TNA ADM 199 788 A

289
DIARY OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AT DUNKIRK.
From. 31.5.40 3.6.40 incl.
31.5.40.
1230. In accordance from Southend, with Commander instead Boles' instructions, decided direct closed up. us to our destination. although we had no charts, other traffic bound keep to France
Signalled Decided that to the Bawley boats, and ordered them to at Ramsgate. constantly
Dunkirk these instructions of closing the Examination Vessel to proceed would lead
1410. Convoy of was 6 closed still up and passed Margate Roads where passing trawler ximately. us that Dunkirk open. Signalled convoy to steer course of S. 50° E. informed appro-
1820. Passing destroyers, etc.; subjected to severe air attack by approximately 25
avoid bombardment.
enemy aircraft. Kept 1/4 mile to starboard of main stream of traffic in attempt to
1840. Attacked by enemy aircraft. Our convoy of 6 and other ships in the neighbourhood subjected to attack by several Heinkels, bombs falling as near as fifteen yards to the ships - no damage however was sustained. In accordance with instructions they had received, skippers broke convoy formation and "starred".
1850. 3 or 4 Spitfires drove off enemy aircraft, 7 planes crashing into the sea.
Identity of crashing aircraft uncertain, though 5 at least were presumably German.
1915. Arrived Dunkirk Roads. Beach and shipping subjected to severe bombardment from shore batteries and aircraft.
1930. Attempted to beach boats, and take off men, but abandoned idea - too much ground swell, and semi-submerged trucks, army wagons and other equipment left, destroyed by the B.E.F. on beach, endangered the safety of ships.
2130. Ordered ships to proceed to outside of jetty, instructing them to fill up with soldiers and to ferry same to any larger ships unable to close harbour or beach.
Each ship was instructed to transport approximately 30 to 40 men (approximate total -
200) and they were transferred to H.V. Tilly and other ships cruising empty outside harbour entrance.
2240. Instructed ships to keep permanently closed up and to return to inside of harbour as swell made embarkation of troops from outside of jetty too difficult.
Contact between Bawley boats maintained by signal of one short flash every two minutes. Formation preserved.
2310. Mole and harbour severely shelled. Morale of the soldiers on all occasions
I was there, was superb, and though exhausted and under constant fire, their only thoughts were for the wounded among them, and of saving any equipment possible.
2350. Embarked approximately 200 men; transferred same to the trawler Sarah Hayes and various other craft returning to England not fully laden. Instructed convoy to continue ferry work but if separated from me to return to Ramsgate laden with soldiers.
1.6.40.
0140. Re-entered harbour; jetty crammed with British soldiers but no ships whatever alongside. Started loading troops, sending back to shore two German prisoners attempting to get to England, leaving them in charge of a Lance Corporal.
0200 - 0250. Jetty shelled, bombed and machine-gunned by enemy - very few casualties.
0300. Proceeded to Ramsgate fully laden with soldiers of 1st Division including the
Colonel in Charge of the Worcesters and Officers of the Camerons, accompanied by
Bawley boat Resolute. Arrived at Ramsgate 0930 approximately on 1.6.40.
CONDITION OF BAWLEY BOATS AT RAMSGATE.
DEFENDER.
Stem damaged. Returned with approximately 60 men.
RELIANCE.
Damaged side. Returned with 80 men.
LETITIA.
Undamaged. Returned towing Renown until latter was blown up.
(Troops transferred to trawler who took Bawleys in tow).
ENDEAVOUR.
Steering gear out of order; towed back by Sarah Hayes.
RESOLUTE.
Engine trouble. Returned with approximately 40 men.
RENOWN.
Mined and sunk off Dunkirk - all hands lost. (understand the 30
or 40 soldiers aboard were fortunately transferred to a trawler before mining occurred).

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290
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 instructions 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

) 2 (
548
DYNAMO OPERATION - DISTRIBUTION OF LEWIS GUNS
JANE HANNAH
SUN VIII
NARCISSA
ROSE
ACE
BETTY
CLACTON LIFE-
WINSTON
RACIA
MATILDA
BOAT
MERMAID
ADMIRALS BARGE LURNILYNE
MISS MING
MADAME SANGENE
HALCYONE
ELIZABETH OREEN
LETITIA
M.B. 1711
PIGEON
M.B. 37270
HAIG.
M.B. 74
WORF
4. Other smaller craft were also fitted with guns when these became available duo to the vessels proviously fitted being no longer required or unable to continue the operation. In addition magazines were refilled and spare ammunition was supplied as it became necessary.
5. A number of Lewis guns were transferred from ship to ship by the various officers when they changed their commands, and of these we have no record.
6. Four Q.0's for overhauling, and twelve ratings were sent from Chatham and they assisted in the above work.
LEWIS GUNNERS. /
7. All the 23 Lewis gunners sent from London were embarked for the operation, together with those from
Ramagate, most of them making several crossings, and all showed groat keenness in performing their duties.
8. All have returned to Ramsgate with the exception of
Cyril Head
)
J.S. Parker
)
Tug "SUN IV" (sent to Dover)
R. Jewitt
)
Tug "SUN XV" (sent to London)
Loslie Reed )
C.DRichards.
Lieutenant, R.N.V.R.
For D.E.M.S. Staff officer,
Ramsgate.