Supplement 38017 — Dunkirk evacuation despatch

17 JULY, 1947 3303 GRAFTON she was in danger of being tor- the French minefields hi the Ruytingen and pedoed. At that moment, 0250, GRAFTON Dyck channels. It appears that the enemy was torpedoed, COMFORT was lifted in the M.T.B. command failed to appreciate the with- air, and Captain of WAKEFUL washed over- drawal of traffic to the S.W. and did not follow board. COMFORT was going full speed and as up. she came round in a circle "LYDD and In the evening it was reported that there was GRAFTON opened fire on her, evidently think- no congestion anywhere on the coast, except at ing she was an enemy ship. It is believe…

17 JULY, 1947 3307 would attempt to beach ship to form a lee to the beach between Bray and one mile East of try to improve conditions. La Panne and also advancing the commence- Simultaneously with this bad news the Vice- ment of the operation by one hour. The risk Admiral received a signal from S.N.O. Dunkirk of this change of plan was obvious as the boat to the effect that Dunkirk was being continu- tows were not in communication with the Vice ously and heavily bombarded and that the Admiral, and reliance had to be placed on the enemy artillery were gradually finding the range Minesweepers to inform and see that…

17 JULY, 1947 3309 a number of flotillas under Commodore A. H. Remarks. Taylor and Captain the Hon. G. Frazer were 75. The outstanding feature of the day was reorganised for the night's effort. the series of events leading to the abandonment 69. General Alexander was informed at of daylight evacuation. Increasing enemy air 0951 that on the likely assumption that com- attack, which the R.A.F. were unable to plete evacuation would be ordered that night, smother with the means at their disposal, caused the problem of transport made it essential to serious loss of ships, and continual interruption use the beach adjac…

33io SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 17 JULY, 1947 79. The Rear Admiral, Dover, arrived back 81. At 1700 movement towards Dunkirk from the coast in a M.T.B. and during the fore- commenced. The Annada consisted of 13 noon a joint Naval and Military conference was personnel vessels, 2 large store carriers, n held to devise a plan for the forthcoming night's destroyers, 5 paddle minesweepers 9 fleet evacuation. The fact that evacuation traffic sweepers I special service vessel 9 drifters 6 was suspended in daylight hours ena/b'led all skoots, 2 armed yachts, I guniboat, a large transport resources to accumulate du…

17 JULY, 1947 33" executing a series of round trips without inter- enemy and though the fog made navigation mission tor several days under navigation con- extremely difficult it undoubtedly served to ditions of extreme difficulty and in the face shield the Armada from enemy aircraft. of unparalleled air attack. The Vice Admiral accordingly represented to 91. When the count was taken later in the the Admiralty that the continuance of the de- day it was ascertained that 27,000 troops had mands made by evacuation would subject a been evacuated as a result of the night's opera- number of officers and men to a test wh…

17 JULY, 1947 3317 APPENDIX III TO P.O. DOVER'S DESPATCH Summary of Aircraft Data concerning R.N. Naval Aircraft Employed Enemy Aircraft Destroyed by Ships' fire off Squadron No. 801") Dunkirk Y' Skuas" (between O3oo/27th May and 20oo/ist June) No. 8o6J Squadron No. 815 "| 27th May 4 Y" Swordfish " 28th „ 3 No. 825J 2Qth „ 4 30th „ Nil* Squadron No. 826 " Albacore " 3ist „ ii These aircraft were the only available British ist June 13 " dive bombers," the R.A.F. possessing none at the time. TOTAL 35 These squadrons operated under the orders of Coastal Command and carried out attacks on In addition over the same pe…

3296 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 17 JULY, 1947 to drag on painfully, and finally to lose nights. Not only were the Dunkirk Roads momentum and expire through the exhaustion mined, including the Zuydecoote Pass, but also of Naval personnel and the 'liquidation of Route X and the area round the Kwinte Buoy. shipping. Folkestone and Dover Harbour entrances were It will be seen, therefore, that • the initial also mined* Considering the number of mines problem called for a maximum effort over a laid, it is interesting to note that only two limited period regardless of the future, and British ships are known for c…

3300 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 17 JULY, 1947 for inshore work off the beaches. Very few the S.N.O., on arrival, decided that conditions of such inshore craft could be available during at Dunkirk made this impossible. the day and the main effort was concentrated on 8. At 2025 -the Vice Admiral, Dover, re- maintaining the flow of Personnel Vessels to ceived a Most Immediate message from the Dunkirk at the rate of 2 every 3^ hours. After S.N.O., Dunkirk, who had just reached his a good start during the night 26th/27th the station, as follows: '' Port consistently 'bombed effect of enemy action against these…

3302 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 17 JULY, 1947 uncertain, 2 power boats, at least 2 skoots, every prospect of the weather improving and CALCUTTA, GALLANT, WAKEFUL, the surf reducing as the tide rose. Nevertheless, VERITY, and GRAFTON, using what survived an increased number of H.M. Ships was' of their own whalers and motor boats. This ordered to Dunkirk to augment the personnel force was reinforced by 2 minesweepers at vessels, though it was feared that an accumula- 2115. Later reports of concentrations of troops tion of ships alongside the East Pier at Dunkirk on the beaches were received, particularly at…

3306 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 17 JULY, 1947 Friday, ^ist May. final evacuation plan during the night of 48. The Admiralty informed the Vice Admiral 31/5-1/6. Accordingly, instructions were that the policy of H.M. Government was that issued for the special tows to leave Ramsgate both British and French troops be given an at 1300/31 for Dunkirk via Route X, and the equal opportunity of being evacuated in British Commander-dn-Chief, Nore and Flag Officer in ships and boats. Charge, Harwich, were requested to provide all available M.T.B.s to escort this convoy 49. Personnel ships had been sailed the pre- for…

3308 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 17 JULY, 1947 It should be noted that in spite of (fc) the Route X, and occurred between 1000 and 1040, rate of embarkation had, in fact, come up to to be again resumed at noon. After that there expectations, and if other circumstances had was a lull until 1550, when another attack was permitted it would have been possible to adhere delivered on Dunkirk Harbour and all shipping to the original plan of lifting the final 4,000 therein for over half an hour. At 1800 the B.E.F. off the beaches between 0130 and 0300 Vice Admiral received the following signal from ist June. Dunkir…