TNA ADM 199 788 A

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officer
clinging
to
bows
French about 6 miles to try off to reach in the direction wreck of Gravelines. informed us that he saw an empty boat
of
Cluston shortly same, and he and I decided Asked permission of Commander
abandoned the to go off
boat, and No.2., only which the shore the may water or occasionally, may was not slightly have but swim rough, at and 2230 returned it I was sighted impossible to a cling together. to to see the Commander remains the open
Reached slightly from exhaustion. aboard, as sides were too high, out for. and was destroyer suffering
cutter same but was unable to climb been the original I set large empty
2300. other Decided side where to swim I found for German fender shore but fortunately before swam
the to remains and attempted of my kit to used row as a a ladder, hanging I was down. able to With get the aboard. aid abondoning of the fender boat and
might distance too approximately far, and one hour I abandoned the attempt, imagined as cutter the survivors was too
over, be. After cutter with one oar in direction I Lashed helm hard
large, it was already dark.
0000. Tide Dunkirk changed and and open boat instead of drifting towards the German
remainder overboard, as I did not want to be identified should capture be
Dunkirk of kit Destroyed all personal belongings and identifications, and of threw
between Channel. Calais, started to drift towards the Green flashing buoys shore,
effected by the enemy.
3.6.40.
0130. Destroyers and other ships started passing by, about 25 yards away, but was
unable to attract them, as they could not hear my shouts. Decided to shout in
French and English, and was finally picked up by a French fishing boat, Stella Mavis.
Crew "wined" me and put me in their bunks, dressed in French sailor's uniform, where
I passed out for a while, suffering from exhaustion.
0230. Skipper of Stella Mavis informed me that he was unable to make Dunkirk as he
had no charts and had lost his convoy whilst picking me up. Imenquired his speed
and he replied "6 knots". I estimated by the fires that the distance from Dunkirk was
approximately 15 miles. Therefore it would have been 0530 before ship could have
reached Dunkirk. Pointed out to Skipper that, in my opinion, it would leading a
ship of this type and speed into unnecessary danger if he proceeded to Dynkirk in
daylight. As Skipper had no charts I helped in navigating ship back to Dover, and
at 0730 approximately, we were run down by Torpedo Boat S. 27, but not badly damaged.
Arriving Dover, Stella Mavis closed French Escort Vessel and as I was dressed in a
French Matelot uniform, and my story sounded far-fetched, the Commander held me on
suspicion as a German spy. "Il pretend detre Anglais, mais moi je crois qu'il est
allemand parcequil parle le français trop bien" was the remark passed by the French
Commander. Finally however, I persuaded them to let me be out ashore and arrested
by British authorities.
1030. Successfully arrested by a Naval Lieutenant Commander and reported to Commander
Goodenugh and Admiral Ramsey.
1400. Sent to Chatham Hospital in ambulance for treatment to leg.
GENERAL REMARKS.
I feel mention should be made of the exemplary conduct of the civilian crews of
the cockle boats.
bawley manned by volunteers who were rushed through in one day.
As far All as of I know, them were none of them had ever been under gun fire before, and certainly none
of them under Naval discipline.
which These never ships, leave the it Estuary, and only one of their crew had been than
had ever been should be remembered, were Thames Estuary Cockle further fishing afield boats,
Ramsgate. facts, and although they had neither charts nor equipment, orders
carried perfect out formation with great was diligence, even under actual shell fire
In spite of these maintained throughout the day and night, and and all aircraft attack. were
reports critising the conduct of the French dismissed, on the beach as any and
Mole, such opinion and feel was most the strongly result of the slight lack of understanding
I have overheard some that such illusions should be quickly between French and
British
their On all occasions I came If anything, their discipline was too most as
authorities. in contact with the French on the jetty good, and elsewhere, they
did their conduct best was to embark excellent. as a complete regiment or other Army unit, being
isappointed if they were forced to separate.