TNA ADM 199 790

Raw OCR

Unformatted machine-generated OCR for document page 347.

332
338
7.
mostly suffering from severe burns; the Commanding
Fifty seven cot-cases alone were brought off,
Officer and other survivors from His Majesty's Dest-
cleared the steamer out as far as was known, I pro-
royer Grenade were amongst those embarked, After having
ceeded down the coast towards Bray, and picked up troops
from several boats, which they had found on the beach. A
Captain Churchill, from the Headquarters Staff, off
and told me that he had to get over to England to see
his uncle, the Prime Minister,by 0600.
8.
I proceeded to Margate, arriving at 0550 on May
30th, disembarked troops,survivors and Cartain Churchill,
then sailed for Sheerness for coal and Ammunition.
9.
I left Sheerness at 0300 on the 31st and arr-
ived without incident off the beach just to the Bast of
Dunkirk, at 0930. The rate of embarkation was slow ording
to considerable surf on the beach, but valuable assist-
ance was given by a large power boat, It was necessary
for me to leave at 1230 in order to unload and be at By
render-vous by 8300 on May 31st for the evening oper-
ations.
10.
I sailed from liargate to comply with previous
instructions and proceeded, under the orders of the
Senior Officer 11 the Fifth Minesweeping Flotila, to By
appointed station off the beach; navigation at this
period was difficult,a the absence of wind allowed the
smoke from Dunkirk to settle over the channel, that
visibility The poor. On enchoriz at 2345 a shell from 8
shore battery landed about a cable to securd; this ma
repeated spasmodically. Reports were then received of
magnetic nines being dropped in the channel.
on 11, embarkation, using ships' boats, Short y after a
About 0832 the Flotil a ms ordered to carry
bombing attack took place,and from then on these
attacks were practically continuous. Several Heinkel III
type aircraft were observed, but the majority of the
attackers were identified as Junkers 87 Dive-bombers.
Embarkation was carried out, though the rate ha slow,
this operation the ship case under machine-gun fire
aground; 12. a vire was passed and I towed her off. During
His Majesty's Ship Speedwell ma seal to be
tenant for the speed and coolness with which be carried
from the air, end great credit is due to ay First Lieu-
out the ution.
afloat 15. to proceed alongaide in Dunkirk harbour, and to
I then received orders from the 7108 Officer
comp. ete with troops there. As troops vere being and a
machine-gun embarked, attack me delivered, but no casualties were
bombs were dropped in the harbour
incurred.
14. board, His Majesty's Dostroyer Ivanhoe to was her hit
Just before I al ipped, with a full load of
by troops a bomb on outside the herbour. Two ships went
assistance, 80 I proceeded at full speed,