TNA ADM 199 790

Dywans 206.
A14/075
SECRET.
- 363
REPORT 07 PROCEEDINGS DUNKIRK OPERATIONS.
FROM
THE COMMANDING OFFICER E.M.S.EXPRESS
DATE
9th JUNE 1940.
TO
THE VICE ADMIRAL DOVER
(Copy to the Director of Operations Division (M)
Admiralty 1.
I have the honour to submit the following report or proceedings of H.M.S Express under if command, in
Dunkirk. connection with the ships participation in the Operations at
On Sunday May 26th all ships of the 20th
Destroyer Plotilla were at Dasingham loading mines and completing with fuel etc. At about 2200 on that ay"Dulaive"
proceeded to Dover in accurdance with Admiralty orders to take part in Taut Wire Measuring Gear Operations from that Port.
The remaining vessels of the 20th Destroyer Flotilla sailed at 0700 on Monday 27th May and carried out Operation B.S.9.
on completion of which at about 1445 ships proceeded through the Downs and in accordance with Admiralty Orders I ordered
"Express" and "Rak" to Portsmouth and "Intrepid" "Ivanhoe"
and "Icarus" to the Testern Approaches.
"Expre a"and "Eak" proived Portanouth at
0600 28th May, completed with 011,and sailed for Cover at 1415
at 30 knots, entering Harbour at 2000. At 2040 in company with "Malcoln" and "Scimitar", "Express" and "Sat" proceeded via Suydcoote Channel and arrived off Bray Beach at 0130 on
29th May! All Boats were lowered and commenced embarking military until about 1200. This was an exceedingly slow operation owing to the lack of Power Boats, and the smill though unpleasant seend on the Beach made proceedings difficult one whaler being lost.
A Bombing attack took place on Dunklise from Malo to La Panne at 1400 and then with about 500 troops took place about 1250, "Express" transferred S.N.O. Dunitibed:
at 1530 heavy Dive Bombing attack took place from which salvoes as ship was about to secure alongaide "Gronada" at and the to pier on board proceeded into Denkink by order of "Malcolm". Just or near misses a ahoad and astern arrived, splinters came aboard.
I proceeded out of harbour at speed, and own and ships gunfire and bomb explosions provided a an decision unusual since "grenada" was later destroyed in the harbour.
adjacent circumatance for all concerned. This proved fortunate
"Jaguar" was than sighted,stopped and disabled as board a and was very close to a wreck. "Expross" of her troops result of the attack. She had a large number went of
Troops on - towed her clear - and took aff acese towed intern and approximately were continued in the visinity. and the alongside 45 wounded. Later"Jaguar"was At about 1630 while bombing attacks and in view of the member of non transferred condition the the tow parted I ordered "Jaguar" to anchor, a Travlo to remaining of the wounded troops, and proceeded to Dover leaving

Dywans 206. A14/075 1473
SECRET.
363
REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS - DUNKIRK OPERATIONS.
FROM
THE COMMANDING OFFICER H.M.S.EXPRESS
DATE
9th JUNE 1940.
TO
THE VICE ADMIRAL DOVER
(Copy to the Director of Operations Division (M)
Admiralty 1.
I have the honour to submit the following report or proceedings of H.M.S Express under my command,in
Dunkirk. connection with the ships participation in the Operations at
On Sunday May 26th all ships or the 20th
Destroyer Flotilla were at Imingham loading nines and completing with fuel etc. At about 2200 on that day "Ingulsive"
proceeded to Dover in accurdance with Admiralty orders to take part in Taut Wire Measuring Gear Operations from that Port.
The remaining vessels or the 20th Destroyer Flotilla sailed at 0700 on Monday 27th May and carried out Operation B.S.9, on completion of which at about 1445 ships proceeded through the Downs and in accordance with Admiralty Orders I ordered
"Express" and "Sak" to Portsmouth and "Intrepid" "Ivanhoe"
and "Icarus" to the Western Approaches.
"Expre a"and "Eak" arrived Portsmouth at
0600 28th May, completed with oil,and sailed for Dover at 1415
at 30 knots, entering Harbour at 2000. At 2040 in company with "Malcoln" and "Scimitar", "Express" and "Sat" proceeded via Zuydcoote Channel and arrived off Bray Beach at 0130 on
29th May! All Boats were lowered and commenced embaricing military until about 1200. This was an exceedingly alow operation owing to the lack of Power Boats,a the smll though unpleasant seend on the Beach made proceedings difficult one whaler being lost,
A Bombing attack took place on Dunkirk took place about 1250, "Express" transferred Dunital from Malo to La Panne at 1400 and then with about 500 troops at 1530 heavy Dive Bombing attack took place and tro which salvoes as ship was about to secure alongaide "Grenado" at the pier on board proceeded into Denkirk by order of "malcolm". Just of near misses a ahead and astern arrived, splinters from came aboard.
I proceeded out of harbour at speed,and own and ships gunrire and bomb explosions provided an unusual decision circumstance since "Grenade" was later destroyed in the adjacent for all concerned. This proved harbour. a fortunate result of the attack. She had a large "Express" number went of
"Jaguar" was than aighted,stopped and
Troops on board - her clear - and took aff name towed datern disabled as a and was very close to a wreck. of her troops and approximately continued in the vicinity, and the alongside towed 45 wounded. Later"Jaguar"was At about 1830 while bombing attacks and were in view of the member of men transferred condition the remaining of the wounded troops, I and proceeded to Dover a the tow parted ordered "Jaguar" to anchor, leaving Travle to