TNA ADM 199 790

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Dynama 10, Alulo
FROM.
SENIOR OFFICER, THAMES LOCAL DEFENCE FLOTILLA,
1st June, 1940.
263 274
DATE
TO
COMMANDER IN CHIEF, THE NORE.
(through and EXTENDED DEFENCES OFFICER, SHEERNESS
COMMODORE IN CHARGE, SHEERINES).
PROCEEDINGS OF THAMES LOCAL DEFENCE FLOTILLA - A/A SHIPS. PERIOD
Submi Submitted.
27/31st May, 1940.
were proceed full speed to a position 9 miles East of
anchored to the at outer estuary a signal was received that/ships
During in the night of 27th-28th May when all ships were
Dunkirk and embark troops. All ships were underweigh within a
few minutes of the signal being decoded and proceeded towards
the North Goodwin. The passage through the Edinburgh Channels
under dark night conditions was not easy and I consider credit
is due to the Commanding Officers of the ships for the way in
which they were handled. The signal was cancelled before ships
reached North Goodwin and they returned to normal duties. Early
on 28th May ships were ordered to return to Sheerness forthwith
and land surplas crew not required for embarking troops.
I had previously issued a memorandum on the steps to be
taken if ships were used as troop carriers so that ships were
ready with the necessary organisation and special arrangements.
Later only two ships were stated to be required and I
detailed "Royal Eagle" and "Crested Eagle" and myself decided to
go to the "Royal Eagle".
Ships sailed from Sheerness at 1400 and were ordered to
proceed to the Downs. On arrival at the Downs I reported the
arrival of both ships to the Vice Admiral, Dover and also
endeavoured to find out from every ship visible in the Downs if
there were any orders for me. There were a number of troopers and
hospital ships present so I put ships to short notice for steam
and anchored for the night. There was considerable activity amongst
the transports during the early morning so that I again asked for
instructions and was then told to proceed to Dunkirk by route "y"
(Goodwin to West Hinder). I stationed "Crested Eagle" astern and
proceeded at 1030 high speed. On approaching the Belgian Coast
I noticed a few rounds from Shore Batteries falling round ships
ahead of me but the firing was not at all intense. On approaching
Dunkirk I saw a large number of men on the-beaches as far as La
Panne so not being able to get any instructions from anyone
proceeded to the spot where British Troops appeared thickest and
anchored at about 1530 close inshore to embark them. I sent
"Crested Eagle" to Dunkirk as I felt that on account of my original
re-appeared and anchored about 2 miles East of me and contenced
instructions ships might have been wanted there - however she soon
embarking troops. At about 1630 German planes were sighted and
bombing attack on ships and beaches. The "Royal Eagle" was only
"Royal Eagle" opened a heavy fire - the plane carried out a high
hit but a Drifter near was set on fire and HaMaSa
proceeded her own steam. A number of casualties occurred
"Greyhound" by splinters appeared to receive severe damage - although she later
the crews Lieutenant of H.M.S. "Sandown" who hours WEB a
to boats under and soldiers and were taken in board - amongst in them
volunteer Paymaster and I regret to say died some noticed later.
Although boats crew explosive bomba were used on ships the I line of a
beach. of what appeared proceeded slowly chiefly ow!ng to the for the
line only high to be incendiary bombs along lack of the
power Embarkation and the fact that few seamen were available
boats which boats were left with an insufficient Military crew.