Operation Dynamo

8/11/2019 Operation Dynamo

1/15

Page 5a.

Operation Dynamo

The Mass Evacuation from Dunkirk(From setbacks to Success

The first boat away to Dunkirk was anIsle of Man packet steamer Mona's Isle,leaving Dover at 2100hrs(9.pm! onMay 27th 1940. The "ourney acrossthe #hannel $uring the hours of$arkness was uneventful an$ she pulle$into the harbour at Dunkirk at mi$night.The %uay was a mass of battle wearytroops, many were tire$ an$ e&hauste$,others with ban$age$ hea$s, arms an$legs were in nee$ of me$ical attention.,) of them were hoar$e$ onto theMona's Isle, an$ she left at first lightthe ne&t morning. Three routes wereallocate$ to the evacuating vessels. Theshortest was *oute +, a $istance of 9 miles, which, after leaving Dunkirk followe$ the-rench coast as far as o./ 0uoy, then turning or' west on a $irect line to Dover. Thelongest of the three was *oute 1, a $istance of 23 miles that followe$ the -rench coast asfar as 0ray4Dunes then turne$ nor' east until reaching the 5winte 0uoy. 6ere, after making

an almost )3 $egree turn saile$ in an easterly $irection as far as the orth 7oo$win8ightship then hea$e$ $ue south roun$ the 7oo$win an$s to Dover. The thir$, an$although the safest from the 7erman shore batteries, was through heavily mine$ portion ofthe :nglish #hannel. This was *oute ;, a $istance of


2/15

along the -rench coast came in for the same treatment. Two hits into the 9e%uacity, oneinto her starboar$ si$e, an$ the other into the engine room an$ she starte$ to sink, thecrew being rescue$ by the 1ew$alewhich aborte$ the mission an$ returne$ to Dover. -ourother ships, also using *oute + came in for the same treatment, all returning to Doverwithout any evacuees.The captain of the Mona's Islereporte$ that there were literally thousan$s on the %uay at

Dunkirk, an$ what must be three times as many lining the beaches, 'it will take weeks tomove them all' an$ he complaine$ of the lack of $efence stating that as the 7ermans movein closer, more an$ more ships will come un$er heavy fire. *amsey's plan was in $isarray,an$ it was clear that *oute + coul$ be use$ no further. *oute ; was the ne&t choice, butthis ws heavily mine$, an$ there was also many $angerous shoals. *oute 1, although thelongest, seeme$ to be the only option at this stage.

> convoy of two transports, two hospital ships an$ a couple of $estroyers ha$ arrive$ offthe port of Dunkirk at 1100hrson the 27th"ust as the pleasure steamer *oyal Daffo$ilthat usually plie$ the Thames from 8on$on to *amsgate with $ay trippers was in Dunkirk6arbour but un$er heavy fire especially from 0f 9s. @ith less than a thousan$ troops onboar$, she was force$ to $epart an$ the convoy was instructe$ to return to Dover. Atherships, coasters an$ skoots trie$ to get into the harbour, most being force$ to leave half

empty. The transport #anterbury taking on only ir Ministry to supply enough fighter aircraft to protect the beaches an$ beyon$ using stan$ing patrols in strength from$awn until sunset. >ir Bice Marshall 5eith =ark was informe$ of the situation an$ was re%ueste$ by Dow$ing to move hiss%ua$rons accor$ingly with the specific instruction that the primary ob"ective was the success of CAperation DynamoC an$that the evacuation must be covere$ at all costs. -ighter #omman$s commitment Document4 E was )2 fighters%ua$rons being sent to -rance an$ inclu$e$ both 6urricane an$ pitfires, flying continuous sorties non4stop for the$uration of the evacuation.0ack on the naval front, >$miral *amsey ma$e another urgent appeal to the >$miralty for $estroyer escorts that woul$provi$e cover for the ships engage$ in the evacuation. The aval taff respon$e$ by or$ering 6.M.9. Faguarthat was on$uty in orwegian waters to return to :nglan$ at once. 6.M.9. 6arvesterwas a new $estroyer that was on traininge&ercises off the south coast was or$ere$ to Dover, 6.M.9. 6avantwas in cotlan$, 6.M.9. 9ala$inan$ 6.M.9. 0rea$winwere on $uty escorting a convoy. 6.M.9. >nthony, 6.M.9. Malcolm, 6.M.9. 9abre, 6.M.9. @akefulan$ 6.M.9. @olfhoun$were some of the $estroyers taken off other $uties to take part in CAperation DynamoC.Ance the $estroyers reache$ the port of Dover, they were instructe$ on their new role of $uties. Many $estroyer skippersha$ no i$ea as to why so many $estroyers ha$ so urgently been sent to the #hannel, but now, all skippers ha$ beenbriefe$ an$ they knew what their $uties were.The first $estroyers reache$ the -rench coast at first light on May 2$th 1940, 6.M.9. Faguarwas one of the first to arrivean$ toker >.D.aun$ers saw that the ship was making for a beautiful stretch of white san$, which appeare$ to haveshrubs plante$ all over it. 0ut a closer look reveale$ that the shrubs began to move forming lines pointing towar$s the sea,an$ aun$ers then realiGe$ that they were not shrubs, but men, thousan$s of them, sol$iers waiting on the beaches forhelp. E7etting close to the beaches was now a problem for the $estroyers, an$ they ha$ to use their own small boats to get thesol$iers on boar$ as there was no sign of any boats that coul$ get in close. Ane by one, the $estroyers move$ in, sen$ingtheir boats in to pick up as many sol$iers as they coul$. Desperate men, with only thoughts of getting away scramble$ into

the boats, some fell back into the water, many wa$e$ out to try to be first into the boats. Many, grimly hung onto thesi$es of the boats, too weak to pull themselves up. It was chaos. 6.M.9. 9abrepicke$ up only men in the first twohours, 6.M.9. Malcolmtook fifteen hours to rescue s the $ay
http://www.geocities.com/the_few_bob1940/image5-3.htmlhttp://www.geocities.com/the_few_bob1940/image5-3.htmlhttp://www.geocities.com/the_few_bob1940/image5-3.htmlhttp://www.geocities.com/the_few_bob1940/image5-3.html


3/15

wore on, all captains realiGe$ that small boats that coul$ get right up close to thesan$y beaches were urgently re%uire$, more men were arriving at the beachesthan were being taken off. Then most of the $estroyers sent urgent appeals backto *amsey with the re%uest that small boats were nee$e$.

*amsey again ha$ to make some %uick $ecisions, an$ in turn ma$e an urgentre%uest to 8on$on.

Th% s&a'' (%ss%'s )**' +as ,*-./ -ts %st t t**3t-&% t* +a,% thr*/h th% r%/-strat-*. ,ata s%.t -.y *+.%rs Th%. 5CR-//s *6 th% M-.-stry *6Sh-))-./ th*/ht *6 a sh*rt8t Why .*t /* ,-r%8tt* th% (ar-*s *atyar,s a'*./ th% Tha&%s W-th a+ar *. &a.y *6 th% *+.%rs ha, 'a-, ) th%-r 8ra6t

At T*/h Br*th%rs *atyar, at T%,,-./t*. th% )r*)r-%t*r D*/'as T*/h /*t a. %ar'y&*r.-./ )h*.% 8a'' 6r*& A,&-ra' S-r L-*.%' Pr%st*. h-&s%'6 Th% %(a8at-*. +as st-''s%8r%t t Pr%st*. t**3 T*/h -.t* h-s 8*.6-,%.8% %:)'a-.-./ th% .atr% *6 th% )r*'%&a., th% 3-., *6 *ats .%%,%,

Th% A,&-ra' 8*', .*t ha(% 8*&% t* a %tt%r &a. Th% T*/h 6a&-'y ha, %%. -. s-.%ss*. th% Tha&%s 6*r thr%% /%.%rat-*.s D*/'as T*/h ha, 6*.,%, th% )r%s%.t yar, -.

1922 a., 3.%+ ;st a*t %(%ry *at *. th% r-(%r 5% +as +-''-./ t* a8t 6*r th%A,&-ra'ty 8*&&a.,%%r-./ a.y s-ta'% 8ra6t

Wa't%r L*r, Th% M-ra8'% *6 D.3-r319$2


4/15

*r s*',-%rs

@BPr-%st'y -. h-s ra,-* r*a,8ast P*st8r-)t*. @.%#th 1940

0y late on May 2$th 1940, over ), ha$ been rescue$, an$ most vesselsha$ taken the longer *oute 1, but by evening, news ha$ come through the *oute;, the mi$$le $esignate$ route ha$ been cleare$ of mines, this was miles shorter that the northern *oute 1 an$ shoul$spee$ up the naval operations. The port of Dunkirk with its "etties, wharves an$ the two moles, large arms that pointe$ outseawar$s was the main evacuation point, although many were being taken off the beaches west of the town, with as manyas , at the town of 0ray4Dunes further north. 0y $ay, aircraft attacks hin$ere$ much of the evacuations, as $i$ theshellfire from 7erman artillery establishments, but at night, another menace struck. > -rench $estroyer su$$enly$isappeare$ without a trace, 6.M.9. @akefulalso e&plo$e$ near 5winte @histle 0uoy. Torpe$oe$, by a torpe$o boat, or asubmarine. ow vessels %uickly trying to get away from the $angers of the beaches ha$ to stop an$ pick up survivors fromships that were blowing up in the night.

Th% 8h%%ry .s%'6-sh st*-8-s& *6 th% &%. .,%r atta83 has %8*&% th% (%ry sy&*' *6th% D.3-r3 s)-r-t 5*+%(%r th%r% +%r% -.sta.8%s *6 '%ss tha. a,&-ra'% %ha(-*r *.th% %a8h%s as r%)*rt%, y *.% -.t%r(-%+%% +h* ,-, .*t +a.t t* % -,%.t-6-%, 6*r 6%ar *6*66%.,-./ h-s 6%''*+ D.3-r3 (%t%ra.s Th-s &a. +a.t%, h-s s-,% *6 th% st*ry t* % t*',)art'y t* )*-.t ) y 8*.trast th% st%a,-.%ss *6 &*st *6 th% s*',-%rs )art'y as a

r%&-.,%r that th% (ar.-sh *6 8-(-'-at-*. ha, a t%.,%.8y t* 8ra83 *66 -. th% h%at *6 +ar

C*.trary t* +hat -s /%.%ra''y %'-%(%, a*t D.3-r3 th%r% +as -. 6a8t a 8%rta-. a&*.t*6 )a.-8 It %8a&% -. 8%rta-. )arts %(%ry &a. 6*r h-&s%'6 a., s,,%.'y th% a.-&a'+*', 8*&% *t -. 6%''%rs Th%r% +as .* '-.%;&)-./ that I sa+ t th%r% +%r% *66-8%rs+h* )sh%, th%-r )r-(-'%/%s '%ts say S* &8h s* that +h%. +% /*t a83 t* E./'a.,+% +%r% s%(%r%'y r%)r-&a.,%, 6*r .*t sa't-./ *r *66-8%rs Thats th% +ay +% 6%'t

>%s th%r% +as a 8%rta-. a&*.t *6 )a.-8 a., .*t *.'y a&*./ th% s*',-%rs Wh%. a *at6'' *6 &%. ha, %%. ta3%. *t t* a sh-) -t ha, t* % ta3%. a83 a/a-. %&)ty t* th%%a8h 6*r th% .%:t '*a, Bt s*&% *6 th% sa-'*rs 6%'t that th%y ,-,.t +a.t t* -. 8as%s*',-%rs -. th% +at%r +*', /ra *. t* th% *at a., t-) th% r,,y th-./ ) Th% sa-'*r&-/ht 6-.-sh ) -. th% s%a h-&s%'6 a., ha(% t* '-.% ) *. th% %a8h +-th %(%ry*,y %'s%S* s*&% *6 th% sa-'*rs sh-r3%, th%-r ,t-%s a., t*', th% 'ast s*',-%r *. *ar, that h% ha,t* r*+ th% %&)ty *at a83 6*r th% .%:t '*t *6 &%. Th-s +as.t th% s)-r-t *6 th%%a8h%s as -ts *6t%. %%. r%6%rr%, t*Chr-st*)h%r S*&&%r(-''% Or WarW%-,%.6%', !-8*'s*. 199$ ))444#

The 8uftwaffe starte$ to step up operations. *esponsible for air attacks on Dunkirk was -liegerkorps BIII. > number ofother aircraft, Funkers, tukas, 0f9s an$ 0fs ha$ been brought in from other -liegerkorps to strengthen -liegerkorps

BIII. The or$ers were simple, strike only at the beaches an$ 0ritish shipping. 0ecause the 7erman infantry $ivisions werestill making their a$vances on Dunkirk, 0elgium ha$ fallen an$ now the -rench were being $riven out of #alais, the =anGer$ivisions an$ armoure$ $ivisions were scattere$ about the countrysi$e, so the or$ers were not to strike at any inlan$targets. > total of lister, a /, ton cargo ship was hit. > number of bombs scoring $irect hits. The minesweeper 6.M.9.@averley was sunk with the loss of over men. The Isle of @ight ferry the 7racie -iel$swith nearly 2 sol$iers onboar$ was sunk. Two skoots came to her rescue one on each si$e an$ the three ships went aroun$ in a circle time an$time again as the troops were transferre$. C7racieC was taken in tow in an effort to get her back home, but $uring thenight she sank in the #hannel. The port of Dunkirk was a sorry sight as the 8uftwaffe $eci$e$ to 'go home'. The oil refineryan$ storage tanks were ablaGe, the eastern mole virtually $estroye$, homes in the town hit by shrapnel an$ stray bombsha$ been $estroye$. The harbour was a graveyar$ of vessels with only protru$ing masts an$ funnels out of the waterin$icating their fate.

>lthough -ighter #omman$ ha$ engage$ the enemy over the Dunkirk region that $ay, at the time of the 8uftwaffeonslaught on the port, many of the fighters ha$ returne$ for refueling an$ rearmament, an$ the 8uftwaffe time$ theirattack to perfection when there was minimum amount of 0ritish fighters on the scene. In fact there was so many 7erman


5/15

planes in the air, you coul$ be forgiven for not noticing any pitfires or 6urricanes. 0ut -ighter #omman$ suffere$ anumber of casualties on this $ay. -ifteen *>- fighters ha$ been shot $own, ten aircrew ha$ lost their lives, three Defiants$estroye$, eight 6urricanes an$ three pitfires. Ane of the pitfires was from lan Deere ha$ "ust been given comman$ of a flight, an$ was sent back to the Dunkirk beaches for the thir$time. 6e state$ that each time he flew over the port of Dunkirk, it was getting worse an$ worse. The oil tanks were ablaGe,an thick palls of black smoke rose high into the air almost obliterating the port itself. 6e starte$ to get on the tail of aDornier Do3J

Th% ta-' /..%r *6 th% *&%r *)%.%, 6-r% at %:tr%&% ra./% t* try t* ,r-(% *66 th%S)-t6-r% U.'83y 6*r A'a. D%%r% s*&% sh*ts h-t h-s a%r*)'a.% 8as-./ th% /'y8*' t* start'%a3-./ a., th%. )*r-./ 6r*& th% 6-/ht%r D%s)-t% th-s D%%r% 8*.t-.%, t* r%tr. th% 6-r%*6 th% D*r.-%r as '*./ as h% 8*', s%% ah%a, Bt th% S)-t6-r% ha, %%. s* a,'y ,-sa'%,that D%%r% ha, .* a't%r.at-(% t t* &a3% a 8rash'a.,-./ s*&%+h%r% a'*./ th% %a8h r%8*r,s sh*+ that -t +as !-%)*rt B%a8h5% &a.a/%, th-s H-t% a. a8h-%(%&%.t -. th%,%s)%rat% 8-r8&sta.8%s t th% -&)a8t %t+%%. a-r8ra6t a., sh*r%'-.% 3.*83%, h-&*t C*&-./ r*., a &-.t% *r t+* 'at%r D%%r% -&&%,-at%'y %8a&% a+ar% *6 th% %./-.%s&*3-./ 6r-*s'y !*t +-sh-./ t* r-s3 %-./ r.%, h% r-))%, *66 h-s stra)s /*t 8'%ar *6th% 8*83)-t a., sat ,*+. *. th% %a8h

@*h. Fray.% Tr.%r Th% Batt'% *6 Br-ta-.199$ A-r'-6% P'-sh-./

.......an$ 8en Deighton continuesJ

5% +as sh*t ,*+. y th% r%ar /..%r *6 a D*17 *. th% &*r.-./ *6 29th May r%8*r,ssh*+ that -s +as a8ta''y 2$th May a., 8rash'a.,%, h-s S)-t6-r% =-+- O.%= *. a %a8h6-6t%%. &-'%s 6r*& D.3-r3 Th&-./ a '-6t a., st%a'-./ a -8y8'% h% 6*r/%, h-s +aythr*/h th% thr*./ *6 r%6/%%s a., 6-.a''y +a'3%, th% 'ast &-'%s t* th% 8as%+ay As h%+a'3%, t* *.% *6 th% %(a8at-*. ,%str*y%rs h% +as st*))%, y a. a./ry ar&y &a;*r

=I a& a. RAF O66-8%r= sa-, th% %,ra//'%, r*/h'y a.,a/%, D%%r% =I a& try-./ t* /%ta83 t* &y sHa,r*. +h-8h -s *)%rat-./ *(%r h%r%= =I ,*.=t /-(% a ,a&& +h* y* ar%=sh*t%, th% &a;*r =F*r a'' th% /**, y* 8ha)s s%%& t* % ,*-./ y* &-/ht as +%'' stay*. th% /r*.,= D%%r% %s8a)%, h-& a., &a,% h-s +ay t* th% +ar,r**& *6 th% ,%str*y%rt* % /r%%t%, y st*.y s-'%.8% 6r*& a thr*./ *6 ar&y *66-8%rs

=Why s* 6r-%.,'y= as3%, D%%r% =What ha(% th% RAF ,*.%= =That=s ;st -t= sa-, *.% *6 th%

=r*+. ;*s= =What ha(% th%y ,*.%=D%%r% a., h-s 8*''%a/%s -tt%r'y 8*.s8-*s *6 th%-r *+. %:hast-*. a., '*ss%s +%r%.,%rsta.,a'y a//r-%(%,

L%. D%-/ht*. Batt'% *6 Br-ta-.19$0 @*.ath*. Ca)%

>ll through the $ay of May 29th 1940, *amsey an$ his staff were ignorant of what was taking place over the #hannel.*eports ha$ been ma$e to 8on$on that the evacuation was 'procee$ing smoothly, an$ approaching ma&imum efficiency,'well that was the report sent to the @ar Affice at 1$22hrs. >t 1$2#hrsa wireless report from the $estroyer 6.M.. abrestate$J

C*.t-.*s *&-./ 6*r *.% a., a ha'6 h*rs O.% ,%str*y%r s-.3-./ *.% tra.s)*rt +-thtr**)s *. *ar, ,a&a/%, !* ,a&a/% t* )-%r I&)*ss-'% at )r%s%.t t* %&ar3 &*r%tr**)s

Then twenty five minutes later, another message, this time it state$ that Dunkirk 6arbour ha$ been completely blocke$,an$ that all further evacuations must be carrie$ out from the beaches. In the Dynamo *oom, everyone was now gettingan&ious. @hat was the position, how ba$ is it really. The captains that ha$ returne$ from Dunkirk within the last twelvehours confirme$ that Dunkirk was in a mess. *amsey telegraphe$ 7ort's hea$%uarters at 8a =anne to try to confirm$amage $one by the enemy an$ that the harbour was blocke$. The answer was in the negative, but there wasconfirmation that communications were in a shambles.


6/15

0y 212$hrs, >$miral *amsey coul$ take no chances, hera$ioe$ the temporary comman$ ship, the minesweeper6.M.9. 6ebe an$ instructe$ them to intercept all personnelships approaching Dunkirk not to close harbour an$ to goto :astern beach to collect troops from ships. 8ater, the$estroyer 6.M.9. Ban%uisherra$ioe$ that the entrance toDunkirk 6arbour was practicable, but there were a numberof obstructions on the outer si$e of the eastern arm.. Thenight of May 29th0th, ha$ been a waste accor$ing tosome. It ha$ been a relatively %uiet night, an$ only about

half a $oGen vessels ha$ use$ the harbour, con$itions ha$ been near perfect. > night waste$, possibly caire, the :ast*i$ing 1eomanry ha$ been $ecimate$ in a minefiel$, some of the -rench that ha$ been hol$ing 8ille, were somehow$esperately trying to get to Dunkirk as were those who ha$ trie$ in vain to hol$ #alais. 0ut $uring the afternoon of May29th, the 7erman assault took a surprising turn. >n inspection of the area aroun$ Dunkirk saw the with$rawal of 7erman=anGer Divisions an$ heavy artillery. The groun$ they sai$ was far from suitable for them. ome say that Dunkirk woul$

not have given them the slashing thrill of any ma"estic a$vance, all they were $oing was to push the >llies in retreat, theynow ha$ them on the run, running like woun$e$ $ogs with their tails between their legs, there was now no e&citement forthe =anGers. 0ut, that $i$ say that the 7ermans ha$ weakene$ their front. In fact, there was at least ten e&perience$infantry $ivisions occupie$ the < mile perimeter of Dunkirk. am MeltGer a =rivate in the *oyal >rmy ervice #orps recallshis e&perience on a Dunkirk beachJ

A))r*a8h-./ th% %a8h th%y +%r% sh%''-./ s 6r*& La Pa..% *. th% %ast a., th%y +%r%sh%''-./ s 6r*& D.3-r3 *. th% +%st O. th% %a8h -ts%'6 th%r% +%r% &ass%s *6 )%*)'%'-.%, ) Th% s&%'' I r%&%&%r -t +as &*st'y *6 *,-%s +h-8h ha, %%. 'y-./ th%r%.r-%, It +as a s&%'' *6 ,%ath a., *6 r.-./ Th%r% +as *&-./ a., stra6-./ /*-./*. *6 8*rs% s* a6t%r a 6%+ ,ays a '*t *6 )%*)'% s*rt *6 tr-83'%, a+ay 6r*& th% %a8h%sTh%y s%, t* s8att%r a., ta3% r%6/% -. th% ,.%s at a )'a8% 8a''%, BrayD.%s Bt th%)'a8% t* % -6 y* +a.t%, t* /%t h*&% +as *. th% %a8h

I sh*', % +a'3-./ *t t* s%a -.st%a, *6 s8att%r-./ Wh-8h I ,-, a., +as )-83%, )

a., ta3%. t* a '-tt'% sh-) 8a''%, th% Br-/ht*. B%''% +h-8h I s%, t* r-,% *. +h%. I +as a3-,Th% //%rs s.3 -t +-th-. s-/ht *6 Mar/at% Th%y ,r*))%, a *& ,*+. th% 6..%'Or,%rs +%r% .*t t* s+-& ash*r% %8as% *6 th% G**,+-. H-83sa.,s Th% !a(y )-83%, s) a., that +as +h%. I ,-, /%t a -t s8ar%, I ha, *. a Fr%.8h ;a83%t t* 3%%) +ar&Th%y )-83%, &% *t *6 th% s%a a., a Br-t-sh sa-'*r sa-, 5%s a '%%,-. Fr%.8h&a. Thr*+th% astar, a83 -.

Chr-st*)h%r S*&&%r(-''% Or WarW%-,%.6%', !-8*'s*. 199$ ))444#

:arlier in the $ay, the >$miralty ha$ $eci$e$ to with$raw eight of its $estroyers from CDynamoC, a move which $i$ notplease *amsey. o plea$ing coul$ get them back, they were too valuable to be sub"ect to such a haGar$ous operation wasthe message from the >$miralty, *amsey ha$ to make $o with what he ha$. -ifteen ol$er vessels, probably no loss to theavy if they were hit, but at least they coul$ carry men. > new man, *ear >$miral -re$erick @ake4@alker, an e&4comman$er of the battleship *enown, an organiGer an$ a lea$er of men was poste$ to Dunkirk to organiGe operations fromthat en$. 6ow many small vessels that were line$ up at heerness an$ *amsgate no4one knows, but all ha$ now beenbriefe$, supplie$ or$ers, maps an$ a$vice on how to $eal with trouble, were now at the rea$y. >$miral *amsey was aboutto sent 0ritain's most unusual navy across the #hannel.

May 0th 1940, it was late afternoon, an$ hun$re$s of large an$ small craft ha$ been given Cthe no$C to $epart from*amsgate. There were passenger ferries, car ferries, large $ay trippers, fishing boats, tugs pulling lifeboats, cabin cruisers,trawlers an$ $re$ges. :ven the >$miral uperinten$ents barge from =ortsmouth still with its fancy tassels was there. tillthe mall Bessels =ool were recruiting whatever they coul$ fin$. >s the funny arma$a were crossing the #hannel, a ) footcabin cruiser was or$ere$ to heerness, the barge Tollesbury was on a cargo run up the Thames when a naval officeror$ere$ a tug take her in tow an$ hea$ for heerness, the Margate lifeboat was or$ere$ $irect to *amsgate, the crewlearning of their new $uties while playing $arts in the pub. :very man must have hear$ that beckoning call as if it ha$come from elson to them personally. CI e&pect every man to $o his $uty.C 6ar$ly anyone refuse$ to man their boats,even though they were tol$ that 'there may be a little $anger involve$.' :ven a seventeen year ol$ who was refuse$ to sailwith his cockle boat fleet from 8eigh4on4ea because he was too young, but he ran home an$ got his mothers permission,the ro$e his bicycle to outhen$ to catch up with his boat. It appeare$ that every civilian involve$, was only too prou$ 'to$o his $uty.'


7/15

An the way across, they passe$ larger vessels like $estroyers an$ large craft coming backloa$e$ with sol$iers, an$ everyone stare$ in amaGement at the sight before their eyes.

W% sa+ th%s% s&a'' s)%83s )*))-./ a*t a'' *(%r th% )'a8%*.'y +h%. th%y /*t r%a' 8'*s% ,-, +% th%. r%a'-% that th%y+%r% s&a'' *ats s&a'' *ats -. th%-r h.,r%,s /*-./ th%

*th%r +ay Th%. +% sa+ that a'' th%s% 8ra6t +%r% &a..%, y8-(-'-a.s s*&% %(%. +%ar-./ tr-'y hats a., s&art ;a83%tsTh%y +a(%, t* s as th%y )ass%, a., a.y*.% +*', th-.3 thatth%y +%r% *. a S.,ay 8r-s% ,*+. t* W-.,s*r th%s% 6%''*+sha, .* -,%a as t* +hat +as at th% %., *6 th%-r ;*r.%y A8*)'% *6 6%''*+s y th% ha.,ra-' /a(% th%& a 8h%%r a.,s,,%.'y ;st a*t %(%ry s*',-%r *. *r sh-) th%. /a(% thr%%h%arty 8h%%rs '-6t-./ th%-r hats at th% sa&% t-&%

R*%rt T-%r.%y D*rs%t R%/-&%.t r%tr.-./ a83 6r*& D.3-r3

The "ourney across the #hannel was perfect, the calm of the last few $ays continue$, there was no win$, a perfectstillness, but what was more appreciate$ was as $awn starte$ to break, a heavy mist lay on the waters of the #hannel,giving the 8uftwaffe no hope of any rai$s as was e&perience$ the previous $ay. >t the hea$%uarters of the 8uftwaffe, theywere bathe$ in sunshine, a s%ua$ron of tukas left for Dunkirk, but returne$ within ten minutes reporting that you coul$

not even see Dunkirk. An the sea, the small arma$a was slowly making its way towar$s the -rench coast. 8ookouts woul$see ob"ects an$ maybe calle$ out C....periscope port bowC, but it only turne$ out that it was a mast of a sunken ship. Manythought that they coul$ see 7erman warships su$$enly appearing out of the thick mist, but it usually turne$ out to be "ustone of the $estroyer escorts.

Fust after first light, the first of the little ships scrape$ their hulls up on the san$y beaches north an$ south of Dunkirk. oone waite$ to be counte$, every man trie$ $esperately to get aboar$, some pushe$ an$ shove$ or even pulle$ their matesfrom the si$es of the boat, "ust so they coul$ get aboar$. :very small craft ha$ someone on it with authority, Cc'mon, waityour turn, we'll be back for you shortly.C > number of very small craft capsiGe$ as sol$iers clambere$ ober the si$es, somecraft broke $own, the engines coul$ not stan$ up to the en$urance re%uire$ while others hit submerge$ ob"ects often$oing serious $amage. There is the story of the motor launch 9ilver Hueen, trying to get back to :nglan$ without maps ora compass. They became $isorientate$ an$ seeme$ to go roun$ in circles, then they sighte$ lan$ an$ ma$e for theharbour. They were surprise$ when gun batteries on the shore starte$ to fire at them, they ha$ attempte$ to pull into#alais. >long with another launch, the 1serthey trie$ to get away from the breakwater an$ someone on the 1ser fire$ avery pistol that attracte$ an :nglish $estroyer who provi$e$ cover for them, as they escape$ the heavy guns. 0oth$amage$, they limpe$ back to *amsgate, an$ the ilver Hueen, after all troops ha$ $isembarke$, slowly an$ graciously

sank.

The small ships returne$ time an$ time again to the beaches, always un$er fire from shore batteries taking tire$ an$e&hauste$ troops to the larger vessels offshore, how many times they repeate$ this, no one knows, no one care$, no onekept count. >s the weather cleare$, -ighter #omman$, operating from bases in 5ent kept the 8uftwaffe at bay, althoughsome manage$ to $rop bombs on the beaches. 0ut at last the plan was working. May 0th was the best $ay yet, thanksto these civilian owners an$ their little boats, without them the operation coul$ not have been $one, time was running out.Many briga$es, 0ritish an$ -rench were hol$ing the 7ermans at bay......."ust. )9,


8/15

#hurchill, who was at the time in the tub.....taking a bath. #hurchill,knowing that whether you may be sitting $own, laying $own ortaking a bath, anytime was a goo$ time to $o business. 6e wasappalle$ at Munster's report. #hurchill took the briefing from 8or$Munster, then afterwar$s, at a meeting with >nthony :$en, Dill an$=ownall, issue$ an or$er to 7ort in his own han$J

I6 +% 8a. st-'' 8*&&.-8at% +% sha'' s%., y*a. *r,%r t* r%tr. t* E./'a., +-th s8h*66-8%rs as y* &ay 8h**s% at th% &*&%.t+h%. +% ,%%& y*r 8*&&a., s* r%,8%, that-t 8a. % ha.,%, *(%r t* a 8*r)s 8*&&a.,%r>* sh*', .*+ .*&-.at% th-s 8*&&a.,%r I68*&&.-8at-*.s ar% r*3%. y* ar% t* ha.,*(%r a., r%tr. as s)%8-6-%, +h%. y*r

%66%8t-(% 6-/ht-./ 6*r8% ,*%s .*t %:8%%, th% %H-(a'%.t *6 thr%%,-(-s-*.s Th-s -s -. a88*r,a.8% +-th 8*rr%8t &-'-tary )r*8%,r%a., .* )%rs*.a' ,-s8r%t-*. -s '%6t y* -. th% &att%r

C*&&.-HK 6r*& Pr-&% M-.-st%r W-.st*. Chr8h-'' t* L*r, G*rt May 0th 1940

7ort rea$ the communi%uK out lou$ to a 76H conference. #omman$er of I #orps 7eneral 0arker was present, as wasMa"or 7eneral 0ernar$ Montgomery who now comman$e$ II #orps an$ 7eneral 0rooke. 8or$ 7ort lai$ $own the final plansfor the evacuation. I #orps woul$ be the last to make the evacuation, an$ 7eneral 0arker woul$ take over from 7ort, asinstructe$ by #hurchill. >t the completion of the meeting, Montgomery calle$ 8or$ 7ort asi$e as the others left. CIt woul$be a mistake, ir, if you leave 0arker in charge to the en$. 6is authority an$ "u$gment is waning, he is no longer fit tocomman$.C 7ort aske$ him if he ha$ any suggestions regar$ing who shoul$ comman$ I #orps. CI believe that 0arkershoul$ be sent home, an$ I suggest the st Division comman$er, Ma"or 7eneral 6arol$ >le&an$er, he is calm in a crisis,has a clear min$ an$ with a bit of luck, may even get the rearguar$ back safely to :nglan$.C 8or$ 7ort was noncommittal,but he hear$ Montgomery out.

May 1st 1940, an$ =rime Minister #hurchill arrive$ in =aris for a meeting with the >llie$ upreme @ar #ouncil. Marshal=etain was there, so was 7eneral @eygan$ as was the >llie$ 7eneral Dill. >t the meeting, #hurchill e&plaine$ the success

of Dunkirk, an$ informe$ the meeting that so far, /


9/15

Then the story about a ships stewar$, who wante$ to be recogniGe$N

Ma;*r ER!a..%y Wy.. r, D-(-s-*. S-/.a's r%a8h%, th% %., *6 th% ;%tty a., )%%r%,,*+. at a +a-t-./ &*t*r +ha'%r Ma..-./ -t -&)r*a'y +as a sh-)s st%+ar,-&&a8'at% -. h-s sh*rt +h-t% ;a83%t It +as a'&*st '-3% /*-./ C.ar,

>n$......you can always make use of $iscar$e$ items on the beachN

Oth%r tr**)s &a,% s% *6 th% /r*+-./ &*.ta-. *6 ,%r-s that '-tt%r%, th% %a8h%sPr-(at% C!B%..%tt *6 th% #th !*rtha&)t*.sh-r%=s 8a&% a8r*ss a ,-s8ar,%, ar&y *at&a,% *6 8a.(as It +as ,%s-/.%, t* 8arry s-: &%. a8r*ss a r-(%r .*+ t%. &%. ;&)%,-.t* -t a., h%a,%, *t a8r*ss th% s%a Us-./ th%-r r-6'%s as )a,,'%s th%y h*)%, t* /%t t*E./'a., It +as ;st as +%'' a &*t*r 'a.8h s)*tt%, th%& a., t**3 th%& t* th% ,%str*y%rI(a.h*%

an$ you woul$ think a 0riga$ier woul$ know betterN

Br-/a,-%r @*h. GS&yth 8*&&a.,-./ th% 127th I.6a.try Br-/a,% ra''-%, .-.%t%%. &%.ar*., a -/ sh-)s '-6%*at stra.,%, +%'' ) *. th% %a8h A h%a(y '3y th-./ -tr%H-r%, a'' th%-r str%./th t* sh*(% -t ,*+. t* th% +at%r E(%. th%. th%-r tr*'%s +%r%.=t

*(%r -t +as a s-:t%%. *ar%, *at a., .*t *.% *6 S&yth=s r%8r-ts 8*', r*+Th%y sh*(%, *66 a.yh*+ +-th S&yth at th% t-''%r a., th% &%. at th% *ars A6t%r a 6%+str*3%s th% "8r%+" %/a. 6a''-./ *(%r a83+ar,s th% *ars +%r% ta./'%, ) a., th% *at+as tr.-./ -. 8ray 8-r8'%s As h% 'at%r r%8a''%, "W% &st ha(% '**3%, '-3% a.-.t*:-8at%, 8%.t-)%,%"Th%r% 8*',.=t ha(% %%. a +*rs% t-&% -. /-(-./ a '%ss*. -. as-8 r*+-./ Th% L6t+a66%8h*s% a &*&%.t t* sta/% *.% *6 -ts ra-,s a., th% Br-/a,-%r=s -.str8t-*.s +%r%).8tat%, y /.6-r% %:)'*,-./ *&s a., /%ys%rs *6 +at%r Th% &%. tr-%, a/a-. th-st-&% +-th S&yth sh*t-./ *t th% str*3% "O.%t+* -.*t" Th% 8r%+ 8a/ht *. a., th%*at &*(%, st%a,-'y t*+ar,s a +a-t-./ ,%str*y%r Th%y %(%. &a,% a r%a' ra8% *t *6 -t%at-./ a. *(%r'*a,%, &*t*r 'a.8h 8arry-./ th%-r ,-(-s-*. 8*&&a.,%r

Wa't%r L*r, Th% M-ra8'% *6 D.3-r319$2 long the beach at Malo4les40ains "ust to the north of Dunkirk, more an$ more of the -rench sol$iers were evi$ent. >tabout 1J00hrs, the motor yacht Marsayruha$ arrive$ from heerness. >bout -rench were lifte$ before she $eparte$for :nglan$. > little north, an$ the *oyal navy's minesweepers ha$ picke$ up about - pilots thatha$ been shot $own over the beaches an$ a number of men in civilian clothes, who they were nobo$y knows. Maybesol$ers who ha$ been given clothes by hospitable -rench househol$s, or "ust civilians hitching a ri$e. ome boats lifte$ upto or fter all, many of the skippers were un$ay $rivers, or cockle boats, Thames tugs an$ so on, what woul$ theyknow about signaling, especially at night.

May 1stwas one of the busiest $ays of the CDunkirk huttle erviceC, an$ one mi$shipman was 'pulle$ over the coals'for not atten$ing his $uty, he was fascinate$ by some of the o$$ names of some of these boats. aia$ :rrant, 9wallow, 9t

#y, 9un BI, 0en an$ 8ucy, Moss *ose, 9kylark, =ri$e of -olkestone, Aur 8iGGie, @illie an$ >lice, an$ a long flat thing withno name which was possibly a cement carrier known only as 9heerness 1ar$ #raft o. /. During the $ay, the *oyal avymust have release$ a few $estroyers back into CDynamoC. There seeme$ to be more of them than usual. There was theMalcolm, 0ourras%ue(-rench!, 9abre, 5eith, 0asilisk, Ivanhoe, -ou$royant(-rench!, @orcester, @in$sor, 6avant, 9hikari,@hitehall, Berityan$ Benomous.

The Malcolm ma$e two trips to the Dunkirk beaches, one at 020hrsan$ another at 140hrs, an$ each time she lifte$, men an$ took them back to :nglan$. he was to repeat this performance the ne&t $ay. The 1stsaw /2, troopsarrive back in :nglan$ an$ of these, ,2) were -rench. Most of the $ay, the beaches were un$er heavy shellfire from the7ermans. If this alone $i$ not present any problems for the evacuation, constant bombar$ment from the 8uftwaffe $i$.till Dow$ing was using -ighter #omman$ with utmost care, with selecte$ s%ua$rons $oing their usual patrols at specifie$times. 0ut, outnumbere$, they still score$ many victories an$ at the en$ of the $ay the 8uftwaffe lost more aircraft thanthe *>-. ) 6urricane %ua$ron lost five aircraft that $ay an$ two of its pilots were kille$. /9 pitfire %ua$ron lostthree aircraft an$ two of its pilots. )/ Defiant %ua$ron lost three aircraft, one was shot $own by a 0f9 while the othertwo crashe$ into each other an$ all four crewmen escape$ in"ury.

@'y 1st 1940$awne$, an$ the previous night ha$ been a busy one. early 2, ha$ been lifte$ from the beaches,although to look once again towar$s the -rench coast, one coul$ not help thinking that the evacuation ha$ yet to begin.


10/15

8ong columns of sol$iers create$ long %ueues $own to the waters e$ge, an$ there were ma$ scramble to get onto thesmall boats, some capsiGing un$er the sheer weight, others almost heaving over to one si$e as far too many trie$ toclamber aboar$ on only one si$e of the boat. Ance full, a "ourney to any of the larger ships offshore was a "ourney thatmost of them ha$ $one countless times before over these last few $ays.

>s first light broke, an$ the $ay blossome$ towar$s a perfect $ay, but then that $epen$e$ as to who's si$e you were on.

The fine weather allowe$ the 7erman bombers to easily fin$ an$ pick their targets, often with great success, but to thosebelow, the ships an$ their crews an$ the sol$iers trying $esperately to get to the ships, they woul$ have preferre$ the fogof the previous $ay.

>ir Marshall 6ugh Dow$ing altere$ his combat plan on @.% 1st. 6e arrange$ that most of the patrols over the beacharea woul$ be $one between 070hrsan$ 0$#0hrsa time when the 8uftwaffe seeme$ to be in their greatest numbers.

>fter that at hourly intervals, a number of s%ua$rons woul$ be $oing their normal patrols until "ust before $arkness whenheavier an$ more concentrate$ patrols woul$ return.

-lying Afficer 7or$on inclair was with 9 %ua$ron flying pitfires. Dunkirk to him on @.% 1st was not new as he ha$seen operation over the beaches on May )/th when he flew two patrols as 7reen ection 8ea$er $estroying an 0f9 oneach. The first patrol was flown over Dunkirk at 091# h*rs. The secon$ patrol was carrie$ out at / hours, again overDunkirk an$ again inclair was 7reen ection lea$er, $etaile$ to provi$e top cover. An @.% 1sthe again flew two patrolsover Dunkirk. 6e $estroye$ two 0fs on the first an$ on the later patrol $amage$ a 6einkel 6e an$ a Dornier Do)llie$ troops ha$ been lifte$ from Dunkirk, miraculously 3,2 ha$ been taken from the portof Dunkirk itself, an$ of these, t last, #hurchill coul$ present some figures to =aris without anyembarrassment. 0ut although on paper, the figures looke$ goo$, there were still 9, troops in an$ aroun$ Dunkirkwhich comprise$ 9, 0ritish an$ , -rench. 7eneral >le&an$er in Dunkirk, was $etermine$ to get the 0.:.- home,but he ha$ to have more time, time that was in reality running out. The 0ritish were hol$ing the =erimeter, but for how

long, an$ at what stage woul$ the >$miralty 'pull the plug' on Dynamo.

>le&an$er cable$ 8on$on of his plight, he wante$ to e&ten$ the evacuations through the night of @.% 2., an$ r,.8on$on ha$ to be notifie$, so that they coul$ keep the ships coming. 0ut, unaware of the full situation, neither the

>$miralty or the @ar Affice coul$ make any firm $ecisions. >t 1$41hrs on @'y 1st, 7eneral Dill in 8on$on cable$>le&an$erJ

W% ,* .*t *r,%r a.y 6-:%, &*&%.t 6*r %(a8at-*. >* ar% t* h*', *. as '*./ as )*ss-'%-. *r,%r that th% &a:-&& .&%r *6 Fr%.8h a., Br-t-sh &ay % %(a8at%, I&)*ss-'%6r*& h%r% t* ;,/% '*8a' s-tat-*. I. 8'*s% 8**)%rat-*. +-th A,&-ra' Ar-a' y* &st a8t-. th-s &att%r *. y*r *+. ;,/&%.t

G%.%ra' D-'' t* G%.%ra' A'%:a.,%r @.% 1st 1940

>le&an$er coul$ now call the tune, at least through to r, @'y. If the 0ritish coul$ hol$ the perimeter, it coul$ be $one. Ifthe 7ermans broke through an$ pushe$ all the troops to the #hannel, all woul$ be lost. The perimeter must be hel$ at allcosts.


11/15

lowly, >llie$ troops in some way or other may for Dunkirk, as thousan$s of others ha$ $oneover the previous three or four $ays. The )n$ #ol$stream 7uar$s were hol$ing a line along0ergues4-urnes #anal, the st :ast 8ancashire *egiment were also along the canal, but eastof 0ergues. -urther along to the left was the * +-'' sh**t t*3-'' th% &*&%.t h% )ass%s that tr%% Ar% y* 8'%ar"

M8C*rH*,a'% )-83%, ) a r-6'% h-&s%'6 a., th% t+* C*',str%a&%rs sat +a-t-./ /.stra-.%, *. th% tr%% S**. th% B*r,%r%r r%a))%ar%, .%ar th% tr%% +-th t+* *6 h-s &%.Th%y )as%, th%. th% *66-8%r &*(%, *. )ast M8C*rH*,a'%=s ,%a,'-.% Th% t+* r-6'%s8ra83%, at th% sa&% -.sta.t Th% *66-8%r 6%'' a., La./'%y .%(%r 3.%+ +h-8h *.% *6 th%&/*t h-&

Wa't%r L*r, Th% M-ra8'% *6 D.3-r319$2


12/15

An the morning of @.% 2., 1940, all ships were firmly tie$ up at the ports of Dover, *amsgate an$ a couple of othersouth coast ports. *amsey ha$ watche$ the situation of the last few $ays closely an$ coul$ see that the Dunkirk perimeterwas shrinking all the time. >t a meeting in the Dynamo *oom, he announce$ that the coming evening was to be the lastchance that they woul$ have of successfully lifting the remaining troops off. >n all out effort has to be ma$e. 6eemphasiGe$ that to be able to control the evacuation on this final night, there must be absolute control an$ $iscipline.CTonight,C he sai$, Cwill be a mass operation.C >ll troops were to leave from the harbour at Dunkirk, there woul$ be nolifting off from any of the beaches. >lthough there were success from the beaches, the operation was slow an$$isorganiGe$. -ar more control coul$ be sustaine$ from the moles an$ the "etties at Dunkirk 6arbour itself. The onlye&ception woul$ be the -rench, who using their own ships woul$ use the beach at Malo4les40ains "ust east of the mole an$

"ust below the casino, an$ also the west pier by the outer harbour. The slow vessels are to leave here from 1700hrsonwar$s an$ they shoul$ be at their embarkation positions rea$y to leave by 2100hrs"ust as the faster vessels woul$ bearriving. >ll $eparture times will be staggere$ an$ ships will leave at regular intervals $epen$ing on their siGe an$ spee$.6e mentione$ that he still ha$ a full compliment of ships even though they ha$ suffere$ many casualties, an$ any ship thatwas not O fit shoul$ stay behin$, or if any minor repairs ha$ to be carrie$ out that $ay the skippers ha$ to make surethat their vessel was in perfect running or$er an$ confi$ent that they coul$ see the night through.

Th-s &%ssa/% -s t* -.6*r& y* a'' that th% 6-.a' %(a8at-*. -s sta/%, 6*r t*.-/ht a., th%+h*'% .at-*. '**3s t* th% !a(y t* s%% th-s thr*/h I +a.t %(%ry sh-) t* r%)*rt as s**. as)*ss-'% +h%th%r sh% -s 6-t a., r%a,y t* &%%t th% 8a'' +h-8h has %%. &a,% *. *r8*ra/% a., %.,ra.8%

A,&-ra' B%rtra& Ra&s%y t* 8a)ta-.s a., s3-))%rs *6 th% 6'%%t 10#2hrs @.% 1st 1940

ome crews were to make ob"ections known. They ha$ ha$ enough, many felt that their ships, large an$ unarme$ weretoo much of a target for the 8uftwaffe an$ the safety of the sol$iers (an$ the crew! woul$ be at risk. 0ut they were tol$ inno uncertain terms that the whole operation from $ay one ha$ been a risk, an$ whatever crewman stan$s $own will be$ealt with an$ the vesselN woul$ receive replacements. 0ut the first of the small ships left on time at 1700hrsprecisely.-irst were the fishing boats an$ tugs. e&t came a number of skoots, followe$ by yachts, cruisers, steamers, pleasurecraft, large trawlers an$ faster pleasure craft. Ance they were clear, the faster packets an$ steamers, ferries,minesweepers an$ a few motor torpe$o boats. 8ast to leave were the eleven $estroyers.

>t about 200hrs, wor$ came through that a number of 0ritish troops were trappe$ on the eastern beaches an$ theskoots, on arrival at the port were $iverte$ to pick them up. >t the en$ of east mole, #aptain Tennant's chief assistant tookup position with lou$hailer, an$ acte$ like a maritime Ctraffic copC $irecting the boats to their berths or wherever they werere%uire$. Ane by one, the small boats $eparte$ fille$ to capacity, an$ as they left, the ferries an$ larger pleasure steamersbegan loa$ing. kippers were re%ueste$ to get as many men as possible on boar$. Most men ha$ to stan$, some wereallowe$ to sit, but by stan$ing more troops coul$ be accommo$ate. Three men carrying a stretcher on which a woun$e$comra$e lay, were tol$ that unless the woun$e$ man coul$ stan$ he woul$ not be allowe$ aboar$, the stretcher woul$take up room that coul$ be occupie$ by four or five able bo$ie$ men. ome manage$ to get aboar$, other stan$ing troops

supporting the woun$e$, but others, too ba$ly woun$e$ ha$ to be turne$ back.

0y 2200hrs, the strange assortment of vessels ha$ been loa$e$ an$ were on their way back towar$s :nglan$, everythingwas going to plan an$ the $estroyers starte$ to take up positions on the mole. The $estroyers 9hikarian$ 9abrewereamong the first to take on troops. >gain the or$er was for every man to stay in the stan$ing position so that the ma&imumnumber of sol$iers coul$ be taken on boar$. The abre manage$ to start taking on stretcher cases an$ woun$e$, the$estroyer Benomouswas loa$e$ with so many men that she almost capsiGe$. >t 220hrs, it appeare$ that the last of thesol$iers ha$ been lifte$, the @inchelseawas loa$e$ with mostly -rench troops, an$ it ha$ appeare$ that there were nomore 0ritish aroun$. > MT0 was or$ere$ to investigate the canals an$ wharves for anyone who may be lagging behin$. Itwas an eerie task, the 7erman shells were still hammering away at the port, buil$ings were burning, e&plosions coul$ behear$, $ense smoke lay over the town. @as the evacuation complete, in Dunkirk it appeare$ so.

0y 011#hrson @.% r,, a message was sent back to :nglan$, C=lenty of ships, cannot get troops.C Those in charge onthe mole $iscusse$ the situation, '.....there must be more, they must be up on the beaches.' > search was ma$e of thebeaches to the west an$ to the left. Time now was running out, the first light of $ay woul$ be in a few hours. The pa$$le

steamer Ariolefoun$ a crow$ of poilus, the captain beckone$ them aboar$ after learning that they woul$ only un$erstan$french. Ather ships searche$, The Tynwal$, The>lbury, the>utocarrieran$ even the $estroyers :&press, #o$$ingtonan$Malcolm, but no -rench coul$ be foun$, lou$hailers were use$, many almost plea$ing for anybo$y to come aboar$.u$$enly, su$$enly a large group was seen at Huai -eli& -aure about half a mile insi$e the harbour. There was a numberof %uays an$ piers insi$e, but how $eep was the water to allow any large ship in there, an$ turning room was anotherproblem. The steamer *ouen ma$e an attempt, but only to run agroun$. It was not worth the risk of trying anymore. Thecall went out for small ships, an$ 1orkshire 8assrespon$e$ making her way up the inner harbour an$ rescue$ some -rench.

Ather small ships arrive$ an$ all were or$ere$ to check an$ search all waterways within the port an$ harbour. The missionwas a $angerous one. 0uil$ings an$ wharves e&plo$e$ almost at waters e$ge as they were hit by 7erman shells. >long the%uays, few 0ritish were foun$, obviously lost an$ $isorientate$, a number of poilus were foun$ an$ taken aboar$.ome of the vessels bumpe$ into each other, the 6aig receiving a large hole, but it was above the waterline an$ presente$no imme$iate $anger. More small ships plucke$ about


13/15

/2th was miraculously hol$ing back a $ivision of =anGers. >s the first light of $ay $awne$ in the early hours of themorning. The 7erman infantry an$ =anGer $ivisions ma$e their thrust, ably supporte$ now by tuka $ive bombers. Theeastern perimeter was being $riven back, as was the western an$ centre sections. 0y 000hrsthat morning, the 7ermanswere "ust a couple of miles from the port itself. The gallant -rench, were either kille$ where they $efen$e$, or takenprisoner. Many of the retreating -rench were now into the port an$ making their way to the mole. Most of the ships ha$long left for Dover, but one or two ha$ remaine$. The -rench boar$e$ what boats were in the harbour, an$ $one their bestto hol$ up any $eparture because their comra$es 'woul$ be here pretty soon.' The ub 8ieutenant on $uty ha$ a har$ taskto perform in controlling the persistent -rench as he coul$ not speak the language.

The light on the horiGon got lighter, there was no time to waste, >$miral @ake4@alker patrolling the beaches an$ the inneran$ outer harbours, or$ere$ all ships to leave. Cow....ow, let's go.C Most of the -rench that were on the mole ha$ beentaken aboar$, but the re%uest to wait for lagging comra$es, an$ you $i$n't have to un$erstan$ the language to see whatthe -rench sol$iers were implying. >nyone arriving now woul$ be left to the mercy of the 7ermans. >t 00hrsthe last ofthe ships left Dunkirk, all that was left was to position three ships across the harbour an$ scuttle them. The reason beingthat the 7ermans woul$ have to clear them if they wante$ to use the port, but with ships turning in the ti$e, one of themsank parallel to the harbour allowing an easy entry in an$ out of Dunkirk 6arbour.

>s @'y r, 1940$awne$, #hurchill ha$ to respon$ to a cable from 7eneral @eygan$ receive$ overnight, that the -renchtroops that ha$ been hol$ing the perimeter coul$ not get back to Dunkirk in time of the last ships $eparture. #hurchillrespon$e$ imme$iately that Cwe are coming back for your men tonight.C >fter notifying *amsey at Dover, who was stillrelishing in the success of the whole operation, of the cable from @eygan$, *amsey ha$ the task of issuing fresh or$ers tohis comman$, that boats were to be nee$e$ that evening to evacuate the remaining -renchJ

I h*)%, a., %'-%(%, that 'ast .-/ht +*', s%% s thr*/h t th% Fr%.8h +h* +%r%8*(%r-./ th% r%t-r%&%.t *6 th% Br-t-sh r%ar/ar, ha, t* r%)%' a str*./ G%r&a. atta83 a.,s* +%r% .a'% t* s%., th%-r tr**)s t* th% )-%r -. t-&% t* % %&ar3%, W% 8a..*t '%a(%*r A''-%s -. th% 'r8h a., I 8a'' *. a'' *66-8%rs a., &%. ,%ta-'%, 6*r 6rth%r %(a8at-*.t*.-/ht t* '%t th% +*r', s%% that +% .%(%r '%t ,*+. *r A''y

A,&-ra' Ra&s%y t* h-s 8*&&a., 1009hrs @.% r, 1940

>t 1J00hrs, the fleet set out once again. >s on the previous night, it was a task for the big ships, the $estroyers, the#hannel steamers an$ the largest of the pa$$le wheelers. > number of the smaller vessels also became involve$ to operatethe west pier where a number of -rench sol$iers ha$ waite$ the previous night. Ane of the larger ships woul$ be locate$

"ust outsi$e the port an$ a couple of smaller vessels woul$ go into the narrow waterways of the inner harbour , collect anymen they coul$ fin$, an$ loa$ them onto the larger ship. The ob"ective was the same, the eastern mole outsi$e Dunkirk6arbour. >long with a number of officers, seamen, me$ics an$ signal men, four -rench officers went along to assist in thelanguage barrier between the -rench an$ the 0ritish. The plan was that evacuation woul$ take place between 220hrs

an$ 020hrsthe ne&t morning an$ it was hope$ that they coul$ lift about , men.

@hen the first of the flotilla arrive$ at the east mole, they foun$ a number of -rench troops waiting. 0ut the win$ an$ theti$e ma$e berthing $ifficult. The number of ships starte$ to buil$ up waiting their turn to berth. It was 20hrsbefore thefirst ship was able to tie up an$ take the first of the -rench aboar$. > number of small ships venture$ into the waterways,others scoure$ the east an$ west beaches. 0y half past mi$night, after a thorough search of the waterways aroun$ Huai-eli& -aure most of the -rench ha$ been lifte$ an$ they reporte$ that they were all there was an$ no one else remaine$.The east mole was not as packe$ as first thought, an$ %uickly all the -rench there ha$ been taken off. 0ut the area west ofthe mole, where there was a "etty an$ shallow water was where an observation boat foun$ practically the whole of the-rench )n$ Infantry Division. 6ere there was an estimate$ 2, men, an$ the usual -rench problem occurre$. Troopsrefuse$ to be separate$ from their units, an$ gaggle$ an$ shoute$ out in their native tongue almost to a point of hysteria.oon they were tol$ that they shoul$ forget who they wante$ to sail with an$ when, they shoul$ get into the boats as soonas possible an$ they will be re4unite$ with their frien$s an$ their units on arrival in :nglan$. This seeme$ to $o the trickan$ an or$erly fashion was then a$here$ to.

It was well into the morning of @.% 4thnow. >s each of the ships left the $eserte$ mole, two or three hun$re$ more-rench woul$ su$$enly appear out of nowhere an$ file onto the mole. Ance a vessel was un$er way, it ha$ or$ers tocontinue. The -rench sol$iers ha$ to wait for the ne&t ship to berth. 8uckily, after the main with$rawal the previous night,the 8uftwaffe, the heavy artillery an$ the =anGer Divisions hea$e$ south, 6itler now ha$ his sight firmly glue$ to the takingof =aris. Anly a small number of 7erman artillery units remaine$. 7unfire an$ sniping continue$ through the night, butbeing un$er threat of 7erman $ive bombers ha$ gone an$ the task of evacuation was ma$e a lot easier. 0ut there werestill problems to be overcome. > buil$ing use$ as a fiel$ hospital house$ the woun$e$. >ll the rooms were packe$ tightwith in"ure$ men laying on stretchers or improvise$ be$s an$ most of the hallways also became littere$ with the casualties.They coul$n't get them all out, so who coul$ be lifte$ was $rawn by lottery, manes out of a hat, one hat for the officersan$ another for the enliste$ men.

0100hrscame, still there were many to be lifte$ out. 0200hrscame, more men ha$ been foun$ in the town, 000hrspasse$, still they flocke$ onto the mole. Bessels left with a full loa$, the @hitshe$, Marlborough, 5ingfisher, 8ocustan$ ofcourse the $estroyer Malcolm complete with piper.0y 00hrs, the first light of the morning sky appeare$ over the horiGon. Ten minutes prior, at 020hrsthe 9hikariwasthe last of the $estroyers to leave. Anly Motor Torpe$o 0oat 3 was left taking a last look at the harbour an$ the moles.

The port still burne$, it ha$ sustaine$ an avalanche of bombs an$ shells. 0uil$ings crumble$ an$ masonry constantlycrashe$ to the groun$, walls of buil$ings swaye$, weak from a constant battering of e&plo$ing shells, then crashe$ to thegroun$ with a tremen$ous roar. ow, the port of Dunkirk was a shambles, a graveyar$ of bent an$ twiste$ hulks, $eserte$


14/15

an$ aban$one$ guns, trucks an$ carts. The -rench still came in their masses almost as if from nowhere, filing into thetown an$ towar$s the mole. 0ut it was too late, MT0 3 "ust looke$ on helplessly, the crew feeling as if they ha$ let thesi$e $own, but there was nothing that they coul$ $o. Anly pray that they 7ermans will look after them in a humane way.

An @.% 4th 1940, )/,3< -renchmen were lan$e$ in :nglan$, nearly ), more than *amsey ha$ first thought hewoul$ be able to lift. 0etween May )/th an$ Fune th 9, 2,))/ >llie$ sol$iers ha$ been evacuate$ from Dunkirk, an$

it has been estimate$ that some , troops ha$ still been left in -rance. >$miral *amsey's fleet of many shapes an$siGes numbere$


15/15

"#%D #M.I "#CI% HR## P.3# "I

H# "RUCUR# 55I3H#R CMM.%D

M.I% M#%U

+I+I3R.PH6 +.C7 P.3# 5UR

(he ;attle o ;ritain : 1= wesite > Alan !.Putland 1
http://www.battleofbritain.net/section-3/cover.htmlhttp://www.battleofbritain.net/section-3/cover.htmlhttp://www.battleofbritain.net/contents.htmlhttp://www.battleofbritain.net/appendix.htmlhttp://www.battleofbritain.net/appendix.htmlhttp://www.battleofbritain.net/section-2/page-4.htmlhttp://www.battleofbritain.net/section-3/cover.htmlhttp://www.battleofbritain.net/section-3/cover.htmlhttp://www.battleofbritain.net/contents.htmlhttp://www.battleofbritain.net/appendix.htmlhttp://www.battleofbritain.net/section-2/page-4.html

Operation Dynamo

Documents

Transcript of Operation Dynamo