TNA ADM 199 788 A

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correct lying to four off knots. place a beach and crowded Sighted many with soldiers small craft go and some destroyers was hailed to out and a few came in as I boats. could. Was soldiers waded went as near inshore thought this Some apparently go alongside small coastal rowing of soldiers aground. Went to her and steamer took hour we went while she opened fire. In got way on and I lay when off bombing raid started, destroyer About to go alongside to be transferred to destroyers. off a boatload drift in port then starboard engines broke down Returning her to beach alongside and disembarked soldiers. about half an while there enough in to be reached easily by pulling. go anchor.
close close to the shore before letting so let Was could assist in the engine room to volunteer.
engines in a bad condition so I asked any soldiers who filled up with military. E.R.A. reported boats;
Royal Artillerymen and Royal Engineers came forward Six to help
E.R.A. White. Sand was found in the carburettors and the distributors required resetting. One engine was ready in just over one and a half hours, so got under way and proceeded to a destroyer to discharge men aboard.
Next attempted to get alongside pier made of army lorries by dropping astern on anchor. Only one side of the pier was approachable, wind setting on shore difficult sea running, parted all my ropes in efforts to get alongside then found pier unusable where my boat could approach.
Received and discharged more soldiers, also received signal that refuelling drifters were on their way to assist light craft.
E.R.A. reported only enough fuel remaining for ten minutes running, then went alongside destroyer where I
received one drum of petrol to carry on for a while.
Received signal for all ships to be ready to leave at a moments notice.
Both engines failed again as I was proceeding inshore
Dropped anchor in shallow water. Large air battle in progress about thirty planes involved. Very shortly after 1700 (time rather uncertain) the enemy opened fire with a gun ashore. After first shell landed in the sea
I ordered my crew to get below between the engines.
Second shell landed in the water alongside my ship about three yards off and burst. Able Seaman Todd, and Able
Seaman Holloway were instantly killed, Chief Petty Officer
Dawson received cuts on the face and neck, E.R.A. White was hit in the leg, I was hit in the nose, hip and foot.
Blinded by blood I was unable to see the extent of and asked for a report on the ship's condition and the damage. Ordered charts and secret papers to be the burned casualties incurred. Was told she was sinking slowly and my were really dead and he reported there was no doubt, they two A.B's killed. Told coxswain to make sure they had been killed outright.
The Stoker burned my papers and charts while the coxswain hailed for assistance, E.R.A. White remained by me and kept me informed as to what was happening.
assisted The into her, the remainder of the crew then abandoned motor coxswain shortly lowered the dinghy and I was launch ship (Coxswain, and were taken aboard casting the dinghy
E.R.A., Stoker). Pulled over to adrift, a during this period I could not see and did not see

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16.
At about 1200 Commander Ken and I motored into
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Dunkirk to report progress as embarkation on our beach was then impossible. On our return our lorry was heavily machine gunned and hit. At this period a heavy bombing attack took place on the Fleet and beaches.
17.
On return to our headquarters (a lorry) we decided to make contact with General H.Q. but unfortunately our car broke down and we had to walk back 5 miles.
18.
During the night another naval embarkation party arrived on the beach to the eastward which reduced the limits of our beach.
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19.
Early on Thursday morning 30th I proceeded to e
Brigade H.Q. and offered the suggestion that piers be built by running lorries out to sea. This was quickly done and was successful.
20.
I then drove Colonel Whitten and Colonel Mackenzie into Dunkirk to see Captain Tennant and then drove them back to Brigade H.Q.
21.
During the afternoon and dogwatches the French poured into our beaches but no boats arrived within 1½ miles of our H.Q.
22.
During the last dog the Germans directed mos t accurate artillery fire on our beach. This fire continued throughout the night and our lorry was hit. The beach was completely evacuated by allied soldiers.
23.
We had however taken up quarters in a water-boat that was ashore at low water. No boats had now been in for
16 hours on our beach.
24.
During the night the weather became bad once more -
and a heavy surf was running.
At/