TNA ADM 199 790

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212A
ENCLOSURE II. TO FORD'S NO. 541 of 17th. JUNE, 1940.4
200
REPORT BY ABLE SEAMAN NO.275. L.F. STRAND - CREW OF MOTOR BOAT
P.M. 29th. Left Littlehampton. Got permission, after much trouble
to enter and stay night in Newhaven.
A.M. 30th. Left Newhaven for Ramsgate and arrived P.M. - refuelled
and awaited orders.
A.M. 31st. At 4.30 A.M. ordered to leave Ramsgate independently, for
Dunkirk. C.P.O. Leighton i/c, Stoker Benham and Able
Seaman Strand. Outside harbour picked up convoy of small
boats. 3 hours out approx. developed leak in Port
Stern Gland. C.P.O. Lighton ordered me (Strand) to turn
ship and return to Ramsgate. Arrived back in Ramsgate P.M.
and had Gland repacked.
A.M. 1st. 4.30 again ordered to Dunkirk. Before leaving & Sub-
Lieutenants (R.N.V.R. volunteered to join boat as their
engine had given them trouble. Got charts etc., and got under
way. No convoy. Near Dunkirk, boat struck obstacle or
shook from bomb explosion. Warships in vicinity continually
repelling air attacks. Just off shore at Dunkirk we saw
all small boats suddenly turn about and leave, as if
ordered so our Officer i/c decided on own responsibility
to do likewise. No ship near to give a general order.
On turning saw 2 large ships steaming away from Dunkirk
packed with soldiers. Suddenly a crowd of German bombers
came out of the clouds, dropped their bombs and disappeared.
Direct hits were registered on both big ships which sank
within 20 minutes. All small boats, including ours,
naturally steamed all out to pick up survivors. We picked
up 10 and as bombs fell, Officer 1/c decided to make back
to Ramsgate. Large destroyer on the scene of resume was
being bombed but kept raiders off.
After steaming back for approx. $ hour saw three trawlers,
2 on Stb. hand and 1 on Port. I saw one making morse signal
and shouted to C.P.O. on wheel to stop engines and asked for
torch to try and answer signal, but could not be heard or
was disregarded. Shot fired across bowa, but still steaming
fast towards trawlers. Next thing, very heavy firing from I
think, all 3 trawlers, our boat being the target at about
1,600 yards. All hands except both R.N.V.R. Officers and
myself went over the side. Firing eased a little ao I
grabbed our ensign and waved it as I could plainly are they
were our own chaps. Firing ceased, trawler sent boat after
chaps in water, got our boat alongside. Both Officers, C.P.O.
Lighton and several survivors wounded, 1 dead (perhaps 2)
Later took our boat in tow (messed up a bit) and transferred
belonging to crew of sunk transport.
us to a minesweeper which eventually took us into Ramagate.
I moored our boat at Pier and being ignorant of what reports,
if had been sent decided to report by wire, which I did,
Sun. 2nd.
Stoker any, Benham and self reported again to N.O.i/c. Got orders
to leave boat where it was, would be looked after, handed
rail warrant for Littlehampton. On arrival P.M. reported to
Commander personally.
(SIGNED) L.F. STRAND.