TNA ADM 199 790

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Dywans 206.
A14/075
SECRET.
- 363
REPORT 07 PROCEEDINGS DUNKIRK OPERATIONS.
FROM
THE COMMANDING OFFICER E.M.S.EXPRESS
DATE
9th JUNE 1940.
TO
THE VICE ADMIRAL DOVER
(Copy to the Director of Operations Division (M)
Admiralty 1.
I have the honour to submit the following
report or proceedings of H.M.S Express under if command, in
Dunkirk. connection with the ships participation in the Operations at
On Sunday May 26th all ships of the 20th
Destroyer Plotilla were at Dasingham loading mines and
completing with fuel etc. At about 2200 on that ay"Dulaive"
proceeded to Dover in accurdance with Admiralty orders to take
part in Taut Wire Measuring Gear Operations from that Port.
The remaining vessels of the 20th Destroyer Flotilla sailed
at 0700 on Monday 27th May and carried out Operation B.S.9.
on completion of which at about 1445 ships proceeded through
the Downs and in accordance with Admiralty Orders I ordered
"Express" and "Rak" to Portsmouth and "Intrepid" "Ivanhoe"
and "Icarus" to the Testern Approaches.
"Expre a"and "Eak" proived Portanouth at
0600 28th May, completed with 011,and sailed for Cover at 1415
at 30 knots, entering Harbour at 2000. At 2040 in company
with "Malcoln" and "Scimitar", "Express" and "Sat" proceeded
via Suydcoote Channel and arrived off Bray Beach at 0130 on
29th May! All Boats were lowered and commenced embarking
military until about 1200. This was an exceedingly slow
operation owing to the lack of Power Boats, and the smill
though unpleasant seend on the Beach made proceedings difficult
one whaler being lost.
A Bombing attack took place on Dunklise
from Malo to La Panne at 1400 and then with about 500 troops
took place about 1250, "Express" transferred S.N.O. Dunitibed:
at 1530 heavy Dive Bombing attack took place from which salvoes
as ship was about to secure alongaide "Gronada" at and the to pier
on board proceeded into Denkink by order of "Malcolm". Just
or near misses a ahoad and astern arrived, splinters
came aboard.
I proceeded out of harbour at speed, and own
and ships gunfire and bomb explosions provided a an
decision unusual since "grenada" was later destroyed in the harbour.
adjacent circumatance for all concerned. This proved fortunate
"Jaguar" was than sighted ,stopped and
disabled as board a and was very close to a wreck. "Expross" of her troops
result of the attack. She had a large number went of
Troops on - towed her clear - and took aff acese towed intern
and approximately were continued in the visinity. and the
alongside 45 wounded. Later"Jaguar"was At about 1630 while
bombing attacks and in view of the member of non transferred condition the
the tow parted I ordered "Jaguar" to anchor, a Travlo to
remaining of the wounded troops, and proceeded to Dover leaving