TNA ADM 199 790

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SECRET
FROM
SENIOR OFFICER, THAMES LOCAL DEFENCE FLOTILLA.
Dynamo 132. 282
DATE
5th June, 1940.
267
TO
EXTENDED DEFENCES OFFICER, SHEERNESS.
REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS MAY OF A/A SHIPS - OF THAMES LOCAL DEFENCE FLOTILLA.
31st JUNE 3rd.
On completing discharge of the Military Units at Sheerness
on May 31st H.M.S. "Royal Eagle" proceeded to a buoy and reported
ready to proceed.
On June 1st at 0800 a signal was received from V.A. Dover,
that all paddle minesweepers and minesweepers were to proceed
forthwith to the beaches and I at once went on board "Royal Eagle"
and after having embarked extra lifebelts and some rafts from the
North Wall at Sheerness the ship proceeded to the beaches via route
"X" at full speed.
When half way across a signal was received from V.A. Dover
ordering "Royal Eagle" to Ramsgate to await instructions so the
ship was turned and anchored off Ramsgate. No instructions were
received but an Examination Vessel called alongside with a set of
directions to minesweepers and paddle minesweepers to proceed to a
point 1 1/2 miles East of Dunkirk at 2200 to embark troops. I
endeavoured to obtain confirmation that "Royal Eagle" was meant to
be included in the signal - but not obtaining this I signalled that
I intended to proceed and left at 1530.
"Royal Eagle" was the first ship to arrive off the beaches
at 2200 and I directed the Commanding Officer to anchor a full 1½
miles from the breakwater so as to leave room for the ships coming
on to anchor astern. On arrival a French drifter with some French
soldiers arrived alongside and disembarked them but by 2320 I had
seen no sign of any boats although by then some six or more
sweepers had arrived and I made a signal to V.A. Dover to this
effect.
A signal was received that all sweepers were to be underway
and clear of Dunkirk by 0300, and I presumed that this was on
account of the shelling which was fairly continuous, though in the
dark not very accurate.
It seemed as if the enemy had registered on a wreck a few
hundred yards away from "Royal Eagle" as most of the shells fell
between "Royal Eagle" and the wreck or just around the wreck.
"Royal Eagle" was spattered with shell splinters and I kept the
ship's company below the upper deck as much as possible.
A little before 0300 "Royal Eagle" commenced to weigh but
two boats sighted inshore with no ship near them and they were
injured and their lighter which was manned by naval the ratings. last
closed were occupants picked up as well as two seriously
but Eagle" to clear. Owing to the absence of boats embarked. only some
"Royal men from eventually a power left the beaches about 0330 being 120
French one troops ship and half a dozen British had been
defect "Royal was put Eagle" at immediate notice for steam for half only.
returned to Sheerness and owing to a speed boiler
DH. M. S. "Golden Eagle" arrived that her at Commanding 1320 and Officer I assumed at once was command in a
rather transferred overwraught her and state finding I sent him soon on received leave and for "Golden Eagle"
of to proceed the ship to myself. Dunkirk Orders to arrive were at 0100/3 crossing and by take route off "X" troops near"FG" from
buoy the Mole. I sighted I sailed a motor at torpedo 1725. Whilst boat which, after passing at some