieut. R.H. Irving,
R.N.R.
29th May
1200ca
Left Sheerness with 13 launches.
1930ca
Arrived Ramsgate, without the M/L
2200
Beverley, which failed to turn up.
Sailed from Ramsgate with the M/L
La Silver Queen and six other M/L's for
Panne, without navigating
instruments or current charts.
-
Off the N. Goodwin L.V. it was found
that 3 of the M/L's had had engine
trouble and had returned to harbour.
30th May
0420ca
Saw a cruiser[ loaded with troops.
She had been damaged aft by shell
fire.
-
One of the M/L's was damaged in
collision with the Triton at this
time. Except for that, "all five of
us had crossed safely".
0500
Arrived off beach near La Panne.
Commenced towing boat loads of
troops to trawlers and destroyers.
The Silver Queen distributed petrol
supplies.
1200ca
Commodore G.O. Stephenson came on
board.
-
The Commodore landed on the beach,
but returned after an hour.
1545ca
Went alongside a destroyer [the
Windsor and embarked R.A. Dover
and his Chief of Staff. Closed
the surf to land him by his
whaler which was in tow, but R.A.
Dover did not land. The Triton
took him back to the destroyer.
The Triton continued ferrying and
towing.
31st May
0100
Lieut. Irving rescued 7 soldiers from
drowning.
0200
The Triton went aground.
0400
Refloated.
0600
Cdre. Stephenson transferred to a
"M.T.B. " [the M/Y Bounty].
1300
Heavy shelling was taking place and
ships moved away from La Panne.
The Triton moved to Dunkirk with
a heavy boat load of troops in tow.
Heavy air attack. The M/V "Prince
of Wales" [i.e. the New Prince of
Wales] was hit. Embarked from her 2
wounded officers and 2 ratings.
She was sinking slowly and had 2
dead on board.
Picked up the troops from a heavily
1730ca
loaded boat which had capsized. A
rope fouled the Triton's rudder and
one propeller. Managed to get
alongside the G/B Mosquito, and
transferred the troops and wounded
to her. Could not clear the rope.
Taken in tow by the yacht Caleta,
but the tow parted and the Triton
was abandoned.
Nil
242

Details

VANQUISHER(
1)
(D.54) 11th Destroyer Flotilla Lt. Cdr. C. B.Alers-
14122
28th days
Sailed for Dover (Appx D.1800)
Hankey R.N.
0145
29th May
Proceeded to Dunkirk via route Y under
with drs. Icarus, Ivanhoe and
orders of dr. Javelin, [in company
Intrepid (2)]
0430
Off Kwinte buoy. [Ivanhoe detached to
assist dr. Grafton
0544
Anchored harbour. about 1 mile east of Dunkirk
0630ca
P/V Mona's Queen, a short distance away,
was blown up by a mine. Sent away the
whaler to pick up survivors. The
Master (Capt. Holkham) and 31 of the
crew were recovered. One died on
the homeward passage. Mona's Queen
sank in 2 minutes.
0800
Waiting to go alongside Dunkirk pier.
0945
Entered Dunkirk harbour. Berthed at
Proceeded to Dunknik to
East Pier and embarked troops.
1030
Proceeded.
lateyout Dover
1430
signatted
Dover. Disembarked 250 troops. (3)
reported
2100
To Dunkirk by X route, in company with
obstruction w the hanbour
dr. Esk. which carrying
1
Phirace
2340
Stopped off Malo beach. Esk proceeded
towards Bray Dune.
30th May
0100
Closed Malo beach and anchored in 3
fathoms. Sent in M/B, whaler and
skiff to embark troops.
Reported
0400
Berthed alongside East Pier, Dunkirk.
that include to
Air attack. Embarked troops.
0630
Sailed for Dover.
practicable
0900
Dover. Disembarked 700 troops. (4)
1130
Sailed for Dunkirk.
1500
Berthed at Eastern arm Dunkirk.
Embarked troops and General Wason.
1600
Proceeded.
1910
Dover. Disembarked 700 troops. (4)
31st May(5)
1100
Lt. Cdr. W.C. Bushell, R.N. relieved
Lt. Cdr. Alers-Hankey, sick.
1700
Sailed for Dunkirk.
2040
Entered Dunkirk. Embarked troops.
2100
Proceeded.
1st June
0030
Dover. Disembarked 640 troops.
0230
To Dunkirk.
0530
Entered Dunkirk. Berthed alongside
Icarus (6). Shortly after, dr.
Windsor berthed outside Vanquisher.
Mess tables were rigged across "B"
gun decks of inside ships and troops
were hurried across to outside ships.
(1) From 28th to 31st May Lt. Cdr. Alers-Hankey's dates are
1 day behind the correct dates. The correct dates, as
shown in Vanguisher's log have been inserted accordingly.
Times are approximate.
(2) Not mentioned by Vanguisher.
(3) D.R. has copied Vanguisher's date error in recording 28th this
(4) D.R. dates the 2 disembarkations of 30th May, as having
disembarkation (see (1) above) and dates it May.
(5) D.R. 2 disembarkations for 30th May viz: 582 could and
taken place on 29th May.
622, gives (presumably in error for 31st May) which not
(6) Icarus was alongside the P/V Maid of Orleans.
have taken place.
260

Details

2
WHITEHALL (continued) 1920
31st May
(contd.)
Whitehall's after group shot down one
bomber. (1)
2000
Venomous and Grive left at full speed.
Whitehall re-entered harbour.
2055
Proceeded with 700 troops on board,
using X route.
0045
1st June
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 871 troops.
0830
Sailed for Dunkirk. In the Downs, the
dr. Windsor advised the use of Y
route; proceeded accordingly.
1223
At Middelkerke buoy (at low water)
sighted the dr. Basilisk off Bray.
She was aground on a shallow bank
and out of action. Embarked her
ship's company.
1310
Shelled Basilisk and set her on fire
below the bridge.
1325
Fired 4 torpedoes at Basilisk at 2,000
yards; one is thought to have hit.
1340
Sailed for Dover.
1740
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 34.
2300
Sailed for Plymouth with Basilisk's
survivors.
Total 3,453
Authority - R.O.I., p.169.
The following awards were made:
D.S.M.
P.O. C.K. Souster.
Mention in Despatches
Lt. Cdr.
Ty. Surg. Lieut.
A.B. J.G. Russell, Brown, M.B., R.N. B.S., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., R.N.V.R.
C.P.O.
H.M. Seabrook.
C.E.R.A.
W.A.F. Luke.
Offr's L/Tel. Stwd. 1st Cl. W. Smith.
W.E. Breton.
A.B.
G.F. Sims.
(1) Not mentioned in D.R.
314

Details

2
WHITEHALL (continued)
31st May
1920
(contd.)
Whitehall's after group shot down one
(contd.
bomber. (1)
2000
Venomous and Grive left at full speed.
Whitehall re-entered harbour.
2055
Proceeded with 700 troops on board,
using X route.
1st June
0045
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 871 troops.
0830
Sailed for Dunkirk. In the Downs, the
dr. Windsor advised the use of Y
route; proceeded accordingly.
1223
At Middelkerke buoy (at low water)
sighted the dr. Basilisk off Bray.
She was aground on a shallow bank
and out of action. Embarked her
ship's company.
1310)
Shelled Basilisk and set her on fire
below the bridge.
1325
Fired 4 torpedoes at Basilisk at 2,000
yards; one is thought to have hit.
1340
Sailed for Dover.
1740
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 34.
2300
Sailed for Plymouth with Basilisk's
survivors.
Total 3,453
Authority - R.O.I., p.169.
The following awards were made:
D.S.M.
P.O. C.K. Souster.
Mention in Despatches
Lt. Cdr.
A.B. Russell, R.N.
Ty. Surg. Lieut.
J.G. Brown, M.B., B.S., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., R.N.V.R.
H.M. Seabrook.
C.P.O.
W.A.F. Luke.
Offr's C.E.R.A. Stwd. 1st Cl. W. Smith.
W.E. Breton.
L/Tel.
G.F. Sims.
A.B.
aunentioned in D.R.
314

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

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WINDSOR - Continued
0100ca
2nd June
See -
-
Arrived Sailed Dover. Disembarked 493 troops.
Arrived Proceeded. Dunkirk. Embarked troops.
-
1900ca
Arrived Sailed for Dover. Dunkirk. Disembarked 624 troops.
-
Arrived troops. Dunkirk east pier. Embarked
0100ca
Proceeded.
3rd June
-
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 1,022 troops
Total 3991
Authority - R.O.I, pp.60, 182.
The following awards were made:
Bar to the D.S.M.
A.B. A.V. Johnson.
Mention In Despatches
Cdr. P.D.H.R. Pelly, R.N.
Surg. Lieut. P.N. Shutte, R.N.V.R.
326

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(D.96)
11th
WORCESTER
Destroyer
0715
28th May
Assura K Dover Flotilla Position 120 miles Cdr. J.H. Allison,R.N.
1200
Left Dever for Dunkinkink derth End Y and
1325
2040
Arrived Proceeded. Embarked 450 route. troops.
troops. (1)
Dover. Disembarked 509
29th May
0700
1040
Alongside Sailed for Dunkirk by X
air attack Dunkirk east route.
1320
Proceeded
1720
by 800 Heavy troops.
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 800
troops. (2)
1925
To Braye-Dunes by X route.
30th May
0130
Off from Braye-Dunes. Embarked 800 troops
boats.
0740
Left all ship's boats behind and
1045
proceeded by X route.
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 875
troops. (1)
1234
To the beaches by Z route, but altered
back to X route on information that
enemy was shelling on Z.
1700
Off La Panne, the R.A. Dover (Admiral
Wake-Walker) transferred from the dr.
Windsor to the Worcester.
1730ca
R.A. Dover landed at La Panne to visit
the C. in C., Lord Gort. S.N.O.
Dunkirk (Capt. Tennant R.N.) was
with the C. in C. and the situation
was discussed. In the meantime
Worcester embarked 750 troops from
boats off Braye-Dunes and La Panne.
2200
R.A. Dover re-embarked in the Worcester.
31st May
0130ca
R.A. Dover transferred to the dr.
Express.
0200
Worcester sailed for Dover by X route.
Grounded on a shoal in Dunkirk roads,
337°, 21/2 cables from No. 5 buoy.
Slight damage.
0725
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 800
troops. (1)
1608
Sailed for Dunkirk.
2100
East pier being full, visited all the
beaches in turn finally anchoring
off La Panne.
1st June
0330ca
No troops having come off and shelling
having commenced proceeded to Dunkirk
east pier, and embarked 650 troops.
0430
Sailed
0825
Arrived for Dover. Disembarked 661
troops. (3)
1300
Sailed for Dunkirk.
{}} D.R. D.R. records, also, a second disembarkation on 29th May, of
(3) D.R. 450 troops.
337

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cw
CONFIDENTIAL.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AWARDS.
CALAIS DEMOLITIONS - H.M.S. "WINDSOR" - "DYNAMO".
(Commander-in-Chief, Western Approaches' No.P.340/57
dated 7th November, 1940.)
II
ALTRINS: 06
No. B23/1598/40.
SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY.
(copy to Commander-in-Chief,
Western Approaches.)
Forwarded for the consideration of Their Lordships.
2.
Recommendations of Demolition Parties were dealt with
direct between the Officers in charge of the Parties and
Admiralty. I was under the impression that the awards to the
Calais Party had already been considered and decided upon.
3.
The remaining officers and men (with the exception of
Commissioned Gunner (T) Dennis) were recommended for their
services in Operation "Dynamo" - Surgeon Lieutenant Shutte and
Able Seaman Johnson were included in List "A" and the remainder
in List "B".
4.
H.M.S. "Windsor" did very good service, transporting
about 4,500 Troops from France and suffering slight damage and
about 30 casualties as a result of air attacks.
There were not many outstanding cases of gallant
conduct and the list submitted by the Commanding Officer contains
more than the average number of names, but it is evident that
the Ship's Company as a whole displayed exemplary conduct and
devotion to duty.
5.
In the London Gazette of 16th August, 1940, the
Captain and Surgeon Lieutenant Shutte, R.N.V.R. were mentioned
in Despatches, and Able Seaman Johnson was awarded a Bar to his
D.S.M. Under the circumstances I submit for the consideration
of Their Lordships that recognition of the general good service
of the ship be acknowledged by the award of one or more
decorations and mentions to men in the forthcoming half-yearly
list, list. selection being made from those given in the accompanying
36018
1940
Dover,
13th November, 1940.
VICE ADMIRAL.
Ltd.
51-6446

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Page 40.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. WINDSOR. - Lieutenant-Commander Peter Douglas Herbert
Raymond Pelly R.N.
This ship completed 6 round trips, transporting about
4, 500 troops, during which she was subjected to air attacks
however, abandoning the operation,
and suffered slight damage and 30 casualties, without,
Recommendations.
OFFICERS:
Lieutenant-Commander Peter Douglas Herbert Raymond Pelly, R.N.
Displayed conspicuous determination and good
judgment throughout the operation.
Recommended for mention.
Surgeon-Lieutenant Peter Neale Shutte. R.N.V.R.
Displayed conspicuous devotion to duty in
treating wounded soldiers in MONA'S ISLE and undoubt
edly saved many lives there; and subsequently also
casualties in WINDSOR.
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS:
Able Seaman Arthur Victor Johnson, P/J.24724.
At the time of the air attack on the 28th May,
Johnson was a Quartermaster at the wheel. Although
wounded in the arm, he continued to obey all wheel
orders and to transmit all orders to the Engine Room
for a considerable period until relieved.
Decorated on the 15th May, 1918, with D.S.M.
Recommended for decoration.

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Page 2.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel - List 'B'
DESTROYERS (continued).
H.M.S. WAKEFUL.
Officer.
Sub.Lieutenant John Septimus Percival-Jones, R.N.
H.M.S. WHITSHED.
Commanding Officer.
Commander Edward Reignier Conder, R.N.
H.M.S. WINCHELSEA.
Officers.
Lieutenant Roland Chirwell Watkin, R.N.
Lieutenant (E) Richard William George Logg, R.N.
Ratings.
Chief Stoker Edward Graimes, P/K.46095.
Stoker 2nd Class Albert Norman Griffiths, P/KX.103743.
George Spencer Sutcliff, Canteen Manager.
H.M.S. WINDSOR.
Officers.
Lieutenant Cyril George Hart Brown, R.N.
Sub. -Lieutenant Michael Harvey Collar, R.N.
Commanding Engineer Robert Arthur Marsh, R.N.
Ratings:
C.E.R.A.2Frederick Edward Standing, P/M.39535.
Chief Stoker Bernard Gillam, P/K.56298.
E.R.A.3 Reginald Bone, P/MX.52059.
Acting Stoker Petty Officer Stanley Thomas Rosser, P/KX.
75570.
Acting Leading Stoker George Alexander Langlands, P/KX.
77751.
Stoker 1st Class Robert Shields, P/K.17772.
Chief Petty Officer Frederick Charles Hallett, P/J.33846
Petty Officer Stanley Gordon Renouf, P/J.108703.
Able Seaman Jack Lamb Ritchie, ESDX,1805.
Able Seaman Reginald William Buckle, P/JX.158915.
Ordinary Seaman James Seivwright, ESDX.1956.
Leading Seaman Thomas Reginald Dibble, W.65216.
Leading Telegraphist David Ballard, P/J.30932.
H.M.S. WOLFHOUND.
Officer.
Sub. Lieutenant Philip Roger Canning Higham, R.N.

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iii) Wt. 20777/4432 50M 10/38 S.E.R. Ltd. Gp. 671.
Min Desp
Register No.
Minute Sheet No.
x
Ordinary Seaman Seaman Dominie Kenny, D/SSX.30221, H.M.S.
Ordinary William Lyons, D/SSX.30211, H.M.S. SHIKARI SHIKARI
Licutenant-Commander Conrad Byron Alers-Hankey, R.N.,
Lieutenant Reginald Noel Hankey, R.N., H.M.S. VANQUISHER
H.M.S. VANQUISHER
/Lieutenant Cecil William Clarence Checcucci, R.N.,
Chief Petty Officer Frederick Calvert, C/J.21929,
H.M.S. VANQUISHER
H.M.S. VANQUISHER
Stoker Petty Officer William King, C/K.53308, H.M.S. VANQUISHER
Petty Officer Charles Morrice, C/J.110582, H.M.S. VANQUISHER
Lieutenant-Commander John Edwin Home McBeath, R.N.,
H.M.S. VENOMOUS
Lieutenant Robert Andrew Morgan, R.N., H.M.S. VIMY
Leading Seaman Thomas Brewerton, P/JX.166128, H.M.S. VIMY
Leading Seaman Aubrey Robert Porter, P/J.64868, H.M.S. VIMY
Chief Stoker John Wattam, P/K.56834, H.M.S. VIMY
Stoker Joseph Samuel Comben, P/J.62149, H.M.S. VIMY
Sub-Lieutenant John Teague Gilhespy, R.N., H.M.S. VIVACIOUS
Mr. John George Revolta, Commissioned Engineer,
H.M.S. VIVACIOUS
Petty Ufficer W. Flint, P/JX.126621, Gunners Mate,
H.M.S. VIVACIOUS
Engine Room Artificer C.E. Strugnell, P/MX.47645,
H.M.S. VIVACIOUS
Chief Stoker Charles Tanner, P/K.58508, H.M.S. VIVACIOUS
Sick Berth Attendant J.T. Tomlinson, P/X.6941, H.M.S. VIVACIOUS
Acting Petty Officer Ronald Ford, P/J.106208, H.M.S. VIVACIOUS
Petty Officer Telegraphist A. Bennet, P/JX.126535, H.M.S.
VIVACIOUS
Acting Yeoman J.T. Loynes, P/JX.129983, H.M.S. VIVACIOUS
Lieutenant-Commander Archibald Boyd Russell, R.N., H.M.S. WHITEHALI
Temporary Surgeon Lieutenant James Gorrie Brown, R.N.V.R.,
H.M.S. WHITEHALI
Chief Petty Officer Harold Methven Seabrook, D/J.43574,
H.M.S. WHITEHAL
/ Officers Steward, 1st Class William Smith, D/L.824,
H.M.S. WHITEHALL
1x
Chief Engine Room Artificer William Alfred Frederick Luke,
D/M.3704, H.M.S. WHITEHALL
Leading Telegraphist Wallace Eugene Breton, D/JX.135520,
H.M.S. WHITEHALL
Able Seaman George Frederick Sims, D/J.111898, H.M.S. WHITEHALL
Chief Petty Officer Rupert Armstrong, P/J.104917,
H.M.S. WINCHELSEA
Able Seaman Peter Frederick Byford, P/JX.135125,
H.M.S. WINCHELSEA
Chief Engine Room Artificer Cecil John Rhodes, P/M.28822,
H.M.S. WINCHELSEA
Lieut Commander Peter Douglas Herbert Raymond H.M.S. Pelly, WINDSOR R.N.,
Surgeon-Lieutenant Peter Neale Shutte, R.N.V.R., H.M.S. WINDSOR
Able Seaman Thomas William Neicho, C/SS.24676, H.M.S. H.M.S. WOLSEY
Able Fox, C/SSX.12148, H.M.S. WOLSEY
Leading Stoker Seaman Reginald Claude Gordon Jones, C/KX.92890, H.M.S. H.M.S. WOLSEY
Seaman George Leslie Williams, C/JX.128094, WOLSEY WOLSEY
Leading Seaman Cyril Frank Whitwell, R.N.V.R., P/MX.46507,
William Mackenzie, (LTO) C/J.101310, H.M.S. WORCESTER
Engine Surgeon Room Lieutenant Artificer 2nd Class Ronald W. Brenton, H.M.S. WORCESTER
VPetty Officer Lawrence Motteram, P/JX.129270, Gunner's H.M.S. Mate,
WORCESTER
*
Petty Officer Benjamin Matthews, J.3593, Coxswain, H.M.S.
WORCESTER

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Dynam. #1235.
H.M.S. MONA'S ISLE. A.B.V. Report of events covering period
Sun, 26th May to 28th May. To Dunkirk and back.
B14/0/1120
58
52
26th May.
2000. anchored off Deal.
2116. proceeded towards Dunkirk via route past Calais. fine and clear.
27th May.
0115. off entrance to Dunkirk. signalled, no response. Being ignorant of
conditions and harbour, attempted to enter slowly. Star engine failed
owing to wire round propellor. Considered entrance might be fouled so
backed out. Propellor cleared itself.
0130. Proceeded down channel to interrogate several French craft as to
position inside harbour, pilots etc. No satisfaction.
0250. Signalled V.A.D. for instructions. HM.S. KING ORRY in similar position.
0321. Orders to enter at daylight.
0416. Entered and made contact with S.T.O. No tugs available, so swung ship
and berthed at Quai Felix Faure, with all guns firing on enemy aircraft.
0530 Alongside. commenced embarking. about 1500 men, approx.
0704. Proceeded out of harbour.
BODD Off Gravelines, observed several British small craft and Hospital
0730
ship being shelled some distance ahead.
0750. Heavily shelled and straddled by several ? guns, approx 12pdr, firing
shrapnell. Several hits of sorts and casualities.
0805. Considered it worth the risk of turning to N.W, being at the moment ogf
Dunkirk A.W. buoy. Apparently got out of range.
0825. Six Messerschmitt appeared. Opened fire with 4" and 2 lewis guns. 12par
boapp) Aircraft carried out about four attacks, from the sun, invisible to us.
from astern. "errific machine gun fire, a great deal of which missed
ahead, but many direct hits with cannon, especially around after 12 pdr,
whose crew under Sub Lt A.E. Neave R.N.R. stood up to it extremely
well, but sustained casualties, including the sub lteutanant.
The packed troops on the open deck suffered badly; had the shooting
been acurate the losses would have been very much greater.
0835. Aircraft apparently out of ammunition and sheered off.
D.G. gear: W/T set; 10" signal lamp; steering gear; out of action. speed main-
tained. Steered West to Outer Ruytingen Buoy No 7. by engines.
0900. Called H.M.S. WINDSOR. ( well to S.W. of us.) asked her to report our
condition to V.A.D.
Steered W.N.W. approx.

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59
H?M.S. MONA'S ISLE. A.B.V.( REPORT CONT.)
0924 Windsor alongside. put Doctor on board and escorted us to Dover.
53
1000.( approx.) off Dover entrance; Windsor asked for tug. reported the
casualties.
1054. Tug Lady Brassey fast. orders to wait for berth;
1156. Tug Simla fast with orders to enter, and go to Eastern arm.
1214. Entered Harbour. and waited for berth.
1353. Berthed at Admiralty pier. cam'ced disembarking at once.
1835. All ashore, including about 23 dead and about 60 wounded. all due to
air attack.
Remained at Pier all night and berthed in
Granville Dock at 0520 28th May. to effect numerous repairs to all
boats, steering gear, D.G. winding; electrical circuits; dynamo.
IFresh and Salt water tanks and services.
The behaviour of the entire ships company under very trying conditions
was magnificent, especially that of the Engine Room branch, whose work
was considerably hampered by the congestion of troops and wounded round
about the engine room, ( on the Main deck.)
The coolness, confidence, cheerfulness and courage of all ranks of the
Military was a great incentive to all concerned.
The fear lest a 600 gallon Diesel Oil tank on the shelter deck should be
perforated and take fire, being quite unprotected was the greatest concern.
J.C.K. Dowding
Comdr R.N.R.

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193
2089
2.
at Bover envianged for mre men being emboxited from the beaches than was in
practice possible when the moment arrived, and I had therefore to modify then
on the spot to make greater use of Dunicire, and continually adjust the plan and
the means to a changing stituation.
13.
During the day of 30th May embortation proceeded slowly there were not
enough ships off the benches and at one mement HER was there alone. Hon were
coming off in pontoons but there me often no one to take these creft ashore
again. During the day lorries voro driven into the BSN to form pders.
14.
There were many wounded on board HKHR, and at 4 Della I decided to
sond her home. Captain Bush went in her to strees the vital necessity for
boats and crews if any mmbers were to come off from the beaches.
15.
Accordingly I transferred to WINDSOR off Bray at 1600, and at 1630
landed at La Parme to visit the 0.-in-0. It was necessary to vale the last for
yards. Captain Tennext was with the C.-in-C. and the situation was discussed.
I stressed my views as to the difficulties of embaritation by boat and the
necessity for moving tomoda Dunicirit, but I could not but be more of a relustance
on the part of the Army to do 80 and a feeling that the Havy ought to be able to
embark large mmbers by boat from the beaches. Arrengments to take off the
C.-in-C. at 1600 on Friday were made, and he informed 30 of the effort of which
he had heard from the 1st Sea Lord by telephone, and which was to be made on
Friday night. The details of this 1 received next day at 1000. when Captain
Bush returned in HERE.
16.
At my first attampt to return to KANSER in a pontoon peddled by
soldiers the boat swamped in shallow water, but the second attempt with a
smaller arew was successful and I got OR board at 2200.
31st May
17.
At 0230 on Friday, 31st May, IS WORDSTER we full to with troops I
transferred to EXPRESS and in her proceeded to Dunicizione at daylight to direct ahiys
to where they were most needed.
18.
On this day the breese freshened and being onshore made boat work very
difficult. Many boats were broached to and strended at high under so that
embarkation from the beaches cuse about to a standatill. I continued to urge
movement of troops to Dunkirk and considered the value of basching abive but
was tide. very doubtrul that it would be of any use except for a small period of the
19. thereafter BO that my movements should not be haspered by consideration of
At 0645 I transferred to H.M.S. KEITH and kept her free from troops
embarkation or wounded more
20. The At these was the provision of larger numbers of small bonts to and
1000 HERE arrived with the plans for the avacuation for Friday night.
crows essence to bring of off the rearguard at 0130 to minasweepers which ware be there
about that time.
made 21. During for IDD to get Destroyers, Paddlers, and would have been sent these
the day the time of ambarkation WAS advanced other to 2030 cruft and off this
Dunicisk at that time. they could have Boaded quicker. in it but was, the sent every mmber ship of
beaches it necessary Buf for this many of these ships I into
which itself where be taken from the beaches into Duricist than I liked. large
places could from possibly which boats were working locked up more abive
moved 22. About noon At 1430 X proceeded in KKISH to La balloon. Permo try KNITH locate
HERE off LA Pume ome under fire from a shore to battery to and
the battery further but West. 10 was beding directed by an observation was
fired on and I withdrow.
/23.
À

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200
215
2.
over envisaged for more men being embarked from the beaches than was in
tice possible when the moment arrived, and I had therefore to modify them
the spot to make greater use of Dunkirk, and continually adjust the plan and
means to a changing situation.
During the day of 30th May embarkation proceeded slowly - there were not
gh ships off the beaches and at one moment HEBE was there alone. Men were
ng off in pontoons but there was often no one to take these craft shore
in, During the day lorries were driven into the sea to form piers.
There were many wounded on board HEBE, and at 4 Della I decided to
a her home. Captain Bush went in her to stress the vital necessity for
ts and crews if any mmbers were to come off from the beaches.
Accordingly I transferred to WINDSOR off Bray at 1600, and at 1630
ded at La Parme to visit the C.-in-0. It was necessary to wade the last few
ds. Captain Tennant was with the C.-in-C. and the situation was discussed.
tressed my views as to the difficulties of embarkation by boat and the
essity for moving towards Dunkiric, but I could not but be aware of a relustance
the part of the Army to do so and a feeling that the Havy ought to be able to
ark large numbers by boat from the beaches. Arrangements to take off the
in-C. at 1600 on Friday were made, and he informed = of the affort of which
had heard from the 1st Sea Lord by telephone, and which was to be made on
day night. The details of this I received next day at 1000. when Captain
sh returned in HEBE.
At my first attempt to return to WORCESTER in a pontoon peddled by
ldiers the boat swamped in shallow water, but the second attempt with a
aller crew was successful and I got on board at 2200.
31st May
At 0130 on Friday, 31st May, as WORCESTER was full up with troops I
ansferred to EXPRESS and in her proceeded to Dunkirk at daylight to direct ships
where they were most needed.
On this day the breese freshened and being onshore made boat work very
ffficult. Many boats were breached to and stranded at high water so that
barkation from the beaches case almost to a standstill. I continued to urge
ovement of troops to Dunkirk and considered the value of beaching shipe but
dde. as very doubtful that it would be of any use except for a small period of the
9.
At 0645 I transferred to H.M.S. XETTH and kept her free from troops
mbarkation or wounded men.
hereafter that my movements should not be haspered by consideration of
O.
At 1000 HEBE arrived with the plans for the evacuation for Friday night.
The essence the provision of larger numbers of small boats and
crews to bring of off these the was rearguard at 0430 to minsswespers which were to be there
about that time.
made 21. it During the day to get Destroyers, Paddlers, and other creft these
the time of embarkation was advanced to 2030 and off this
Dunicisk at that time. could have Boaded quicker. As it was, I sent every mmber ship of
beaches necessary for no Buf for this many of these ships would have been sent into
which could itself where be they taken from the beaches into Dunkirk but I the liked. large
places from which possibly boats were working looked up more ships than
moved 22. About noon At 1430 I proceeded in KNITH to La Parme to try to locate
HOLD off La Panne came under fire from a shore battery and
the battury on I withdrow.
further but West. it was being directed by an observation balloon. KEITH was
/23. A

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358
364
Page II
proceed at slow speed. "Express" arrived at midnight and troops
a trawler to escort "Jaguar" who was later able to
were performance. disembarked, the number of wounded making this a slow
Having completed with fuel "Express" left
Dover by route Y at 0920 30th May,arrived alongside Dunkirk
pier at 1245 and with about 800 troops onboard sailed at 1315
arriving Dover 1650. Ship sailed again by route Y at 1800
and arrived off La Panne beach at 2130 and commenced embarking
troops by ships and other small boats.
At 0250 31st May Rear Admiral Dover Straits
and staffembarked and later "Express" acted as desired by the
Rear Admiral who transferred to "Keith" at 0700/31. More troops
were embarked and having got about 600 onboard including Major-
General Thorne I proceeded to Dover arriving at 1115.
"Express" sailed again by route Y at 1215.
While passing 511 buay the ship came under fire from Gravelines
batteries and was straddled. This fire was returned.
On arrival off Dunkirk roads all ships
present engaged enemy aircraft intermitiently who were carrying
out bombing attacks and the prospect of going alongside the
Eastern side of Dunicirk Pier was investigated. At about 1700 dive
bombing attacks on Destroyers off Bray was particularly heavy.
Two attacks were carried out on "Express",one salvo was a near
miss ahead, and the other straddled, five depth charge type bomba
falling close all round the ship. Aircraft were heavily engaged
and no damage was sustained except for small breakages. At 1830
"Express" again entered Dunkirk and embarked about 700 troops
sailing at 1900.
Shortly after a large number of enecty bonbers
and fighters attacked ships approaching Dunkirk including a large
number of small craft. Several aircraft were seen to be destroyed
as a result of our aircraft attacking.
After disemberking troops at about 2300/31
"Express" proceeded to oil and at about 0400 1st June secured to
buoy and made good small defects including severed Coll.
At 2200 2nd June "Express" left Dover and
arrived off Dunkirk where there was considerable congestion
and I was unable to get wires secured - the bonhardment appeared
alongside. Ship entered at 0200/3 but the pier una eapty of troops
this time. The Rear Admiral accordingly
to return to Dover in company with "Codrington"
and ships arrived there at 0500.
into North Goodwin which persisted until to buay. sink
"Express" proceeded at 2200 3rd June aya and ran
as Dunkirk at presumed mine. explosion. "Express" British Beach
Arrived thick fog off 0230/4 where an unknown ship was seen secured to
party. pier and embarked appeared to be not quite after passing on
the a result of a 600 French Proops and the 80 heavy as
the previous The bombardment night. ht. The ship mailed at 0300 and through
rog in the Downa arrived Dover at 0610.
At 1200 "Express" and "Windsor" sailed for
Portamouth.
About 3500 troopa had been whichet transported.
red to be
mailed at
at 0610.

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127
126
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 6.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
125
127
Tuesday, 28th May. (continued)
beach with the object of embarking that force as soon as
possible.
19. As regards enemy activity, this day the Germans
contented themselves with bombing the town and port of Dunkirk,
but on a small scale compared with that to be experienced later,
probably because of increasing R.A.F. air cover and also due to
the fact that a heavy pall of smoke from the burning town
covered the operation most of the day.
20. Losses to H.M. Ships - 28th May.
A/S Trawler THURINGIA sunk by mine in position 51° 20' N,
2° 03' E. Four survivors.
Flare-burning Drifters PAXTON and BOY ROY damaged by enemy
aircraft and beached. No casualties.
Destroyer WINDSOR. Bombed about 1100. Damage to hull and
aerials. Various casualties.
Minesweeper BRIGHTON BELLE. Sunk in collision. struck
LL Trawler THOMAS BARTLETT sunk by mine in shallow water
whilst trying to avoid gunfire in position 51 2 12 N, 54 E.
Personnel Vessel QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL sunk by bombing attack.
Wednesday, 29th May.
21. The Northern Route Y having been swept, it was
arranged to sail personnel ships to Dunkirk at daylight and to
continue to sail throughout the day; this route would take
ships clear of the artillery fire on shore. Personnel ships
accordingly started at 0230.
22.
Much consideration had been given to the practicability
of building piers on the beaches using lines of berges. Reports
from ships that worked off the beaches showed, however, that
owing to the very gradual shoaling of the water at all states
of the tide such a barge pier, to be effective, would have to
be of very great length, beyond the resources available.
23. Information was received that the Personnel Vessels
with their Mercantile Marine crews were having difficulty in
making the entrance to Dunkirk harbour in the face of the
navigational difficulties caused by a heavy smoke pall over
the entrance and in face of bombing and shelling encountered
en route and whilst alongside. [In certain vessels the crews
were unwilling to sail when ordered, consequently application
was made to the Commander-in-Chief, Nore, for Naval Officers
and ratings for duty in the Personnel Ships.) Nevertheless, it
subsequently transpired that at Dunkirk there had been a good
number of ships throughout the night, at times exceeding the
influx of troops.
24. S.N.O., Dunkirk, and other Senior Officers on the
Coast reported during the early hours that surf on the beaches
was retarding boat work. S.N.O., Dunkirk, at 0709, asked for
all ships to go to Dunkirk. The Vice Admiral could not accept
this as it was essential to maintain lifts off the beaches as
well/

Details

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

Details

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

Details

Details

Details

4
296
VA, A destroyer Dover, having reported that Dunkerque was
293
0830 I asked me if ships should be sent there. usable,
0830
signalled from HEBE that destroyers could At into
Dunkerque in succession and that troops were waiting come close
to the pier. Loading off beaches was proceeding slowly:
conditions were not bad, but the slight swell running in
was enough to render boats liable to broach to. At La
Panne and Braye, lorries were being driven into the sea to
form a sort of breakwater.
Noon
About midday there was an air attack on ships and on La
Panne. Later, when it had cleared a bit overhead, there
was an attack on Dunkerque. Several French destroyers
came in by Y channel and were fired on from the north of
La Panne; some guns tried to shell beach between Braye
and La Panne, but the steep dunes protected it.
On returning to La Panne met Stevenson who had transferred
to a motor launch and was doing excellent work. He saw
(9)
Lord Gort who was anxious to see me. As conditions were
getting worse and I did not want to get stranded, decided
to go to Dunkerque and drive to La Panne from there.
HEBE could not be detained any longer, so sent her back to
Dover with troops and wounded and told Bush to explain the
boat situation and point out vital necessity for sending
out boats and crews.
1530
Transferred my staff to WINDSOR and went into Dunkerque in
MTB 102, sent at my request. Badly wanted some means of
getting about quickly and a fast boat of light draught
would have been invaluable: when I did get one its endur-
ance was so low that it had to return almost at once to
Dover.
On getting to Dunkerque found Tennant was with Gort and
that to drive there would take up more time than I cared
to be away: decided to land from a boat after all.
The MTB had not enough fuel to reach La Panne and return
to Døver, SO boarded GOSSAMER and took her to La Panne
1730
where I transferred to WORCESTER at about 1730.
La Panne was in telephonic communication with England;
also received W/T messages from Dover. One (1749) said
ships were urgently wanted off La Panne: actually, at
1900, there were 4 destroyers and 1 minesweeper there and
situation was constantly changing.
G.H.Q. was in touch with Admiralty and VA, Dover, and gave
views and criticisisms of what was happening. This
probably accounts for signal from 1st SL on this day asking
if boats were distributed along beaches to best advantage.
Actually, only boats that could get inshore, except distri- pontoons
bution depended on position of ships they belonged but
and a few local craft, were the whalers, and their to.
(10)
badly So hampered by lack of quick transport: once ships had
far as possible kept ships off all beaches, was
boats away a re-distribution was impracticable.
1900
beaches; with ammunition. Told her to beach cleared at as La
Small and about this time the TINY puffer herself
their numbers of aircraft attacked La Panne and arrived, ships off
loaded tide being then high; did so and was of was
Panne, tide fell, though think that a good deal cargo
finally on beach in slight swell (thied attempt visual to see Gort),
dumped in the sea.
2000
Landed Flag-Lieut. and a few signalmen to and open General
went with them to GHQ - last villa but one on
communication taking with GHQ. Met by Tennant south edge Lees;
of La Panne. situation. Seemed obvious to me back that more the
(11)
Discussed felt they had successfully fallen it now or
soldiers intact inn face of great odds and that was not making up
to less the Navy to get them off, but that Navy were
Stressed of large scale embarkation from beaches; off said from
any real difficulty, effort to do slowness so. and dependence on fine
weather that bulk of any troops should move westward and come This
Dunkerque.

Details

317
311
M 9 -
30/5
the conditions inshore were getting worse and I did not want to get
stranded I decided to go into Dunkirk and drive to La Panne from there.
All this time the large number of mon and wounded in "НЯ" had
been on my mind. Feeling that I could not keep her any longer I decided
to send her back to Dover with Captain Bush to explain the boat situation
and point out the vital necessity of sending out boats and crews.
Accordingly at 3.30 I transferred my staff to "WINDSOR" and went
into Dunkirk in M.T.B. 102 which had come at my request. I had folt
badly in need of means of getting about quickly, and a fast boat of
X
light draft would have been invaluable. The trouble was that when I did
get one its endurance was so low that it had to return almost immediately
X
to Dover.
On arrival at Dunkirk I found that Tennant was with Lord Gort and
that to drive there would be likely to take a longer time than I cared
to be away so I decided that I must land from a boat after all.
The M.T.B. had not onough fuel to reach La Panne and roturn to
Dover, so I boarded the "GOSSAMER" and took her up to La Panne where
I transferred to "WORCESTER" at about 5.30 p.m. There I again found
Commodore Stevenson and lent him my spare pair of trousers and underclothea
as he got soaked through whenever he landed.
La Panne was in telephonic communication with England and sometimes
I received messages by W/T from Dover about the situation there - 80 for
31
instance one timed 1749 saying that ships were urgently wanted off In
Panne actually at 1900 there were four destroyers and one minesweeper
X
at LO. Panne and the situation was constantly changing. G.H.Q. wear in
touch with Admiralty and Vice Admiral, Dover, and gave their views and
criticisms of what was happening. This probably accounts for a signal
from the First Sea Lord on this day asking if boats were distributed
along the beaches to the best advantago. Actually of course practically
the only boats that could get inshore except the pontoons and D. few
local craft were whalers and their distribution was dependont on the
position of the ships they belonged to.

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 6.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
Tuesday, 28th May. (continued)
beach with the object of embarking that force as soon as
possible.
19. As regards enemy activity, this day the Germans
contented themselves with bombing the town and port of Dunkirk,
but on a small scale compared with that to be experienced later,
the fact that a heavy pall of smoke from the burning town
probably because of incroasing R.A.F. air cover and also due to
covered the operation most of the day.
20. Losses to H.M. Ships - 28th May.
A/S Trawler THURINGIA sunk by mine in position 51° 20' N,
2° 03' E. Four survivors.
Flare-burning Drifters PAXTON and BOY ROY damaged by enemy
aircraft and beached. No casualties.
Destroyer WINDSOR. Bombed about 1100. Damage to hull and
aerials. Various casualties.
Minesweeper BRIGHTON BELLE. Sunk in collision.
LL Trawler THOMAS BARTLETT sunk by mine in shallow water
whilst trying to avoid gunfire in position 51 2 12 N, 54 E.
Personnel Vessel QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL sunk by bombing attack.
Wednesday, 29th May.
21. The Northern Route Y having been swept, it was
arranged to sail personnel ships to Dunkirk at daylight and to
continue to sail throughout the day; this route would take
ships clear of the artillery fire on shore. Personnel ships
accordingly started at 0230.
22. Much consideration had been given to the practicability
of building piers on the beaches using lines of berges. Reports
from ships that worked off the beaches showed, however, that
owing to the very gradual shoaling of the water at all states
of the tide such a barge pier, to be effective, would have to
be of very great length, beyond the resources available.
23. Information was received that the Personnel Vessels
with their Mercantile Marine crews were having difficulty in
making the entrance to Dunkirk harbour in the face of the
navigational difficulties caused by a heavy smoke pall over
the entrance and in face of bombing and shelling encountered
en route and whilst alongside. In certain vessels the crews
were unwilling to sail when ordered, consequently application
was made to the Commander-in-Chief, Nore, for Naval Officers
and ratings for duty in the Personnel Ships. Nevertheless, it
subsequently transpired that at Dunkirk there had been a good
number of ships throughout the night, at times exceeding the
influx of troops.
24. S.N.O., Dunkirk, and other Senior Officers on the
Coast reported during the early hours that surf on the beaches
was retarding boat work. S.N.O., Dunkirk, at 0709, asked for
all ships to go to Dunkirk. The Vice Admiral could not accept
this as it was essential to maintain lifts off the beaches as
well/

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

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Details

Details

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Page 2.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recomme ations of Personnel - List 'B
DESTROYERS (continued).
I.M.S. WAKEFUL.
Officer.
Sub.Lieutenant John Septimus Percival-Jones, R.N.
H.M.S. WHITSHED.
Commanding Officer.
DSC
Commander Edward Reignier Conder, R.N.
H.M.S. WINCHELSEA.
Officers.
Lieutenant Roland Chirwell Watkin, R.N.
Lieutenant (E) Richard William George Logg, R.N.
Ratings.
Chief Stoker Edward Graimes, P/K.46095.
Stoker 2nd Class Albert Norman Griffiths, P/KX.103743.
George Spencer Sutaliff, Canteen Manager.
H.M.S. WINDSOR.
Officers.
Lieutenant Cyril George Hart Brown, R.N.
Sub. -Lieutenant Michael Harvey Collar, R.N.
Commanding Engineer Robert Arthur Marsh, R.N.
Ratings:
C.E.R.A.2Frederick Edward Standing, P/M.39535.
Chief Stoker Bernard Gillam, P/K.56298.
E.R.A.3 Reginald Bone, P/MX.52059.
Acting Stoker Petty Officer Stanley Thomas Rosser,P/KX.
75570.
Acting Leading Stoker George Alexander Langlands, P/KX.
77751.
Stoker 1st Class Robert Shields, P/K.17772.
Chief Petty Officer Frederick Charles Hallett, P/J.33846.
Petty Officer Stanley Gordon Renouf, P/J.108703.
Able Seaman Jack Lamb Ritchie, ESDX.1805.
Able Seaman Reginald William Buckle, P/JX.158915.
Ordinary Seaman James Seivwright, ESDX.1956.
Leading Seaman Thomas Reginald Dibble, 1.65216.
Leading Telegraphist David Ballard, P/J.30932.
H.M.S. WOLFHOUND.
Officer.
Sub.Lieutenant Philip Roger Canning Higham, R.N.

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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.

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Page 42.
Page 4.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
Page 40.
H.M.S.
WINDSOR
- Lieutenant-Commander Raymond Peter Douglas Herbert
Pelly, R.N.
4,500 suffered troops, This ship during completed which 6 she round was trips,
and slight damage and 30
however, abandoning the operation.
Recommendations.
OFFICERS:
Lieutenant-Commander Peter Douglas Herbert Raymond Pelly, R.N.
judgment throughout the operation.
Displayed conspicuous determination and good
M
D.S.C.
or
Recommended for mention.
Surgeon-Lieutenant Peter Neale Shutte, R.N.V.R.
Displayed conspicuous devotion to duty in
M
M
treating wounded soldiers in MONA'S ISLE and undoubt-
edly saved many lives there; and subsequently also
casualties in WINDSOR.
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS:
Able Seaman Arthur Victor Johnson, P/J.24724.
ing
ered
to
At the time of the air attack on the 28th May,
ore
D.S.M.
Johnson was a Quartermaster at the wheel. Although
wounded in the arm, he continued to obey all wheel
10m
orders and to transmit all orders to the Engine Room
for a considerable period until relieved.
Decorated on the 15th May, 1918, with D.S.M.
Recommended for decoration.
301
OF

Details

Page 2.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel - List 'B'
STROYERS (continued).
M.S. WAKEFUL.
Officer.
Sub.Lieutenant John Septimus Percival-Jones, R.N.
M.S. WHITSHED.
Commanding Officer.
Commander Edward Reignier Conder, R.N.
.M.S. WINCHELSEA.
Officers.
Lieutenant Roland Chirwell Watkin, R.N.
Lieutenant (E) Richard William George Logg, R.N.
Ratings.
Chief Stoker Edward Graimes, P/K.46095.
Stoker 2nd Class Albert Norman Griffiths, P/KX.103743.
George Spencer Sutaliff, Canteen Manager.
I.M.S. WINDSOR.
Officers.
Lieutenant Cyril George Hart Brown, R.N.
Sub. Lieutenant Michael Harvey Collar, R.N.
Commanding Engineer Robert Arthur Marsh, R.N.
Ratings:
C.E.R.A.2Frederick Edward Standing, P/M.39535.
Chief Stoker Bernard Gillam, P/K.56298.
E.R.A.3 Reginald Bone, P/MX.52059.
Acting Stoker Petty Officer Stanley Thomas Rosser, P/KX.
75570.
Acting Leading Stoker George Alexander Langlands, P/KX.
77751.
Stoker 1st Class Robert Shields, P/K.17772.
Chief Petty Officer Frederick Charles Hallett, P/J.33846.
Petty Officer Stanley Gordon Renouf, P/J.108703.
Able Seaman Jack Lamb Ritchie, ESDX.1805.
Able Seaman Reginald William Buckle, P/JX.158915.
Ordinary Seaman James Seivwright, ESDX.1956.
Leading Seaman Thomas Reginald Dibble, .65216.
Leading Telegraphist David Ballard, P/J.30932.
H.M.S. WOLFHOUND.
Officer.
Sub. Lieutenant Philip Roger Canning Higham, R.N.

Details

Page 40.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. WINDSOR. - Lieutenant-Commander Peter Douglas Herbert
Raymond Pelly. R.N.
This ship completed 6 round trips, transporting about
4,500 troops, during which she was subjected to air attacks
and suffered slight damage and 30 casualties, without,
however, abandoning the operation.
Recommendations,
OFFICERS:
Lieutenant-Commander Peter Douglas Herbert Raymond Pelly, R.N.
Displayed conspicuous determination and good
judgment throughout the operation.
Recommended for mention.
Surgeon-Lieutenant Peter Neale Shutte. R.N.V.R.
Displayed conspicuous devotion to duty in
treating wounded soldiers in MONA'S ISLE and undoubt-
edly saved many lives there; and subsequently also
casualties in WINDSOR.
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS:
Able Seaman Arthur Victor Johnson, P/J.24724.
At the time of the air attack on the 28th May,
Johnson was a Quartermaster at the wheel. Although
wounded in the arm, he continued to obey all wheel
orders and to transmit all orders to the Engine Room
for a considerable period until relieved.
Decorated on the 15th May, 1918, with D.S.M.
Recommended for decoration.

Details

VESSEL
OWNER
REMARKS
J.Mears
Returned to owner
MUTT
MYOLA
c/o Toughs
Did not go.
6th Ramsgate Scouts
No trace of return from
MONTAGUE WHALER
Dunkirk.
MARGARET MARY
G.Chantry
A.P.S.
MATA HARI
J.W.Lintott
A.P.S.
M.L. 108
?
A.P.S.
E.F.White &
Returned to Owner 6.6.40.
MINNEDOSA
A.J.Riding
damaged.
ROSE
Lt.Cdr. Gain
Allocated to A/P.
ROSA
MATOYA
MADAME SANSGENE
Guy Shelly
Reported lost by Owner.
RUBY
A.P.S.
Edvy
MARY JANE
Lt.Col.H.S.C.
Richardson
M.F.H. 4B
Messrs. Pickfords
Returned to Owners.
WON
MAY QUEEN S.M.270
F.Leach
Returned to Owners 5.6.40.
KOU
MESORA (Wherry)
T.H.Read
Reported lost by Owner
MIRANDA No. 58 Boat
W.H.Goldsmith
Reported lost.
R.K.Taylor-
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
NAIAD ERRANT
Nightingale
NANETTE II
E.G.Baxter
T.98 Re-allocated to A.P.S.
NARCISSA
H.Allbrow
to V.A.Dover.
NAUTILUB A
J.F.Mardling
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
NEMO IV
Nemo Motor Boats
Abandoned at Dunkirk.
NEW PRINCE OF WALES
Southend Mot.Nav.Co.
Returned to Owners.
Kichy JOH 9 RCO a SON Ro from Sile
Ltd.
NEW WHITE HEATHER
J.Davis & Sons
No. tress. of
A.P.S.
J.Emons
NIN
Returned to Owners
c/o Toughs
NIRVANA
A.P.S.
Mr.Mason
NO NAME II
(Yarmouth & Gorleston
T.98 Returned to Owners.
NORWICH BELLE
(Stm. Boat Co.
A.P.S.
Mr. Wilcox
NANCY BELLE
Returned to Owners.
NEW WINDSOR CASTLE
c/o "oughs
T.98. Returned to Owners
J.L.Shakespeare
OFFEMIA
19/6.
A.P.S.
Mr.Forman
Returned to Owners 3.6.40.
OMEGA
H.J. Gallop
ORATAVA RX 45
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
H.Joynson
Prepared for Dunkirk, did
ORELLANA
H.M. Customs,
not go.
OSPREY
Gravesend
(Yarmouth & Gorleston
T.98 Returned to Owners.
OULTON BELLE
(stm.Boat Co.
(Returned to Owners 19/6
Mr.Beran
OUR LIZZIE
Bob Leach & Son
Released 3.6.40
OUR MAGGIE
Re-allocated Special
(Admiralty Service (6A)
A.P.S.
H.Payne
ONA II
Prepared but did not go
PROSPERITY (WY59)
T.Eglon
to Dunkirk.
-do-
PROVIDER
(WY71)
E.Turner
-do-
PROGRESS
(WY72)
E.Turner
Returned to Owners
W.Walker
PROVIDENCE
Risdon Beazley
Released 1.6.40.
PALMESTON

Details

VESSEL
OWNER
REMARKS
TAMARA
J. Taylor & Bates
Prepared did not go
IV
.8.71
.80.1
XI
you
of
X
UBIQUE II
D.
Neville
Returned unsuitable
out of
to
UNIQUE Jacohurchille
Returned to owners 19.6.
a
USANCO Halls
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
of
.C.D
DES
VALERIE Fuller
A.P.S.
VANGUARD
Smith Bros.
T.98. Returned to owners
VANITEE TORID! Wetherell
T.98 No information of return
from Dunkirk.
VERA
ToMrs. C.M. Smith
Returned to owner.
YAR
VICTORIA
Smith
Bros
Returned to owners.
s
VIEWFINDER
-TOLITA. London
T.98. No trace of return from
Dunkirk.
VIKING
P.H. Tranter
T.98. Returned to owner.
20
Damaged.
VISCOUNT
J. Mears
Being returned to owners 11.6.40.
VEDETTES
F. Lycett
-allocated
to
A.P.S
VENTURE
N.O.I.C. Shereham No report received from List of
Missing Vessels.
VOLANTE R.110
R.J. Solly
Returned to owner.
VIKING III
J.S. Houlton
Reported
lost.
VENUS (WY.67)
Cole
Prepared but did not go to
Dunkirk
VOLO
G. Denny
Returned to owner.
wepiche Marocaine
VICTORY
Bolitho
Stood by - did not go.
WANDA
E.A.L. Midgely
A.P.S.
WARRIOR
G.H. Warrell
Abandoned off Dunkirk.
Presumed lost.
WARRIOR
W. Douglas
A.P.S.DWOH
WAVE QUEEN
G.H: Kent
T.98. No report received from
List of Missing Vessels.
WAIKAKEI II
Lieut. Leyland
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
WESTERLEY
R.A.B. Christie
No report received from List
of Missing Vessels.
WESTWARD
F.H. Porter
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
WEYMOUTH QUEEN
Cosens & Co.
Released 3.6.40.
WHITE BEAR
.AB
The Hon. Clive Pearson Survived.
WHITE SPRAY
Mrs. Helyar
Did not leave.
WHITE WATER
W.H. Richards
T.98. Returned to owner.
WHITEWING
F.J. Cook
A.P.S.
WILLIE & ALICE
W.G.B. Crouch
No trace of return from Dunkirk.
Returned used by N.O.I.C.
Ramagate, given back to owner.
WINDSONG
O.L. Dalton
A.P.S.
NEW WINDSOR CASTLE
c/o Toughs
Returned to owners.
WINGS OF THE
MORNING
Lord Dunboyne
A.P.S.
WINMABET
J. Gummerson
Returned to owner.
WINSTON
A.J. Fuller
To V.A. Dover.
Now returned
to owners.
WOLSEY
A. Malcolm
Returned to owner.
WOODLAND LILY
Messrs. Jacobs
Returned - unsuitable.

Details

Dynam. #35.
58
H.M.S. MONA'S ISLE. A.B.V. Report of events covering pperiod
B14/
Sun, 26th May to 28th May. To Dunkirk and back.
52
###########
26th May.
2000. anchored off Deal.
2116. proceeded towards Dunkirk via route past Calais. fine and clear.
27th May.
0115. off entrance to Dunkirk. signalled, no response. Being ignorant of
conditions and harbour, attempted to enter slowly. Star engine failed
owing to wire round propellor. Considered entrance might be fouled so
backed out. Propellor cleared itself.
0130. Proceeded down channel to interrogate several French craft as to
position inside harbour, pilots etc. No satisfaction.
0250. Signalled V.A.D. for instructions. HM.S. KING CRRY in similar position.
0321. Orders to enter at daylight.
0416. Entered and made contact with S.T.O. No tugs available, so swang ship
and berthed at Quai Felix Faure, with all guns firing on enemy aircraft.
0530 Alongside. commenced embarking. about 1500 men, approx.
0704. Proceeded out of harbour.
Off Gravelines, observed several British small craft and Hospital
0730
ship being shelled some distance ahead.
0750. Heavily shelled and straddled by several ? guns, approx 12ydr, firing
shrapnell. Several hits of sorts and casualities.
0805. Considered it worth the risk of turning to N.W, being at the moment ogf
Dunkirk A.W. buoy. Apparently got out of range.
0825. Six Messerschmitt appeared. Opened fire with 4" and 2 lewis guns. 12par
boago) Airoraft carried out about four attacks, from the sun, invisible to us.
from astern. "errific machine gun fire, a great deal of which missed
ahead, but many direct hits with cannon, especially around after 12 pdr,
whose crew under Sub Lt A.B. Neave R.N.R. stood up to it extremely
wall, but sustained casualties, including the sub
The packed troopa on the open deck suffered badly; had the shooting
been acurate the losses would have been very much greater.
0835. Aircraft apparently out of ammunition and sheared off.
9. gear W/T sat; 10" signal lamp; stearing gear; out of action. speed main-
tained. Steered Test to Outer Ruytingen Buoy No 7. by engines.
0900. Called H.M.S. WINDSOR. ( well to S.W. of us.) asked her to report our
condition to V.A.D.
Steered W.N.W. approx.

Details

59
H?M.S. MONA'S ISLE. A.B.V.( REPORT CONT.)
0924 Windsor alongside. put Doctor on board and escorted us to Dover.
53
1000.( approx.) off Dover entrance; Windsor asked for tug. reported the
casualties.
1054. Tug Lady Brassey fast. orders to wait for berth;
1156. Tug Simla fast with orders to enter, and go to Eastern arm.
1214. Entered Harbour. and waited for berth.
1353. Berthed at Admiralty pier. com'ced disembarking at once.
1835. All ashore, including about 33 dead and about 60 wounded. all due to
air attack.
Remained at Pier all night and berthed in
Granville Dock at 0520 28th May. to effect mmerous repairs to all
boats, steering gear, D.G. winding; electrical circuits; dynamo.
/Fresh and Salt water tanks and services.
The behaviour of the entire ships company under very trying conditions
was magnificent, especially that of the Engine Room branch, whose work
was considerably hampered by the congestion of troops and wounded round
about the engine room,( on the Main deck.)
The coolness, confidence, cheerfulness and courage of all ranks of the
Military was a great incentive to all concerned.
The fear lest a 600 gallon Diesel Oil tank on the shalter deck should be
perforated and take fire, being quite unprotected was the greatest concern.
J.e.K. Dovding
Condr R.N.R.

Details

Fire was opened and was effective in preventing further
On arrival at Dunkirk It was low water and only the outer
Other fighters approached later and were identified as Spi at
at the east pior could be used. That nearest the shore was
alroady occupied by "ICARUS", and "VANQUISHER" was berthed
ue
alongaide her. Shortly afterwards "WINDSOR" berthed outside
"VANQUISHER". Mess tables were rigged across "B" Gundecks 0
inside ships and troops were hurried across to outside ship
all despatch. "VANQUISHER*s" electrical hailing equipment
great value here, as all the troops were French and variou
exhortations in that language backed by ample powerz produc
a marked effect. The pier was crowded and every effort was 18
to embark the greatest possible number which is believed to
been not less than 1200,
During the proceedings onemy aircraft were such in evidence
5/44
Bombs were dropped to the eastward of the pier, apparently
"ane
simed at one of the numerous wrecks. Both barrage and close
five were frequently opened, and one bomber, despite heavy 12
pressed home his attack and dropped a salvo of 4 bombs which
fell near "VIVACIOUS" port how.
The sky was cloudy and bombers were several times seen dimly
through the oloud directly overhead at 1500 to 2000 feet.
Fortunately they dropped no bombs. "VANQUISHER"S" aerials wer
10
shot away by "ICARDS" 0.5" machine gan.
Troops were disembarked on return to Dover and samunition to
Date
complete was requested.
de
Meanwhile it was clear that "VANQUISHER*s" Ship's Company had
reached a state of exhaustion which made it most undesirable
take them to sea again without rest. This was reported to the
Vice Admiral's Office and the ship accordingly reverted to 2
hours notice.
The following day Sunday and June, orders were received at 043
to raise steam for full speed with all despatch, but later
reverted to * hours notice.
I had now decided that there was no longer any reason to
Lieutenant Harbottle in "VANQUISHER". Be vas anxious not 1
leave while operations were still not complete, but he wast
need of leave and 1 also falt 1t desirable that he should 3
available to handle "WITERN's" refit in case By absence been
protracted. I therefore discharged him Selle Sunday 2nd June
requested the Vice Admiral's Staff that 1f not urgently regil
elsewhere he might be sent on leave. & for hours later the
Commanding Officer of "VANQUISHER" rejoined and took over
I reported to Vice Admiral Dover and vas instructed to proceed
Folkstone with 1 Leading hand and 8 1,3's and 80 on Soard the
transport "TYNTALD". It was emphasised that 1 was not to sons
myself in command or the ship but to employ all possible mean
get her to sail for Dunkirk as a number of the officers and 0
were apparantly unwilling to do 30. Owing to the efforts of 18
company which owne the ship, and their agent in Folkestone, 1
presented no difficulty whatsoever.
The Chief Officer - Ne Thiteaway - had been recalled from les
and relieved the Master: the Second Officer because the Chief
Officer with & now Second, the Chief Engineer and several
Ingineers were relieved, and all sen unwilling to sail had bear
replaced by others sent down from London by bus. These were no
only willing but sager to sail.
Naval and Wilitary Lewis and Bren and grown were barried,
were in charge of the Military Liason Officer, Captain
Hicholson, who was of the greatest assistance throughout.
The ship left Folkestone at 2115/2nd June and borthed at he
outer and of Dunkirk east pier at about 0100/3rd June, This
presented some difficulty as the Master was clearly new to ship
handling and there WILD no one on the pier to take lines. This WV
done by Captain Nicholson and a rating who jumped for it.
Another transport was struck once and the pior twice before
borthing was completed.

Details

374
348
2.
at Dover envisaged far more men being embarked from the beaches than was in
practice possible when the moment arrived, and I had therefore to modify them
on the spot to make greater use of Dunkirk, and continually adjust the plan and
the means to a changing situation.
13.
During the day of 30th May embarkation proceeded slowly - there were not
enough ships off the beaches and at one moment HEEE was there alone. Men were
coming off in pontoons but there was often no one to take these craft ashore
again. During the day lorries were driven into the sea to form piers.
14.
There were many wounded on board HEBE, and at 4 Della I decided to
send her home. Captain Bush went in her to strees the vital necessity for
boats and crews if any numbers were to come off from the beaches.
15. landed at La Parme to visit the C.-in-C. It was necessary to vade the last few
Accordingly I transferred to WINDSOR off Bray at 1600, and at 1630
yards. Captain Tennant was with the C.-in-C. and the situation was discussed.
I stressed my views as to the difficulties of embarkation by boat and the
necessity for moving towards Dunkirk, but I could not but be sware of a reluctance
on the part of the Army to do so and & feeling that the Navy ought to be able to
embark large mumbers by boat from the beaches. Arrangements to take off the
C.-in-C. at 1600 on Friday were made, and be informed no of the affort of which
he had heard from the 1st Sea Lord by telephone, and which Yes to be made on
Friday night. The details of this I received next day at 1000. when Captain
Bush returned in HEBE.
16. soldiers the boat swanped in shallow water, but the second attempt with &
At my first attempt to return to WORCESTER in a pontoon paddled by
smaller crew was successful and I got on board at 2200.
31st May
17. transferred At 0130 to EXPRESS on and in her proceeded to Dunkirk at daylight to direct ships
Friday, 31st May, as TORCESTER Yes full S with troops 1
to where they were most needed.
the breeze freshened and being onshore made boat work that very
18. On this day boats were breached to and stranded at high continued water so to
movement was very doubtful of troops that it would be of any use except for a small period the
embarkation from to Dunkirk and considered the value of beaching ships of
difficult. Many the beaches came almost to a standatile. I but urge
tide.
19. thereafter At 0645 so that I my movements should not be hangered by
transferred to H.M.S. KEITH and kept her consideration free from troops of
embarkation or wounded men.
arrived with the plana for the evacuation small for boats Priday and night.
20. At 1000 HERE the provision of larger numbers of to be
The crews essence to bring of off these the was rearguard at 0130 to minesweepers which were there
about that time.
21. During the for day me to get Destroyers, Paddlera, and would other have been sent these
the time of embarkation vas advanced to 2030 craft and off this
made it necessary for this sany of these ships sent every into ship
beaches at that time. But could have loaded quicker. As it was, I mmber of
Dunkirk itself where be they taken from the beaches more into Dunkirk than but I the liked. large
which places could from which possibly boats were working looked up ahiya
22. About noon At 1430 I proceeded in KRITH to La balloon. Panne try KETTH was locate
HERE off La Panne came under fire from at ahore to battery to and
moved the battery further but West. it was being directed by an observation
fired on and I withdrew.
/23. A

Details

Dynam. 297.
Confidential
144/4
H.M.S. "WCLSEY".
Yo L.P.1/12/40
12th June, 1940.
ir,
I have the honour to forward the following report of
roceedings of H.M. Ship under my command during the period May 22nd
June 1st. The delay in forwarding this report is regretted
ut, firstly, I did not think that reports from individual ships
ould be required.f such a large operation and further, your letter
0.B.14/0/1101/40 was not seen by me until my return from leave on
IthnJune.
2. H.M.S. "WOLSEY" was ordered to proceed to Dunkirk at 1913
2nd May. Ship berthed at the FelixfFaure jetty and about 200
unded soldiers (all walking cases). Ship sailed for Dover at 2105,
scured to Admiralty Pier at 0140/23 and disembarked wounded, finally
ecuring to buoy at o230.
3. At 0915/23 "WOLSEY" slipped and proceeded to the Downs to
struct Hospital Ships "ISLE OF THANET* and *WORTHING* to proceed to
unkirk. Hospital Ships were instructed to stop at Dover for route
it as they had not the necessary charts, "WCLSEY" had to lead.
hips berthed alongside at Dunkirk at 1430. "WOLSEY" embarked
oproximately 180 Officers and other ranks of the Army G.P.O. and
ther non-combatants. Ships sailed in company 2045 Hospital Ships
ere ordered to Newhaven, "WOLSEY" secured to Admiralty Pier 2330 and
isembarked troops 9 finally securing to buoy at 0415/24.
Le Havre with demolition parties. On return "WOLSEY" was ordered
4. Friday 24th May "WOLSEY" in company with *WINDSOR* proceeded
ooring cable proceeded of fixed buoy of Western Entrance boom destroyed dome
WOLSEY" to buoy. On passage to buoy, "WOLSKY" and
em ark ammunition for Calais. This was cancelled AM Saturday fouled and
already reported).
couring and carried returning to Dover 1850. At 1930 Fog encountered was ordered
alais 5. At 1445/26 out bombardment of the road to Seaward "WOLSKY"
"WOLSEY" in company with "WOLFHOUND" proceeded of the to
assage proceed to Dunkirk finally secured to Felix transports to
Basin, to act as W/T link ship. Faure jetty was 2350. on
Longside. WOLSEY" shifted berth remained under way in anchorage I berthed
but "WOLSEY" at 0530/27 to allow troop but finding come a
ommunication ast with Shore calculated I could remain shallow, and as
Ship Signal Station difficult there until one alongside hour
efore Low Water but 0930 I (reported immediately. by signal)
Pier 0700. I at 0915 I found water getting to anchorage
r-Raid endeavouring began at to move decided decided at rest 1030. of the Ship day,
nd ship was eventually and remained there for the with great
aintained roceeded to V/S anchorage touch with the clouds Shore of Signal smoke and Station almost 70 continuous rounds
ir-Raid. Ship was at claims to have brought but
ificulty due to the dense Action Stations all day, over down one plane, per
his un being is not fired. confirmed. *WOLSEY* was bombed on 1800 six occasions "WOLFHOUND" but no
hehored rrived ombs fell and THE bringing embarked back "WOLSEY" troops. approximately subsequently Both 150 ships
sailed for as Dover at
roops.

Details

211
Page Be
07SO. Slipped and proceeded to Dover's AB ships proceeding
down the channel between Dunkirk and BY buy had been
fired at by shore batterios, a smoke flost use burit on
the forecastle and funnel moke 108 also rade. The wind
was exactly right to afford the maximum protection from
the forecastle smoke float, but whether 18 was due to
this protection or due to the energr guns having coved on,
it is impossible to sey, but fire was not opened on
"Iearus" during this passage.
1015. Arrived Dover and disectioned troops.
1300. Secured to H0.1 Buby, ship's staff and deckyard fitters
sorking on the 3.0.0011.
2030. Slipped and proceeded to Dunking "Windsor" in company.
"Icnsus" ISS late proceeding owing to not receiving the
signal giving order of leaving herbour until 3030.
asco
Secured in Dunitirk harbour on liastern Am
Saturday 2nd June.
0001.
Slipped and proceeded to Davez by "X" route.
has in collision with a small travler shile proceeding
vestuard down the channel: the visibility use extremely
bad owing to the moke from the burning oil fuel take
at Dunkirk and 1 spite 05 as having a lookout on the
forecentle, there was ao the for if order of full entern
to take effect before hit:ing. I was unable to alter
away to port ao I was already just outside the charted
channel to part to avoid the sagnatic nines, which had
been loid in the channel. Do usjor lacage was sustained
but the hael fitting of the P.V.boom use fractured. It
is not known shot damage use sustained bythe trauler.
0030.
Received a signal : an V.I.Dover informing ships that
magnetic nines had been laid indiscriminately around
Fede bucy. AB if D.O.0011 insulation was extremely Low
and had been giving continuous trouble, : decided to avoid
F.I. buby and return by another youte.
There appeared to be a navigational dangers between
8a buay and the swept channel on a course of 323 digrees,
but there remained the question of our own minefields. I
therefore inforged V.A.Dover that I intended to proceed on
a course 05 310 from BW buay outing to the laying of
magnetic mines at 7.0.buay and at the see time saked if
there were any British minarields on this course. I judged
that the uinefield, if says would be 1614 in the channel
to the northanrd and therefore adjusted as apeed so an to
give at least helf an hour in which to get an number to
my signal before entering this channels Ky signal was
passed by 0045 and as no answer van received by 0115 it
appeared that this course use a safe one] at 0130 honover,
1 received a signal saying that the course was useless.
It use too late as X this time I use back in the number
0400.
"&" route channels
0500*
Secured at Adadrolity Pier and diserbarked troups.
1830.
slipped and proceeded to 50.7 Buoy.
"Icarus" sailing for Duskirk cancelled oving to having only
one dynamo and one steering motor 1a action.
Honday 4th June
1145.
Slipped and proceeded under orders of "Vivacious" to
1830.
Secured Fortsmouth alongaide Fitch House Jetty.
3.
During all

Details

SECRET
225
Page 8.
0730. Slipped and proceeded to Doven- AB chips croceeding
down the chemal between Dunkfits and DD Serg had been
fired at by shore batterien, a emplo floot 500 burnt on
the forecastle and Cuanel empire 168 also unde. The wind
was exactly right to afford the sexiem protection from
the forecastle state first, but shother it me due to
this protection 02 due to the enery gune having poved on,
it is impossible to say, US$ fire voc not opened on
"Icarus" during this passage.
1013.
Arrived Dover and disabborked troops.
1300.
Secured to Ho.1 Budy, chin's staff and dockyard fitters
working on the
2030.
Blipped and proceeded to Jushirk, "Windsor" in company.
"Icoxue" one Late proceeding owing to not receiving the
signal giving order of Leaving harbous until 2020.
2300
secured in Duskink harbour on Eastern Am.
Saturday 3rd Jane,
0001. alipped and proceeded to Dever by "X" route.
Was 15 collicion with 2 email tranter shile proceeding
westeard doen the chamel: the visibility und extremely
bed owing to the smite from the burning oil fuel tanks
at Dunkisk and 1 spito of nj having & lookout on the
forecastle, there was DO time for = order or full estern
to take affect before hit lig. I 120 unable to alter
may to port an I 500 already just outside the charted
channel to part to avoid the engretic nines, which had
been Inid in the charnel. no major desige una sustained
but the hast fittlig if the 2.7.boom use Crectured. It
in not known what Camage 100 sustained Whe troular.
0050.
Received a sign? 2 GDL informing chips that
magnatic sines 100 been loid indian ininately around
F.O. buag. As 17 0.0.0011 insulation see extrencly Lov
one End been giving continuous trenble, : decided to avoid
AS bucy and return by another mote.
There appeared to be DD norigational cangero betwoon
but there received the question of our can minefields. I
5W buay and the grept changel on & course of 320 degrees,
a course of 315 from BY burg owing to the laying of
therefore informed that 1 Intended to proceed on
mignatic ulnes at and at the used time naked 18
that the mineriald, 18 DATE would be laid in the channel
there were any British minefields on this course. I judged
to northanrd and therefore addinted my speed so an to
mg signal 0045 and as no number vae received at by 0130 it
give at before entering this channel. IV signed 0115 van
the least half en hour in which to not an answer to
passed by that this course une a ent'u one: vas unclece. however,
appeared signal anyand Date the course back in the
I It received was too a late an W this the X wan normal
0400.
Secured "X" youte at channel. Admirally Please and Duoy. discriburied troupn.
08001
slipped satting for mikis cancelled 15 action. cwing to beving only
and proceeded so 30.7
1830.
one "ICHIUS" dynamo and one stooring motor
Monday 4th June
Slipped and proceeded under orders of to
1930.
Secured Fortmonth. alongoide 21tch Hundred Jetty.
S.
During all

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

Details

THE WEEK BEFORE OPERATION "DYNAMO"
CHAP. II
Communication with England was cut, and all messages had to be sent by des-
troyers.
By 1530 the Germans had occupied the whole of Boulogne except a bridge-
head, all anti-tank guns were out of action, and half of Major Holford's force
were estimated to be casualties. The destroyers Keith (D. (19), Captain D. J.R.
Simson) and Whitshed went over to Boulogne during the afternoon, and were
followed later by the Venetia, Venomous, Vimiera, Wild Swan and Windsor.
The arrival of the first two destroyers was followed by an enemy air attack,
together with close range mortar, machine gun and rifle fire, which caused
damage and casualties, including Captain D. (19) who was killed, and necessi-
tated breaking off, the work of evacuating wounded and withdrawing tem-
porarily from the port. Fortunately, No. 92 Squadron of the R.A.F. (12
Spitfires) soon encountered the large enemy formation and, with some loss to
themselves and much to the enemy, gained a measure of control of the situation;
and by 1955 the destroyers were back in harbour and carrying out the evacua-
tion of the Welsh Guards. The Keith had received a signal at 1749 ordering
all troops to be evacuated.
About 2000, while Lieut.-Comdr. Welman was on the point of firing the last
of the demolition charges, German tanks towing field guns appeared over the
hill north of the harbour and opened heavy fire at the three destroyers coming
in to take off Force Buttercup." An amazing engagement, described by
eye-witnesses as magnificent, ensued between the German field guns and the
destroyers. The Venetia was hit while in mid-channel, but she was got under
control and out of the harbour, thus avoiding blocking in the Venomous and Wild
who were embarking " Force Buttercup" and the Irish Guards while engaging
the enemy tanks and field guns with every gun they had.
It was low water when the destroyers eventually backed out of harbour,
loaded down with troops. When the Venomous backed out her wheel jammed
and she had to steer with her engines; the Wild Swan, following her, grounded
for a moment, but both ships got off and both reached Dover safely. When,
at 2234 some 3,000 troops had been brought off, the Wild Swan reported that
although a considerable number remained further evacuation was impracticable.
The Windsor, however, which had been ordered at about 2030 to help in the
evacuation, arrived after the rest of the destroyers had left; she entered the
harbour after dark, filled to capacity and sailed again without damage or much
difficulty. On clearing the harbour, the Windsor informed V.-A. Dover that
further evacuation under cover of darkness was still possible and that two more
destroyers could lift all the soldiers still left at Boulogne.
Vice-Admiral, Dover, therefore, despatched the Vimiera at 0015 on the 24th
to try to bring off the remaining troops. She arrived at Boulogne at 0130,
and found all silent. At length the Commanding Officer's hail was answered,
and it was found that there were more than 1000 troops waiting for a ship.
Going alongside the jetty, the destroyer was crowded to the tiller flat by 0230,
the only space left being round the guns; and when she slipped at 0245 she
was compelled to leave some 200 men behind. Five minutes later shore batteries
opened fire on the jetty, and at 0255 a bomber passed close and a bomb ex-
ploded 20 yards away. The Vimiera was so over-loaded that even five degrees
of helm made the ship list unpleasantly. She reached Dover safely at 0355
and landed some 1400 men, including Belgian and French troops and some
I The Whitshed had been at Boulogne helping to evacuate wounded from 0630 to 1045
when she left with two transports for Calais.
9

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

CHAP. III
THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
with a view to lifting up to 45,000 of the B.E.F. within two days, at the end of
which it was probable that evacuation would be terminated by enemy action".
A further step was taken when, at 1800, Captain W. G. Tennant, M.V.O.,
R.N., was ordered by the Vice-Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral T.S. V.
Phillips, C.B., to proceed to Dunkirk to take control of the naval shore em-
barkation parties. Captain Tennant's appointment as S.N.O., Dunkirk, was
promulgated, his duties to commence the following day2, and beach masters
and pier parties were ordered to proceed from the Nore to Dover.
Then, at 1857, there went out from the Admiralty, by teleprinter, the historic
signal, "Operation Dynamo is to commence "3, which was to save our Army
in France, and to have the most momentous results for the Nation, the Empire
and the World.
Mona's Isle makes the first round trip
Except for the destroyer Wolsey, which left Dover at 1930 to act as W/T
link ship, the first ship to sail on this great mission was the armed boarding
vessel Mona's Isle, which left the Downs at 2116. After some delay with a
fouled propeller she berthed at the Quai Félix Faure during an air attack, and
embarked 1420 troops. On the return journey, she was straddled by shore
guns off Gravelines, and shortly after, was heavily machine-gunned from the
air; these attacks caused 83 casualties, including 23 dead. She reached
Dover at noon on the 27th May escorted by the destroyer Windsor, which had
put her doctor on board and landed her troops. Mona's Isle was the first ship
to complete the round trip in Operation "Dynamo".
Mona's Queen first ship back on 27th May
This, however, was not the first passage on 26th May. Even before the
Admiralty signal, the despatch of personnel vessels to Dunkirk had begun, a
flow of 2 vessels every 4 hours having been accepted by the B.E.F.4. The
armed boarding vessel King Orry had sailed at 0930, and the Mona's Queen at
noon. The Maid of Orleans had sailed at 1100 (with 6,000 two-gallon cans of
water), but arriving off Dunkirk during an air attack was unable to effect an
entrance and returned to Dover"; she was sailed again at 1726, escorted by
the destroyer Wild Swan, which had also taken out the Canterbury at 1728,
and escorted her part of the way.
The Mona's Queen (carrying 1200 troops) was the first of these ships to
arrive back from Dunkirk, reaching Dover shortly after midnight on the
26th/27th May ; the Canterbury arrived at 0309/27 (with 1,340 troops), the
store ship Ngaroma at 0500/27 (with a hundred troops), the Maid of Orleans at
0600/27 (with 980 troops), and the King Orry at 1100/27 (with 1,131). As a
result of these sailings on the 26th May 6,083 troops were landed in England
on the 27th May, of which Mona's Isle had contributed 1,420 towards the
two days".
tentative Admiralty target of "lifting up to 45,000 of the B.E.F. within
Hospital carriers
under Hague Convention was ignored, and their conspicuous white hulls
The the work of the hospital carriers was specially hazardous; their immunity
I D.R. page ii.
2 Appendix M. 2.
3 Appendix M. 1.
4
D.R.
16

Details

MONDAY, 27TH MAY
CHAP. IV
meantime at 2025, the Vice-Admiral, Dover, received another signal sent only
a few minutes later :
" Port continuously bombed all day and on fire. Embarkation possible only
from beaches east of harbour A.B.C.D.¹ Send all ships and passenger ships
there to anchor. Am ordering Wolfhound to load there and sail. T.O.O.2005."
To the Vice-Admiral, Dover, the situation must have appeared critical
when, later that evening, he received a report from two military officers from
G.H.Q., that the plight of the B.E.F. was precarious and that the enemy might,
indeed, succeed in cutting it off from Dunkirk.²
All ships diverted to the beaches
Such was the grim picture presenting itself to the Vice-Admiral, Dover, that
night - the B.E.F. in grave and very real danger of being cut off altogether from
Dunkirk, and possibly only a bare 24 hours available for its evacuation. Admiral
Ramsay reacted to these dire tidings with characteristic drive and energy,
and a period of intense activity ensued. Every effort was concentrated on
sending as many craft as possible to the beaches without delay². Order
followed order in rapid succession. Personnel ships were diverted to the
beach, code letters A, B, C and D (i.e. Malo beach). Four paddle minesweepers³
were sailed from the Downs to La Panne beach. Destroyers were rushed to the
beaches and urged to embark as many British troops as possible, as this was
the last chance of saving them "; the Gallant, and Vivacious, then on patrol,
the Windsor, Vimy, Anthony, Impulsive, Sabre and the cruiser Calcutta, were
all ordered to proceed with the utmost despatch to the beach at Malo-les-Bains
and the beach at Zuydcoote, just east of it; the Grafton and Greyhound, on
patrol between Fairy Bank and Kwint Bank buoys, and the Wakeful, just
arrived at Dover from Plymouth, were hurried to the beach at La Panne.
The wording of some of the signals4 conveying these orders reflects the
desperation felt that night, a desperation which, in spite of the course of sub-
sequent events, was at the time only too well-founded. " Had the situation
appeared less critical," observes Admiral Ramsay, an organised flow of large
and small craft, working in reliefs, would have been arranged."⁵
Yet a further batch of vessels arrived off the beaches that evening; the
17 available flare-burning drifters of the Dover Auxiliary Patrol⁶ had sailed
for Dunkirk during the afternoon, and on arriving were diverted to the beaches
by the Wolfhound, in accordance with a signal from the Vice-Admiral, Dover⁷,
and anchored close inshore. The boats from the Wolfhound and Wolsey, and
I These letters refer to an arrangement, whereby at the commencement of Dynamo'
the Dunkirk beaches were described by a letter code referring to Map G.S.G.S. 4040,
Sheet 29, 1/50,000. The lengths of beach lying in each 1000 metre map square were
lettered, west to east, commencing with "A" at square 2686 in sequence to "0" at
square 3990. (Appx. N. 10). Under this arrangement, A.B.C.D. actually refers to the
beach at Malo-les-Bains.
This arrangement appears to have fallen into disuse on and after 29th May, when the
stretch of beach, one mile east of Dunkirk to one mile east of La Panne, was divided into
3 equal parts, referred to as La Panne, Bray and Malo, from east to west, with a mile gap
between each part. (Appendix O. 11).
2 D.R. page 3, para. 8.
3
The Sandown, Medway Queen, Brighton Belle and Gracie Fields.
4 See Appendices D. 3, D. 4, D. 5, D. 7, and D. 8.
5 D.R., p.3, para. 38.
6 They were the Netsukis, Lord Howard, Lord Howe, Golden Sunbeam, Midas, Golden
Gift, Girl Pamela, Paxton, Boy Roy, Eileen Emma, Girl Gladys, Forecast, Ut Prosim, York-
shire Lass, Young Mun, Shipmates and Torbay II.
7 Appendix D.6.
23

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. IV
from the St. Seiriol and Queen of the Channel, in addition to the drifters'
beaches during the night
dinghies, enabled these drifters of the to 27th/28th lift some May. 2,000 troops from Malo and Bray own
Results of S.N.O. Dunkirk's 2005/27
assembling off the beaches on 1 cruiser, 27th/28th May the Wolfhound,
As a result of the action taken the on night S.N.O. of Dunkirk's signals, there
3 Channel skoots and (the the Lena, St. Hebe Seiriol). other II and All small Oranje) these ships boats, were ordered to use Queen of thers, their own
Wolsey and 6 other destroyers¹, a
pulling boats, were yet available.
boats for ferrying, as no power cutters, whalers or other
S.N.O. Dunkirk's signals had therefore a big result; but owing to the diffi-
culty of passing orders at night in a shattered harbour his decision to divert
vessels to the beaches had unforeseen repercussions, and it was associated with
a false report that Dunkirk had fallen, and the failure of one personnel vessel
and 7 skoots to reach the beaches that night. The circumstances are described
below.
The P/V Canterbury, which had entered Dunkirk harbour at 2000, left at
2058 with 457 troops, including 140 stretcher cases. Before leaving, she was
ordered by the Sea Transport Officer to turn back ships attempting to
enter Dunkirk the order, evidently intended to divert ships to the beaches,
was misunderstood. In the Dunkirk road, the Canterbury passed the order
to the P/V Maid of Orleans and to the H/C's Isle of Thanet and Worthing, and
those vessels thereupon turned back to Dover. Later the order became
definitely garbled, for the skoot Tilly (which was in company with the 4 skoots
Hondsrug, Jutland, Patria and Brandaris) met the Canterbury (in company
with the 2 hospital carriers) 8 or 9 miles from Dunkirk, and received from her
the signal "Dunkirk is in enemy hands. Keep clear." This signal was
variously recorded by some of the other skoots, as Dunkirk has fallen. Re-
turn"; and all five of them, as well as the skoots Bornrif and Twente, did in
fact return to the Downs, although the Jutland and the Patria first closed
Nieuport Bank buoy in an unsuccessful endeavour to obtain more definite
information. Some of the skoots, in turn, promulgated this false report to
other ships, notably to the P/V Dorrien Rose; this ship, which received the
signal, unsafe to approach Dunkirk," did at first alter course to the north-
ward, but, shortly after, again set course for Dunkirk. It was subsequently
thought by some of the vessels concerned that the false information had been
passed by fifth columnists," though there is very little proof of this.³
Chronic shortage' of beaching boats
Such was the beginning of the great build-up of ships4 and of the inaugura-
tion of beach evacuation. The successful development of the latter was
necessarily good in into I the The of northern situation the dependent chronic having sector shortage changed on between the by continuation the south-west of beaching and of boats⁵. fine north-east weather, A wind would and and of any Wakeful the have strength making made went
from Dunkirk. The Windsor remained time they arrived, Anthony the Gallant had not yet returned
2 Portsmouth whither she had escorted on the patrol. S.S. Kyno. The
Canterbury's report.
4 3 See Appendices H.30 and H.32.
5 Appendices D, E and F.
D.R. page 3, para. 11.
24

Details

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

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. V
the Vega and the Polish Blyskawica two were destroyers diverted from them to the
On patrol this day with these and eleven A/S trawlers². were the
A/S Thomas Chief 4 Widgeon, survivors. Owing trawler Skipper Bartlett, to Sheldrake, Thuringia a D. misunderstanding which W. Shearwater L. were was Simpson, sunk in company, by the D.S.C., a LL mine carried trawlers D.S.M., early out in R.N.R., Our the a sweep Bairns, a was in not Dunkirk Inverforth among Captain, and the
instead of sweeping the war channel. These to vessels were shelled off Calais; roads
ran on to a British minefield, and, striking 1017, sank with the guns, loss
and the Thomas Bartlett, while endeavouring a mine get at out of range of the
of 8 of her crew³.
During the night of 28th/29th May, to strengthen this patrol, all available
M.T.B.'s of the Nore and Dover Commands were ordered to patrol north-east
of the line Wandelaar L/V and Whistle Buoy.
Summary of troops landed in England
The figures for May 28th gave grounds for hope. 17,804 troops were trans-
ported to England⁴ (of which 11,835 were transported by destroyers). Of
these, 11,874 were lifted from Dunkirk east pier, and 5,930 from the beaches.
(See Table 2).
Ships lost or damaged on 28th May
LOST
DAMAGED
The A/S trawler Thuringia
The destroyer Windsor.
The drifter Ocean Reward
The M/S Brighton Belle
LL trawler Thomas Bartlett
P/V Queen of the Channel
The skoot Alice
The H/C Isle of Thanet
Stella 2 Dorado, Wyke, Kingston Alalite, being damaged Galena, Saon, Spurs,
I 2 The The Windsor Cayton had returned to Dover after in an air attack at 1145.
4 D.R. Report gives by Westella, C.M.S., 14,409, Dover Blackburn (R.O. Rovers, II, p.498). Kingston Lady Philomena Andalusite, and Kingston Thuringia.
disembarked by the various but this ships, figure as shown is not in confirmed Tables See also 2 and by Appx. the 3. recorded J.12 numbers of troops
34

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

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. VII
ferring By 0100 to her Rear-Admiral from single-minded come face to be of spoken incredible
such a THE EVACUATION
gress situation, Captain the water of Bush. and up to of their From the the waists. ghastly him, Esk, Wake Walker Lound sight He had of the the more trans- from as a
seemed then Commodores seen, to embarkation", detect but I in did his not voice". says feel Rear-Admiral that I could accept Wake-Walker to the note of terribly standing in despair I had pro- not
Stephenson
and
Bray. proceeding to take charge off-shore Hallett at were La Panne, transferred and the to drifters, latter off-shore the which former I
groups he had of to work. all He saw the beaches. a dark line of men the
Wake-Walker By dawn the was Hebe able was to off glimpse La Panne, for the and first in the growing light Readmul at
stern completely men blown over off and Off Bray the Bideford was ashore and large
off the beaches Eagle was high and dry on the beach-burnt out. Nearer
Dunkirk the Crested the Locust was trying to take her in tow. with her
were destroyers, sloops, drifters and other craft, while Lying
were making their way off in whalers, motor boats and pontoon craft. There men
was a slight swell which made landing difficult, and many boats were lying
broached-to and stranded by the tide.
As daylight illumined the scene Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker saw that the
beaches were packed with troops, who were orderly and under proper control.
To anyone with an appreciation of the practical difficulties of embarking in
small boats with a long pull to seaward, the sight of that beach black with troops
was indeed almost dismaying. The numbers increased steadily as more men
filed down the sand dunes, and at the back of our minds all the time", says line
Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker, "was the question of how long the defence boats.²
could hold and the weather remain fair." The crux of the matter was
Twice during contact Captain Tennant. With his staff these ships in
the day Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker went to Dunkirk he transferred in un-
successful efforts to to the Windsor and thence to the Worcester, home as in the Hebe
from the Hebe with troops. Captain Bush took passage large numbers were to
turn " to stress filled the up vital necessity for boats and crews if any The Rear-
benches".³
would Admiral come There off arrive was was the great hampered at beaches difficulty by and in lack start exercising of means loading; The control urgency of getting and off of a the beaches. Ships
everything⁴. desirable, At 2000 would on the be 30th May was at La La Panne discussed Panne at
and where 1800 arrangements next he met day, Lord and were Commodore Gort made and for of Stephenson identifying Tennas embarkation fre of the beaches seaward it. was
On
this
evening
a
method
M.017978/41, p.4.
R.A. Dover's report (M.017978/41).
(R.O.III,
p.374).
R.A. R.A. Dover's Report
Dover's Report (M.017978/41).
58

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. VII
and miracle. unpredictable difficulties, as a
such courage, energy and single-mindedness, that it has since and in come the face to be of such incredible
found
the
Hebe
situation, Captain the ferring By water 0100 to Bush. and her up Rear-Admiral to from "of their From the the waists." ghastly him, Esk, Wake-Walker Rear-Admiral Rear-Admiral he sight He took had of over the had the shore, Wake-Walker, Wake-Walker to duties watch black of with the off S.N.O. heard terribly standing in Bray, (Afloat) and, trans- from
gress of embarkation", says I could the which I had pro-
seemed to detect in his voice".¹
then seen, but I did not feel that accept note of despair which not I
proceeding to take charge off-shore at Panne, and the latter off-shore at
Commodores Stephenson and Hallett were La transferred to drifters, the former
Bray.
Wake-Walker was able to glimpse for the first
By dawn the Hebe was off La Panne, and in the growing light Adminal the growing lear Readminl
he had to work. He saw a dark line of men at the water's edge, and large
groups of men all over the beaches. Off Bray the Bideford was ashore with her
stern completely blown off and the Locust was trying to take her in tow. Nearer
Dunkirk the Crested Eagle was high and dry on the beach-burnt out. Lying
off the beaches were destroyers, sloops, drifters and other craft, while men
were making their way off in whalers, motor boats and pontoon craft. There
was a slight swell which made landing difficult, and many boats were lying
broached-to and stranded by the tide.
As daylight illumined the scene Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker saw that the
beaches were packed with troops, who were orderly and under proper control.
To anyone with an appreciation of the practical difficulties of embarking in
small boats with a long pull to seaward, the sight of that beach black with troops
was indeed almost dismaying. The numbers increased steadily as more men
filed down the sand dunes, and "at the back of our minds all the time", says
Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker, "was the question of how long the defence line
could hold and the weather remain fair." The crux of the matter was boats.²
Twice during the day Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker went to Dunkirk in un-
successful efforts to contact Captain Tennant. With his staff he transferred
from the Hebe to the Windsor and thence to the Worcester, as these ships in
turn " filled up with troops. Captain Bush took home in the Hebe
come off the benches".3
to stress the vital necessity for boats and crews if passage any large numbers were to
would Admiral was hampered by lack of means of about quickly". Ships
There was great difficulty in exercising control off the beaches. The Rear-
desirable, everything would be impracticable. The urgency of a the moment governed
arrive at beaches and start loading ; getting and redistribution, though
where At 2000 he on the 30th May Rear-Admiral Panne
and met Lord Gort and Captain Tennant. Wake-Walker landed at La discussed
1800 arrangements next were made for Lord Gort's The situation was Panne at
On this day, and Commodore Stephenson embarkation from of La it.
1 evening a method of identifying was the put beaches in charge from seaward was
2 2 R.A. report
M.A. Dover's p.4.
R.A. Dover's Dover's Report Report (M.017978/41). (M.017978/41). (R.O.III, p.374).
58

Details

FRIDAY, 31ST MAY
CHAP. VIII
to the method of embarking the troops, Lieut. Wells found that the best
way queues were 3 deep and were spaced available. out groups The of 10, this number being
As to organise them into a long queue at each in of the 3 embarkation points.
The suitable for the type of boat following group could be
most used for shoving off a loaded boat, which took a good deal of moving at half tide
to a bar running parallel to the sea. The Army pontoon boats proved
most owing suitable, because of their draught, double-ended construction and general
handiness. The main difficulty, according to Lieut. Wells, lay in the insufficiency of naval
boat keepers. As a rule the soldiers detailed to return the boats did not carry
out orders and the beach parties had to swim or wade out for drifting boats,
which continually delayed and slowed up the operation. Lieut. Wells con-
sidered that the troops could hardly be blamed as it was clearly a naval res-
ponsibility. More ratings were asked for from outlying ships, but none could
be sent.
At 0930 on May 30th there was only one other motor boat working within
5 miles either side of Lieut. Vavasour's beach, i.e. G section. It was a des-
troyer's motor boat which, being aground when the destroyer sailed, had been
left behind.
By about noon, all ships within sight from G beach had departed fully loaded.
About an hour later a destroyer [the Windsor] anchored east of Bray, and as
many boats as possible were towed out to her. Lieut. M. A. Hemans R.N.,
says Lieut. Vavasour closed the destroyer. On board her were two officers,
Lieuts. Stubbs and Fletcher from the beach party which had gone to La Panne
(under Cdre. Stephenson) who said they had been told to leave by their
Commodore. Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker was on board the destroyer and he
told Lieuts. Hemans and Vavasour to carry on with the boats.
At about 1300 some 10 trawlers, drifters and minesweepers began to arrive,
and evacuation proceeded apace until 2000, in spite of there being only 3 motor
boats for towing and ferrying. By 2000 all ships had left except the Special
Service vessel Royal Eagle. By 2100, however, just after dark, many destroyers
and minesweepers commenced to arrive.
Lieut. Vavasour went on board the Royal Eagle at about 2000 in response to a
signal. While his motor boat was away collecting boat loads of troops for the
Royal Eagle the former broke down and was picked up by a destroyer which
was on the way to La Panne. That was the last Lieut. Vavasour saw of his
party. He later got on board a minesweeper at 0100/31 and sailed for Harwich.
Subsequently, on arrival at H.M.S. Excellent he found the remainder of Cdre.
Hallett's lieutenants were back. They had been told, he says, to abandon the
evacuation about midnight by the S.N.O. of the beach-a Commander".
"I felt most limited in my activities," says Lieut. Vavasour, by the very
definite orders that I had received that on no account was the naval party to be
left behind. No accurate information was available.
I was unable to obtain
any information at all from any single one of the large number of ships to which
I towed boats during the day and night". This is not surprising because in
the circumstances, with the situation continually and rapidly changing, no one
either ashore or afloat had any accurate information. Thus, for instance, the
Gossamer which anchored one mile west of La Panne at 2207, had sent in the
motor boat Handy Billie in charge of S/Lt. M. Phipps R.N. to search for troops.
He found none, and received no answer to his hails. Inside an hour, however,
the situation had changed, and thousands were massing abreast the ship".'
I Report by Gossamer (R.O.I, p.264).
D
81

Details

SATURDAY, 1ST JUNE
CHAP. IX
move westward with boats in tow in the direction of Dunkirk, towards which
the troops were now marching from La Panne.
The first loaded ship to leave Dunkirk seems to have been the Whippingham,
in time of peace an Isle of Wight paddle ferry boat belonging to the Southern
Railway. She had been embarking troops alongside the mole since 2200 on
the previous day, and when she cast off at 0130 on 1st with 2,700 troops on
board she was overladen and her sponsons were only about a foot above water.
Disaster nearly overwhelmed her at the start, when she was straddled by shell
fire and the troops rushed over to the port side, causing the ship to list 20°.
Fortunately, the sea was calm. The chief mechanician (Ch. Mech. 2nd C1.
F. A. Ford) checked the rush, moved the troops back to starboard, and thereby
probably saved the ship.
Another early sailer was the personnel vessel Lady of Mann, who proceeded
at 0430 for Dover, with 1500 casualties. The hospital carriers St. Andrew and
St. Julien disembarked in England this day 130 and 287 wounded, respectively,
after which no more hospital ships brought wounded from Dunkirk. Space
alongside the large-ship berths was too valuable to be occupied by hospital
ships, and walking wounded went with the troops, whilst those that could not
walk had to be left behind.
The personnel ship Maid of Orleans berthed at the East Mole at about 0330
and for 6 hours, most of the time under air attack, she acted as a floating
stage for the embarkation of troops on board the destroyers Icarus, Vanquisher
and Windsor, whose upper decks were far below the top of the mole. The
pier was crowded and as many troops as possible were embarked over mess
tables rigged across the "B" gun decks of inside ships to the outside vessel.
The Vanquisher was the first of the three to leave, at 0630 with 1200 troops.
An hour later the Icarus and Windsor sailed in company, with 1,114 and 493
troops respectively. Finally, at about 0900 the Maid of Orleans herself pro-
ceeded, during an air attack, with 1,856 troops, which, like the destroyers, she
disembarked at Dover. In six trips, once being diverted without completing
the trip and once returning on account of collision, the Maid of Orleans had
transported in all 5,461 men; but this was her last crossing, for when leaving
Dover again for Dunkirk at 2030 that day she was rammed amidships by the
destroyer Worcester returning from Dunkirk with manoeuvrability impaired
through damage to propellers and rudder, caused by air attack at 1630 in
which she had 6 men killed and 40 wounded, and shot down two enemy air-
craft. No lives were lost in the collision, but the Maid of Orleans was too
badly damaged to continue her voyage. For the Worcester, too, this was
the final crossing she had evacuated 4,545 troops in 6 trips.
Other destroyers were embarking troops at the same time alongside Dunkirk
pier. The Vivacious, after being dive-bombed whilst waiting to enter harbour,
went alongside at 0630, embarked 475 troops in a quarter of an hour, and
sailed again for Dover at 0645. The Winchelsea was bombed at 0745 and again
at 0830, but was not damaged, and she sailed at 0830 with 1150 troops on
board.
Despite vicious air attacks, the embarkation of troops continued. The
gunboat Locust, after embarking troops for four hours from Malo beach in her
whalers, having no power boat, moved to Dunkirk at 0415 and took on board
a further 500 at the east pier under air attack before sailing for Dover at 0610.
The corvette Kingfisher left the east pier at 1130 with 210 troops and some
wounded, embarked under almost continuous high level bombing.
There were times, however, during the day when the harbour was deserted.
87

Details

DUSK TO DUSK, 1ST-2ND JUNE
CHAP. X
number and 8 destroyers were to enter Dunkirk harbour and go alongside the
East Pier, where British troops were. Only by using this pier would it be
possible to evacuate large numbers, and there was considerable apprehension
lest the Germans should shell it heavily and damage it or render it impossible
for ships to lie alongside. The pier had already been damaged by the armed
boarding vessel King Orry when she secured alongside at 1730 on 29th May
with her steering gear out of order and all instruments shattered by air attack,
but the gap had been bridged. Drifters and other small craft were to be sent
into the inner harbour at Dunkirk, to lift troops from the Quay Félix Faure,
in the Tidal Harbour, the North Quay, in the shipyard, and the quay in the
new outer harbour.
The French troops assembled on the west side of the harbour, and it was
intended that French vessels, including torpedo boats, should serve the West
Quay in the new outer harbour, whilst private small boats used the Quay Félix
Faure.
Assembly of shipping
Early in the afternoon of the 1st June Vice-Admiral Dover recalled all des-
troyers to harbour and minesweepers of the 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th M/S Flotillas
were warned for duty only ships having degaussing equipment were to sail.
Five vessels, the Sharpshooter, Albury, Kellett, Ross, and Leda were unable to
comply; the compasses of another the Pangbourne, were unreliable, though
her D.G. gear was functioning ; and in the event, she sailed, led by a Dutch
skoot, though she was too late to go to the beaches, and accordingly proceeded
along Route Y as far as T buoy, looking for any ships in need of assistance.
The destroyers designated Force K, were to proceed in pairs at hourly intervals
to berth at the East Pier in Dunkirk harbour, returning to Dover when loaded.
If there was no vacant berth at the pier when a pair of destroyers arrived,
they were to assist at the beach instead. Four pairs were detailed, viz. the
Windsor and Icarus, Codrington and Sabre, Shikari and Esk, Winchelsea and
Whitshed. The Esk, however, which had been running almost continuously
since 27th May, was unable to sail and was given 24 hours stand off.
Preparations to assemble the requisite small craft for working off the beach
commenced early in the forenoon of 1st June, when a number of Senior Officers
were despatched from Dover in fast motor boats to round up all stray motor
boats in the Downs and along the routes, and direct them back in the evening
to the beach 11 miles east of Dunkirk. A flight of 30 motor boats and 34 life-
boats with 3 tugs, the last three large tugs left in London, was sent during the
early hours of 1st June from London to Ramsgate where they were prepared
for beach work, naval crews being placed in the lifeboats that lacked crews and
extra towage provided. Motor boats were also sent from Harwich and Sheer-
ness. A number of flotillas under Commodore A. H. Taylor and Captain the
Hon. G. Frazer were re-organised for the night's effort.
Abandonment of daylight evacuations (Appendix R)
It was decided to abandon daylight evacuation after 1st June, because the
scale of enemy air attack experienced on that day, and the fact that the Germans
could by now command the newly swept central route at its point of junction
with Dunkirk Roads by gunfire from the shore, rendered it too costly.
Vice-Admiral Ramsay, when drawing up the plan for the night, intended
sailings to cease at 0300 or 0330; and Captain Tennant at Dunkirk, who did
not yet know of the plan arranged for the night, independently gave orders,
97

Details

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

Details

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

Details

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

Details

ANALYSIS OF THE OPERATION
CHAP. XIII,
1ST JUNE. Beaches. The climax of boat shortage occurred on this day, and
" increasing enemy air attack caused continual interruptions of embarkation
on the beaches and in Dunkirk ' (D.R. P. 25). The disastrous figures reflect
the serious situation that developed on the beaches about 2030 on the 31st
May, when the rate of embarkation fell to about 150 an hour owing to shortage
of boats.
Harbour. The interruptions caused by air attacks and shelling undoubtedly
accounted partly for the poor rate of lift. A further factor was the berthing of
destroyers two or three deep at the East Pier. It is true that some destroyers
filled up in less than an hour the Vivacious, for example, out of 35 minutes
spent in Dunkirk, was alongside the East Pier for only 15 minutes, during which
time she took on board 475 men; and the Shikari needed only 20 minutes to
embark 623 troops. On the other hand, owing to the state of the tide, the
personnel vessel Maid of Orleans spent 51 hours at the East Pier acting as a
floating pontoon for destroyers, while the outermost destroyer, the Windsor,
spent nearly 15 hours alongside.
2ND JUNE. No daylight evacuations took place after the 1st June, all took
place at night.
Beaches. The average lift and waiting time were both much below normal.
There were more ships lying off the beaches than could be loaded by the boats
available; consequently, scarcely a single ship left with a full load of troops.
The rate of lift, however, was average.
Harbour. The night of the Ist-2nd June saw the introduction of planned
arrival and berthing of ships at Dunkirk. This resulted in a marked improve-
ment in the average lift, which was almost the best of the entire operation.
3RD JUNE. The increase in average time spent at Dunkirk during the night
of the 2nd-3rd June over the previous night was probably accounted for by
the difficulties experienced by ships in going alongside the East Pier. The
figure was worsened by the fact that, owing to the cessation of the flow of
French troops to the East Pier after the embarkation of the British rear-
guard at 2330 on the 2nd, five destroyers had to be sent back to England
practically empty.
4th JUNE. Owing to chaotic conditions in Dunkirk harbour time waiting to
berth averaged no less than 100 minutes. Pauses in the flow of French troops
to the piers, and the impossibility of inducing them to embark in quick and
orderly manner (which latter factor had also operated on the previous night)
sufficed to depress the rate of lift from the high averages of the two previous
nights, to the norm for the operation.
Discipline
No instances of naval indiscipline came to light. But in an operation where
the level of initiative was very high an unaccountably heavy wastage of small
boats occurred from lack of boatkeepers. There were undoubtedly instances
where small boats which were brought off from shore to ship manned only by
troops, drifted away and were lost after the troops climbed out of them, owing
to the omission to put boatkeepers into them.
The state of discipline of the troops had a direct bearing on the rate of
embarkation. In the early stages of the operation the troops on the beaches
were mainly rear units and indiscipline occurred. The arrival of combatant
127

Details

Details

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
APPENDIX D
APPENDIX D
SIGNALS RE BUILD-UP OF DESTROYERS
BETWEEN 27th MAY AND 1st JUNE
Note (i)
The 213 signals in Appendices D to Z have been collated from the
some 370 which 2,500 accompanies Dynamo Admiralty signals in Record Admiralty Office Record Case 5458. Office Enclosure copies Box No. of
Note
(ii)
Command, 10 British destroyers-were employed of the Dover Command,
15 destroyers from from the the Portsmouth Nore Command, Command, 10 from and 6 the Western Approaches
total of 41 in Operation Dynamo.
Monday, 27th May
1. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to ADMIRALTY (R) C.-in-C. Nore
but not at the expense of Nore Command.
Request Dover Forces may be strengthened forthwith by six additional destroyers
1036/27
2. ADMIRALTY to C.-in-C. WESTERN APPROACHES, C.-in-C. PORTSMOUTH (R) Vice-
Dover. Admiral Dover, C.-in-C. Nore, C.-in-C. Home Fleet, F.O.I.C. Humber, R.A
Request four destroyers from Western Approaches and two from Portsmouth be
sailed for Dover as soon as possible.
1317/27
3. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to Grafton (R) S.O. 10th M.S.F., Greyhound, Calcutta.
Close beach in vicinity of La Panne at 0100 and send in boats for British troops.
You should withdraw at your discretion and anyhow not later than 0330. Paddle
minesweepers and small craft will be in vicinity. Acknowledge.
2054/27
[V.A. Dover informed (between 2015 and 2055/27) that embarkation was only
possible from the beaches, and that evacuation on the night of 28th-29th May
was problematical (see Apps. M.3 and M.4) ].
4. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to Grafton, Greyhound, Blyskawica (R) S.O. 10th M.S.F.
Close the beach at La Panne at 0100 tomorrow Tuesday and embark all possible
British troops using your boats. This is our last chance of saving them.
2127/27
4a.
2242/27 : I The Polish destroyer Blyskawica was not in company but she replied at
We have two pulling boats only. Can accommodate 3 in each
Monday, 27th May
5. VICE-ADMIRAL, Impulsive. DOVER to Gallant, Vivacious, Windsor, Vimy, Calcutta, Anthony.
all them. possible British troops using boats. last chance of saving
Close beaches one to three miles east of Dunkirk with utmost despatch and embark
Maid of Orleans, Lormont, your 17 drifters own and other This craft is our will be operating. 2142/27
6. VICE-ADMIRAL, 17 drifters DOVER to Wolfhound, Wolsey.
Direct arriving Dunkirk tonight
to beaches as necessary.
2158/27
7. VICE-ADMIRAL, Close DOVER to Vimy.
and embark the beaches one to three miles Tuesday
saving them. all possible British troops using east of your Dunkirk boats. at This 0100 is tomorrow our last chance of
2238/27
162

Details

SIGNALS
APPENDIX R
All naval personnel are to be withdrawn this Saturday night.
Reference (B), time of termination of this evacuation may be extended and will
be signalled.
1609/1
9. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to DESTROYERS
Following destroyers are required for duty tonight.
Remainder revert to 21 hours notice for steam
Esk, Codrington, Icarus, Windsor, Venomous, Winchelsea, Whitshed, Sabre, Shikari.
1711/1
and later
10. Destroyers named in my 1711 will be addressed Force K.
1745/1
SIGNALS RE EVACUATION ON 1ST JUNE AND NIGHT OF 1ST/2ND JUNE
11. S.N.O. DUNKIRK to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
Things are getting very hot for ships. Over 100 bombers on ships near here
since 0530. Many casualties.
Have directed that no ships sail during daylight. Evacuation by transports
therefore ceases at 0300. If perimeter holds, will complete evacuation tomorrow
Sunday night, including most French. General concurs.
1754/1
12. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to FORCE K (R) R.A. Dover
Destroyers are to proceed in pairs at hourly intervals to berth on east pier Dunkirk
harbour, returning to Dover when loaded.
If no vacant berth, V.A. Dover and next pair to be informed, and the destroyers
to assist at beach instead.
The personnel vessels will also be berthing at east pier and have priority.
Destroyers to leave Dunkirk vicinity not later than 0300/2, Route X. Route Z
may be used during dark.
First pair to arrive Dunkirk 2200.
Pairs : Windsor, Icarus.
Codrington, Sabre.
Shikari, Esk.
Winchelsea, Whitshed.
Caution is necessary owing to wrecks in Dunkirk harbour.
1810/1
13. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to REAR-ADMIRAL, DOVER (R) S.N.O. Dunkirk
Enemy action bombing and shell fire make it impossible for personnel ships enter
harbour in daylight.
1859/1
14. AIR MINISTRY to FIGHTER COMMAND, BOMBER COMMAND, COASTAL COMMAND, BACK C.
B.E.F., WAR OFFICE, ADMIRALTY, VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER
Confirming conversation between C.-in-C. and D.H.O.X. 153 1/6.
Situation at Dunkirk.
Two divisions French territorials reduced strength still to be evacuated. Evac-
uation will continue in any event until tomorrow morning. Strong continuous
patrols should therefore be carried out over Dunkirk and beaches from 0430 to 0830
hours 2/6.
183

Details

SIGNALS
APPENDIX T
3. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to DESTROYERS AND MINESWEEPERS
The final evacuation is staged for tonight, and the Nation looks to the Navy to
see this through.
I want every ship to report as soon as possible whether she is fit to meet the call
which has been made on our courage and endurance.
1052/2
4. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to DESTROYERS, PADDLE SWEEPERS, PERSONNEL VESSELS (R)
S.N.O. Dunkirk
Evacuation tonight 2nd June will be from Dunkirk harbour, ships berthing on
east pier.
Following berths established if required (?) from north to south:
Berth A : from lighthouse to trawler wreck.
B: from wreck to gap in pier.
"
C : from gap in wall to hut at end of pier.
"
Berths
D&E: smaller berths extending to the inner end of pier.
In addition, berth on east side of east pier. This berth will not normally be used
unless all inside berths are occupied.
Pier master will direct berthing from cast pier, and ships entering will be guided
by a motor boat.
Ships are to work special brows and ladders which will be supplied at Dover, and
have boxes ready to form steps
Intention is to keep berths A to E constantly
filled.
1430/2
5. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to DESTROYERS
My 1430/2. Destroyers are to sail to arrive at Dunkirk as follows:
2100-Shikari and Sabre.
2130-Venomous.
2200-Windsor.
2230-Icarus.
2300-Winchelsea.
2330-Esk.
2400-Vanquisher.
0030-Codrington.
0100-Express.
0130-Vivacious¹.
0200-Whitshed.
0230-Malcolm.
Acknowledge.
1715/2
SIGNALS RE THE EVACUATION OF THE BRITISH REAR GUARD ON NIGHT
2ND/3RD JUNE
Sunday, 2nd June-contd.
6. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to MINESWEEPERS (R) C.-in-C. Nore, F.O.I.C. Harwich, Cdre.
i/c Sheerness
Ships evacuating tonight Sunday are to sail to arrive off Dunkirk as follows:
From Margate: 2100 to 2230.
From Sheerness 2230 to 2359.
From Dover : 0001 to 0130.
From Harwich 0130 to 0200.
I Vivacious had, however, been detailed to take part in a blocking operation.
187

Details

INDEX
Whitshed : at Boulogne, 9-10; in Dynamo, 97, 102-3, 107, 109 (sent back almost empty),
112n, 114n, 118 (takes over pier party).
Whittle, Lieut. L. C., R.N.R., 13n.
Widgeon, 34, 69.
Wilcoxon, S.Lt. R. O., R.N.V.R., mortally wounded, 52.
Wild Swan, at Boulogne, 9-10; at Dunkirk, 16.
Willing Boys, 13n.
Winche sea, 55, 64n, 70, 87, 97, 102-3, 107-8.
Windsor : at Boulogne, 9-10; at Calais, 13; in Dynamo, 16, 23, 24n, 30 (damaged), 55,
58 (hoists flag of R.A. Dover), 81, 97, 101-2 (quick turn round), 107-8, 127.
Wise, Lt. J. N., R.N.V.R., 115.
Wolfe, 72n.
Wolfhound, 21, 22 (damaged), 23-5, 27.
Wolsey, 16, 21, 67 (W/T. link), 23-5, 27, 54n, 61 (reports on conditions), 62 (makes two
trips on 30th May), 64n, 83 (in collision).
Wolves, 69.
Worcester, 20n, 27, 54n, 55, 58 (hoists flag of R.A. Dover), 60, 74, 76n, 79 (takes out beach
parties), 87-9, (damaged), 92.
Worthing, 17, 22n, 24, 104 (attacked).
Wounded, see Casualties.
Wrecks, growing number, 94: at Dunkirk, 115.
Wynne-Edwards, Lt. Cdr. C.J., 67, 71, 75.
X.95, 72m.
X.149, sunk, 72.
X.209, 72n.
X.213, sunk, 72.
X.217, 72.
Yarmouth base, drifters, 71n.
Y.C.63, 72n.
Yewdale, 19, 28, 47.
Yorkshire Lass, 23n, 62, 63, 107n.
Young Mun, 23n.
Yser, 27, 31.
Yvonne, 73.
Zuydcoote, see Beaches.
208

Details

Details

ESSEL
OWNER
REMARKS
VANTE
MUTT
J.Mears
Returned to owner
MYOLA
c/o Toughs
Did not go.
MONTAGUE WHALER
6th Ramsgate Scouts
No trace of return from
Dunkirk.
MARGARET MARY
G. Chantry
A.P.S.
MATA HARI
J.W. Lintott
A.P.S.
M.L. 108
?
A.P.S.
MINNEDOSA
E.F.White &
Returned to Owner 6.6.40.
A.J.Riding
damaged.
MATOYA
Lt.Cdr. Gain
Allocated to A/P.
MADAME SANSGENE
Guy Shelly
Reported lost by Owner.
MARY JANE
Lt.Col.H.S.C.
A.P.S.
Richardson
M.F.H. 4B
Messrs. Pickfords
Returned to Owners.
MAY QUEEN S.M.270
F.Leach
Returned to Owners 5.6.40.
MESORA (Wherry)
T.H.Read
Reported lost by Owner
MIRANDA No. 58 Boat
W.H. Goldsmith
Reported lost.
NAIAD ERRANT
R.K.Taylor-
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
Nightingale
NANETTE II
E.G. Baxter
T.98 Re-allocated to A.P.S.
NARCISSA
H.Allbrow
to V.A.Dover.
NAUTILUS A
J.F. Mardling
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
NEMO IV
Nemo Motor Boats
Abandoned at Dunkirk.
NEW PRINCE OF WALES
Southend Mot.Nav.Co.
Returned to Owners.
Ltd.
NEW WHITE HEATHER
J.Davis & Sons
No trace of return from
Dunkirk.
NIN
J.Emons
A.P.S.
NIRVANA
C/o Toughs
Returned to Owners
NO NAME II
Mr.Mason
A.P.S.
NORWICH BELLE
(Yarmouth & Gorleston T.98 Returned to Owners.
Stm.Boat Co.
NANCY BELLE
Mr.Wilcox
A.p.s.
NEW WINDSOR CASTLE
c/o Toughs
Returned to Owners.
OFFEMIA
J.L.Shakespeare
T.98. Returned to Owners
19/6.
OMEGA
Mr.Forman
A.P.S.
ORATAVA RX 45
H.J.Gallop
Returned to Owners 3.6.40.
ORELLANA
H.Joynson
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
OSPREY
H.M. Customs,
Prepared for Dunkirk, did
Gravesend
not go.
OULTON BELLE
Yarmouth & Gorleston T.98 Returned to Owners.
Stm. Boat Co.
OUR LIZZIE
Mr.Beran
Returned to Owners 19/6
OUR MAGGIE
Bob Leach & Son
Released 3.6.40
Re-allocated Special
Admiralty Service (6A)
ONA II
H.Payne
A.P.S.
PROSPERITY (WY59)
T.Eglon
Prepared but did not go
to Dunkirk.
PROVIDER
(WY71)
E.Turner
-do-
PROGRESS
(WY72)
E.Turner
-do-
PROVIDENCE
W.Walker
Returned to Owners
PALMESTON
Risdon Beazley
Released 1.6.40.

Details

VESSEL
OWNER
REMARKS
MUTT
J.Mears
Returned to owner
MYOLA
%TOUGHS.
Did not go.
R
MONTAGUE WHALER
6th RAMSGATE SCOUTS
No trace of return from Dunkirk.
R
MARGARET MARY
G.Chantry
A.P.S.
R
MATA HARI
J.W.LINTOTT
A.P.S.
R
M.L. 108
?
A.P.S. ADMIRALTY OWNED.
R
MINNEDOSA
E.F.White &
Returned to Owner 6.6.40. damaged
A.J.Riding
MATOYA
Cdr. Gain
Allocated to A/P. D.N.G.
MADAME SANSGENE
Guy Shelly
Reported lost by Owner.
MARY JANE
Lt.Col.H.S.C.
A.P.S.
S.
Richardson
M.F.H. 4B
Messrs.Pickfords
Returned to Owners.
MAY QUEEN S.M.270
F.Leach
Returned to Owners 5.6.40.P
MEDORA (Wherry)
T.H.Read
Reported lost by Owner
MIRANDA No. 58 Boat
W.H.Goldsmith
Reported lost
MOTOR LAUNCH, EXTIRADENTES
OWNERS (buta) TIREDENTES'
DAMAGED.
S.
S
NAIAD ERRANT
R.K.Taylor-
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
Nightingale
S
NANETTE II
E.G. Baxter
T.98 Re-allocated to A.P.S.
NARCISSA
H.Allbrow
to V.A.Dover.
into
S
NAUTILUS A
J.F. Mardling
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
NEMO IV
Nemo Motor Boats
Abandoned at Dunkirk
NEW PRINCE OF WALES
Southend Mot.Nav.Co.
Returned to Owners
to
Ltd.
--- WHITE HEATHER
J.Davis & Sons
No trace of return from Dunkirk.
PORT
MEM
J.Emons
A.P.S.
NIRVANA
c/o Toughs
Returned to Owners
NO NAME II
Mr. Mason
A.P.S.
NORWICH BELLE
(Yarmouth & Gorleston
T.98 Returned to Owners.
(Stm.Boat Co.
NANCY BELLE
Mr. Wilcox
A.P.S.
NEW WINDSOR CASTLE
c/o Toughs
Returned to Owners.
NELLIE (Sauding
F.C.WILSON?
(
E
6
G
OFFEMIA
6
J.L.Shakespeare
T.98. returned to Owners 19/6.
OMEGA
a
Mr. Forman
A.P.S.
ORATAVA RX 45
a
H.J.Gallop
Returned to Owners 3.6.40
ORELLANA
R.Joynson
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
OSPREY
H.M. Customs,
Prepared for Dunkirk, did not go.
E
Gravesend
OULTON BELLE
Yarmouth & Gorleston T.98 Returned to Owners.
R
(Stm. Boat Co.
R
OUR LIZZIE
Mr. Beran
Returned to Owners 19/6
R
OUR MAGGIE
Bob Leach & Son
Released 3.6.40 Re-allocated
R
R
ONA II
(Special Admiralty Service (6A)
H.PAYNE
A.S.P. APS.
RI
OUR JOHN
STEVENS
STOOD BY. DIDNOT GO
RI
our
Boys
(Row boat)
(Row
boat)
H.J.VERRION.
Reported
RC
(NOIC
Ramagate)
RC
PROSPERITY (WY59)
T.Eglon
Prepared but did not go to
RO
Dunkirk.
PROVIDER
(WY71)
E.Turner
do 1 I
PROGRESS
(WY72)
E.Turner
do 1 I
RO
PRO VIDENCE
W.Walker
R
Returned to Owners.
PALMESTON
NW
Risdon Beazley
Released 1.6.40

Details

VESSEL
OWNER
REMARKS
RA
J.Tsylor & Bates
Prepared did not go.
MA
F HAYMAH (? BRICGS)
GIRLS. PZ272
Peacrete Richardson
Standby
D.Neville
Returned unsuitable
GUE II
QUE
J.Churchill
Returned to owners 19/6
NCO
A.L.Halls
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
ERIE
A.S. Fuller
A.P.S.
Smith Bros.
T.98 Returned to owners
GUARD
R.D.Wetherell
T.98 No information of return
ITEE
from Dunkirk
A
Mrs.C.M.Smith
Returned to owners
Returned to owners
TORIA
Smith Bros.
WFINDER
L.A.London
T.98 No trace of return from
Dunkirk
ING
Tranter
T.98 Returned to owner. Damaged
COUNT
J.Mears
Being returned to owners 11.6.40
ETTES
F.Lycett
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
TURE
010 NOIC shoreham
No report received from list of
missing Vessels.
,ANTE R110
R.J.Solly
Returned to owners.
KING III
J.S.Houlton
Reported lost
US (WY67)
J.Cole
Prepared but did not go to
Dunkirk
LO
G.Denny
Returned to owner.
TORY
W.J.Bolitho
Stood by - did not go.
a
NDA
E.A.L.Midgley
A.P.S.
RRIOR
G.H.Warrell
Abandoned off Dunkirk Presumed
lost
RRIOR
W.Douglas
A.P.S.
VE QUEEN
G.H.Kent
T.98 No report received from
list of Missing Vessels.
IKAKEI II
Lt.Leyland
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
STERLEY
Christie
No report received from list
of Missing Vessels.
STWARD
F.H.Porter
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
YMOUTH QUEEN
Cosens & Co.
Released 3.6.40
ITE BEAR
The Hon Clive Pearson
Survived.
ITE SPRAY
Mrs.Helyer
Did not leave
ITEWATER
W.H.Richards
T.98 Returned to Owners. DNG
ITEWING
F.J.Cook
A.P.S.
LLIE & ALICE
W.G.S. Crouch
No trace of return from Dunkirk
NDSONG
G.L.Dalton
A.P.S.
W WINDSOR CASTLE
c/o Toughs
Returned to Owners.
NGS OF THE )
MORNING
)
Lord Dunboyne
A.P.S.
NMABET
J.Gummerson
Returned to Owner
NS TON
A.J.Fuller
To V.A.Dover Now returned to
Owners
LSEY
A.Malcolm
Returned to Owners
ODLAND LILY
Messrs.Jacobs
Returned - Unsuitable

Details

VESSEL
OWNER
JTT
J.Mears
I
YOLA
% Sougho.
I
MONTAGUE WHALER
6th RAMSGATE SCOUTS
I
G.Chantry
&
MARGARET MARY
MATA HARI
J.W.LINTOTT
m
M.L. 108
?
MINNEDOSA
E.F.White &
A.J.Riding
MATOYA
Lt. Cdr. Gain
MADAME SANSGENE
Guy Shelly
MARY JANE
Lt.Col.H.S.C.
Richardson
M.F.H. 4B
Messrs.Pickfords
I
MAY QUEEN S.M.270
F.Leach
MEDORA (Wherry)
T.H.Read
MIRANDA No. 58 Boat
W.H.Goldsmith
I
C
NAIAD ERRANT
R.K.Taylor-
]
Nightingale
NANETTE II
E.G. Baxter
NARCISSA
H.Allbrow
D
NAUTILUS A
J.F.Mardling
]
DI
NEMO IV
Nemo Motor Boats
DO
NEW PRINCE OF WALES
Southend Mot.Nav.Co.
and
Ltd.
NEW WHITE HEATHER
J.Davis & Sons
]
NIN
J.Emons
NIRVANA
c/o Toughs
NO NAME II
Mr. Mason
FE
NORWICH BELLE
(Yarmouth & Gorleston
FR
(Stm. Boat Co.
NANCY BELLE
Mr.Wilcox
NEW WINDSOR CASTLE
c/o Toughs
GOP
OFFEMIA
J.L.Shakespeare
OMEGA
Mr.Forman
ORATAVA RX 45
H.J.Gallop
ORELLANA
R.Joynson
HEB
OSPREY
H.M. Customs,
HON
Gravesend
HOR
OULTON BELLE
(Yarmouth & Gorleston
(Stm. Boat Co.
OUR LIZZIE
Mr.Beran
OUR MAGGIE
Bob Leach & Son
ONA II
H. PAYNE.
JAVA
JUTL
PROSPERITY (WY59)
T.Eglon
KAAFA
PROVIDER
(WY71)
E.Turner
PROGRESS
(WY72)
E.Turner
PROVIDENCE
W.Walker
PALMESTON
Risdon Beazley

Details

VESSEL
OWNER
REMARKS
RA
J.Taylor & Bates
Prepared did not go.
UE II
D.Neville
Returned unsuitable
J.Churchill
Returned to owners 19/6
JE
CO
A.L.Halls
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
RIE
A.S.Fuller
A.P.S.
UARD
Smith Bros.
T.98 Returned to owners
TEE
R.D.Wetherell
T.98 No information of return
from Dunkirk
Mrs.C.M.Smith
Returned to owners
ORIA
Smith Bros.
Returned to owners
FINDER
L.A.London
T.98 No trace of return from
Dunkirk
NG
P.H.Tranter
T.98 Returned to owner. Damaged
COUNT
J.Mears
Being returned to owners 11.6.40
ETTES
F.Lycett
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
'URE
No report received from list of
missing Vessels.
ANTE R110
R.J.Solly
Returned to owners.
ING III
J.S.Houlton
Reported lost
US (WY67)
J.Cole
Prepared but did not go to
Dunkirk
0
G.Denny
Returned to owner.
TORY
W.J.Bolitho
Stood by - did not go.
DA
E.A.L.Midgley
A.P.S.
RIOR
G.H.Warrell
Abandoned off Dunkirk Presumed
lost
RIOR
W.Douglas
A.P.S.
E QUEEN
G.H.Kent
T.98 No report received from
list of Missing Vessels.
KAKEI II
Lt.Leyland
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
TERLEY
R.A.B.Christie
No report received from list
of Missing Vessels.
TWARD
F.H.Porter
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
MOUTH QUEEN
Cosens & Co.
Released 3.6.40
TE BEAR
The Hon Clive Pearson
Survived.
TE SPRAY
Mrs.Helyer
Did not leave
ITEWATER
W.H.Richards
T.98 Returned to Owners.
TEWING
F.J.Cook
A.P.S.
LLIE & ALICE
W.G.S.Crouch
No trace of return from Dunkirk
NDSONG
G.L.Dalton
A.P.S.
N WINDSOR CASTLE
c/o Toughs
Returned to Owners.
NGS OF THE
MORNING
}
Lord Dunboyne
A.P.S.
NMABET
J.Gummerson
Returned to Owner
NSTON
A.J.Fuller
To V.A.Dover Now returned to
Owners
LSEY
A.Malcolm
Returned to Owners
ODLAND LILY
Messrs.Jacobs
Returned - Unsuitable

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

1
TO DOVER LETTER OF 6 ans. 19to
ENCLOSURE No
- 2 -
VI Yachts and Small Craft. (Continued).
Pioneer.
Chelsea.
Two Rivers.
Charlotte.
Unique.
Diana Mary. - DOVER
Eothen.
Cuisisana.
Ramagete 18/6
Princess Lily.
/
The King.
Count Dracula.
Royal Thames.
Gayfly.
Formosa.
Sallyforth.
Margherita.
Kayell.
Maldon Annie.
Anthony.
Canvey Queen.
Imshi.
Miss Ming.
Sinbad II.
Princess Maud.
Curlew.
Empress.
Skylark.
Faversham.
Bream.
Queen Boadicea.
Pike.
Queen Boadicea. II.
Windsor Castle.
Vera.
Omega.
Daphne.
Tinker.
Kingwood.
Black Arrow.
Hurlingham.
Thetis.
The Viscount.
Aljanor.
His Majesty.
Silvery Breeze.
The Marchioness.
Rummy II.
Mutt.
Thark. ih,Dovier 18/6
Jeff.
Thurne.
Beverley.
Fleetwing.
St. Patrick.
Miss Modesty.
Skylark. (whech of may ?)
Gay Venture.
Spinaway.
Westerly.
Mary Rose.
Sylvia.
Advance.
Lorna Doone.
Hanora.
Hazard.
Maid of Honour.
Tigris I.
Cordelia.
Iote.
View Finder.
Shamrock.
Karina.
Queen of England.
Triton.
Wolsey.
Stonehaven.
X
Sceneshifter.
1 name unknown (Thames Conservancy).
1 Seaschool Yacht (Shipping Federation, Cmdr. Cavill).
VII Power Driven Lifeboats.
26 out of 27 have not been returned. It is
understood that 3 are still at Ramsgate.
VIII Ordinary Lifeboats.
34 out of 87 have not been returned.

Details

DUNKIRK CLAIMO
1
WINDSORA
should
WINDSONG
her Rigar
AMS ROYAL INSURANCE, BRIGHTON".
TELEPHONE BRIGHTON N°5711/2.
GERBERA
Royal Insurance Company Limited.
es Hill & Son
Sussex District Branch.
T AND LAUNCH 201
162, NORTH STREET19th Sept. 1940.
All Letters to be addressed
ROPRIETORS
to the Local Manager.
Brighton
W.G. Hynard Esq.,
Director of Sea Transport,
199
erry, WINDSOR
Ministry of Shipping,
Berkeley Square House,
Berkeley Square,
Hynard Esg. 25.9.40
LONDON. W.1.
Dear Sir,
letter the Launches, taking
Your Ref: TO.9144/STN.6B.
nkirk. may I state I
I am in receipt of your letter of the 16th
Hill to answer This
instant.
in The buisness of a)
I am collecting further details from the
with our other Crews
men who ent with "Windsong" and hope to let
self The "Windsora" we
you have the full informatin you desire for
hi, CP "Gerbera". with crew
your records towards the end of next week.
Yours A.C.Wallon faithfully,
is that we were disapointed
accross, as apparantly we
outh-End.on Sea in case we
D/M.
onal There That They had
on as for as we were
POPULAR TRIPS lasting 1 ±
The last moment as very large number of
and 21 hours for parties of
28 and upwards.
at Shrimping Drifters Than was anticapated x they as
more suitable withheld I quite agree.
been They could cross the Channel instructions under There
in charge of "Eternal Wave" to
deliver the vessel at Southend Pier, where we proceeded
after taking on Petrol at Gravesend.
an Wednesday
About 10.30 a.m. we arrived at Southend Pier and 29/5
were asked to take the vessel to Dunkirk as there were
not sufficient Naval Ratings available. Provisions for
three days and more petrol were taken aboard, and we were
-1-

Details

DUNKIRK CLAIMS
WINDSORA
her Riger
GERBERA
Charles Hill & Son
BOAT AND LAUNCH 201
PROPRIETORS
ALSO AT 15, ALBANY ROAD, actail.
The Ferry, WINDSOR
WINDSOR
Motor Launches
UnBellamy w.g. Hynard Esgs. 25.9.40
for Hire :
M.L. "EM"
seats 32
Dear Sir
M.L. GERBERA" " 28
In reference to your letter, Re Launches, taking
M.L. "WINDSORA" 28/
M.L. "AVONDALE" 12
part in Evacuation of Dunkirk, may I state I
have been asked by Ins.. Hill to answer This
SKIFFS, PUNTS
letter as I am a partner in The buisness of a)
DINGHIES & CANOES
CAMPING PUNTS
volenteered to go down with our other Crews
A SPECIALITY.
-
Taking one Launch myself The "Wendsora" with we
On Hire by the Hour, Day
also sent The m.L. Ehi, CP "Gerbera". crew
or Week.
-
of 2 men each Launch,
All First-Class Comfortable
Craft.
my account of the above is that we were disapointed we
did not have to go accross, as apparantly
-
Terms Reasonable.
we on reserve at south- End. on Sea in case we
-
were wanted, The reason as far as we were
Write for Quotations.
I
told were by The havel personal There That number They had
POPULAR TRIPS lasting 11
at The last moment a very large of
and 21 hours for parties of
28 and upwards.
Shrimping Drifters Than was anticapated x they
more suitable withheld I quite agree. as
been They could cross the Channel Instructions under There
in charge of "Eternal Wave" to
deliver the vessel at Southend Pier, where we proceeded
after taking on Petrol at Gravesend.
on
About 10.30 a.m. ^ we arrived at Southend Pier and 29/5
were asked to take the vessel to Dunkirk as there were
not sufficient Naval Ratings available. Provisions for
three days and more petrol were taken aboard, and we were
-1-

Details

aft
cl
in
you
put
be
~~
bisory
of
provisions
got
DUNKIRK CLAIMS COMMITTEE.
to ARTION IN REGISTERED PAPERS
of
LETTER SENT
Ext. 2161.
1 OCT1940
WOLSEY
my
1.09144/S.T.N.6B
POST 4 ROOM
Cottage,
There
Lower Teddington Road,
30th September 1940.
ampton Wick.
middle
Gentlemen,
202
September, 1940.
I have to acknowledge receipt of
203
your letter dated 25th September 1940
enclosing report on the Dunkirk
Operations insofar as your "WINDSORA",
"EM" and "GERBERA" took part in these
operations and to thank you for the
information which you have been good
enough to supply. It is anticipated
that this report will be of value in
compiling the final report which will
be drawn up on these operations.
I am, Gemtlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
MASSACHUSETTS
MEREDITH,
Director of Sea Transport.
Messrs. Charles Hill & Son,
ar had served as one
The Ferry,
Windsor.
ection Officer at
Service, and he
so Sheerness. He
lock and in the
running order and the
filled, but had no time to clean out the
filters and carburetters or to attend to other details
which would have been seen to in ordinary circumstances.
We left Teddington Lock about midnight and arrived
at Greenwich Pier about 2 a.m. when the tide turned and
we endeavoured to sleep for about an hour, and then con-
tinued our journey. At Tilbury we received instructions
from the Naval Officer in charge of "Eternal Wave" to
deliver the vessel at Southend Pier, where we proceeded
after taking on Petrol at Gravesend.
About 10.30 a.m. on we arrived at Southend Pier and 29/5
Wednutay
were asked to take the vessel to Dunkirk as there were
not sufficient Naval Ratings available. Provisions for
three days and more petrol were taken aboard, and we were
-1-

Details

Details

Details

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