TNA ADM 199 790

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Engineer left. Officer. There was very little H.A. ammunition
t.June. 10. Immediately were dischar ed at Margate I
sailed again for Dunkerque. On the way there I passed
H.M.S.HAVANT, in distress behind Dyke Shoal. "HAVANT"
was on fire for'd SO I jettisoned my depth charges, placed
ARGATE
my stern under her bows and took er in to: on my sweep
wires. Only very slow speed could be made as her helm
UNKERQUE.
WAS over and she paravaned over to the side and pulled
my stern over. During this time the ship was subject
to frequent and savy bombing and machine gun attacks -
at one time there very 40 aircraft OV rhead. Many salvoes
of bombs fell near to the shipp mostly on the starboard
quarter and port bom, some were within 30 feet of the
M.S.
ship. Most of the bombs were small but some were large.
AVANT.
Splinters from the bonbs and sprayfrom their splach fell
on board fret uently. It Was very nociteable that nearly
all the splinters were very small and far too light to do
damage, although the force of the explosion burst open
the wheelhouse doors and shattered the windows which are
protected by splinter mats. I believe most of the larger
splint THE passed ever the ship, there trajectory
presumeably being nearly vertical on bursting, them
fanning out and coins further than the light ones. This
Dombing completely upsat ay compass. Machine run attacks
Mere also experienced, also from the starboard quarter
and port bow. These were attempts to rake the ship fore
and aft, but were all aimed too hi h; very faw bullets
were found on board fterwards, all being ni ses over.
The enemy made three mistakes during each attack.
1. He estimated the course Oil & line through "HAVANT"
and "SALTASH". Actually "HAVAME" was abo 10°
on the quarter.
2. its over estimated the speed.
3. He over estimated the hight of our decks above
water.
Had he been correct in 1. he would a Ve scored nany hits
with bombs, and if correct in 8. would have caused many
casualties on deck. No casualties were xperienced and
no major damage was done. During this time I believe
the "HAVANT" was also subjected to attack. I had now
only two round of H.A. high explosive left, a few shrapnel
and six pans of lewin gun ammunition. 4 in. L.A. sun
was used against low flying aircraft, but without any
noticeable affect. 12 pdr. and levis gun seemed to
disturb the enemy.
11.
Later the Commanding Officer of H.M.S.HAVANT decided
to abandon ship, as sue appeared to be codus to turn over
at any moment. In my judgment, also, she was bound to
had several large holes in her side near the deak level.
capsize shortly and then would inevitably sink, as she
channel and sink in a dangerous position, or, more
As, after capsimin and micht possibly drift towards the