TNA ADM 199 790

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357
Principal Sea Transport Office,
French Ports,
Principal % Motory Sex B. By Class Re, 2009), Portge 334 335
0/0 A.P.O. Se6,
DUPLICATE
Heriodary LONDON, 20th June, Tele 1940.
Principal Sea Transport Officer,
French Ports.
Sir,
proceeded in H.M. Tra wlor "LORD HOWE" (Slapper William Honry
I have the honour to report that on 24th May, 1040, I
Pollock), which was ordered to Calais with a cargo of ammittion.
On approaching the Fort sho WES heavily sholled by a battory
concealed among the sand dunos to the South of the Port.
2.
Finding it almost impossible to force an entrance, the
trawler drow off and reported to Vice-Admiral, Dover. On
receiving the order: "Procced to Calais immodiately," It was
decided to approach the entrance to the Port from the North.
Under a hoavy barrage of high explosive and shraphol fire, the
skipper of the travler succeeded in entering the port and taking
up position alongside the Quai Maritime Southern ond. As
there WELS no labour or assistance to be obtained from the quay,
the crew of the trawler started to discharge the cargo of
ammunition. This entailed hauling the boxes of amamition by
hand from the deck of the trawler to the top of the quay - &
distance of somo 22-ft. and dragging them across the quay to a
place of safety - the whole proceeding under a devastating fire
from the enemy. There was no protection of any sort, and none
of the crow was equipped with steel holmets. The discharge
continued orderly and efficiently until ordered to stop by
Commodore Gandell, R.N., who decided that, as all the .305
ammunition had boon discharged, the danger was too great, and he
ordered the trawler to sea. Again, the tra wler came under a
heavy direct fire from the enemy, but, with great skill, and
zigzagging, the skipper succeeded in bringing his ship safely
out of danger.
Forts.
S.
I cannot too highly commend Skipper W.H. Pollock,
who, in addition to his duty with rogard to his cargo, gave no
every possible assistance, onabling no to report to Commodore
Gandell, R.N. He also enabled no, on the way home, to
deliver a plan of Calais to H.M.S. "GREYHOUND", patrolling off
the port. This plan showed the approximate positions of the
enemy and his batterios, which were imediately shelled by the
"GREYHOUND" to relieve the pressure on our defenses.
(signed)
Dush.
I have the honour to bo,
-
Sir,
Sign June, 1040.
Your obedient Servant,
LIEUTENANT, R.N.R.