French evacuation operations reach their height during the night of June 2nd-3rd. At the very time when the Battle of Dunkirk was nearing its close, when the only French forces remaining within the perimeter were elements of the XVI Corps under Gen Fagalde and when the first German units were appearing on the outskirts of the town, a new Anglo-French incident occurs. Feelings run high.

Some British ships had returned to Dunkirk in search of French survivors. Fierce enemy bombardment prevent them from coming close to the beach, so they anchor some distance out while the French troops try desperately to reach them.

The ships grow tired of waiting and sail. The troops' disappointment may be imagined. On returning to London the crews of these vessels complain that they had spent hours waiting in vain: the French troops had not turned up at the rendezvous.

This news spread through the town like wildfire, prompting outbursts against the French who are accused of exposing the British crews to attack for nothing.

Churchill telephones Spears to convey his annoyance. He declares that he will be sending no more ships to Dunkirk. Spears manages to calm him, however. He makes it clear that stopping evacuations will only give rise to a storm of recriminations in Paris: there is no point in making things worse. The Prime Minister finally gives in. It is no doubt thanks to Gen Spears that a last fraction of the rearguard (22,000 men) are ultimately saved.

At midnight the 12th Mechanized Division covering the front is ordered to break off and fall back on to the town.

During the night of June 3rd-4th a supreme effort is made to embark a further 50,000 men. These are to be the final evacuations.

At about 10pm Adm Abrial, Gen Fagalde (commander of the XVI Army Corps) and a number of other senior officers are aboard a small, fast motor vessel. Adm Abrial has decided to leave the port only after the evacuation has been completed. Thus from 10pm till 2am the motor vessel patrols the various harbor basins and the surrounding beaches. Steering is difficult. The night is inky dark. Lights are strictly forbidden. German fighters are circling the harbor all the time. 'From time to time,' Gen Fagalde tells us, 'a black, voluminous mass would emerge from the darkness a few feet ahead of the launch and head straignt for us. It was one of the last steamers entering the harbor and searching for the quay that had been assigned to her. The launch would narrowly miss her and continue her tour.'

Finally, at about 2am, the harbor and beaches are silent. The evacuation is over. After checking that the breakwater had been blown up and the harbor rendered useless, Adm Abrial orders the young ensign steering the launch to head for Dover.