TNA ADM 199 790

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ENCLOSURE I. TO FORD'S NO. 541 of 17th. JUNE, 1940.
198
REPORT BY STOKER A. BENHAM, STOKER OF
MOTOR BOAT, NO.275
P.M. 29th.
Left Littlehampton and arrived Newhaven same evening,
had a spot of bother before we were allowed to enter
harbour and stay the night.
A.M. 30th.
Left Newhaven for Ramsgate arriving P.M. same day.
Port Stern Gland was leaking badly had to be repacked on
arrival, Refuelled and ready to sail.
A.M. 31st.
Was ordered to leave Ramsgate independently for Dunkirk.
C.P.O. Leighton, Cox., A.B. Strand and Stoker Benham,
crew. Left harbour and picked up convoy already leaving
for Dunkirk. After about 2/2 to 3 hours out we had
trouble again with Port Stern Gland and returned to
harbour and repacked and tightened up both Stern Glands.
A.M. lst.
Was called again about 4.30 and ordered to sail and
proceed to Dunkirk. Two Sub-Lientenants R.H.V.R.
volunteered to come with us as their boat was unfit for
the trip, and an extra Able Seaman came aboard with them
for the trip. On the way to Dunkirk was kept busy,
Able Seaman Strand watching for aircraft and myself
tending engines, had no more trouble with Stern Glands,
There was quite a considerable amount of aircraft about
and our destroyers were continually repelling their
attacks. Struck something below water starboard side
which made the boat jump but no damage seemed to be done
as the engine was running smoothly and we were not making
water, so we carried oh. On sighting Dunkirk we saw
two large ships loaded with soldiers steamin down the
coast and all small craft following, so we decided to
follow as there was nothing we could do there. After
about 10 minutes steaming we saw a crowd of German
áircraft in the air flying at a great height. About
six detached themselves, and dived down at the two
big ships. They did not release their bombs until they
were almost on the ships, registered hits which sunk
both ships quite close to each other. We were
travelling at full speed and picked up 10 of the
survivors which made the boat full. As the bombers
were still very active in the vicinity, we decided it
was best to leave with all possible speed for home.
After about half to three-quarters of an hour we were
mistaken for German Torpedo Boat by our own trawlers,
who opened fire on us at close range. I saw C.P.O.
Leighton leave the boat after a shell had wrecked the
wheel house and Able Seaman Strand dashed forward to grab
the wheel, I got on to the side and saw one of the
trawlers bearing down on us as though it was going to
ram us, she was just about a boat's length away when I
jumped into the water, for it seemed impossible that she
would miss us. But Strand must have swung boat around
enough to clear. I was picked up by one of the boats
after swimming around for a while. I dont know how long.
I did not see any one else of the boat's crew until we
arrived at Margate, when Able Seaman Strand came aboard
the trawler I was on and spoke to me about the affair.
The only....