TNA ADM 199 790

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Dyrams 61.
DOVER.
à
179
4th June, 1940
TO: COMMANDING OFFICER,
H.M.S. "LYNX".
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the following report
in regard to the passage of Motor Boats No. 243 and
270, in which the former boat was sunk.
2.
The two boats left Dover under the command of
Commander Clouston R.N. in Motor Boat No.243. The
complements of the two boats consisted of the R.A.F.
personnel and the Naval embarkation party on passage to
Dunkirk, with two Naval French Officers and two French
Petty Officers who were acting as liason to the British
Party.
3.
At 1900, when about 6 miles off Grave Lines,
eight Junkers 87 planes were sighted. These attacked us
with machine-gunsand small bombs. My boat avoided the
first attack, but, on looking round, I saw that Commander
Clouston's boat had a "near miss" from a bomb, and was
heeling heavily to starboard.
4.
During the next ten minutes, I was fully
occupied in navigating my boat to avoid the attacking
planes. When I next had time to look round for the other
boat, only her bows were visible, and the whole crew were
in the water. I closed the position, and slowed down to
pick up survivors, but Commander Clouston ordered me to
leave them immediately and proceed at full speed to Dunkirk.
5.
I increased speed, and was shortly afterwards
attacked again, and, during this attack, my boat was
repeatedly hit by incendiary mandine-gun bullets, and my
starboard engine was put out of action. The speed of the
boat was reduced to six knots. I set a mean course for
Dunkirk, and shortly afterwards, about half an hour after
the commencement of the attacks, the enemy aircraft left
us.
6. and reported the loss of F. Motor Boat No.243 to Rear-
I proceeded to Dunkirk, arriving there at 2100,
Admiral Wake Walker. Two Destpoyers alongside were
warned to keep a good lookout for Commander Clouston and
his crew, but I regret to report that only Sub.Lieutenant
Solomon R.N.V.R. and Aircraftsman Carmaham are the only
survivors known to have been picked up. Aircraftsman
Carmaham reported that he saw Commander Clouston dead in
the water some hours before he was picked up.
up 7. survivors, the extra load in the boat, which would have
In my opinion, if my boat had remained to pick
necessitated men being seated on the top of the canopy,
added to the fact that one engine was out of action arrival and the
boat was making water slowly, would have made our
at Dunkirk most unlikely.
continued.