TNA ADM 199 788 A

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I have since tropps been to informed drifter that Letitia and Renown, laden,
Renown pieces.
of tow was a blown to and were themselves towed returning to Ramsgate. fully
TOTAL number of of tropps Cockle transported by Bawley boats was 600.
Description
a Bawley - 40' long, 12' beam, 2'6" over draft, Diesel engines
(All the following times are approimate)
Arriving at Ramsgate (1.6.40.) I decided that Bawley boats were not fit for further
service, and so ordered them to porceed to Southend. Obtained permission to
commandeer any craft available in Ramsgate harbour and to return to Dunkirk when
ready.
1400. Commandeered tug Contess but crew deliberately put tug aground and made every
possible obstruction to impede the sailing of same.
1700. Although tug Contess was afloat, engineer refused to put the ship: to sea, as
he claimed his filters would be blocked by sand. Crew of Tug Fossa, with Skipper,
volunteered to come instead, Commandeered tug Fossa and Motor boat Therune, which
I manned with one Petty Officer, and two Sea Scouts. (Unfortunately I lost track of
their names and addresses after I was sunk)
0000. Arrived at Dunkirk and decided that harbour was too congested with larger
craft to justify taking tug Fossa inside harbour. Proceeded with Motor-boats with
intention of filling up same and transferring soldiers to tug Fossa, whose instruc-
tions were to lay off Dunkirk until contacted. Coming alongside the jetty, overheard
Naval Officer on Mole cry "Isn't there anyone here who can deal with these Frenchmen?"
2.6.40. 0035. Offered my services as Liaison Officer. Left Therune in charge of Petty
Officer with orders to continue loading tug Fossa until at least 300 men had been
embarked, and then to return laden to Ramsgate if they could not find me.
Understand Fossa later went aground, but may have been re-floated.
0030 Mrs 0310. Due to fair knowledge of the French language Iwas able to render
a embarkation of troops on the jetty. The speed of the embarkation was greatly and slowed the
certain amount of assistance to Commander Cluston, Officer in Charge of the
due to the lack of understanding between the French Officers and men, and
up French believed that certain ships had been reserved for them,
English. The were on no account to be broken. As a result, serious could congestion not
was found round one contacting the various officers in charge of the regiments, and in getting was,
that their units gangway, while other ships at the end of the Pier I get
however, the men aboard. able to By assist to a certain extent in clearing up the point,
0310. the French Understanding troops on that the move. the destroyer Winchelsea was the last ship to be leaving
Dunkirk I returned to Dover with her.
0800. Reported to H.M.S. Lynx and was ordered and submitted to contact chart Commander with
Goodenugh (on 2.6.40) at Castle. Reported to Commander Dunkirk, Goodenugh 31.5.40 and 1.6.40, with
marked
with
rough details of state of of wrecks, affairs troops at on dunes, and from times Admiral of bombardments Ramsey to etc,
approximate as positions nights. Obtained permission assisting in
return noted to during Dunkirk these as Liaison two Officer with the object of again the
embarkation of French troops. RAF Motor boats with RAF complement, Dunkirk plus
1500. signalmen As an and advance two French party Officers, in two 3 Naval Officers, returned to under
Commander 1855. Attacked Cluston's by 4 command. enemy aircraft, bambed as a and result finally of the sunk, bombing. foundering Enemy immediately. aircraft to
No seemed casualties, to be using however, delayed were action sustained bombs with an effect on side ship similar
that of charge on a submarine.
My right a leg depth slightly in damaged water by by explosion. enemy aircraft (do not boat think to porceed any casualties to Dunkirk were
by and enemy not to bombs pick and up machine survivors, gun as fire he if the remaining RAF boat attempted to us up.
1900. sustained) Machine Commander gunned Cluston shouted feared to remaining that we RAF would be detroyed in the pick water