TNA ADM 199 790

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3.
23.
A heavy gun was also shelling somewhat blindly off Bray, the shots
falling outside the ships in fairly well defined areas which could be avoided.
24.
An encounter between our own and enemy aircraft took place off
Bray in which three of our own adroraft were shot down. Later air attack
developed on ships and 10 raids took place but no ships were damaged.
25.
In accordance with the plans tows of boats should have arrived off
Dunkirk about 1800. Two tows of dinghies arrived at 1700 and were sent
to La Panne where I also went in order to ensure the embarkation of the C.in c.
I left behind Ideutenant Communder in an M.T.B. to direct the
tows when they arrived and to order a large mmber of Hoppers and similar craft
to beach themselves on the rising tide at the Western beaches. At La Parme
I found that HEBE had embarked Cy-in-C. according to plan, and I ambarked the
rest of the H.Q. from the beach 2 miles west in KEITH's boats. During this
time KEITH and HERE were bombed and the boats were narrowly missed.
26,
I then returned to Dunicirk where the rest of the town did not
arrive till it was getting dark, making it very difficult to ensure their
finding the further beaches. Lt. Commander Wynne-Bhrards was left behind
in M.A.S.B.6. to direct then and I took KETTH up to La Fame to shepherd
some of the town in that direction. By this time the wind had dropped.
27.
About Midnight M.A/S.B.6 returned to KETTH, embarked the 0.-in-C.
and took him to Dover.
28.
HEITH remained off La Parme during the night, during which there
were reports of Parachute Mines off Bray, M.T.B's were heard to the Eastward,
probably our own, and a few shells fell among ships off La Panne. The town
and beaches at La Panne were heavily shelled and the embarkation moved
Westward in consequence. It was impossible to tell how the embarkation -
going in the dark as KETTH could not get close inshore, but such reports as
came in showed that it was slow and that beaches at la Panne were being
heavily shelled.
1st June
29.
As the enemy would be in occupation of La Panne in the worning
ships were ordered to withdrew to the Westmard at dam. At daylight the
situation was as follows. The beaches at La Panne were espity and - were
moving along all beaches to the Westward. Ships Bast of Bray were moving
Westward. A Minesweeper and a Paddler were schore off Bray: a large mmber
of boats were floating expty and without crews.
30. loading into Dunkirk and tried to get some of the boats collected by
During the next few hours I sent all ships that sere not full Hotor or
boats and towed West. I also spent some time trying to induse a tug to
assist the Minesweeper ashore. I kept BASILISK with 200 and eapty of troops
in case any covering fire was needed.
were 31. made on nearly all ships off the beaches by Dive Bumbers.
About 0730 large numbers of energy Aircraft appeared and attacks
KEITH, 32. During and a tug with survivors of KNITH and were the others
this period, one Destroyer off Dunkirk SKIPJACK was hit and BASILISK, sunk.
Bombs SKIPKACK, be dropped in threes and fives, one large and that
bombs had and three delay planes action of about 20 seconds. I have learnt this time. subsequently
Small, appeared to attacked together; one of my staff states scie
that all small a craft and beaches were machine gunned at
33. BASILISK so KNITH that was KRISH could load at Dunkirk and then return
short of assunition and I had intended to to transfer Dover. to
#
At 0745 a near miss jammed the stearing goar in KNITH and shortly
/ after