TNA ADM 199 790

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Dywans 206. A14/075 1473
SECRET.
363
REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS - DUNKIRK OPERATIONS.
FROM
THE COMMANDING OFFICER H.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 my command,in
Dunkirk. connection with the ships participation in the Operations at
On Sunday May 26th all ships or the 20th
Destroyer Flotilla were at Imingham loading nines and
completing with fuel etc. At about 2200 on that day "Ingulsive"
proceeded to Dover in accurdance with Admiralty orders to take
part in Taut Wire Measuring Gear Operations from that Port.
The remaining vessels or 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 "Sak" to Portsmouth and "Intrepid" "Ivanhoe"
and "Icarus" to the Western Approaches.
"Expre a"and "Eak" arrived Portsmouth at
0600 28th May, completed with oil,and sailed for Dover at 1415
at 30 knots, entering Harbour at 2000. At 2040 in company
with "Malcoln" and "Scimitar", "Express" and "Sat" proceeded
via Zuydcoote Channel and arrived off Bray Beach at 0130 on
29th May! All Boats were lowered and commenced embaricing
military until about 1200. This was an exceedingly alow
operation owing to the lack of Power Boats,a the smll
though unpleasant seend on the Beach made proceedings difficult
one whaler being lost,
A Bombing attack took place on Dunkirk
took place about 1250, "Express" transferred Dunital
from Malo to La Panne at 1400 and then with about 500 troops
at 1530 heavy Dive Bombing attack took place and tro which salvoes
as ship was about to secure alongaide "Grenado" at the pier
on board proceeded into Denkirk by order of "malcolm". Just
of near misses a ahead and astern arrived, splinters from
came aboard.
I proceeded out of harbour at speed,and own
and ships gunrire and bomb explosions provided an
unusual decision circumstance since "Grenade" was later destroyed in the
adjacent for all concerned. This proved harbour. a fortunate
result of the attack. She had a large "Express" number went of
"Jaguar" was than aighted ,stopped and
Troops on board - her clear - and took aff name towed datern
disabled as a and was very close to a wreck. of her troops
and approximately continued in the vicinity, and the
alongside towed 45 wounded. Later"Jaguar"was At about 1830 while
bombing attacks and were in view of the member of men transferred condition the
remaining of the wounded troops, I and proceeded to Dover a
the tow parted ordered "Jaguar" to anchor, leaving Travle to