TNA ADM 199 790

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H.M.S. HILDA,
To: Vice Admiral, Dover.
Dover.
From: Captain R. Pim, R.N.V.R.
Report of events in connection with final
evacuation of troops from the beaches of
La Panne Bains and Bray-Dunnes.
Period covered: 30th May - 2nd June.
bject.
Evacuation of military personnel at La Panne Bains and
Bray-Dunnes.
rders
To take as many small motor boats, lifeboats, etc. as possible
eceived.
to the above-mentioned beaches and effect the evacuation of
all troops found there. The operation was not to include
Dunkirk beach, where evacuation arrangements had already been
organised.
Action
Transport 1. Department, Dover, for the requisitioning of motor
Arrangements were made by Captain G. Fraser, D.S.O., Sea
taken.
boats and lifeboats at Dover, Deal and Walmer. These were
inspected and arrangements made for their being manned and
provisioned on the afternoon of 30th May. The preparation of
these matters of detail in advance by Captain Fraser wore-base
ficient boats to send early the next morning, and subsequently
entirely responsible for my being able to get together suf-
for providing something in the way of food for the very large
number I had on board.
31st
2. I sailed from Deal with 8 boats in tow for Dunkirk early
May.
on the 31st, and Captain Fraser undertook to despatch the
remaining boats to Dunkirk as soon as they became available.
I took 50 gallons of petrol in 2-gallon tins on deck for re-
fuelling, the majority of these tins subsequently being
civilians at Deal desired to accompany the party, and five
jettisoned during the dive bombing east of Dunkirk. Several in
fact did manage to get to Dunkirk and were of the greatest
possible use.
Naval 3. or Port Official that I was to proceed to La Panne that
On arrival off Dunkirk I was informed by the Senior Bains French
Dunkirk beach was properly organised. An M.L. came alongside
and Bray-Dunnes beaches forthwith, and he confirmed
and took four of my boats in tow to La Panne Bains.
motor and lifeboats were sent away at 40 p.m. with to
4. work The the beaches, which at this time were being shelled
shrapnel.
5. these I as found reinforcements. I also requisitioned lifeboats
four additional boats at anchor and four acquired
from a tug and three from a drifter.
6./