TNA ADM 199 790

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FROM:
GROUP OFFICER "LL" TRAWLERS.
G.D.
522
DATE:
28TH MAY, 1940.
No: 3 493
TO:
COMMANDER M/S.
Sir,
May, the operation 1940) under carried my command. out by "LL" Trawlers this morning report (28th on
I have the honour to submit the following
"Thomas for Bartlett" and "Our Bairns" to carry out operations
In accordance with your signal ordering "Inverforth",
down Monday, I left harbour with these ships and proceeded laid
on the route indicated.
approach Calais No. 6 Buoy would bring us under enemy gunfire I
Knowing from experience of the previous day that to
decided to approach the coast more from the Northward, and to
Buoy. the Eastward of Calais and shaped a course for this from No. 2
Visibility was becoming less and on sighting again the
Channel. coast line I turned to the Eastward for approaching Dunkirk
When approaching in this direction enemy gunfire was
opened upon us from shore with what was probably 12 pounders or
the equivalent and soon their shooting became accurate.
All ships turned to the Northward until out of sight
Channel. of land, none being hit, and we proceeded again towards Dunkirk
At 1017 came a loud explosion and "Thomas Bartlett"
was seen to have been blown up, settling rapidly by the stern,
and sinking in less then 1½ minutes. The position was close
East and North of Dunkirk A.W. Buoy.
"Our Bairns" immediately closed her and lowered her
beat; "Imverforth" doing the same and 10 survivors were picked
up.
Course was then shaped to pass through Calata Channel
and owing to the poor visibility this was done without gunfire
being opened on us from shore.
Meanwhile anti-aircraft fire was going on against our
planes almost continuously from Calais.
Knowing the operation to be no longer possible owing
to enemy occupation of the shore line I shaped a course for
returning to harbour.
I regret to report that eight of "Thomas Bartlett's"
crew were lost.
americation
Lieutenant Commander R.N.R.