Welcome to the Operation Dynamo Archive

Digitising the people, ships, and stories of the Dunkirk evacuation (May–June 1940).

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Ship Logs

Logs from destroyers, trawlers, and paddle steamers that supported the evacuation.

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Individuals

Officers, enlisted men and civilians mentioned in the archives.

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Award Recommendations

Digitised citations for DSCs and Mentions in Despatches.

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Collections

View the specific searchable collections.

Unique Ships by Type

Distinct vessel names grouped by type from Lt Col Orde’s report.

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Advanced Search

Perform an advanced search across multiple collections.

Personnel by Role and Service Branch

This stacked bar chart shows the distribution of personnel roles across the main naval service branches recorded in Orde’s report.

Personnel by Role and Service Branch

A breakdown of individuals listed in Lieutenant Colonel G.P. Orde’s report by their recorded role and branch.

Service Branch Role Count
RNS/Lt42
RNLt38
RNLt Cdr33
RNCdr21
RNUnknown10
RNRLt39
RNRTemp Lt2
RNRUnknown3
RNVRLt46
RNVRS/Lt62
RNVRUnknown5
UnknownUnknown280
UnknownMaster104
UnknownAble Seaman116
UnknownCaptain107
UnknownDeckhand32
UnknownEngineer46
UnknownSignaller30
UnknownOwner/Master (Civil)38
UnknownPO24
UnknownSkipper/Crew20
UnknownERA14
UnknownOrdinary Seaman13
UnknownSeaman12
UnknownMedical Officer5
UnknownLeading Stoker7
UnknownRadio Officer6
UnknownStoker5

Featured Document

ADM 199/2431 f.434/461 – Memo from Admiral Lionel Preston

Commends officers for their role during the Dunkirk evacuation.

View Document