TNA ADM 199 790

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NARRATIVE OF EVENTS 26th. MAY TO 5th. JUNE 1940, EVACUATION
173
OF BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE FROM DUNKIRK AND BEACHES TO
THE EASTWARD BY H.M.S.SUTTON. FOURTH MINESWEEPING FLOTILLA.
Sunday 26th. May. Raised steam and unlocked from Royal Dook,
Grimsby. Sailed at 1900, Salemander and Fitaroy in
Company+ sea. Sutton as Senior Officer. Fresh S.W.Wind, slight
Oh passage several Aircraft seen and heard,
mostly friendly. Passed by Galates and destroyers.
Monday 27th. May Light breeze, calm sea, naximm visibility.
Anchored in Downs by orders of V.A.Dover at 1600.
Skipjack and Halcyon anchored near by. Destroyers full
of Troops continually passing at high speed.
Tuesday 28th. May. Calm, some rain, visibility one mile.
1545, Weighed and proceeded to Dunkirk, Fourth M.S.F. in
company with Salam Skipjack, later joined by Haloyon.
1730, steering jemmed, reduced speed and proceeded under
hand steering+
1750, 5th. M.S.F. coming up eatern, steering repaired,
proceeded at 15 knots.
1825, Kwinte Bank Buoy aboam. Ship sinking in visinity,
rejoined 4th. M.S.F. Hurricanes passing overhead.
2030, more Hurricanes, sighted Dunkirk fires 10 miles,
weather clearing, Fiteroy detached to investigate boat.
2050, turned towards beaches and proceeded East, parallel.
Observed large numbers of troops at intervals along beach
near Dunkirk, with more scattered and decreasing groups
towards la Panne+ Desultory gânfire. No aircraft in sight.
2125, anohored off beach about four miles East of Dunkirk,
in four fathoms. No troops visible, owing to moke and
approaching darkness. Motor boat and whaler sent schore
to contact troops. Troops appeared from send dunes in
disorganised parties, mostly ReA.S.C. and R.B's who had
lately been engaged on demolition of bridges, ammunition
dumps and railheads. Troops were rather shaken by constant
air attacks, with machine guns. They had been waiting on
the beaches for 30 hours before contacting ships. Tery
oritical of lack of Allied air support during whole of
retreat, but were cheerful and disciplined. Rather exhausted
after forced marches of 20 to 30 miles. 0.0. reported no
embarkation organisation or control ashore. The clean
shaven and comparatively fresh appearance of the troops
and the condition of their aquipment, contrasted increasingly
as the evacuation progressed, with the evidences of strain
shown by Ships companies of H.M.Ships.
10stroops embarked batween 2130 and 0200, in
batches of 25, mostly with rifles and equipment. Beach good
for embarimtion, shelving sand and oalm weather.
Wednesday 29th. May* 0300, Moved to another position further East
and after dragging anchor into shallow water where line by now
commenced bringing off troops but motor boat broke down,
a considerable surf was running, managed to Embarked get a into
a Dutch scoot, of Leicestershire and was towad back Regiment. to ship. COMMANDING OFFICER
miles 0730, off shore, and disembarked all troops,
detachment proceeded alongaide Calcutta, who was anchored Salamander
19 JUN 1940
following.
H.M.S. "SUTTON"