TNA ADM 199 790

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Lieut, Cdr. N.G. Boaks.
4.
With after guns until motor boat lowered and then went
forward to make quite sure coxswain of boat (Hicks) understood
his orders reference embarking troops and collection of drifting
boats, Just as we got the beat clear I heard & bomb whistling
down and dived under Pom-Pom platform. About six, possibly more,
bombs dropped, one of which was presumably the one that went
through the engine room - this very seriously wounded and burnt
one rating and seriously burnt another but I escaped the full
force of the back flash although thrown heavily against Pom-Pom
deek overhead and almost knocked out.
I then went to the bridge to see what the position was
there, but there were no casualties there and 1 than went aft to
the after guns to find on route that deck was buckled by mainmast.
The after magazine and shell room were flooding and
decided to close down. I then went down to my cabin and passed
up about eight spare torches (placed there for use in disembark-
ing troops previous day - night) as all lights were out and
being daylight fow were carrying torches on them. I found
general chaos in Captain's Cabin flat and sent extra hands down
to resecure deadlights as this compartment being next to the
buckled part was rather important.
I then went forward to supervise tow forward. In the
midst of this another heavy attack was made and most hands took
shelter, some in forecastle locker. I than found all but three
of the cordite rounds from "A" gun had been jettisoned and in
view of the nature of the attack ordered these three to be thrown
overboard. After this attack ao came out and then started to
provide cordite again. I then went aft to see what damage had
been done during which the fishing drifter returned and I again
went forward to rig now tow Lines and also ordered individual
hands to turn out and lower boats and carley floats into water
as by then it was known ship could not move and drifter could not
have towed faster than say four knots. 1 also placed one hand
with a lead line aft to keep check on amount of water ship was in
from point of view of grounding and stationed hands ready to cast
off boats' painters should ship sink without warning.
Then to the forecastle to get up the after hemp and
also 3½ⁿ wire during course of which the third attack developed
and I went aft to the after guns and with one round of cordite
from forward fired the remaining round in Y gun myself at a
passing bomber but not enough aim off in field of view to hit
even with full deflection. After firing this round I went forward
and noticed that X gun had a round left but was unable to fire as
recoil cylinder had been emptied in preparation for firing and
tearing gun out of mounting overboard. This cylinder was re-
filled but on going forward I discovered that the crack in deck
appeared to have widened and gave orders that after guns were on
no account to be fired in view of probable breaking off of after
end. I then ordered every possible container of water to be
filled from only remaining water left in hot water tank in galley
and tore up soldiers ground capes to provide covers to prevent
loss or contamination of this water. Boats' anchors were then
placed in spare boats alongside and cars provided, sailing gear
placed in whaler, after steering compasa unshipped and placed in
spare motor boat, torches distributed to boats, the after life-
buoy flare placed in whaler for possible use. After steering
varty detailed and party to clear the flat of weeckage. I then
went forward for third time to take in tow during which the fourth
attack developed - dive bombing - and upper deck was cleared.