TNA ADM 199 790

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6.
55.
I had to send some ships out and delay others going to the Test
pier until the entrance was cleared.
56.
The flow of troops down the East pier was far better, but there were
bad pauses. The West yder was always arouded, and as the ships dertailed for
this were insufficient I led in a Personnel Ship to the West plar at 0145
and she was followed by ROYAL SOVEREIGN which did not leave till 0300.
57.
MALCOLM left at 0240 and EXPRESS at 0300 after embarking the
berthing party. When the Inttor left there were about 200 non on the East
pier and these were later embarked by SHIKART who was ascorting the blockships.
58.
At the West pier there were still a for hundred non, but I only
had KELLET available and with her slow speed I did not feel justified in
taking the risk of the late departure that loading her would have involved.
59.
During the night HIREVISION me holed by a French Truzler and
transferred her troops, KHLINE went aground and got off, and one paddler was
sent back unfilled.
60.
In the foregoing narrative I have mile no particular mention of
French Ships any more than I have of Deitish Ships. On all days, however,
French Destroyers were using the West any and I think they did all they
could and played their part wall. Latterly also, large numbers of French
fishing boats and small steamers took part and embarked may non from
Dunicire.
61.
There was intersittent shall fire on Dunicisio the whole time, but
it was never effectively directed on the vital points such as the East Pier
and had no effect on the ambariention, although one truelerine sunk in the
Harbour. That BO little interference occurred must, I think, have been due
to the effective boaking of the batteries during the nights.
62.
During the last three nights at Dunicire the handling of ships in
the harbour under the most difficult conditions was magnificent. Transports,
Destroyers, Minesweepers, Paddlers, and all descriptions of small craft were
moving in and out in these confined waters, share there were several urecks
in inconvenient places. Little time was lost, and that DO many - were
brought off is due to the coolness and suprese semanship of the Captains of
these ships.
63. boyond praise from the smallest credit to the largest, and what has
During these operations the work of all those engaged has been been
all concerned. Few orders could be given but that did not
accomplished in the result of the single-airled purpose and determination matter for of
but of those who dune under my OWN observation I wish to bring your
everyone did his ubsort. I had for opportunities to pdak out special to notice cases,
the following Officers:-
Cantain & L.Berthon - H.M.S.
fire During attack, being finally aunit. Captain calls I put upon his and his shij
the the I was in H.N.S. KNTTH she was Burthon subjected handled to shell his
with great and boalding coolness and Judgement and not all the
ship.
Liqutarant - H.M.S. KNITH.
the air attack which finally disabled KNITH and this took officer drastic
handled the During ship with complete coolness in a materly way, avaiding