TNA ADM 199 790

Raw OCR

Unformatted machine-generated OCR for document page 185.

(1)
177
NARRATIVE OF EVENTS 26th. MAY TO 5th. JUNE 1940. EVACUATION
182
OF BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE FROM DUNKIRK AND BEACHES TO
THE EASTWARD BY H.M.S. SUTTON, FOURTH MINESWESSPING FLOTILLA.
Sunday 26th. May. Raised steam and unlocked from Royal Dock,
Grimsby. Sailed at 1900, Salamander and Fitzroy in
Company. sea. Sutton as Senior Officer. Fresh N.W.Wind, slight
On passage several Aircraft seen and heard,
mostly friendly. Passed by Galatea and destroyers.
Monday 27th, May. Light breeze, calm sea, maximum visibility.
Anchored in Downs by orders of V.A.Diver 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 Halcyon.
1730, steering jammed, reduced speed and proceeded under
hand steering.
1750, 5th. M.S.F. coming up astern, steering repaired,
proceeded at 15 knots.
1825, Kwinte Bank Buoy abeam, Ship sinking in vicinity,
rejoined 4th. M.S.F. Hurricanes passing overhead.
2030, more Hurricanes, sighted Dunkirk fires 10 miles,
weather clearing, Fitzroy 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 gunfire. No aircraft in sight.
2125, anchored off beach about four miles East of Dunkirk,
in four fathoms. No troops visible, owing to smoke and
approaching darkness. Motor boat and whaler sent ashore
to contact troops. Troops appeared from sand dunes in
disorganised parties, mostly R.A.S.C. and R.B's who had
lately been engaged on demolition of bridges, amunition
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. Very
critical of lack of Allied air support during whole of
retreat, but were cheerful and disdiplined. Rather exhausted
after forced marches of 20 to 30 milsa. 0.0. reported no
embarkation organisation or control ashore. The alean
shaven and comparatively fresh appearance of the troops
and the condition of their equipment, contrasted increasingly
as the evacuation progressed, with the evidences of strain
shown by Ships companies of H.M.Ships.
10 troops embarked batween 2130 and 0200, in
batches of 25, mostly with rifles and equipment. Beach good
for embarkation, shelving sand and calm 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,
considerable surf was running, managed to get Embarked a small into
a a Dutch scoot, and was towed back to ship.
detachment of Leicestershire Regiment.
0730, miles off shore, and disembarked all troops,
proceeded alongside Calcutta, who was anchored Salamander some
following.