TNA ADM 199 790

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Dyrrang Diginal sent
D.Afs.W. --401
H.M.S. "CAPE ARGONA" howler.
379
5th June. 1940.
Report of Operations on Q.Z.X. 60 Patrol.
?9th.1530.
Cast off with from Parkeston Quay and proceeded to sea in
company St. Achilleus and Sphene.
2350.
between Arrived on Patrol ground and commenced patrolling
T.Buoy, West Hinder Buoy and Kwint Buoy.
30th.
0025.
Whilst steaming line ahead speed 8 knots "St.Achilleus"
leading "Sphene" centre and "Cape Argona" in the rear
observed track of torpedo approaching from Port side
and going between "St. Achilleus" and "Sphene".
"Sphene" altered course to Port and brought Lewis Guns
into action. All ships separated and rang Full Speed.
Still no sign of M.T.B. or Submarine.
0040.
Torpedo track passed ahead of "Cape Argona" from Port.
Altered course hard Port but still no sign of enemy
craft.
0125.
Observed smoke screen close to our Starboard Bow,
altered to Port brought smoke screen astern, distinctly
heard powerful motor engines behind screen and surmised
enemy M.T.B. was approaching through it so dropped
D/C. M.T.B. Engines had ceased after D/C explosion,
no vessel visible. Proceeded zig-zagging on course
for T Buoy and observed black shape of M.T.B. crossing
rapidly across our bow from Starboard to Port, when
she appeared on our Port Bow opened fire with all
Lewis Guns, couldn't get Pom Pom to bear as she was
too close. Firing was returned but no damage done.
M.T.B's engines were heard to miss-fire, stop, then
'on' again. We hung around, no further sign of
enemy craft, so carried on to Westward of Patrol.
0430.
Joined company with "St. Achilleus" and "Sphene" again.
The whole patrol ground was littered with wreckage and
either whole or partly destroyed boats, no sign of
survivors or dead.
Carried on Patrol, no contacts made, plenty of air
activity both German and British planes passing contin-
uously overhead, no attacks made.
y 31st.
Received instructions from F.O.I.C. Dover to patrol
under further notice near South Falls Bucy. "Sphene"
dropped out of group and joined with "Arotic Pioneer".
0615.
nothing to report during day, but towards midnight,
Instructions received to carry on original patrol,
there seemed to be great activity.
de
ne 1st.0040.
Investigated "St. Achilleus" so carried on with be going
contact, found to be non submarine, patrol, lost
track of increased, explosions seemed to all on
activity M.T.B. tracks were observed between over S the
place, had very could make nothing definite of that
all around us, anxious time. Zig-zagged all
and T buoys, around us, thought I observed this pinned searchlights us in
being played & T. Buoys, would from enemy
was happening across QZX60 at S Buoy not cross searchlight
area track. between Several S. star shells were dropped