TNA ADM 199 790

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Unformatted machine-generated OCR for document page 341.

(5)
be 334
On the return voyage, after passing Nieuport Bank
Buoy, we saw two ships ahead of us bombed, one with 8 bombs,
the other with sixteen bombs.
There was no indication that either had been hit,
but as we drew nearer it could be seen that one was in
difficulties, and in reply to a signal we went alongside.
This ship was the GRACIE FIELDS, and while she continued to
steam round in a circle, we took off troops, & number
3315
(2)
before daybreak and arrived back in the Downs by 1000
May 28th.
At 1730 we again received orders to proceed to
Dunkirk, this time by the shorter route 15X and this time
with the knowledge that we were engaged in the evacuation
of the B. E. F. from the eight miles of beaches from Dunkirk
to La Panne.
Of the dynamo ships that left the Downs at the same
time, we were the first to arrive off Dunkirk and seeing that
the harbour was being used by bigger ships, I decided that we
might only obstruct the bigger ships by going in and that our
proper function was to contact the beaches where bigger ships
could not go.
I therefore proceeded past Dunkirk in an Easterly
direction.
The light of burning Dunkirk was now nearly astern
of us and the heavy smoke cloud over the beaches intensified
the darkness. Thinking here to contact other ships or boats
I proceeded at half speed.
Presently another dynamo ship passed us in the
opposite direction and informed us that she had come all the
way from La Panne and had seen nothing.
I therefore steered in more closely to the beaches.
between a destroyer and another dynamo ship. I asked the
At a point about 4 miles last of Dunkirk. I came
dynamo at anchor and she replied that she
ship if she was appeared to be two others aground also.
boats There visible, but as I use preparing to lower
my boat, received information test enclisur came
out from the I that should also ofed three my abe former or
troops that shore. there. thand twoo selo of & is taxré
into the hills were preparatorya theses towro use,
I noticed also DA. licen She storesh 1 the each 8A #:
leave and this seemed if lenn today shoul BOAR
course for as returning to Registe Guad as die # 10.1 steator stamas use 8
morning of May 29th and 1 are tomaré BAL
toy reque Total the