TNA ADM 199 790

299
m
278
2
PORTSMOUTH
INNER
PATROL
ANKH
BOUNTY
CARYANDA
LAHLOO
THELE
SERIOLA
EILA II.
AHOLA
NONETA

REPORT OF 'BOUNTY' (Contd).
295
of Petty Officer T.Jones throughout operations.
I should like to draw special attention to the magnificent work
2
The following officers, Lieut.D. Dawson, ub.Lieuts. Godman and Potter-Irwin accompanied me and reported to Ramsgate, volunteering ships and services on the following day if required.
Our names were accordingly entered on the Volunteer's List.
June 2. Having reported to S.N.O. Ramsgate, we were informed that only fast and shallow draft vessels were required. During course of day, found M.T.B.101. lying idle and requested use of same, but were informed that the vessel was R.A.F. property and we were unable to obtain permission to use her.
Received instructions to stand by and later to return to own Base.
Throughout twenty seven hours spent at Dunkirk and adjacent beaches, were under continuous bombardment from the ein and shelling from the land.
Difnams 298.
300 B14/0/
REPORT OF THE SENIOR OFFICER, INNER PATROL ON THE WORK CARRIED OUT 1314
BY YACHTS OF THE INNER PATROL IN THE EVACUATION OF THE SOLDIERS
FROM
DUNKIRK.
Nine Yachts of the Inner Patrol, "ANKH", "BOUNTY", "CARYANDA",
"LAHLOO", "THELE", "SERIOLA", "EILA II", "AHOLA", & "NONETA", sailed in company from Hamble at 1800 on Wed. 29th. May, and arrived at
Dover at 0830 the following morning. We were ordered to sail from
Dover at 1930 on the 30th. and to proceed to the beaches at
Bray and La Banne and assist in the embarkation of the troops. The flotilla arrived off Bray at 0600, 31st. May and then divided and acted independently. Owing to the shelving nature of the beach, it was impossible for our yachts to approach very close; instead, they had to lay off and assist boats coming off form the beach. They either took the troops on board and transfered them to larger ships or else took the small boats in tow to larger ships. The operations were greatly hampered by the lack of good motor boats which could operate from the beach. Thert appeared to be only a very few and, during the day, some of these were left on the beach. All the I.P.
Yachts launched their motor boats and operated them as long as possible but the fresh onshore breeze soon put them out of commission.
Knowing the conditions on this coast, I had asked before sailing from Dover whether suitable motor boats to operate on the beaches were available over the other side and had been assured that there been over there before the beaches came under fire at about 1600, were literally hundreds. There is no doubt that, had these boats thousands troops could have been brought off. At dusk, the others remained were until dawn on Sat. 1st. June. "ANKH", "AHOLA", "THELE",
Yachts that more damaged were ordered to return to Dover and the
"EILA II" "CARYANDA" ultimately returned to Dover; "SERIOLA",
"LAHLOO", & "BOUNTY" & "NONETA" to Ramsgate. On arrival, they all reported and were told to stand by for orders; none, back however to Hamble were damage by on course concerned, sent the the The over 4th. but great they fact again. only and, June all coolness that reported bearing two one and The all casualties those Yachts and the in at resource mind Yachts at Hamble, at Ramsggte Dover that returned of their having many were all on conduct Officers of the was sustained ordered them 5th. only under had June. and made considerable never Ratings almost possible In been due under continuous fire before, bombing and I consider shelling that deserves the highest praise.
Sgd. C.C. Bone, Lieut. R.N.V.R.
VICE AUMIRAL
Senior Officer, Inner Patrol.
6th. June 1940.
15 JUN 1940
*

REPORT OF 'BOUNTY' (Contd).
of, I should Petty Officer like to T.Jones draw special throughout attention operations. to the magnificent work 295
2
The following officers, Lieut.D.A.Dawson, Sub.Lieuts. Godman and Potter-Irwin ships accompanied and me and reported to.O.Ramsgate, volunteering services on the following day if required.
Our names were accordingly entered on the Volunteer's List.
June 2. Having reported to S.N.O.Ramsgate, we were informed that only fast and shallow draft vessels were required. During course of day, found M.T.B.101. lying idle and requested use of same, but were informed that the vessel was R.A.F. property and we were unable to obtain permission to use her.
Received instructions to stand by and later to return to own Base.
Throughout twenty seven hours spent at Dunkirk and adjacent beaches, were under continuous bombardment from the air and shelling from the land.
306
REPORT OF INNER PATROL YACHT "EILA II".
-
285
Commanding Officer, Lieut. E.H.Batt, R.N.V.R.
y 29. 1750. Left Hamble.
y 30. 0600. Arrived Dover.
2130. Left Dover.
LV 31. 0545. Arrived alongside destroyer "KEITH" off Bray and embarked officer to assist in organisation. Ordered to
La Panne beach to assist in transporting troops to destroyers "KEITH" & "EMERALD" and sloop "HEBE". Several trips were made between La Panne & Bray;when shelling and bombing became too severe, I was ordered to proceed to seaward. I afterwards returned to La Panne and embarked more troops.
1100 Observed Dover Patrol Vessel "BLUE BIRD" well aground and in a precarious position with both her propellom foul;
I lowered my dinghy and ran a tow to her, and succeeded in getting her off. I was under frequent shellfire during the whole operation. I estimate that the amount of troops taken off did not exceed 200, as it was some time after arrival before I disembarked the Naval Officer and wass able to start embarking troops. Although I anchored close in at both places I found that the troops seemed unable to man the boats. The wind was blowing onshore which made it extremly difficult to get off to us. I called for volunteers to man the motor launch and Engr, T.M.Weir and
A.B. Tozer responded but were unable to make the beach owing to the heavy sea and the launch was eventually lost.
Special mention may be made of Engr. Weir who rowed in a small dinghy and rescued three soldiers under fire.
Later on in the day the Engr. XXX reported a serious leak in the "EILA II" and at one time the water was level with the engine room floor. I reported the matter to a destroyer who ordered me to proceed to seaward and
2130. The Naval Officer in charge of operations on to the locate the damage.
continue but from my Engr's report of the leak doubtful and as my
"ANKH" asked if my vessel was in a fit condition port was out of commission, I was then if she reverse would gear survive further operations. I was ordered to proceed to Dover and arrived the
1
0700. From theis time until 5th. June lying in Dover
Harbour.
me 5
Folkestone Yachts, Gate observed a small ship's boat
1130. Being left Dover for Hamble and while passing about through 2
unable to locate the other Inner Patrol
(continued)

REPORT OF 'BOUNTY' (Contd).
F
of I should Petty Officer like to draw T.Jones special throughout attention operations. to the magnificent work 295
2
The following officers, Lieut. D.A. Dawson, Sub.Lieuts. Godman and Potter-Irwin ships accompanied and me and reported to S.N.O. Ramsgate, volunteering services on the following day if required.
Our names were accordingly entered on the Volunteer's List.
June 2. Having reported to S.N.O. Ramsgate, we were informed that only fast and shallow draft vessels were required. During course of day, found M.T.B.101. lying idle and requested use of same, but were informed that the vessel was R.A.F. property and we were unable to obtain permission to use her.
Received instructions to stand by and later to return to own Base.
Throughout twenty seven hours spent at Dunkirk and adjacent beaches, were under continuous bombardment from the air and shelling from the land.
i
2.
286
307
EPORT OF "EILA II" (contd).
miles to the south east, and on coming up with it, I found three French soldiers whom I took on board. I disembarked them at Newhaven, and after obtaining new Routing Orders
6.I proceeded to Hamble, leaving Newhaven 0955 and arriving
Hamble 1845.
I wish to mention P.O. C.S.Smith, P/J 14350 for extreme roolness under fire and A.B. K.F. Marriott, P/SSX 237766
for volunteering to man the dinghy.
Sgd. E.H.Batt, Lieut. R.N.V.R.
Commanding Officer.
6th. May 1940.

REPORT OF 'BOUNTY' (Contd).
of I should Petty Officer like to draw T.Jones special throughout attention operations. to the magnificent work 295
2
The Potter-Irwin following officers, Sub.Lieuts. Godman and ships accompanied and me and reported to Ramsgate,
Our names were accordingly entered on the Volunteer's List.
volunteering services on the following day if required.
June 2. Having reported to Ramsgate, we were informed course of day, found M.T.B.101. lying idle and requested use that only fast and shallow draft vessels were required. During of same, but were informed that the vessel was R.A.F. property and we were unable to obtain permission to use her.
Received instructions to stand by and later to return to own Base.
Throughout twenty seven hours spent at Dunkirk and adjacent beaches, were under continuous bombardment from the air and shelling from the land.
308
REPORT OF INNER PATROL YACHT "SERIOLA"
COmmanding Officer, Lieut. D.A.Dawson, R.N.V.R.
- 287
29. 1800. Left Hamble in formation for Dover, my division consisting of "SERIOLA", "EILA II", "AHOLA" & "NONETA".
30. 0930. Arrived Dover, and seet into submarine basin, S.O.I.P
and myself went to report to S.N.O. Dover and received final orders for our departure.
2200. Left Dover.
31 0500. Arrived off Bray, leading my division, when we received signal to commence embarking troops from beach to destroyers lying farther out. This lasted until about 1000, when I received a signal from a destroyer to proceed to
La Panne and carry on with the same routine there.
1200. Suggestion made to run a grass rope from "SERIOLA" to the shore, which would enable the troops to pull themselves out by the aid of this warp in boats etc. Sub.Lt.Godman, r.n.v.r left "SERIOLA" in a whaler with a Lt., R.N.V.R. off
H.M.S. "Hebe2 to operate the shore end. Unfortunately, a lorry was driven into the sea and turned over, fouling the line, so this idea had to be abandoned. With great difficulty we were able to get Sub. Lt. Godman aboard again as the whaler which took him off, left the shore without him, with a full load of troops. A severe bombardment was going on at the time and, consequently, most small craft had withdrawn to seawards but in spite of a big sea running at the time, we managed to lower our dinghy and got him aboard in an exhausted condition. We then prodeeded to continue disembarking
1500. troops. Received signals from H.M.S.Keith to go and collect two whalers and crews foroperations off La Panne during the
1530. evening. Received signal from C.O. "NONETA" to say that she had a dead man on board and her P.O. badly wounded. Closed her and the C.O. suggested that he should take Sub.Lt. Godman to with him. This I agreed to and advised him to return
Ramsgate "NONETA" was holed above the water line.
1630. Collected as the two whalers and crews and set off for La
Panne. the whalers and their respective crews.
1800. Received Beached signal from "BOUNTY" which was flying the
The of Commodore me and my crew that the hours 2100 on the that flag Stephenson WMMXXXXX ordering us to close.
day Commodore to the told following morning were to be considered to get as many Hour" and possible. We then returned to night. La
"Zero 0400 eh hoped we would do our utmost Panne and continued men off transporting as troops throughout the
(Continued).