TNA ADM 199 788 A

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Dynams
Dipramo 323.
329
302
Kingmead,
Riding Mill,
Northumberland.
Friday 7th June, 1940.
Sir,
g
I have the honour to submit the following account of my
movements from Tuesday 28th May until Wednesday 5th June.
On my arrival at Sheerness I found a convoy of sixteen
motor boats being prepared to assist in the evacuation of Flanders.
I took charge of a small boat "LIEBESTRAUM" and we
proceeded for Dover towing whalers, at about 1730 on Tuesday.
285
About six miles outside Sheerness we broke down and were picked
up by the Trawler "ASAMA" who towed us to Deal and then back to
Ramsgate where we arrived on Wednesday morning.
23/5
At Ramsgate I reported on the state of my boat and was
appointed to the Dutch eel boat "JOHANNA" which had a diesel engine
and was capable of about 6 knots. The crew consisted of a Leading
Hand and four ratings and three Dutchmen, who owned the boat and
could not speak English. We set out in convoy that night with a
Motor boat under the Command of a Lieutenant Commander and other
eel boat commanded by Sub-Lieutenant T.K. Edge-Partington R.N.
Finding the second eel boat only capable of 4 knots the motor boat
left her behind and soon after left me. I had no charts so after
casting around for a bit I secured alongside a ship, the name of
which I did not find out, near the North Goodwin and stayed there
for the night. Sub. Lt. Edge-Partington in the 'Chanticler' with great
determination took his boat across, navigating by an extremely
faulty compass and managed to bring troops back to Dover.
The next morning, Thursday, I returned to Ramsgate and 30/5
succeeded in joining up with the Dutch Schoot "Jutland" who towed
me that evening. We had an uneventful crossing and
anchored across about two miles east of Dunkirk at 2330. The Cutter and
Whaler went ashore. The Whaler returned to report that the cutter
I volunteered to the Captain of the Schoot to go
was and see aground. what I could do but before we had got back the Petty Officer
had succeeded in floating the boat.
this time the beach was swarming wi th shore French because soldiers of
I could not get of the water. I summoned heros" my and "Courage mes French
By my boats within 100 yards of the limited store of
the shallowness and with cries of "En Avant mes water. My efforts were
enfants" I I had to go and fetch them for miles and I leap
to my aid tried to tempt them into the myself. My first
unavailing and took so me into the only deep of patch the hole I waded
into the water neck. Struggling out in rush and ashore. I
went in up to my to my waist the French came it threateningly. on a This was
Seeing me only up revolver and brandish get to the boats only
compelled them to draw down my a bit but when crew they and I had to lift them a on few
were quietened strong enough to trips get and in so brought my off about 200 in all, each time
board. I had to go We did into six the water time and to get go. them. I only At had 0230 ten the Frenchmen Captain on of the
Schoot reckoned it was it was a bit choppy and all had to go below.
They board all the suffered "JOHANNA" from as sea sickness I on the sent way back. back
boat on the our "LIEBESTRAUM" return Sheerness to Ramsgate and in I arrived the was Motor at boat 2230 "THARKS" to on Friday. Sheerness in On in 31/5
my old 1500 I left boats all of which reached
charge Saturday of at a convoy of 12 motor Ramsgate.
1/6