TNA ADM 199 788 A

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H.M.S MONA'S ISLE. A.B.V. Report of events covering period
Sat, 1st June to Sun 2nd June. To Dunkirk and back.
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1st June. Sat. Ship in Granville dock. "epaired and ready for service.
0909. Left Dock and proceeded to Dunkirk. by " X " route.
1305. Observed wreck of " Scotia " and another vessel, apparently on Dyck
Bank, with H.M.S. H. 15 alongside wreck taking off survivors.
Closed as requested by H. 15, in company with a great number of small
craft proceeding to Dunkirk.
Lowered 3 boats, manned by various ratings of all departments, and
picked up a few survivors. All other craft doing likewise. Took
some survivors from other craft.
1422 When no more could be dona, proceeded towards Dunkirk. H.15 had left
for Dover, crowded. Scotia was on fire aft and it was apparent that
no more men were on the wreck itself, and very few alive in the water.
1448. Passed No 5 buoy. Heavily shelled and straddled by small calibre guns.
No hits after about 4 salvoes.
1505. Between Nos 11 and 13 bouys, was straddled by two salvoes from Dive
bombers. Bombe were very close, deluging the entire ship with water,
but apparently no damage, though ship was badly shaken.
1540. B erthed at inside berth, Eastern arm, Dunkirk. S.N.O wished me to go
to Western arm, but tide being low there was insufficeent water.
1550. Com'ced to embark British troops, and numerous stretcher cases.
1730. Ship full and very congested with about 1500 men. Advised S.N.O I could
not safely take more, being considerably worried about stability.
S.N.O strongly advised me to wait, under cover of the shore guns, until
2100. when it was high water and getting dark for the passage across.
This I agreed with; During this wait of nearly 4 hours, several dive
bombing attacks were made by flights of aircraft on two wrecks outside
the harbour, which seemed to indicate that they were anxious to get
rid of their bombs on anything which did not fire back. as an intense
fire was maintained on them from our 8 Lewis guns and several Bren guns
which the soldiers had rigged up in various places and worked for us.
Several flights of aircraft passed overhead, apparently bombers, but
whilst the R.A.F. were about there was peace.
This long wait was trying to all concerned.