TNA ADM 199 790

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CONFIDENTIAL.
Digrams 131.
Biw340
SUBJECT: PROCEEDINGS OF H.M.S. ALICE.
FROM:
THE COMMANDING OFFICER, H.M.S. ALICE.
DAGE:
7th June 1940.
TO:
THE RESIDENT NAVAL OFFICER, POOLE.
(Copy to :- The Commodore, R.N. Barracks,
Portsmouth)
Letter of Proceedings.
Submitted.
in accordance with your verbal instructions.
The following letter of proceedings of H.M.S. ALICE
2.
H.M.S. ALICE sailed from Southampton for Dover at
2000 Sunday 26th May, loaded with stores, approximately
300 tons, and proceeded in company with H.M.S. KAAP-PALGA
and H.N.S. ABHL TASMAN. On arrival at Dover 1600, 97th
May, orders were received to proceed immediately to La Panne
and discharge.
When four miles out from La Panne, we stopped to pick up
a sergeant pilot of a Hurricane fighter who had been shot
down by the Anti-aircraft ship.
On arrival at the beach, we found the ABSL TASHAN
close in shore unloading and the KAAP FALGAR anchored close
to.
I closed the ABEL TASMAN and grounded.
Lieutenant Commander Crick had disembarked and proceeded
to local Headquarters for orders. On his return he informed
me that we were to proceed to Bray Dunes and discharge there.
This was not possible until 1700 when we would
float again at High Water. In consequence 1 decided syself
to go ashore and go to British Headquarters for definite
instructions and to arrange hands for unloading.
Whilst ashore we were subjected to various forms of
aerial attach and we had to take cover with the result that
some time had elapsed before I could be driven to Headquarters
at Bray. I was then given orders to proceed in company
with the KAAP+PALGA to Bray Dunes to arrive at 8100 28th May,
- the ships to be beached and unloaded, I was then driven
back to La Panne and sent down to the Peach to enbark in my
ship. Earlier in the afternoon the Captain and First
Lieutenant of the ABEL TASMAN had been wounded which necessit-
ated a redistribution of officers. I was to remain in
command of H.N.S. ALION, my Fist Licutenant - Licutenant
Wykeham-Martin was to command the KAAP-PALGA and Lieutenant
Beale the senior officer took command of the ABRL TASMAN.
the KAAP-FALGA On I could just see moving off to the weatward
arrival at the beach 1 found only two ships -
about two miles away which was then the visibility onboard distance.
and There TASMAN was endeavouring to
appeared to be no signs of life refloat. After the ALICS
about the ABEL minutes I managed to attract boat the in attention for of
the ABRL twenty TASMAN which sent a waterlogged me.