This Day in the War in Europe: The Beginning

[parsifal]

30 May 1940
Losses
MV STANHALL (UK 4831 grt) Crew:37 (1 dead and 36 survivors) : Cargo:7630 tons of raw sugar and 350 tons of onions : Route: Townsville, Queensland - Liverpool Sunk NW of Ushant . At 19.25 hours on 30 May 1940 the unescorted STANHALL was hit on the starboard side under the bridge by one torp from U-101 and sank within 11 mins 35 miles NW of Ushant. Survivors were picked up by TEMPLE MOAT and landed at Weymouth.

Fr DDs FOUDROYANT and BOURRASQUE and TBs BOUCLIER and BRANLEBAS embarked troops at Dunkirk. BRANLEBAS was damaged in a collision while embarking troops. DD BOURRASQUE (Fr 1319 grt) , with 880 men on board, struck a mine and then was sunk by German artillery within sight of Ostend. 16 crew from the DD were lost. BRANLEBAS rescued 100 survivors and other ships in the area picked up 200 more. The rest of the 880 were killed or captured.

Boom defense vessel CAMBRIAN (RN 338 grt) was sunk on a mine off Spithead with 2 crew lost.
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Trawler CORRENIE (UK 203 grt) was lost in the Nth Sea. All 10 crew were lost with the ship
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Steamer FINKENAU (Ger 916 grt) was sunk on a mine south of Drogden near Copenhagen.
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Armed boarding Vesel KING ORRY (RN 1877 grt) This vessel had served with distinction during WWI, having led the surrendering German Fleet into Scapa in 1918. KING ORRY had made several trips to Dunkirk, and returned for a second time 29 May arriving in the late afternoon. On passage, she survived a dive bombing attack, and made for the East Pier. A second and heavier attack was then made on her. Her steering gear was put out of action and all bridge instruments and woodwork were shattered. Even then, after colliding with the pier, the ship refused to retire her skipper ordering her to tie up and start taking soldiers onboard. More attacks followed into the early hours of 30 May. But in this condition it was apparent she was a danger to shipping and had to be cleared from the harbour if possible . There was a risk she may founder in the approach channel to the harbour, but none-the-less after midnight she was ordered to leave and her commander succeeded in getting the badly damaged vessel clear of the harbour entrances. Soon however, she began to list heavily to starboard. Her engine room started to flood and she was abandoned. Shortly after 02:00hrs, 30 May 1940, she sank. Other ships in the crowded and turbulent waters closed in and survivors, were picked up.

KING ORRY leads the German Fleet to Scapa Flow, 1918.

Steamer NORMANNIA (UK 1567 grt) was badly damaged by the LW 4 miles 271° from the Dunkirk breakwater. The steamer was taken in tow, but later beached, and abandoned. There were no casualties on the steamer NORMANNIA.

Steamer EGYPTE (Be 2568 grt) was seized as an Allied prize off Cape Bon in the Med.
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Canal Boats AMBLEVE (UK 150 grt (est)) and YSER (UK 150 grt (est)) ran aground at Dunkerque, Nord, France and were abandoned.

UBOATS
Arrivals
Kiel,: U-9

At Sea 30 May 1940
U-8, U-13, U-26, U-28, U-29, U-37, U-43, U-48, U-56, U-58, U-60, U-62, U-101.
13 boats at sea.

OPERATIONS
North Sea
DD BRAZEN, departed Rosyth on the 29th for Harwich, but struck a sunken wreck on the 30th which badly damaged her and flooded both boiler rooms. She was able to reach the Humber and she was under repair at Hull until 30 June. Completion of her repair was delayed due to machinery defects. DDs FURY and FORESIGHT arrived at the Humber from the Home Flt.

Mine destructor ship CORFIELD was damaged by mining and fire late on the 30th in the Dover area. salvage tug DAPPER came to her assistance and she repaired at Chatham completing on 25 July. Fr sub RUBIS arrived at Dundee. FN.184 departed Southend, escort sloop WESTON. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on 1 June. MT77 departed Methil, escort DD VIVIEN. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day. FN.183 departed the Tyne, escort DD VIVIEN. The convoy arrived at Southend on 1 June.

Northern Waters
CV ARK ROYAL with DDs ARDENT, ACASTA, ACHERON departed the Clyde for Scapa where they arrived on the 31st. CV GLORIOUS with DDs HIGHLANDER and WREN arrived off Scapa from patrol off Norway on the 29th, but could not enter due to fog. DD ELECTRA was ordered to join the carrier off Sule Skerry to relieve DD WREN which was detached for refuelling at Scapa. The carrier arrived in Scapa in afternoon of 30th. DD BEAGLE was damaged by the near miss near Narvik.

DD VETERAN departed Scapa with 2 steamers for Harstad. As she left Scapa VETERAN was in a minor collision in thick fog at Switha Gate with one of the steamers (the NGAKOA). The convoy returned to Scapa, but all ships were able to depart later that day. DD ANTELOPE departed the Clyde on the 29th with a Norwegian and a British steamer for Harstad. They arrived at Stornoway on the 30th to await VETERAN's departure from Scapa. The ANTELOPE gp departed Stornoway and rendezvoused off Cape Wrath with the VETERAN group on the 31st. After the 2 gps rendezvoused, ANTELOPE was detached to Scapa.

U.56 attacked British troopship ULSTER PRINCE (3791grt), returning to the Clyde escort DD WITHERINGTON, Prematurely exploding torps prevented any damage. WITHERINGTON attacked U.56 without result.

SW Approaches
After U-101 had sunk the STANHHALL off Ushant, RCN DDs RESTIGOUCHE and ST LAURENT, on passage from Canada, were ordered to search for the sub after detaching destroyer SKEENA to Plymouth for fuel. DDs RESTIGOUCHE, ST LAURENT, SKEENA attacked a contact off Ushant on the 31st. On the 31st, U.101 attacked Convoy HG.31 and sank British steamer ORANGEMOOR (5775grt) in before being slightly damaged and driven away from the convoy by escorting RN corvette ARABIS. 18 crew of the ORANGEMOOR were missing. The survivors were rescued by British steamer BRANDENBURG. RCN DD RESTIGOUCHE was ordered to hunt for the UBoat whilst the brand new FERNIE was ordered to join corvette ARABIS.

Channel
DD BASILISK arrived at Dover after repairs at Plymouth.

Operation Dynamo
53,823 troops were evacuated from Dunkirk.

The covering patrol station nth of Dunkirk was assigned to DDs VEGA and BLYSKAWICA and PCs SHELDRAKE and WIDGEON. DD VANQUISHER was sent over to Dunkirk by Admiral Ramsay to confirm the situation there. Fr DDs CYCLONE, which was having engine troubles limiting her speed to 16 Kts, SIROCCO departed Dover to operate off Dunkirk. In the afternoon, DDs HARVESTER and HAVANT, IVANHOE, IMPULSIVE, ICARUS, and INTREPID were ordered back into DYNAMO after having been withdrawn the day before. DDs ESK, EXPRESS, lifted 1431 troops this date, SABRE, which lifted 1700 men in two trips, VANQUISHER, which lifted 1204 men, VIMY, which lifted 1472 men, VIVACIOUS, which lifted 1023 men, WHITEHALL, which lifted 1248 men, WINDSOR, WOLSEY, which lifted 1677 men in 3 trips on this date, WORCESTER, which lifted among many others Gen Brook, were among the ships lifting troops from Dunkirk and delivering them to Dover on the 30th. DDs ANTHONY and SABRE were damaged at 1800 by the LW at Dunkirk. ANTHONY had damage to her engine room machinery and departed Dover at 1850 on 1 June with DD WOLSEY and was repaired at Portsmouth in 2 weeks. DD SABRE had one man wounded. , her damage was limited to her gyrocompass. She spent no time out of action. DD ICARUS reported S Boats off Bray that evening. DD HARVESTER was missed by torps at 2306 in Zuydcote Pass. The DD reported these were fired by an SBoat. DD WOLSEY was in a collision off Dunkirk with British steamer ROEBUCK (776grt). WOLSEY was able to proceed at a reduced speed. At 1850 on 1 June, WOLSEY departed Dover in the company of DD ANTHONY for repair and refit at Portsmouth completing on 21 June. MSW KELLET was damaged by near misses at Dunkirk causing slight leaking. She was taken to Sheerness for repairs, then on 19 June was moved to Grimsby to complete the repairs. MSW KELLET returned to service on 28 June. MSW SHARPSHOOTER was damaged in a collision with ST HELIER (1952grt) off Dunkirk. The two ships were locked together and continued towards Dover in that way for 40 mins. The MSW was cut from the forecastle deck to the keel when returned for repairs. SHARPSHOOTER was towed to Dover by tug EMPIRE HENCHMAN. SHARPSHOOTER departed Dover for Sheerness on 2 June. MSW DUNDALK departed Grimsby and proceeded independently to Dunkirk. Flare drifters GOLDEN GIFT (89grt) and SHIPMATES (82grt) went ashore on the Goodwins, however both drifters were later refloated.

Steamers PRINCESS MAUD (UK 2883 grt) and ST JULIEN (UK 1952 grt) were slightly damaged by German shore based artillery at midday near Gravelines. Steamer FULHAM IV (UK 1584 grt) was slightly damaged by near misses off Orfordness.

Nth Atlantic
BB REVENGE and DDs ESCORT and WESTCOTT departed the Clyde to escort AKs DUCHESS OF RICHMOND and ANTONIA which departed Liverpool with DDs WOLVERINE, WARWICK, WITCH. REVENGE was carrying 40 million pounds sterling in gold bullion and ANTONIA and DUCHESS OF RICHMOND each carried another 10 million pounds sterling in gold. At 15W, REVENGE and her gp met the troopships. The DDs were detached and ESCORT and WOLVERINE arrived at Scapa on 1 June and WARWICK, WESTCOTT, WITCH arrived in the Clyde at 1800 on 1 June. REVENGE and the troopships safely proceeded to Halifax.

Pacific/Far East/Australia Station
CLs DURBAN and DANAE departed Singapore.

 

[parsifal]

30 May 1940
Known Reinforcements
Axis


Neutral


Allied


Losses




DKM War Diary
Selected Extracts


UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary


Arrivals

Departures


At Sea *** May 1940


OPERATIONS
Baltic
Eastern Baltic

Western Baltic

North Sea


Northern Patrol


Northern Waters


West Coast UK

Western Approaches

SW Approaches

Channel

UK-France

Nth Atlantic

Central Atlantic

Sth Atlantic

Med- Biscay

Indian Ocean


Pacific/Far East/Australia Station

 

[parsifal]

30 May 1940 RAF Operations
UNFINISHED
48 Sqn (Anson)
"Thistle" Patrol. 1 a/c lost, 1 WIA, Took off 15.35 hrs from Detling. Damaged by friendly fire from a trawler at 20.20 hrs while trying to signal the position of shipping survivors. The port engine seized and height could not be maintained so the Anson was put down off Ramsgate, Kent, within sight of 3 ships. The crew was subsequently rescued by HMS Vega.

"Shamrock" Patrol. 1 a/c lost, 1 WIA, Took off 14.50 hrs from Detling. Attacked by 3 Me 109s of JG26, 2 miles off Oostende (Belgium) and suffered extensive damage to the wings and aileron controls. After beating off the attack an engine failed and a forced landing was made into the Channel off Deal at 18.30 hrs. The crew were rescued by a DD then transferred to a drifter before being landed at Ramsgate.

56 sqn (Hurri)
Dunkirk 2 a/c lost no other details

56 sqn (Hurri)
Dunkirk 2 a/c lost no other details

 

[parsifal]

30 May 1940 - The BEF

On this day there is a crucial cabinet meeting. bouyed by the success of recuing so much of the BEF, Churchill is able to crush dissent and commit the British to a continuation of the war. It is the first and major achievement of the operation, except for the rescue itself which gives the british the necessary pool of trained manpower to rebuild her army

By midday on the 30th virtually all the retreating BEF forces were within the perimeter with the enemy pressing round them. From now on all interest was focused on the Dunkirk bridgehead.The battle to hold the front lines was essential to enabling the evacuations to occur. I Corps were now responsible for the western half of the British sector, from Dunkirk to the French frontier; II Corps for the eastern half from the frontier to the sea at Nieuport. III Corps was moving to the beaches for evacuation or had already gone home. None of the divs were up to strength as the effects of 18 days of heavy operations began to have their effects. Of I Corps the 1st Div was short 3 bns which had been taken to help II Corps in the battle of the Ypres front. In the 42nd Div only the 126th Bde was still capable of opns and only 6 bns of the 46th Div remained under Lord Gort's command during the battle. Of the 2nd Div only a composite company formed from men of the 5th Bde was now left. In II Corps the 5th and 23rd Divs were no longer capable of further fighting and some bns had now little more than the strength of a company.
As the last of the divs entered the bridgehead the enemy followed up quickly and before the day was over they were in close contact with the Port defences and were shelling and mortaring them with mounting violence. They reported that "the bridgehead is held by British troops who are fighting back very stubbornly" In many places the waterlogged state of the ground made it impossible for the defending troops to dig in, and as a consequence some units had heavy casualties from the bombardment. But the enemy were only ready to make one serious attempt to break through the defences on that day.
After artillery preparation the Germans tried to cross the canal just north of Furnes, where the front of the 3rd Div was held by the 7th Gds Bde and the 8th Bde. The attack was beaten off, but the 4th Royal Berkshire (now about the strength of one coy) suffered heavily and a coy of the 1st Coldstream Gds was sent to take over part of their position. About 1000 at night the attack was renewed and the enemy succeeded in breaking across the canal. But the Coldstreamers counterattacked and restored the position

Most contemporary accounts try to say all the problems faced by the heer were solved once the halt order was rescinded. This is untrue. in fact confusion and hesitation continued to dog the german command. Unable to quite comprehend what was now needed, the formations involved fumbled and hesitated. The confusion and loss of grip on the German side was noticeable at this time and remained unresolved. On the 29th of May AGp A War Diary had noted that their 4A could make little headway 'owing to very stubborn enemy resistance' They now asked the 4A whether Dunkirk could not be attacked through Bergues by mobile forces, but fear of a possible heavy loss led to this proposal being dropped. Instead the 4A directed Kleist Gp to close in, so as to be able to shell Dunkirk with 105mm guns. It is recorded in 4A War Diary that the operations officer at Army HQ complained to the Kleist Gp:' there is an impression here that nothing is happening today, that no one is any longer interested in Dunkirk. Town and harbour must be bombarded, embarkation prevented, panic caused' About 1500, AGp A informed 4A that O.K.H. had sanctioned an attack on Dunkirk; to which the officer receiving the message replied that the 4A was ready to attack but AGp B's 6A must also take part, and the 6A had apparently pulled out to rest! Rundstedt's CoS then asked whether 4A knew that Kleist Gp had informed Richthofen's VIII Air Corps that they intended to attack Dunkirk that afternoon. He was told that this was not known; on the contrary, Kleist Gp had asked for Dunkirk to be bombed. However, the 4A ordered Kleist Gp to 'attack Dunkirk on both flanks, penetrate right up to the coast, and then continue the pursuit eastwards'. Kleist Gp CoS replied that their formations were unstable, since tanks could not be used there. He was told that 'By higher orders an end must finally be made of the embarkation at Dunkirk. …' And the 4A commander intervened personally to order: 'All forces to the coast east of Dunkirk immediately. … The Divl Cdr is to be told that he is to reach the coast without fail today.' Later, Kleist Gp reported that their 20th Mot Div was 'advancing towards Bray Dunes. … The left wing is in front of Bergues and in Gravelines, on the Canal and is unable to get on. The fortified bridgehead of Dunkirk lies in front of them'. Attempts would now be made to fire on Dunkirk with light artillery, for the medium artillery had run out of ammunition the day before.

 

[Njaco]

May 31 Friday
WESTERN FRONT: This was the most successful day of the Dunkirk evacuation. After the carnage of German bombing of the last 2 days, cloudy weather restricts Luftwaffe activity and the Admiralty returns the modern destroyers to Dunkirk. 68,014 (45,072 from harbor and 22,942 from beaches) were rescued on this date, including British Expeditionary Force commanding General Lord Gort and British General Bernard Montgomery. General Gort returns to Britain after handing over command of the remnant of the BEF to General Alexander as ordered. Despite the clouds, French destroyer "Leopart" and British destroyers HMS "Express", HMS "Icarus", HMS "Keith", and HMS "Winchelsea" were damaged by German aerial bombing. In addition to the British small craft, 39 Dutch coasters (that escaped the German occupation) assist the evacuation, saving a total of 22,698 men during the whole operation. French destroyer "Sirocco" and "Cyclone" are torpedoed by German E-Boats S23 and S36. "Sirocco" is then sunk by German bombing with 180 crew and 700 men of the 92nd French Infantry Regiment on board (59 crew and over 600 French troops die). "Sirocco" goes down flying the 92nd Regiment's colours.

French regained western part of Abbeville. At another point near Somme estuary they established a foothold on north bank of river.

No. 829 Squadron FAA took their newly issued Fairey Albacore aircraft into action for the first time with attacks on German E-boats off Zeebrugge, Belgium and road and rail targets at Westende, Belgium.

There are considerable air battles over the beaches at various stages during the day in which the RAF claim to shoot down 38 German aircraft for the loss of 28. In fact the figures are nearer equality. Lt. Müncheberg, Gruppen-Adjutant of III./JG 26 destroys four RAF aircraft. Lt. Mietusch of 7./JG 26 scores his first victory, a RAF Hurricane near Dunkirk. Future Experten of JG 51, Oberst Theo Osterkamp, Lt. Josef Priller and Oblt. Walter Oesau each claim three kills over the beaches of Dunkirk. Over at JG 53, Hptm. Mölders ends the month with twenty-one kills after destroying an LeO 451 of GB 1/12 near Abbeville.

US-built DB-7 medium bombers of the French Air Force saw combat for the first time against German columns near Saint-Quentin in the Picardy Region of northeastern France.

The Bf 109s of Hptm. Joachim Schlichting's I./JG 1 return to the airfield at Guise-Nordost joining the Bf109s of Major Dr. Mix's III./JG 2 who leave the airfield at Signy-le-Petit.

UK Prime Minister Churchill traveled to Paris, France for a Supreme Allied War Council meeting.

GERMANY: During a ferry flight, a He 111 of 9./KG 55 crash lands at Malmsheim airfield and injures two crewmembers.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: British sloop HMS "Weston" sank German submarine U-13 with depth charges 14 miles southeast of Lowestoft, England. The entire crew of 26 were taken prisoner.

German submarine U-101 attacked Allied convoy HG-31F and sank British ship "Orangemoor" with 8,150 tons of iron on board west of Guernsey, killing 18. The convoy's escorts attacked U-101 with 41 depth charges over the course of 8 hours; the submarine survived the attack.

SOUTH AMERICA: US Ambassador to Argentina Norman Armour and US Minister in Uruguay Edwin C. Wilson met in Montevideo, Uruguay regarding the deteriorating political situation in Uruguay. They jointly requested Secretary of State Cordell Hull to ask President Roosevelt to sent 40 to 50 warships to the eastern coast of South America as a show of force to prevent Uruguay from partnering with Germany. Later in the day, Hull would inform them that heavy cruiser USS "Quincy" was dispatched for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil per their suggestion, and she would visit Montevideo on the journey. State Department official Laurence Duggan would suggest Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles to publicize USS "Quincy's" South American tour.

SOUTH PACIFIC: The US Marine Corps 14th Naval District dispatched Captain Samuel G. Taxis to survey Midway Atoll with a small reconnaissance party for the planning of building a US Marine Corps presence there.

NORTHERN EUROPE: The British blocking force is evacuated from Bodo, Norway.

Admiralty reported that British warship 'Curfew' had been sunk by bombing off of Norway.

UNITED KINGDOM: A series of measures, including the removal of all direction signs from crossroads, is taken to counter worries about fifth-column and parachute attacks.

NORTH AMERICA: President Roosevelt introduces a "billion-dollar defense program" which is designed to boost the United States military strength significantly.

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[parsifal]

31 May 1940
Known Reinforcements
Axis
IJN CL KASHIMA

Allied
RN Boom Defence Vessel BARBAIN, - ASW Trawler BLACKTHORN - MA/SB 46

Losses
MV ORANGEMOOR (UK 5775 grt) Crew 40 (18 dead and 22 survivors) Cargo: 8150 tons of iron ore Route : Bona - Tyne Sunk in the English Channel At 14.02 hours on 31 May 1940 the ship whilst in convoy HG-31F was hit amidships by one torpedo from U-101 and sank within a short time southwest of Roches Doures. 18 crew members were lost. The master and 21 crew members were picked up by the Brandenburg and landed at London.

Aux MSW DEVONIA (RN 622 grt) of MSWFlot 7 was beached and abandoned after damage from the LW, near La Panne at Dunkirk.

MV JADARLAND (Ex- Nor 938 grt ) The cargo liner whilst under German control sank after she struck a mine that had been laid by Fr Sub RUBIS off Sletta, Forlandsvagen. with the loss of 19 lives.
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

HMS LCA 8 and LCA 15 (RN 15 grt) The Landing Craft Assaults were lost when HMS DEVONIA was sunk.
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Steamers AIN EL TURK (Fr 2008 grt) and COTE D'AZUR (Fr 3047 grt) and trawlers PUISSANT (Fr 200 grt), COSTAUD (Fr 140 grt), ADJADER (Fr 414 grt) were sunk by the LW at Dunkirk. Steamer COTE D'AZUR was later salved and renamed ELSASS for German service. Steamer COSTAUD was later salvaged by the Germans, repaired and entered service as ELSASS.
[NO IMAGES FOUND]

Between 0000 and 0200, Bourrasque class DD SIROCCO (Fr 1319 grt) was torpedoed and badly damaged by German S Boats S.23 and S.26 near West Hinder. Attempting to effect emergency repairs, SIROCCO was finished off by the LW. SIROCCO went down with the colours of the 92nd French Inf Regt which its Colonel had smuggled out of the outskirts of Lille where the unit was encircled by German troops. There were 180 crew and 700 French troops on board. 59 crew and over 600 troops were lost. On patrol nearby, ORP DD BLYSKAWICA picked up 15 survivors, sloop WIDGEON picked up 166 survivors, STELLA DORADO (416 grt) picked up 21 survivors, WOLVES (422grt) picked up 50 survivors.

ASW trawler ST ACHILLEUS (RN 484 grt) was sunk on a mine off Dunkirk. Her skipper was killed and 2 other crewmen wounded. .

Sloop WESTON attacked Type IIB U.13 (DKM 328 grt) ahead of FN.184 14 miles SE of Lowestoft. DD FORESIGHT approaching from the nth during the hunt was unable to assist due to being en route to meet northbound liners. The Uboat, , was sunk. All the crew, three officers and twenty three ratings, of the sub were rescued and taken prisoner. On 23 June, MSW TEDWORTH, escorted by patrol sloop PUFFIN, carried out diving operations on the submarine in Operation ROBIN.

UBOATS
At Sea 31 May 1940
U-8, U-26, U-28, U-29, U-37, U-43, U-48, U-56, U-58, U-60, U-62, U-101.
12 boats at sea.

OPERATIONS
North Sea
MLs TEVIOTBANK and PLOVER and DDs ATHERSTONE and ENCOUNTER departed Rosyth on minelaying mission BS.10. The minelay was carried out from 1302 to 1348 on 1 June. After the operation, the MLs returned to the Humber and the DDs returned to Rosyth.

FN.185 departed Southend, escort DD WALLACE. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on 2 June. MT.78 departed Methil, escort DD WALPOLE. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day. FN.184 departed the Tyne, escort DD WALPOLE. The convoy arrived at Southend on 2 June. Submarines L.23 and L.26 arrived at Harwich

Northern Waters
CVs ARK ROYAL and GLORIOUS departed Scapa with DDs HIGHLANDER, ACASTA, ARDENT, DIANA, ACHERON for operations off Vestfjord. Sgt Pilot L.W. C. Sturgess was killed when his Gladiator of 804 Squadron crashed at Hatston. 5 British troopships departed the Clyde for Harstad escort DDs WITHERINGTON and VISCOUNT. The destroyers were detached and returned to Scapa on 3 June. DD ASHANTI proceeded to Rosyth to rendezvous with troopships ORAMA and ORMONDE and escort them to Scapa. The 3 ships arrived at Scapa on 1 June. However, on arrival, troopship ORAMA grounded south of Cava Island. The troopship was refloated during that afternoon with no apparent damage. The three departed Scapa that evening. DDs BEDOUIN and MASHONA at sea were ordered to proceed to the east of the Orkneys to establish a patrol line. BEDOUIN and MASHONA arrived at Scapa on 1 June after being sent to investigate 5 Dutch trawlers in Holm Sound. DDs MAORI and KELVIN departed Scapa to carry out a patrol E and NE of the Orkneys. DDs ZULU and ELECTRA departed Scapa to carry out a patrol as destroyers MAORI and KELVIN. DD ELECTRA arrived at Scapa on 1 June. DDrs MAORI, ZULU, KELVIN arrived at Scapa on 1 June after their patrols. DD MASHONA departed Scapa escorting MSWs BRAMBLE and SPEEDY to Scrabster, and then carried out gunnery and torpedo exercises. ASW trawlers JUNIPER and WHITETHORN departed Scapa escorting oiler CONCH to Harstad. DD FORESTER departed the Humber after refitting for Scapa.

West Coast UK
Sub NARWHAL departed Blyth for Immingham. Sub H.33 arrived at Campbeltown. Dutch submarine O 9 arrived at Portland.

Channel
Subs H.43, after Dingle Bay patrol was abandoned, and OTWAY arrived at Plymouth

Operation Dynamo
68,014 troops were evacuated from Dunkirk.
2 Skuas from 801 sqn are shot down over Dunkirk with their crews lost off Nieuport. In a separate air combat over Dunkirk, a Skua of 801 Sqn was shot down. Midshipman (A) R. M. S. Martin RNVR, Naval Airman R. Hedger were injured, but both returned to the UK.
DDr VIVACIOUS was hit by German shore guns off Bray at Dunkirk. 3 ratings were killed and 12 wounded. VIVACIOUS departed Dover at 1300 on 4 June for Portsmouth for repair. DD EXPRESS was damaged by the near misses from the LW at Dunkirk. DD EXPRESS departed Dover at 1300 on 4 June for Portsmouth and was repaired in one week. DDs BASILISK and IMPULSIVE damaged their propellers on debris in Dunkirk Harbour. DD IMPULSIVE damaged both props on debris, and departed Dover on 1 June for Blackwall and was repaired completing on 4 July. DD BASILISK was lost before any repairs were made. DDs ICARUS and SCIMITAR collided at 1147 off Dunkirk. ICARUS was slightly damaged, whilst SCIMITAR was considerably damaged and was forced to return to Dover. SCIMITAR departed Dover 2 June for repairs at Sheerness. Enroute SCIMITAR was also involved in a further collision with a drifter (either British flare burning drifter GERVAIS RENTOUL (100grt) or Armed patrol drifter EILEEN EMMA (102grt) which both returned to Dover with collision damage). DD WOLFHOUND brought a large party of naval signalmen to Dunkirk. DD WOLSEY arrived at Dunkirk to serve as a communications link with Dover.
Destroyers ICARUS, KEITH, WINCHELSEA were damaged at Dunkirk by the LW. ICARUS departed Dover on 4 June with DDs VIVACIOUS, EXPRESS, ESK, WINDSOR, WINCHELSEA, WHITSHED for Portsmouth. ICARUS was repaired at Portsmouth completing on 13 June. DD WINCHELSEA was returned to service after repairs at Dover. WINCHELSEA departed Dover on 4 June for Portsmouth. KEITH was able to continue off Dunkirk but was lost the next day. MALCOLM sustained damage to her bow when she collided with the pier at Dunkirk. WHITEHALL damaged her props on debris and had one engine out of service. WORCESTER damaged her props when she grounded in Dunkirk Roads. VANQUISHER sustained prop damage when she struck debris at Dunkirk. Fr DD LEOPARD was damaged by the LW off Dunkirk.
Fr DD CYCLONE was torpedoed and badly damaged when her bow was blown off by S Boat S.24 off Dunkirk. CYCLONE was able to return to Dover at four knots escorted by 2 Fr ships. After emergency repairs, she was taken to Brest. MSW LEDA was slightly damaged in a collision at Dunkirk. Fr TBs BOUCLIER, which among her passengers were Fr Gen Blanchard (CinC AGp1), General Langlois, CinC Fr Cav Corps, their staffs, BRANLEBAS, FLORE, INCOMPRISE and sloop IMPETEUESE, which lifted 649 troops, evacuated troops from Dunkirk.
During the night of 31 May/1 June, Fr DD EPERVIER patrolled 7 miles from North Goodwin Light. Fr DD LEOPARD patrolled 14 miles from North Goodwin Light. CLA CAIRO patrolled 23 miles from North Goodwin Light.

UK-France
BC.38 with steamers BALTRAFFIC, BARON KINNAIRD, DAVID LIVINGSTONE, KERMA departed Loire escorted by ASW trawlers HUDDERSFIELD TOWN and YORK CITY and armed yacht ZAZA. The convoy arrived in Bristol Channel on 2 June. AXF.7 departed Southamtpon for St Malo.

Central Atlantic
SL.34 departed Freetown escort AMC CARNARVON CASTLE to 14 June. Sloop LEITH and corvette HIBISCUS joined the convoy on 14 June and escorted it to arrival on 15 June. CL DUNEDIN arrived at Bermuda.

Med- Biscay
HG.32 with 24 ships departed Gib escort DD WISHART from 31 May to 1 June. DD VORTIGERN escorted the convoy from 1 to 4 June. DD WATCHMAN came from convoy HG.32F and escorted the convoy from 1 to 2 June. The DD was then detached to OG.31. Sloop WELLINGTON from convoy OG.31 escorted the convoy from 2 to 10 June. Sloop FOLKESTONE from convoy OG.32 escorted the convoy from 7 to 10 June. The convoy arrived at Liverpool on 10 June.
Fr subs IRIS, PALLAS, VENUS, CERES passed Gib en route from the Antilles to Toulon, where they arrived on 3 June

 

[parsifal]

31 May 1940
Known Reinforcements
Axis


Neutral


Allied


Losses




DKM War Diary
Selected Extracts


UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary


Arrivals

Departures


At Sea 31 May 1940


OPERATIONS
Baltic
Eastern Baltic

Western Baltic

North Sea


Northern Patrol


Northern Waters


West Coast UK

Western Approaches

SW Approaches

Channel

UK-France

Nth Atlantic

Central Atlantic

Sth Atlantic

Med- Biscay

Indian Ocean


Pacific/Far East/Australia Station

 

[parsifal]

31 May 1940 RAF Operations
UNFINISHED
2 sqn (Lysander)
Tac Recon,1 a/c lost, 1 KIA, 1 MIA, Believed crippled in attack by Uffz Busch of 2./JG20 during observation sortie between Nieuport (Nieuwpoort) and Ostend (Oostende), retired west at low level but shot down by Lt Müncheberg of Stb III./JG26 between Furnes (Veurne) and Dunkirk (Duinkerken/Dunkerque) 14.35 hrs.

16 sqn (Lysander)
Tac Recon 2 a/c lost, 1 KIA, 3 MIA Took off 11.00 hrs from Lympne, tasked to search for bombing targets and observation of own troops. A/C failed to return. Believed that claimed by Fw Witzel of 6./JG27 over Dunkirk 12.30 hrs. Crashed near Pihen-lès-Guines. One source stated that it was shot down by RAF fighters.

2nd a/c Shot down by Major Freiherr von Berg (Gruppenkommandeur) of Stab III./JG26 and crashed in Channel between Dunkirk and Nieuport (Nieuwpoort) 19.20 hrs.

22 sqn (Bft)
1ac missing. No other mission details. In this case it is believed CPCC records are mistaken and this loss relates to 229 sqn.

38 sqn (Well)
Diksmuide 1 a/c lost, 6 KIA. On the night of 30-31 May 1940 17 Wellingtons from RAF Marham took off to provide CAS for the BEF, as they withdrew from the beaches of Dunkirk.

85 sqn (Hurri)
Unknown Mission, UK. 2 a/c lost, 2 KIA no other details available

 

[parsifal]

31 May 1940 - The BEF

On the morning of 31 May , a message of General Weygand was received by the War Office through the Howard-Vyse Mission. requesting the cooperation of 4 or 5 British divs in defence of Dunkirk. It was not clear whether the divs were to cover evacuation or to hold out indefinitely, but after consultation with Gen Georges it was learned that only the former was intended, and as Lord Gort had already been instructed 'continue to defend the present perimeter to the utmost in order to cover maximum evacuation' Weygand's request did not involved any change of policy and it was not necessary to vary the orders given on the day before.

During the morning Lord Gort visited Admiral Abrial at his HQs in the bastion at Dunkirk to coordinate plans for the evacuation of British and French forces. Among other French Service representatives at the meeting were Gens Fagalde and de la Laurencie, and after other details had been agreed Lord Gort invited the two gens to accompany him when he left for England. To his regret they declined, though it was arranged that some of the French III Corps Staff should sail with the remaining officers of the BEF HQ Staff. Having tried vainly to get permission to remain to the last, Lord Gort now issued his final operation order, of which the following are the most important paragraphs:

Withdrawal
1.…
2.It is intended, after consultation with French authorities at Dunkirk, that both Corps and Dunkirk base should continue the withdrawal of troops, maintaining the defence of Dunkirk in cooperation with our French allies, in accordance with orders already issued. It is further intended that the final withdrawal of II Corps shall be completed during the night 31st May/1st June. Shipping resources will be allotted accordingly, and action taken as in following paras. II Corps will not finally abandon the perimeter before 2300 hrs, 31 May.
3.I Corps will assume command of 5 and 50 Divs. from 1800 hrs. 31st May. I Corps will use these divs to man the frontier defences and will issue orders, after consultation with II Corps, for their withdrawal to the frontier defences. 5 and 50 Divs. reps. report H.Q. I Corps forthwith. An outpost line will be maintained, to be selected by I Corps.
4.II Corps will be responsible for the evacuation of the beaches at La Panne.
Command
5.When the withdrawal of II Corps is completed G.H.Q. will be withdrawn and command will pass to Command I Corps. In default of further instructions command will pas at 1800 hrs. 31 May

Lord Gort had decided that Maj-Gen Alexander (1st Div) should take command of I Corps for the final phase, and he now sent for him and handed him his instructions:

1.You have been selected to command the I Corps of the BEF and to assist our French allies in the defence of Dunkirk.
2.The responsibility for the defence of Dunkirk rests with the Fr Adm C-in-C, the Naval Forces of the Nth; you will act under his orders, but should any orders which he may issue to you be likely, in your opinion, to imperil the safety of the Force under your command you should make an immediate appeal to HM's Govt, through the Secretary of State for War, at the same time notifying the Admiral du Nord that you are doing so.
3.In addition to any sector of the defence of Dunkirk for which you may assume responsibility you will also occupy yourself with arrangements for the evacuation of the Force under your cmd. This you will do in collaboration with the Admiral du Nord and also in accordance with the policy which may be laid down from time to time by H.M. Govt. It is important that the troops of the Fr Army should share such facilities for evacuation as may be provided by H.M. Govt. The allotment of facilities for evacuation in accordance with this policy will be mad by the authorities at Home; if at any time you consider that the allotment is unreasonable, you should represent the matter to the Senior Naval Officer, Dunkirk, without delay.
4.If at any time in your judgement no further organised evacuation is possible, and no further proportionate damage can be inflicted on the enemy you are authorised in consultation with the Admiral du Nord to capitulate formally to avoid useless slaughter.

His personal adjutant stated postwar that 'I have recollection of him sitting in his room and cutting ribbons off a jacket which he would have to leave behind, for he took no more kit him than any private soldier'. History was to deal fairly harshly with Gort and his perceived failures. To me this seems very unfair. Without his steadying hand and ruthlessness of purpose to save the manpower of the BEF at all costs it very likely would have ended far worse than it did. Between this point in time and the end, there was much history to be made, but this day marked the direct involvement of Gort in the panorama of unfolding events.

Though there was fighting all along the southern front and especially near Bergues, the enemy's attack on this day was concentrated mainly on the Belgian half of the bridgehead, which was to be evacuated in the coming night but most be held till the time to leave arrived. On the 50th Div front between the frontier and Bulscamp, on the 3rd Div front near Furnes, and in the 4th Div sector at Nieuport, the enemy attacked heavily. Ground was lost and recovered by counter-attack and only small local gains remained to the enemy at the end of the day. And in the night II Corps withdrew to the beaches, leaving only the 50th Div in reserve behind the French troops holding the frontier. All the bridgehead was now within reach of the German artillery and though our BEF artillery retaliated, shortage of ammo severely limited what they could do.

 

[parsifal]

Summary Of Losses May (Part I)
Allied
Allied Warships
Aux PV VESLEFRIKK (RNoN 350 grt (est)), Pre-WWI TB DRISTIG (RNorN 100 grt (est), Sub B.6 (RNoN 420 grt), DD TROLL (Nor 540 grt), TB SNOGG (RNoN 198 grt), Pre-WWI TB DJERV (RNorN 100 grt (est),
(1700 grt)

DD GROM (ORP 2183 grt), ORP ORZEL (ORP 1100 grt),
(3283 grt)

DD VAN GALEN (RNeN 1600 grt), Pre-1880 Gunboat BRAGA (RNeN 244 grt), Pre- WWI TB CHRISTIAAN CORNELUS (RNeN 47 grt), MSW M 2 (RNeN 202 grt), MSW ABRAHAM VAN DER HULST (RNeN 525 grt), MSW PIETER FLORISZ (RNeN 525 grt), Coast Defence Ship JACOB VAN HEEMSKERCK( RNeN 5000 grt), Gunboat BRINIO (RNeN 542 grt), Gunboat FREYR (RNeN 280 grt) , Gunboat HEFRING (RNeN 270 grt) , Gunboat TYR (RNeN 280 grt), DD GERARD CALLENBURGH (RNeN 1604 grt) DD TJERK HIDDES (RNeN 1604 grt), Pre WWI TB G1 Class JAN DANIELSON VAN DE RIJN (RNeN 145 grt), Sloop JOHAN MAURITS VAN NASSAU (RNeN 1537 grt), WWI TB G 16 ( RNeN 230 grt), MSW M 1 (RNeN 230 grt), M3 (RNeN 230 grt), M4 (RNeN 230 grt), Tug NORDZEE II (RNeN 260 grt), Sub O 8 (RNeN 343 grt), Sub O 11 (RNeN 526 grt), Sub O 12 (RNeN 715 grt), O 25 (RNeN 990 grt), O-26 (RNeN 990 grt), O-27 (RNeN 990 grt), TB Z 3 ( RNeN 322 grt), ML HYDRA (RNeN 593 grt), DD PHILIPS VAN ALMONDE (RNeN 1604 grt), Tug DE OCEAAN (RNeN 250 grt),
(22678 grt)

Sub SEAL (RN 1770 grt), CL EFFINGHAM (RN 12170 grt), ML PRINCESS VICTORIA (RN 2197 grt), DD WHITLEY (RN 1100 grt), Aux MSW trawlers RIFSNESS (RN 431 grt), DD WESSEX (RN 1100 grt), ASW Trawler LOCH NAVER (RN 262 grt), DD AFRIDI (RN 1850 grt), DD VALENTINE (RN 1188 grt), Mine destructor ship CORBURN (RN 3060 grt), Naval Trawler CAPE PASSARO (RN 270 grt), Hospital Ship MAID OF KENT (RN 2633 grt), ASW Trawler MELBOURNE (RN 460 grt), ASW Trawler CHARLES BOYES (RN 290 grt), Mobile Naval Base Ship MASHOBRA (RN 7,288 grt), CLA CURLEW (RN 4190 grt), Boom defense vessel LOCH SHIN (RN 255 grt), RFA OLEANDER (RN 6594 grt), ASW Trawler CALVI (RN 363 grt), DD GRENADE (RN 1370 grt), Aux MSW BRIGHTON BELLE (RN 396 grt), MSW trawler THOMAS BARTLETT (RN 290 grt), ASW trawler THURINGIA (RN 550 grt), Drifter BOY ROY (RN 95 grt), Drifter PAXTON (RN 92 grt), Aux AA ship CRESTED EAGLE (RN 1110 grt), Aux MSW GRACIE FIELDS (RN 393 grt), LCA 4 (RN 13 grt), LCA 16 (RN 13 grt), LCA 18 (RN 13 grt), MSW trawler POLLY JOHNSON (RN 290 grt), Drifter COMFORT (RN 60 grt), DD GRAFTON (RN 1370 grt), Aux MSW WAVERLEY (RN 537 grt), Armed Trawler OCEAN REWARD (RN 95 grt), Boom defense vessel CAMBRIAN (RN 338 grt), Armed boarding Vesel KING ORRY (RN 1877 grt), Aux MSW DEVONIA (RN 622 grt), LCA 8 (RN 15 grt), LCA 15 (RN 15 grt), ASW trawler ST ACHILLEUS (RN 484 grt),
(51086 grt)

DD L'ADROIT (Fr 1378 grt) , SC CH.9 (Fr 107 grt), PV Trawler LA LORIENTAISE (Fr 350 grt (est), Aux MSW AUGUSTIN NORMAND (Fr 175 grt), Aux MSW LEOPOLD SOUBLER (Fr 215 grt) , Aux MSW CECILE (Fr 350 grt (est), DD JAGUAR (Fr 2126 grt), DD ORAGE (Fr 1319 grt), Contre Torpilleur DD CHACAL (Fr 2126 grt), Aux MSW LA MATELOT (Fr 260 grt), DD BISON (Fr 2436 grt), Sub DORIS (Fr 552 grt), Aux MSW DUQUESNE II (Fr 181 grt ) Aux MSW HENRE GUEGAN (Fr 251 grt), Aux MSW MARDYCK (Fr 1100 grt), aux MSWs SAINT BERNOIT (Fr 315 grt), NOTRE DAME DE LORETTE (Fr 339 grt), BRIEN SANS PEINE (Fr 142 grt), JACQUES COEUR (Fr 285 grt), SAINT JOACHIM (Fr 192 grt), Tug TUMULTE (Fr 370 grt) , Tugs ORME (Fr 340 grt) BARFLEUR (Fr 330 grt), Aux MSW ETOILE DE NORD (Fr 317 grt), Aux MSW LA JEANINE (Fr 49 grt), Aux MSW TROMBE II (Fr 250 grt (est)), Aux MSW DIJONAIS (Fr 389 grt), Aux MSW LA MAJO (Fr 47 grt), Aux MSW JOSEPH MARIE (Fr 41 grt), Aux NSW MARGUERITE ROSE ( Fr 423 grt), DD BOURRASQUE (Fr 1319 grt), DD SIROCCO (Fr 1319 grt),
(19393 grt)
Total Naval tonnage: 98,140 grt

Allied Shipping
Lake MV ARLINGTON (Cdn 1870 grt),
(1870 grt)

Tkr BEAUFORT (Nor 5053 grt), Hospital Ship DRONNING MAUD (Nor 1489 grt), Trawler PIONER I (Nor 191 grt), Steamer AAFJORD (Nor 335 grt), Steamer BLAAFJELD I (Nor 1146 grt), Steamer AAFJORD (Nor 335 grt), Steamer BLAAFJELD I (Nor 1146 grt), Steamer SEKSTANT (Nor 1626 grt), Steamer FOLDEN (Nor 316 grt), Steamer PAN (Nor 1309 grt), Pilot Vessel LOODSBOOT No.1 (Ne 626 grt), Steamer TORGTIND (Nor 298 grt), Steamer SIRIUS (Nor 944 grt), MV TORGTIND (Nor 298 grt), Sailing Barque BELGICA (Nor 263 grt), MV DENEB (Nor 856 grt), MV BJARKOY (Nor 311 grt), MV TENNESSEE (Nor 5667 grt), Coaster BLAAMANNEN (Nor 174 grt),
(22385 grt)

MV MATAKANA (UK 8093 grt), MV REDSTONE (UK 3110 grt), MV SCIENTIST (UK 6199 grt), Tkr BRIGHTON (UK 5359 grt), Collier HENRY WOODALL (UK 695 grt), Steamer TRINGA (UK 1930 grt), Steamer CITY OF BRUSSELS (UK 629 grt), MV KYLE FIRTH (UK 450 grt), MV SAINT KEARAN (UK 692 grt), MV PEMBROKE COAST (UK 625 grt), Steamer BAWTRY (UK 835 grt), MV FIRTH FISHER (UK 574 grt), MV HUBBERSTONE (UK 874 grt) , MV SPINEL (UK 750 grt), MV EFFORD (UK 329 grt), FV TEASER (UK 9 grt), MV SIGURD FALBAUMS (Ex-Ger 3256 grt), Steamer BRIGHTON (UK 2391 grt), MV SPINEL (UK 650 grt), Blockship FLORENTINO (UK 1822 grt), Blockship TRANSEA (UK 1499 grt), Blockship ATLANTIC GUIDE (UK 1943 grt) and Blockship BORODINO (UK 2004 grt), MV SHEAF MEADE (UK 5008), Drifter OCEAN REWARD (UK 95 grt), Steamer SEQUACITY (UK 870 grt), Steamer WORTHTOWN (UK 868 grt), Personnel ship QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL (UK 1162 grt), Steamer FENELLA (UK 2376 grt), Steamer CLAN MACALISTER (UK 6787 grt), Steamer LORINA (UK 1578 grt), Ferry MONA'S QUEEN (UK 2756 grt), Steamer ABUKIR (UK 694 grt), Drifter NAUTILUS (UK 64 grt), Steamer CARARE (UK 6878 grt), Drifter GIRL PAMELA (UK 93 grt), MV STANHALL (UK 4831 grt), Trawler CORRENIE (UK 203 grt), Steamer NORMANNIA (UK 1567 grt), Canal Boats AMBLEVE (UK 150 grt (est)), Canal Boat YSER (UK 150 grt (est)), MV ORANGEMOOR (UK 5775 grt),
(86623 grt)

MV MAIANBAR (Aus 513 grt), Lugger SCALARIA (Aus 120 grt (est)),
(633 grt)

Steamer BOSCHDIJK (Ne 6876 grt), (est))MV DINTELDIJK (Ne 5333 grt), Liner VEENDAM (Ne 15,450 grt), Liner STATENDAM (Ne 28,291 grt), Steamer STELLA (Ne 2818 grt), JAN PIETERSEN COEN (Ne 11640 grt), Steamer PIA (Ne 304 grt),
(70712 grt)

Transport CHOBRY (Pol 11400 grt),
(11400 grt)

LINER VILLE DE BRUGES (Be 11869 grt), Dredger VLAANDEREN I (Be 1218 grt), MV ANTVERPIA (Be 4933 grt), FV DE NORMANDIE (Be 137 grt), FV ERNESTINE GABRIELLE (Be 13 grt), FV IINDEPENDENCE (Be 110 grt (est)), FV GEORGETTE SIMONE (Be 11 grt), FV NELLY SUZANNE (Be 151 grt), Yacht ALOHA (Be 181 grt), Dredger VOLKGRACHT IV (Be 300 grt), Tug VULCAIN (Be 200 grt), Tug MAX (Be 177 grt), Tug THAMES (Be 144 grt), Steamer EGYPTE (Be 2568 grt),
(22012 grt)

Tug HERCULE (Fr 216 grt), Tkr NIGER (Fr 5482 grt), Tkr OPHELIE (Fr 6477 grt), Tkr SALOME (Fr 13,291 grt), Steamer PAVON (Fr 4128 grt), MV PORTRIEUX (Fr 2460 grt), Lightship DYCK (Fr 500 grt), MV CERES (Fr 3079 grt), MV SAINT CAMILE (Fr 3274 grt), Steamer ADEN (Fr 8033 grt), MV CAP TAFELNAH (Fr 2366 grt), Steamer DOUAISIEN (Fr 2954 grt), MV MARIE ROSE (Fr 2477), Steamer MONIQUE SCHIAFFFINO (Fr 3236 grt), Steamer MARS (Fr 721 grt), Tug SAMSUN (Fr 95 grt), Steamer SAINT CLAIRE (Fr 3824 grt), Steamer SAINT OCTAVE (Fr 5099 grt), Liner BRAZZA (Fr 10387 grt), Sailing Vessel JULIEN (Fr 116 grt), Steamer AIN EL TURK (Fr 2008 grt), Steamer COTE D'AZUR (Fr 3047 grt), trawlers PUISSANT (Fr 200 grt), Trawler COSTAUD (Fr 140 grt), Trawler ADJADER (Fr 414 grt), TRAWLER LA CANNCALAISE (Fr 510 GRT), Tug CALAISIEN (Fr 250 GRT (Est)),
(84784 grt)

Total Allied Mercantile tonnage lost: (300419 grt)

Prizes captured
ESTE (Ger7915 grt), VANCOUVER (Ger 8269 grt), HENRY HORN (Ger 3164 grt), PATRICIA (Ger 3979 tons), FRISIA (Ger 561 grt ), KARIBIA (Ger 428 grt), ALEMANIA (Ger 1380 grt), FV L 61 / Terje Viken (28 GRT), FVs EMMANUEL (Den 33 grt) and JENS HVAS (Den 50 grt (est))

 

[parsifal]

Summary Of Losses May (Part II)
Neutral
Neutral Shipping
MV HAGA (SD 1258 grt), Fishing vessel AIMY (SD 200 grt), steamer TORSTEN (SD 1206 grt), Steamer EDDA (SD 1652 grt), Steamer FRAMNAS (SD 721 grt), Steamer ROSENHOLM (SD 1736 grt), MV ERIK FRISELL (SD 5066 grt), DAHLIA (SD 1078 grt), LYGIA (SD 1480 grt),and BRITA (SD 1345 grt),
(15742 grt)

Schooner MAGICIENNE (Den 248 grt), MV SKANDIA (Den 1248 grt), Steamer GORM (Den 2156 grt), Fishing Vessels S.130 (Den 50 grt (est), S.175 (Den 50 grt (est)),
(3752 grt)

Tkr SAN TIBURCIO (US 5995 grt),
(5995 grt)

Fishing vessel SAINT PIERRE (Belg 15 grt),
(15 grt)

MV MAKIS (Gk 3546 grt), MV GALAXIAS (Gk 4633 grt), MV KYMA (Gk 3994 grt), Steamer EVGENIA (Gk 5839 grt),
(18012 grt)

Steamer VIIU (Est 1908 grt),
(1908 grt)

Steamer SALLY (FN 2533 grt),
(2533 grt)

Steamer FOSCOLO (Italy 3059 grt),
(3059 grt)

Tkr CLAIRY (Pan 5838 grt),
(5838 grt)

Cargo Liner PALENA (Chile 2460 grt),
(2460 grt)

Tkr JOSEPH SEEP (Pan 7088 grt) ,
(7088 grt)

MV URUGUAY (Arg 3425 grt)
(3425 grt)

Total Neutral Shipping Lost
(69827 grt)

TOTAL NEUTRAL ALLIED NAVAL MERCANTILE SHIPPING LOST
[538213 grt)

 

[parsifal]

Summary Of Losses May 1940 (Part III)
Axis
Axis Warships
ML ULLER (DKM 250 grt), Aux MSW M1102/H.A.W. MOLLER (DKM 350 grt (est)), V-101 (DKM 500 grt (EST)), V-811 (DKM 500 grt (est)), Tkr CORRIENTES (DKM 4565 grt, AK CAMPINAS (DKM 4541 grt), coastal steamer NORDNORGE (Ex Nor, DKM 991 grt), MSW M-134 (DKM 550 grt (est)), Aux PV Vp.1109 (DKM 291 grt), Type IIB U.13 (DKM 328 grt)
(12866 grt Naval Tonnage)

Axis Shipping
transport BUENOS AIRES (Ger 6097 grt), troop transport BAHIA CASTILLO (Ger 8580 grt), steamer VOGESEN (Ger 4241 grt), MV BRAGE (Ger 5954 grt), MV VOGESEN (Ger 4220 grt), MV EMSSTROM (Ger 4517 grt), Steamer ALMORA (Ex-Nor 2433 grt), Steamer KEM (Ex-Nor 1706 grt), MV GOSLAR (Ger 6000 grt), MV SOPHIE RICKMERS (Ger 7033 grt), MV WESTERWALD (Ger 4541 grt), ESTE (Ger7915 grt), VANCOUVER (Ger 8269 grt), HENRY HORN (Ger 3164 grt), PATRICIA (Ger 3979 tons), FRISIA (Ger 561 grt ), KARIBIA (Ger 428 grt), ALEMANIA (Ger 1380 grt), MV ANTILLA (Ger 4363 grt), Trawler ALBION (Ex-Nor 192 grt), Steamer HELENE (Ger 2160 grt) , MV FRANZ HANIEL (Ger 2152 grt), MONARK (Ex Sd, Ger 1786 grt), Trawler VANSO (Ex-Nor 54 grt), MV VANSO (Ex-Nor 55 grt), Steamer FINKENAU (Ger 916 grt),

87297 (Mercantile)

Prizes
Sub B.6 (RNoN 420 grt), DD TROLL (Nor 540 grt), TB SNOGG (RNoN 198 grt)

Steamer ROSENHOLM (SD 1736 grt)

TOTAL NAVAL and MERCANTILE TONNAGE LOST 106163 grt(12866 grt (Naval), 87297 grt (Mercantile))

 

[Njaco]

June 1 Saturday
WESTERN FRONT: Despite increased Luftwaffe attacks a total of 64,429 men are evacuated from Dunkirk. Overnight, British troops pulled out of the defensive line around Dunkirk and headed for the ships, leaving French troops to hold a reduced perimeter. The perimeter is drawn in, the British withdrawing from the Colme to the line Bergues, Uxem, Ghyrelde, Bass-Plaine. 47,081 Allied troops were evacuated from the harbor and 17,348 from the beaches. The Germans increase their efforts, breaking the defensive perimeter along the canals at Bergues and forcing retreats in other sectors as well.

Leading Seaman Ernest Frederick Eldred was on the destroyer HMS "Harvester" during the evacuation from Dunkirk. The crew members thought they were simply on patrol; then they saw the boats steaming across the Channel;

"I suppose you would call it more of a holiday scene with every type of boat and craft, an endless line across the Channel; some being towed by larger boats. It was a fantastic sight."

The Luftwaffe executes an all-out effort over Dunkirk. After day break, German bombing sank French destroyer "Le Foudroyant" (killing 19), British destroyers HMS "Basilisk", HMS "Havant", and HMS "Keith" (killing 36). British minesweeper HMS "Skipjack" was bombed after embarking 275 soldiers from the beach, taking down 19 crew and most of the boarded soldiers. British steamer "Scotia" was bombed and sunk, killing 32 crew and 200 to 300 soldiers. Sergeant George Benton, RAMC, was carrying wounded men on stretchers to a ship at the East Mole when a bomb blew a hole in the walkway. Unflinching, he calmly placed a stretcher over the gap and carried on with the evacuation of the wounded. Several of the Channel ferries and other ships, which form the backbone of the evacuation fleet are also damaged. The RAF sends eight large patrols to give cover but most of the damage is done in the intervals between them. HMS "Mosquito", a Yangtse river gunboat is overwhelmed by air attacks and sinks in the English Channel off Dunkirk. Her surviving crew are picked up by drifters.

Radio News Report, Edward R. Murrow on Dunkirk (6/1/1940)

B class destroyer leader HMS "Keith" suffers air attacks in the English Channel off Bray. Her steering is jammed, her engine room damaged and she lists to port. The Admiral transfers to MTB 102 and then "Keith" is sunk by further bombing. 36 of the crew become casualties in the air attacks, and an additional 100 when the rescue tug is lost.

Destroyer HMS "Basilisk" is overwhelmed in a series of air attacks and loses all steam power. She is finally sunk in the English Channel off La Panne in shallow water and her hull destroyed by depth charges dropped by HMS "Whitehall". There are 131 survivors.

Just after departing Dunkirk, HMS "Havant" receives two bomb hits in her engine room and another as she passes over it. "Havant" is anchored and the soldiers transferred to other craft whilst under air attack. She is then abandoned, rolls over and sinks in the English Channel off Dunkirk. There are 8 casualties.

HMS "Skipjack" is overwhelmed by air attacks as she is evacuating soldiers from Malo les Bains. She capsizes and sinks taking with her over 270 soldiers, the few that survived were machine gunned in the water.

.

 

[Njaco]

June 1 Saturday (continued)
But the Luftwaffe loses 240 aircraft over the beaches as opposed to 177 aircraft lost by the RAF. Douglas Bader achieved his first kill, which was a German Bf 109 fighter. The first encounter of the day finds Hptm. Wolfgang Schellmann of the Stab II./JG 2 destroying a British Lysander over the beaches for his fifth victory at 0545 hours in the morning.

The pilots of JG 26 have their ups and downs on this day. In the morning at 0630 hours over the Dunkirk beaches, I Gruppe intercepts Spitfires from RAF Nos.19, 222 and 616 Squadrons. Two Spitfires are shot down with claims going to Uffz. Heinz Wolf of 3 / JG 26 for his first score and Oblt Fritz Losigkeit of 2./JG 26 for his second victory. But for the two British planes the Gruppe lose two pilots. Lt. Siegfried Gruel and Oblt. Alfred Pomaska are shot down and killed over the beach area. A second major action at 1230 hours finds II./JG 26 engaging with Hurricanes over the beach. Seven British Hurricanes are claimed by the Gruppe. First victories are given to Uffz. Ernst Nischik of 6./JG 25 and Lt. Karl Borris. Lt. Hans Krug of 5./JG 26 and Lt. Wolfgang Kosse of 6./JG 26 get their third kills of their careers and Fw. Wilhelm Roth of 4./JG 26 gets his fourth victory. Uffz. Hans Wemhöner of 5./JG 26 destroys two Hurricanes to bring his score to three kills. Later the Gruppe returns to base to find Hptm. Erich Noack has been named as Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 26. Oberfeldwebel Emil Babenz is posted from flight school to 3./JG 26.

At 0900 hours, fighters from JG 27 tangle with Spitfires and RAF bombers, with the pilots of JG 27 claiming two Wellingtons, one to Fw. Otto Sawallisch of 2./JG 27 for his second victory and one bomber to Oblt. Gerhardt Framm, also of 2 / JG 27, for his sixth victory.

Several small skirmishes follow in the morning with a Lysander going down under the guns of Lt. Hans-Jürgen von Moller of 1./JG 2 for the second kill of his career, followed by a first kill for Uffz. Herbert Hoffmann of 5./JG 52, a Potez 63. At 1130 hours, Oblt. Walter Oesau of 1./JG 20 gets his fourth kill when he destroys a Blenheim over Ostende. In one of the last combats of the day, III./JG 53 encounters Hurricanes over Reims at 2000 hours. Within several minutes, Lt. Hans Fleitz destroys a Hurricane for his third kill while Lt. Hans Kunert downs a Hurricane for his fourth victory. Both pilots are from 8./JG 53.

French industrial targets in the Rhône Valley were bombed by the German Luftwaffe. Germans bomb the Lyons-Marseilles railway. The British liner "Orford" (20,000 t) is sunk at Marseilles.

The Stab of II./JG 52 loses Oblt. Paul Gutbrod when he is killed in combat. Later in the war, pilots of the Gruppe carry Gutbrod's name on their aircraft in honor of the pilot that started the Gruppe's victory tally.

Lord Gort was made the aide-de-camp to King George VI. Heinz Guderian was named the commander of Panzer Group Guderian. In Paris, Leopold III, the King of the Belgians, is struck off the Order of the Legion of Honour.

A Ju 88A from 2(F)./122 failed to return from a reconnaissance mission over Dunkirk. The recon bomber may have been lost to F/O Moberley of RAF 616 Sqd. The aircraft fell into the English Channel.

The Swiss Army Staff reported:

'This afternoon in the Jura mountains, Swiss sovereign territory was violated by foreign aircraft. The Swiss Alarm Patrol immediately took up pursuit, engaged in aerial combat with a German bomber and shot down the aircraft near Lignieres (Ger. Tassenberg). One hour later another Swiss fighter plane engaged in aerial combat with a second German aircraft over the Freiburg region (Fr. Franches-Montagnes). The burning German plane crashed onto French territory near Oltingen, on the other side of the Swiss border.'

,

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[parsifal]

1 June 1940 (Part 1)

DD KEITH (RN 1380 grt) The "B" Class DD was damaged by the near miss at Dunkirk. Later, before leaving Dunkirk, she was bombed again at 0915 and sunk. 36 crew were killed and 2 were wounded . The survivors were picked up by tugs ST ABBS, VINCIA, SERVIA and Dutch steamer HILDA. MSW SALAMANDER. .

Tug ST ABBS (UK 496 grt) was lost later on the 1st with the survivors still on board and one hundred navy and army personnel were lost in the tug.

DD HAVANT (RN 1400 grt) was badly damaged at 0905 by Ju87s off Dunkirk. She was taken in tow, but sank five miles from West Buoy. 33 crew were lost in the attack . MSW SALTASH scuttled her after taking off the crew.

DD BASILISK (RN 1337 grt) The "B" Class DD, was immobilised by near misses at 0800. She was then again badly damaged by air attack at 1258 causing her to be abandoned. 7 of her 138 crew were killed. 77 survivors rescued by Fr trawler LE JOLIE MASCOTTE, and 54 by DD WHITEHALL Other survivors got away in a motor boat and a whaler. BASILISK was later scuttled by DD WHITEHALL, which was damaged herself by near misses.

MSW SKIPJACK (RN 785 grt) The Halcyon Class MSW from MSW Flot 6 was sunk by 5 direct hits from Ju87s. She had 275 men on board her at this time, most of whom were below decks and lost.

DD FOUDROYANT (Fr 1378 grt) The Adroit Class DD had departed Dover at 0800 on the 1st, was sunk by the LW off Dunkirk. 150 survivors were picked up by Fr trawler BERNADETTE (302grt), and PV GAVA (256grt) and motor yacht NAIAD ERRANT also rescued a number of survivors. A total of 137 crew and 83 soldiers were rescued.

Aux MSW DENIS PAPIN (Fr 309 grt) was bombed and sunk by Junkers Ju 87 a/c.

MSW LA MOUSSAILLON (Fr 38 grt) were sunk by Ju87s at Dunkirk.

MSW VENUS (Fr 264 grt) sunk by Ju87s at Gravellines

Steamer SCOTIA (UK 3454 grt) The passenger ship was bombed and sunk off Dunkerque by the LW with the loss of 28 crew and at least 200 French soldiers. Survivors rescued by DD ESK, HMT FISHER BOY, HMT FIDGET, and HMT JAKETA. .
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

AK ORFORD (UK 20,043 grt) was bombed and damaged by LR LW a/c in the Med off Marseilles.The troopship was set afire and beached whilst evacuating Allied troops. 14 people were lost . The wreck was broken up for scrap in Savona, Italy, in 1947.

The SS ORFORD photographed leaving Fremantle in January 1940, carrying elements of the AIF 6th Div

ASW trawler ARGYLLSHIRE (RN 540 grt) of ASWGp 11 and MSW STELLA DORADO (RN 550grt) (ASWGp10) were torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Dunkerque by DKM S-34 whilst on patrol with MSW trawlers LORD MELCHETT and STELLA RIGEL. 5 survivors were rescued by HMT MALABAR. STELLA DORADO went down with the loss of all hands.
[NO IMAGES FOUND]

Tug ELBE (Be 150 grt) was sunk by German bombing at Dunkirk.
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Yacht AMULREE (UK 89 grt) was sunk at 0200 in a collision with DD VIMY in the Dover Strait. VIMY was out of action, and departed for Dover. On the 2nd she was moved to Cardiff for repairs.
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Gunboat MOSQUITO (RN 585 grt) was badly damaged by the LW off Dunkirk, and was scuttled by gunboat LOCUST on the 3rd. Lt A. H. Manwaring and a number of ratings were lost; Lt D. H.P. Gardiner and S/Lt E. S.Flint RNR, were wounded.

Yacht GRIVE (RN 687 grt) was sunk by the LW at 2355. 5 crew and a Fleet Air Arm Survivor rescued that day were lost
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Drifter FAIR BREEZE (UK 92 grt) was sunk after a collision with a wreck in Dunkirk harbour.
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Drifter LORD CAVAN (RN 96 grt) mine Recovery Flotilla) was sunk by German shore guns at Dunkirk. Her entire crew were rescued by a DD.
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Sailing barges LARK (Uk 67 grt) and ROYALTY (UK 101 grt) were beached and abandoned at Dunkirk and Malo les Bains, respectively. 3 crew and 6 soldiers were rescued from barge ROYALTY
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Sail barges DUCHESS (UK 72 grt) and LADY ROSEBERRY (UK 109 grt) were lost 3 miles east of Dunkirk when the tug they were alongside was blown up on a mine. The entire crew of the barge DUCHESS was rescued. One crewman was lost on the LADY ROSEBERRY.
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Sailing barge DORIS (UK 83 grt) were sunk on mines three miles east of Dunkirk.
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Sailing barges BARBARA JEAN (UK 144 grt) and ETHEL EVERAND (UK 190 grt) were blown up and abandoned at Dunkirk. Sailing barge AIDIE (UK 92 grt) was blown up and abandoned between Dunkirk and La Panne. 3 crew were saved from barge BARBARA JEAN, the entire crew was saved from AIDIE, the entire crew was saved from ETHEL EVERAND.
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

In the tow of two tugs, FV RENOWN (UK 9 grt) was sunk on a mine near Sandettie Light Vessel. 4 crew were lost on the FVl.
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Boom carrier ASTRONOMER (UK 8401 grt), Crew: 105 (4 dead and 101 survivors) Cargo: 3000 tons of naval stores Route: Rosyth - Scapa Flow Sunk off the Scottish Coast near Wick. At 23.48 hours the ship was hit in the stern by 1 G7e torpedo from U-58 30 miles SE of Wick. At 03.18 and 04.43 hours on 2 June, the vessel was hit by two coups de grâce and sank about one hour after the last hit The survivors were rescued by LEICESTER CITY and HMT STOKE CITY.

MSW BRIGHTON QUEEN (RN 550 grt) The paddle MSW was shelled and sunk in the North Sea off Dunkerque. The survivors were rescued by HMS SALTASH.

Sister ship Brighten Belle pictured. The Paddle MSWs proved very useful in the evacuation, despite their age

MV IOANNA (Gk 950 grt) Crew: Not known Cargo: Onions Route: Alexandria - Newcastle Attached to HG 32F: The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 120 nautical miles west of Cape Finisterre by U-37 All crew were rescued by CABO RAZO (Spain).

ST FAGAN (RN 350 grt) The Saint class Admiralty tug was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off Dunkerque by Luftwaffe a/c. 25 crewmen killed, 7 rescued.

Trawler SLASHER (UK 195 grt) was sunk by the LW 70 miles northeast, one half mile east of the Spurn Light Vessel , 1 crewman was killed on the British trawler.
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

 

[parsifal]

1 June1940 (Part II)
UBOATS
Departures
Kiel: U-46

At Sea 1 June 1940
U-8, U-26, U-28, U-29, U-37, U-43, U-46, U-48, U-56, U-58, U-60, U-62, U-101.
13 boats at sea

OPERATIONS
North Sea
Sub TRUANT arrived at Rosyth after patrol. Subs TRITON, TRIDENT, SALMON, SNAPPER, SEALION, SUNFISH departed patrol areas to return to base. Subs TRIAD, SEAWOLF, STURGEON were still at sea. ORP sub ORZEL (already lost) was ordered to relieve sub TRIDENT's billet. Sub L.26 departed Harwich for Sheerness arriving later the same day. Sub L.26 was docked the next day.

OA.159 departed Southend escort corvette CLARKIA. MT.79 departed Methil, escorted by sloop LONDONDERRY. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day. FS.185 departed the Tyne, escort sloop LONDONDERRY. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 3rd.

Northern Waters
DD FORESTER arrived at Scapa at 1600, before she departed with DD MAORI for Aberdeen to escort two troopships to Lerwick and then return to Scapa. On 2 May, DD MAORI dropped DCs on a contact off Lerwick. DD FORESTER proceeded on to Lerwick with the convoy. That morning, FORESTER was ordered to rejoin MAORI to hunt the sub. Both DDs arrived at Scapa after this operation early on the 3rd. DD AMAZON arrived in the Clyde after being relieved by DD WREN in the DD ESKIMO escort. Sloop FLEETWOOD, departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth after DD ESKIMO escort duty. British oiler BRITISH GOVERNOR arrived at Scapa from Harstad.
Steamers CYPRIAN PRINCE, RUTLAND, GUNVOR MAERSK, escort ASW trawlers INDIAN STAR and ANGLE, arrived at Scapa from the Narvik area. Sub NARWHAL arrived at Immingham and departed the same day for ML mission FD.16 on the 3rd off Jaederens.

British troopships ORMONDE and ORAMA departed Scapa for Harstad escort DD FOXHOUND. When this group met troopships that had departed the Clyde on 31 May off Cape Wrath, DD FOXHOUND returned to Scapa where she arrived on the 2nd. DD WHIRLWIND escorting troopship ROYAL SCOTSMAN departed Harstad for Scapa where they arrived on the 3rd. British repair ship VINDICTIVE departed Scapa for Harstad.

Following the loss of the ASTRONOMER, ASW Trawler STOKE CITY dropped DCs on a contact without result. At 0640, an /c bombed a sub contact, 25 miles sth of ASTRONOMER's position. DDs MASHONA and KELVIN set off to search, but were unsuccessful. At 1100 on the 2nd, ENCOUNTER and ATHERSTONE departed Rosyth. ATHERSTONE proceeded to Scapa where she later that day.
DD ENCOUNTER was to join the search for the sub contact near ASTRONOMER. On the 2nd, ATHERSTONE, still en route to Scapa Flow, reported a line of mines near where boom carrier ASTRONOMER sank. Boom defense vessel BARBICAN, escorted by ASW trawler ELM, proceeded to the area. They recovered the mooring buoys, covered by DDs MASHONA and ENCOUNTER, took them to Scapa Flow arriving on the 3rd. DD KELVIN arrived at Scapa on the 3rd. DDs MASHONA and ENCOUNTER arrived at Scapa on the 3rd.

West Coast UK
DD TARTAR departed Liverpool for Scapa Flow where she arrived on the 2nd. OB.159 departed Liverpool escort sloop SANDWICH from 1 to 4 June. The sloop was detached to convoy HX.45.

Channel
Operation Dynamo
64,429 troops were evacuated from Dunkirk.
CLA CALCUTTA departed Sheerness late on 31 May escorted by patrol sloops MALLARD and SHEARWATER and operated off Dunkirk near Bray.

DD IVANHOE was badly damaged by the LW at Dunkirk. DD HAVANT and MSW SPEEDWELL took off her wounded and part of the crew, and Tug PERSIA towed IVANHOE back to England. 26 ratings were killed. She repaired at Chatham completing on 24 August.
DD WHITEHALL departed Dover late on the 1st for Plymouth. The DD was repaired and reboilered at Plymouth, not returning to service until 26 August.

MSW HEBE was damaged by near misses at Dunkirk, but was not put out of action. She departed Dover on the 3rd for Portsmouth.
MSW HALCYON was machine gunned by the LW at Dunkirk. One crewman was mortally wounded. Patrol sloop KINGFISHER was damaged by the near misses at Dunkirk. DD WORCESTER was badly damaged by the LW at Dunkirk. Returning to Dover, she was damaged in a collision with steamer MAID OF ORLEANS which was also badly damaged. WORCESTER departed Dover on the 3rd for Tilbury, and was repaired at London, returning to service on 11 July. DD HARVESTER was damaged by near misses and forced to return to Sheerness. on the 3rd, she departed Dover for Chatham for repairs to her furnace. DDs VENOMOUS, VIMY, VIVACIOUS and MSW SALAMANDER were damaged by the LW at Dunkirk. VENOMOUS, VIMY, VIVACIOUS were all repaired at Portsmouth completing on the 13th, within a week, on the 11th, respectively. Destroyer VENOMOUS also damaged her stern on the 1st when she collided with the harbour wall. DD VIVACIOUS was temporarily repaired at Chatham in time for port blocking operations on 2/3 June at Dunkirk. MSW SALAMANDER departed Dover on the 2nd for Sheerness. DD SHIKARI was damaged by the LW at Dunkirk, and departed Dover with DD CODRINGTON. The destroyer was taken to Plymouth for repairs completed on the 18th. MTB 100 was damaged by near misses at Dunkirk.

DDs ICARUS, VANQUISHER, WINDSOR evacuated 3000 troops from Dunkirk. MSW SPEEDWELL grounded west of La Panne and embarked troops until towed off by MSW ALBURY. DD WHITSHED, repaired her damage from the Boulogne evacuation, ESK, MALCOLM, CODRINGTON, SABRE, WINCHELSEA were also at Dunkirk to lift troops. Off the Bray, DD SABRE embarked 451 troops and MSW NIGER embarked 310 troops.

Patrol sloop WIDGEON near Sth Falls reported she was attacked by a SBoats, but no damage was done. DD VIMY was out of action. The DD departed Dover early on the 2nd for Cardiff for repairs. Hospital ship ST DAVID, at anchor off Dover, was damaged on the 1st by the spontaneous explosion of a mine.

Steamer PRAGUE (UK 4220 grt) was damaged by the LW 13 miles from Nth Foreland. PRAGUE was assisted by DD SHIKARI, sloop SHEARWATER, aux MSW QUEEN OF THANET. The steamer was towed in and beached on Sandwich Flats. She was refloated and anchored in the Downs on the 6th to await tugs to take her to London for repairs.

Med- Biscay
AMCs CARINTHIA and ASTURIAS departed Gib to return to England. AMC DERBYSHIRE on patrol off the Spanish ports was ordered to leave her patrol area and return to the Clyde. AMC PATROCLUS was ordered to depart Casablanca and patrol in the Teneriffe area.

 

[parsifal]

1 June 1940 RAF Operations
2 sqn (Lysander)
Tac Recon. 1 a/c lost, 2 MIA, Shot down by Hptmn Schellmann (Gruppenkommandeur) of Stab II./JG2 and crashed in the Channel between Nieuport and de Panne, 16.45 hrs.

17 sqn (Hurri)
Dunkirk 1 a/c lost, Bailed out and returned by ship to England. P/O Manger was to die on 11/08/1940 on the age of 23. Other details of combat not reported

26 sqn (Lysander)
Tac Recon 2 a/c lost, 4 KIA. took off from Lympne. 1a/c returned badly damaged by Flak and crashed on landing at Hawkinge, 06.45 hrs. 2nd a/c shot down by Lt von Moller of 1./JG2 and crashed sth of Furnes (Veurne).

37 sqn (Well)
Nieuwpoort 2 a/c lost, 2 KIA, 1 DOW, 5 MIA, 2 POW, 1st a/c lost Airborne 2135 31May40 from Feltwell. Crashed near Eringham (Nord) 11 km S of Dunkirk, cause not established. 2nd a/c Airborne 0100 1Jun40 from Feltwell. Lost without trace.

41 sqn (spit)
Dunkirk 1 a/c lost, 1 MIA. No other details

43 sqn (Hurri)
Dunkirk 1 a/c lost, 1 MIA

58 sqn (Whitley)
Unknown mission flown, no losses

64 sqn (Spit)
Dunkirk 1 a/c lost, 1 KIA (no other details)

66 sqn (Spit)
Dunkirk 1 a/c lost, 1 KIA (no other details)

73 sqn (Hurri)
Dunkirk 1 a/c lost, 1 KIA (no other details)

87sqn (Hurri)
Patrol Dunkirk, 1 a/c lost, 1 MIA

110 sqn (Blen) Unspecified opn UK. 1 KIA or DOW

111 sqn (Hurri)
Dunkirk F/L R.P.R. Powell shot down a Do17

 

[parsifal]

1 June 1940 - The BEF

The withdrawal of II Corps for evacuation left few British troops for the defence of the bridgehead sector for which they were responsible. Though the reduction of the front was of advantage to the Army, it made the Navy's task more difficult, for it allowed the enemy to move his artillery to positions from which the harbour, the beaches, and the sea approaches could all be covered by fire from the east.

On the morning of June the 1st about 39,000 of the British Expeditionary Force remained in the contracted British sector. The French held a reduced sector to the west, their forces joining up with the British on the Bergues Canal. From there the British held the southern face of the bridgehead while the east face, following the French frontier to the sea, was now held by the French 12th Div with the British 50th Div in support. Other Fr troops were in position on the intermediate line behind the British defence of the Bergues–Furnes Canal. There were on this date about 50,000 French troops in defensive positions. In addition 80,000 had been assembled for evacuation in the dunes, of whom 30,000 had already sailed. It has been calculated since that there were also about 20,000 in detached small groups not included in the French reckoning. Many of these were deserters or simply men detached from their parent formations.

After Lord Gort had handed over command on the previous day Gen Alexander had conferred with Admiral Abrial. The latter thought it possible to contact the bridgehead still further and to hold a front (on the east of Dunkirk) running roughly from Bergues, through Uxem and Ghyvelde to Basse Plaine and from there by the French frontier to the sea—which was called "the intermediate line".

Gen Alexander thought that this proposal was impracticable. The danger of the naval and military situation was increasing hourly; in his view if the bridgehead were thus further contracted the line held would be so near to Dunkirk and the beaches that the enemy's close-range artillery-fire would make continued evacuation impossible. On the other hand he thought that the British rearguard
could hold their present position for another 24 hrs (but no more) and he proposed that the evacuation of all remaining troops should therefore be completed in the coming night of 1st/2nd June. Admiral Abrial reported these opposed views to Gen Weygand, . This disagreement caused Gen Alexander to seek instructions from the British Secretary of State for War. The latter replied 'You should withdraw your forces as rapidly as possible a 50–50 basis with the French Army, aiming at completion by night of 1st/2nd June. You should inform French of this definite instruction.'.

When shown this message Admiral Abrial had no choice bu to agree. In consequence, the existing British front was ordered to hould be held till midnight of the 1st and that the troops should then be withdrawn to the beaches under cover of darkness. In the meantime while French evacuation would also continue French troops would man the intermediate position which he had named (Uxem–Ghyvelde–Basse Plaine) through which the British could retire, leaving only AA and AT guns and any troops who could not be get away. Gen Alexander's view that the intermediate line could not be held was based on his knowledge that few British troops were left to hold it and on his ignorance of the number of French troops still available for defence. In the even, as will be seen, French troops fought for about 2 days and held off the German attacks while about 15,000 British and some 70,000 French troops were evacuated to England. Gen Alexander, therefore, underestimated the time for which the immediate position could be held, but he delayed the enemy's attack on that line by holding the forward position on the Bergues–Furnes Canal for 24 hours after Admiral Abrial had proposed its abandonment.

The British troops had bitter fighting during this, their final day on the canal. Shelling and mortaring continued without pause and all units had heavy casualties. The enemy's main attacks were at Bergues and Hoymille on the sector held by the 46th Div; and on the 1st Div front in the sectors held by the 1st East Lancashire, and 2nd Coldstream Gds, and the 1st Duke of Wellington's regt. At Hoymille the attack penetrated the front held by a coy of the 2nd Warwickshire and, by bde orders, the 1st Loyals on their right withdrew from Bergues itself to the canal on the northern outskirts of the town. From there in the afternoon the counter-attacked the enemy who had crossed the canal in the Warwickshire position. The ground was waterlogged through flooding and only slow movement was possible. Enemy MG fire was severe. The country-attack failed and the cos were back on their start-line by 1700. But the CO of the Loyals was not satisfied. He ordered a further attack 'with more vigorous action'. At 1730 the cos advanced again and this time they drove back the enemy and re-established the line on the canal bank.

Further east the 1st East Lancashire Regt could not prevent some of the enemy from crossing the canal, but they were stopped from making progress till the East Lancashire had retired to the Canal des Chats. Capt H. M. Ervine-Andrews of the East Lancashire Regt was awarded the VC for his action on this occasion. The Coldstream were not attacked, and held the original front on the canal with both flanks refused, i.e. drawn back. For on their right the 5th Border Regt were also withdrawn to the Canal des Chats and on their left the 1st Duke of Wellington's Regt were forced to fall back behind the nearby dyke as a result of heavy fighting. So the day passed, and after dark the British troops were all withdrawn behind the intermediate line held by the French. By the morning of 2 June they were all on the coast ready for evacuation.

For the RN, and the Marine Nationale, June 1 was a hard day, but was undertaken with grim determination. The LW concentrated both air fleets on the destruction of the evacuating ships, and despite the best efforts of FC, there were gaps in the air defences. LW losses were heavy, as were those of the RAF, but the heaviest losses were reserved for the small ships ferrying to the larger ones.

It was a gruelling ordeal for the forces afloat, yet the work went on without pause, and on June the 1st 64,429 men were landed in England, 47,081 from the harbour, 17,348 from the shore. In spite of all the enemy could do it was the second largest number transported on a single day during the whole operation.

 

[Njaco]

June 1 Saturday (continued)
Hitler toured through Belgium and the Northern parts of France to meet different army leaders and to visit sites Hitler knew from World War 1. Hitler flew from Feldfluplatz Odendorf to Brussels and met Von Bock, Von Küchler and Von Reichenau at the airport. From Brussels he went for a 2 days trip in the south of Belgium and the north of France. He spends the night in the Brigode castle in Annapes, France. The military part of Brussels Airport is known as Brussels-Evere.

NORTHERN EUROPE: A week after deciding to withdraw from Norway, the Allies announce the evacuation of all troops. British troops at Narvik, began evacuating to reinforce Britain itself from a potential invasion. The British and French tell the Norwegians that they are about to begin their evacuation but have delayed giving this information on the grounds of security. By doing so they have encouraged the Norwegians to openly resist the Germans, which can only be costly when the Allies leave. British ambassador to Norway Sir Cecil Dormer informed Norwegian King Haakon VII of the news and recommended the royal family and the government to evacuate as well. Both carriers and their escort continue their passage to Norway. US freighter "Charles R. McCormick" departed Bergen, Norway for the United States.

The crew and planes of II(J)./TrGr186, the ad-hoc fighter group for the aircraft carrier 'Graf Zeppelin', is transferred from the Dunkirk area to Trondheim in Norway.

The wreck of British trawler HMS "Warwickshire", sunk by aircraft on 30 Apr 1940 off Trondheim, Norway, was raised and put into service. She would remain in German service until sunk by Soviet submarine S-56 on 19 Jul 1943.

UNITED KINGDOM: Papers found in crashed bombers lead British scientists to the discovery of Knickebein, a guiding beam transmitted from within enemy held territory and used to direct bombers over their targets. Work by the scientists result in countermeasures in which a false beam is used to confuse the German aircrew.

British unemployment figure decreased by 92,000 in May 1940 to 881,000.

Signposts were taken down throughout Britain to prevent use by possible enemy parachutists.

SOUTH AFRICA: Phyllis Doreen Dunning (Hooper), was the first South African woman called upon to volunteer for full-time war service. At the tender age of 22 she became the officer commanding of the South African Women's Auxiliary Air Force with the rank of major, making her the youngest officer in the British Commonwealth to achieve this rank. She was a forerunner who leveled the road for all women who came after her and served in the South African Air Force.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: German submarine U-37 sank Greek ship "Ioanna" 120 miles west of Cape Finisterre, Spain at 2300 hours. The entire crew survived.

NORTH AMERICA: The North Carolina-class battleship "Washington" (BB-56) is launched at the Philadelphia Navy Yard sponsored by Miss Virginia Marshall, of Spokane, Washington, a direct descendant of former Chief Justice Marshall. The "Washington" is the first U.S. Navy battleship launched since the 1921 launching of battleship "West Virginia".

A unit of the newly formed US Marine Corps Defense Battalions completed the Minor Landing and Base Defense Exercise at San Clemente Island, California, United States.

GERMANY: RAF Bomber Command 4 Group 102 Sqn. sent eight aircraft to the Oil plants and marshalling yards of Hamburg. Weather was filthy, so two aircraft bombed alternatives.

ASIA: Hsiangyang falls to the Japanese.

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[Njaco]

June 2 Sunday
WESTERN FRONT: British Admiralty stops daytime embarkation due to devastating German bombing yesterday. However, the bulk of the Allied troops have already been evacuated. 19,561 Allied troops embark from Dunkirk harbour and 6,695 from the beaches under cover of darkness. During the day, French defenders (covering the British retreat) start falling back to be evacuated also. The destroyers "Malcolm" and "Sabre" were damaged at Dunkirk.

Further German raids on Lyons and Rhone Valley region (97 civilian casualties).

Four Bf 109s from the 15th Fliegerkompanie of the Swiss Air Force attack two He 111 bombers from KG 55 over the Jura Mountains. One bomber from 8./KG 55 crashes near Ursins, Switzerland while another from 9./KG 55 is damaged.

At JG 26's II Gruppe airfield at Chievres, Hptm. Erich Noack arrives in the morning to take over command of the unit from acting Gruppenkommandeur Hptm. Karl Ebbinghausen, just in time to watch the Gruppe take off to assist bombers over the Dunkirk area. At 0900 hours, the Gruppe joins with a few Bf 110s in a combat against four Squadrons of RAF fighters attacking a formation of He 111 bombers. Six British fighters are shot down by II./JG 26 during the combat. Lt. Josef 'Pips' Priller of 6./JG 51 claims his third victory, a Curtiss Hawk 75.

At 0830 hours, Hitler and his men drove away from the castle de Brigode for a journey through the northern parts of France. In Bouchain Hitler met General Walter Heitz, who gave a presentation on top of the tower l'Ostrevant. They walked along the Rue d'Ostrevant to get there. Hitler wanted to know why in the Bouchain area the German army was stopped for about a week. After the trip in the North of France, Hitler got on a plane in Niergnies and flew to Charleville to meet Von Rundstedt and a lot of other generals.

Anti-British crowds, demanding return of Gibraltar, mark arrival in Madrid of Sir Samuel Hoare, new British Ambassador to Spain.

NORTHERN EUROPE: The Allies dispatched Polish and French troops to push German troops eastward from Narvik, Norway, while the British begin falling back towards Narvik to be transported home. Carriers HMS "Ark Royal" and HMS "Glorious" provided air cover for the evacuation of 26,000 British troops. New Zealand Pilot Officer Louis Jacobsen of No. 263 Squadron RAF shot down six enemy bombers (four He111, two Ju88 ) while flying a near obsolete Gladiator biplane fighter. Jacobsen himself would be dead in less than a week.

A 1(F)./122 Heinkel attempted to carry out a reconnaissance sortie over Vestfjord and Narvik in bad weather but had to force land near the Lofotens due to lack of fuel.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: German submarine U-101 sank British ship "Polycarp" 41 miles south of Lands End in southwestern England at 0300 hours. The entire crew of 43 were rescued by French ship "Espiguette".

German submarine U-58 sank British coastal defense vessel HMS "Astronomer" 20 miles off the northeast coast of Scotland at 0600 hours after a six-hour chase and three torpedoe hits. 4 were killed; 52 civilian crewmen, 1 gunner, and 48 Royal Navy sailors were rescued by anti-submarine trawlers HMS "Stoke City" and HMS "Leicester City".

US ship President Roosevelt departed Galway, Ireland with 720 American citizens fleeing the European war zone. US passenger liner "Manhattan" departed Genoa, Italy with 1,905 passengers fleeing the European war zone.

UNITED KINGDOM: 'SS Winga' (1,500t) a British ship was involved in a collision with the Norwegian ship 'Jernland'. The 'Winga' was bound for the Tyne with a cargo of iron ore from Santander and sank with the loss of fourteen lives, 4 miles E of Hartlepool.

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