TNA ADM 199 790

c. (For use with S. 1320b).
NAVAL MESSAGE.
F 357
(Revised
October, 1935.)
2
55
0800 Tuesda 272. Arrived at La Panne and anchared new Alel 60
Tasman who 100 beached Productive
65
70
on and unlowing ammunitors.
75
We started walnating my deck
80
Cargo boats. landed hart of it in the Ships
85
At 1300 I vent whose mPm
06
breat Slater, HMS Alice
95
to See The anthorities where about 100
105
what My wanted done
We met lient Commander Crick 110
115
commaning H.M.S Abel Talman, 1.
120
Add in he was evacuating trops +
should do The Same when me had
125
130
sincharged Some of MN carge
135
At 1400 the The the lete
140
attacked by 10 forman tombers 10
145
shopped HE, incenting toubs +
150
108/35, machand gurmed the ships trops 270 Be I.0022
disaured and was very close to a wreck. "Express" of her went
Troops on board - towed her clear - and took are name "was towed antern troops bombing and in view of the mumber men transferred conditio the and approximately attacks were continued in the vicinity. of and the alongside 45 wounded. Later Jaguar At about whi the tow parted I ordered "Jaguar" to anchor, Travlo to remaining or the wounded troops, and proceeded to Dover leaving a

&
358
c. (For use with S. 1320b).
NAVAL3 MESSAGE.
(Revised
October, 1935.)
beach. the ships were not hit ty
55
faints except me incentions which
60
fell in the bed of Atel Tasman + 65
luckily find not again These 70
several Army calmalties + the following 75
Naval casmelties from machine gring 80
Kille:- Fresk/Bron A.B.
85
Wounded:- hut. Commander Crick R.N.
2
hint. Griffith R.N.V. R.
95
hient Criffith has Since check of his 100
woulds. All were from Abl Tuman.
105
The two womed Officers were 110
very efficiently dealt with / taken 113
to the first and post ty P.O.V.C. 120 125
Harving the Coxing of +
E.R.A. shorthise The E.R.A. of Alel Tahman. 130
At this time I was still ashare 135
with The Colonel of R.A.S.C. / hient flater.
140
1 fan Lient lounds Crick +
145
took Command of the ther I Thips. - 11,30 live, 150
IND
disaried is - and was very close to a wreck. of her troops
DATE a "Express" went
Troops on board - her clear - and took are some "was towed datern alongside towed wounded. Later"Jaguar" At about 1830 while continued in the vicinity. and the view of the member of non transferred condition the remaining or the wounded troops, and proceeded to Dover the tow I ordered "Jaguar" to anchor, leaving a Trawle to

--353
C. (For use with S. 13206).
NAVAL MESSAGE.
359
(Revised
October, 1933.)
I apported mighelf * Afel Tasman +
$5
told hent Slates to appoint his
60
Find hientenant heat Wykeham Martin 65
as C.O. Kaap - Falga heat flater
70
Ben went John the teach to Bry
75
with the Adjustment R.A. SC t arrange
30
85
atant unloading Kaep. Falga 2 Alice
2
Dese the unfortation started
95
at 1530 with trile mmg fast. At
100
105
1700 Keep Felga L Alice flated +
110
got when way. 1 hashed Alice
115
+ bassed a grass for him t tow my
120
faid out from Alel Twhnan / 9 had stem off There were No andres
123
no hands to Pay Ren ant m the time 135 130
viz H.W. 1745 Alia Per Broke down L
1 temoked my grass. By This time 140 145
1 was manufany De engines and
130
the ship was lecoming water - time. the - -
live disabieu CASH and was very to a "Express" of her troops went
THE wounded. continued THE At about 1830 the on board her clear - towed astern while approximately 45 view "Jaguar" of the member to anchor, of non transferred and Trawlo condition the to remaining of the the tow wounded troops, I ordered and proceeded to Dover leaving a

354
(For use with S. 1320b).
NAVAL-MESSAGE.
(Revised
October, 93360
The
Next time I had a moment to $5
share 1 faw Alice's new in her
60
boat 2 ming over to Kaap. Yulga
65
who tas about eight cables f
70
seaward of me have to We hailed him
75
t tried to Signal ht no nitree was
80
taken 1 was Per handed by ment.
85
Slater t took him n found
90
The ship was by air now 1745 100 95
afloat but tumpany + being inver in the m she Name,W. I
105
managed to get the stem clear by putting 110 113
the troops formal + Der 14 has ty
120
moving Her aft. De Pen went 125
alead / after growding harily twice 130
got into deeparater.
135
As the Gennan ameraft were still
140
present we took advantage of A mm
145
Squall t sarted immunitely
150
Kamp-Jalga had (655) by - new 11.30
A
THIS
disabiou was very close to a wreck. "Express" of her troops went
Troops on board and her clear - towed datern
STATE view "Jaguar" of the member to anchor, leaving of non transferred a Trawle the to wounded. continued in the visinity. and At about 1830 the condition while remaining of the wounded troops, I and proceeded to Dover

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

358
364
Page II
proceed at slow speed. "Express" arrived at midnight and troops a trawler to escort "Jaguar" who was later able to were performance. disembarked, the number of wounded making this a slow
Having completed with fuel "Express" left
Dover by route Y at 0920 30th May,arrived alongside Dunkirk pier at 1245 and with about 800 troops onboard sailed at 1315
arriving Dover 1650. Ship sailed again by route Y at 1800
and arrived off La Panne beach at 2130 and commenced embarking troops by ships and other small boats.
At 0250 31st May Rear Admiral Dover Straits and staffembarked and later "Express" acted as desired by the
Rear Admiral who transferred to "Keith" at 0700/31. More troops were embarked and having got about 600 onboard including Major-
General Thorne I proceeded to Dover arriving at 1115.
"Express" sailed again by route Y at 1215.
While passing 511 buay the ship came under fire from Gravelines batteries and was straddled. This fire was returned.
On arrival off Dunkirk roads all ships present engaged enemy aircraft intermitiently who were carrying out bombing attacks and the prospect of going alongside the
Eastern side of Dunicirk Pier was investigated. At about 1700 dive bombing attacks on Destroyers off Bray was particularly heavy.
Two attacks were carried out on "Express",one salvo was a near miss ahead, and the other straddled, five depth charge type bomba falling close all round the ship. Aircraft were heavily engaged and no damage was sustained except for small breakages. At 1830
"Express" again entered Dunkirk and embarked about 700 troops sailing at 1900.
Shortly after a large number of enecty bonbers and fighters attacked ships approaching Dunkirk including a large number of small craft. Several aircraft were seen to be destroyed as a result of our aircraft attacking.
After disemberking troops at about 2300/31
"Express" proceeded to oil and at about 0400 1st June secured to buoy and made good small defects including severed Coll.
At 2200 2nd June "Express" left Dover and arrived off Dunkirk where there was considerable congestion and I was unable to get wires secured - the bonhardment appeared alongside. Ship entered at 0200/3 but the pier una eapty of troops this time. The Rear Admiral accordingly to return to Dover in company with "Codrington"
and ships arrived there at 0500.
into North Goodwin which persisted until to buay. sink
"Express" proceeded at 2200 3rd June aya and ran as Dunkirk at presumed mine. explosion. "Express" British Beach
Arrived thick fog off 0230/4 where an unknown ship was seen secured to party. pier and embarked appeared to be not quite after passing on the a result of a 600 French Proops and the 80 heavy as the previous The bombardment night. ht. The ship mailed at 0300 and through rog in the Downa arrived Dover at 0610.
At 1200 "Express" and "Windsor" sailed for
Portamouth.
About 3500 troopa had been whichet transported.
red to be mailed at at 0610.

Dynam 66
Alu/o/14
ECRET
1415
120
NARRATIVE OF M.V. "RIKA" DURING THE PERIOD 27TH MAY TO
5TH JUNE, 1940, ENGAGED IN EVACUATION OF B.E.F.
FROM... The Commanding Officer, M.V. "Rika".
DATE
...
6th June, 1940.
No.1/6.
.
TO
...
The Vice Admiral, Dover Command.
(Copy to:- The Commander-in-Chief, The Nore.)
27th May, 1940.
0930.
Assumed command of M.V. "Rika" at Tilbury Landing
Stage and commissioned with 1 officer and 10
ratings from Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham.
Day spent in wiping, storing and provisioning ship.
Owing to negative wiping, the operation was carried out three times and was eventually satisfactory for a depth of over 50 feet.
28th May, 1940.
0600.
Left Tilbury Landing Stage and embarked pilot off
Gravesend. Proceeded to Southend for compass adjustment.
1130.
Compass adjustment completed; proceeded to Sheerness for orders.
1300.
Arrived alongside Sheerness for additional stores.
Storing continued throughout the day.
2000.
Received orders from D/M Commander to proceed at daybreak by 'y' Channel to Le Paine Beach.
La lawne
29th May, 1940.
0500.
Left Sheerness and proceeded as directed.
1644.
Off Middlekerke Buoy - attacked by enemy dive bombing aircraft. 4 bombs were dropped on ship which fell approximately 100 yards off starboard quarter. Aircraft repeated attack; this time the bombs fell approximately the same distance off the portbeam. No damage was sustained although the vessel was severely shaken.
As the ship was unarmed, no defensive action could be taken.
1815.
Observed H.M.S. "Jaguar" had been hit by enemy bomba and proceeded to render assistance. Embarked approximately 280 B.E.F. survivors from "Jaguar" and proceeded at full speed to the Downs.
30th May, 1940.
*********

512
Trayler "LORD HOWE".
PRINCIPAL 483
21JUN1940
71111 Honry Pollock,
ROGM 8009
Trawler was Port ordered to Calai with a oar of amminittion.
7
dunes she to the was leavily shelled by concesled On mong South of the Port. atmost mpossible to force an entrance, the trawler drow and reported to
Dover. On receiving the order "Proceed to Childre was decided to approach the entrance to the Port from the North.
Inder a heavy barrage of H.E. and shrapnel fire the Skipper of the travler ucceeded in entering the port and taking up position alongside the Quat mitime - Eastern end. As there was no labour or assistance to be btained from the Quai the crew of the trawler started to discharge the argo of ammunition. This entailed hauling the boxes of ammunition by land from the deck of the trawler to the top of the Qual, a distance of ome 22 feet, and dragging them across the Duai to a place of safety.
he whole proceeding under a devastating. fire from the enemy. There was no rotection of any sort and none of the enemy were equipped with steel elmets. The discharge continued orderly and efficiently until ordered to top by Commodore Gandell, R.N., who decided that the danger was too great, nd sent the trawler to sea. Again the trawler came under a heavy direct
'ire from the enemy, but with great skill the Skipper succeeded in bringing is ship safely out of danger.
[ cannot too highly commend Skipper W.H. Pollock, WHO in ition to his luty with regard to his cargo, gave me every possible assistance, enabling me to report to Commodore Gandell, R.N., also contacting S.
who with the aid of a plan given to me by the Commodore was able to hell the Port and so relieve the pressure on our Troops.
town, suspicions ashore and had to
Dover. 29th May 1940.
Brammell
(signed) L.C. WHITTLE.
Lieutenant R.N.R.
just in time, as
4
ogened on the rechs procesded down
It due to the quiet party got that navere
OUR
Commanding Officer,
C men received shrapnel wounds
"Canterbury" "Calvi", "Polly
Hms. Gulzar,
% W. O, think the one by "Jaguar". "Jaguar"
raiders were driven off.
London to their wounded. the and got from "Grenade" for the more

NAVAL
21 JUNISTANT
PRINCIPAL SEA TRANSPORT OFFICE,.
7-
FRENCH PORTS,
MINISTRY OF SHIPPING,
ROOM 8009
*
BERKELEY SQUARE HOUSE,
7
FP/YX/4.
of
BERKELEY SQUARE,
LONDON. W.1.
20th June, 1940.
The Director of Sea Transport.
Sir,
C.V. Brammell, R.N.R. of H.M.S. "GULZAR".
I have the honour to bring to your notice Lieutenant
2. On the evening of 26/27th May, 1940, I was informed by
Vice Admiral, Dover, that H.M.S. "GULZAR" was placed at my disposal to go to Calais to take water and stretchers, and to bring back wounded.
3. Lieutenant Brammell brought his ship into Calais, it being a very dark night, turned round, and secured with slip lines alongside the steps of the Gare Maritime. All this was done without noise, which enabled the officers landing to get ashore unnoticed. On entering the channel, the complete absence of any firing raised suspicions that the enemy might already have taken the town, suspicions which were confirmed when the landing party got ashore and had to return hurriedly to the yacht.
4. Lieutenant Brammell slipped his lines very quickly and got away just in time, as a heavy fire from rifles and machine guns was opened on the yacht from the neighbourhood of the steps as she proceeded down the entrance.
5. It was due to the quiet discipline in his ship that the landing party got ashore unnoticed, and due to his seamanship and smartness that we got quickly away; any delay might have entailed severe casualties.
/6.
be were dropped, but they were
Commanding Officer,
HMS. Gulzar,
"Canterbury," "Calvi", "Polly e men received shrapnel wounds
% W.P. Oi, the raiders were driven off.
London think one by "Jaguar". "Jaguar"
hips attended to their wounded.
18 "Canterbury" and got the from "Grenade" for the more

517
CONFIDENTIAL.
Ref No. GD.445/57 445/58
48548
4
7
FROM:
CAPTAIN M/S, DOVER.
DATE:
1ST JULY, 1940.
TO:
COMMANDER MARTINEAU R.N.
às the
The attached in connection with "Dynamo"
Operation is forwarded for your perusal.
him RN.
to
Captain M/S.
d de
Ia"
be were dropped, but they were he Commanding Officer,
HMS. Gulzar,
"Canterbury," "Calvi", "Polly e men received shrapnel wounds
90 W.P. O,
London the raiders were driven off.
think one by "Jaguar". "Jaguar"
hips attended to their wounded.
10 "Canterbury" and got the from "Grenade" for the more

488
48
FROM:
LIEUTENANT C.V. BRAMMALL R.N.R.
DATE:
30TH JUNE, 1940.
TO:
CAPTAIN M/S, DOVER.
Ref. G. Gipson, A.B. (T.124).
Reference my report on operations carried out by
"Gulzar" during the period 21st/27th May, 1940, on the
French Coast. I beg to submit the name of A.B.,Gipson (T.124)
for special mention who volunteered, and landed at Calais at the Gare Maritime with Captain Robinson R.A. to assist locating wounded, and afterwards was forced to return by enemy fire.
I am enclosing a note from Commodore V.P. Gandell R.N
referring to the above.
Grammall
Lieutenant R.N.R.
be were dropped, but they were
Commanding Officer, tms. hulzar,
"Canterbury," "Calvi", "Polly
T men received shrapnal wounds
90 W. On the raiders were driven off.
London think one by "Jaguar". "Jaguan"
tips attended to their wounded.
18 "Canterbury" and rot the from "Grenade" for the more

Report Operations of - LIEUTENANT R. BILL
G.D.
517
Wednesday with M/S Trawlers at R.N. on
48
Trawlers 29th May, 1940, and the Dunkerque loss of
N°
"CALVI" & "POLLY JOHNSON
To: Commander M/S,
Dover.
arley
Brach oux calve
Sir,
Fylder (So)
John Getting
Wednesday 29th May, 1940.
connection operations by M/S Trawlers at Dunkerque report on
I with have the honour to submit the following Pic/der Johnson in routes, and impressed on them that they must act independently explained what we were going to do, issued and explained their
Before sailing I collected all Unit Officers. and in the case of an emergency. I then instructed them to and
0400. independently and meet me in the vicinity of the Gull Buoy by
Ladders were embarked off Ramsgate by 0430 and we rriving at 1330.
no No.: ABBEY 7711.
MINISTRY OF SHIPPIK?
ignalled to S.N.O. through nter harbour. The reply reply to this communication
BERKELEY SQUARE HOUSE, our after 1600". I then quote the following reference
BERKELEY SQUARE, he beach", as there were nsports alongside the vall.
LONDON, W.I. harbour and pull off"Loch rth".
Prammal
25th June, 1940.
0 follow no in. and TO pulled
Dear Branwal, eeded to take her berth. The harbour and berthed alongaide
If you are sending in any report mmander yat about on our midnight trip to Calais, I
should like to remind you of one of your A.B.'s, Gibson by name, who was he Piermaster and asked for plucky enough to go ashore into the wait and to fill up my ships
Gare Maritime with Captain Robinson, R.A.
renade" had completed. Ladders
3 were prepared to receive
Yours W.P.Gandell sincerely be no troops had appeared at was nearly full and "Tynella"
also nearly full and was animed other traffic along the
E ships at this time.
about 1530, by about six or re and a fairly effective be were dropped, but they were
Commanding Officer, tms. hulzar,
"Canterbury," "Calvi", "Polly e men received shrapnel wounds
% his On
London the raiders were driven off.
think one by "Jaguar". "Jaguar"
hips attended to their wounded.
18 "Canterbury" and not the from "Grenade" for the more

Report Operations of - LIEUTENANT R. BILL R.N.
G.D.
517
Wednesday with M/S Trawlers at on
29th May, 1940, and the Dunkerque loss of
N:
Trawlers "CALVI" & "POLLY JOHNSON
7
To: Commander M/S,
Dover.
arley
Brack oux calvi
Sir,
Fyldax (So)
Telm Getting connection with operations by M/S Trawlers at Dunkerque on
I have the honour to submit the following report in
Paller Johnson
Wednesday 29th May, 1940.
Before sailing I collected all Unit Officers and explained what we were going to do, issued and explained their routes, and impressed on them that they must act independently in the case of an emergency. I then instructed them to onil
0400. independently and meet me in the vicinity of the Gull Buoy by
Ladders were embarked off Ramsgate by 0430 and we proceeded in company to Dunkerque, arriving at 1330.
On arrival I hove to and signalled to S.N.O. through
"Grenade" requesting permission to enter harbour. The reply came back "Wait - you may enter harbour after 1600". I then signalled - "Can I be more use off the beach", as there were already three destroyers and the transports alongside the wall.
I then received the signal - "Enter harbour and pull off"Loch
Garry," trawlers may then take her berth".
I then signalled "Arley" to follow ne in. and we pulled
"Lock Garry" from the wall, and proceeded to take her berth. The remaining four trawlers then entered harbour and berthed alongside us as directed by the Piermaster (Commander yat about
1420.
I landed and reported to the Piermaster and asked for instructions. I was instructed to wait and to fill up my ships after the transport "Fynella" and "Grenade" had completed. Ladders were rigged up the wall and the ships were prepared to receive troops.
Fenella
Up to this time practically no troops had appeared at the far end of the pier, and "Jaguar" was nearly full and "Fynella"
about half full. "Canterbury" was also nearly full and was embarking wounded which completely jammed other traffic along the pier. Sketch "A" shews positions of ships at this time.
The first raid occurred at about 1530, by about six or seven bombers. All ships opened fire and a fairly effective barrage was put up. About 20/30 bombs were dropped, but they were mostly wide.
There were near misses on "Canterbury," "Calvi", "Polly
Johnson" and "Jaguar" and a number of men received shrapnel wounds in all these ships.
One down by fighters and I think one by "Jaguar", "Jaguan"
Fighters then appeared and the raiders were driven off.
left was shot and the remainder of ships attended to their wounded. the
I harbour, to place all wounded in the "Canterbury" and got the assistance arranged of the Surgeon Lieutenant from "Grenade" for more serious cases.

-2-
518
Skipper considered not to embark made the return journey and instructed damaged I 489
I she inspected could "Polly Johnson" and although more them to "Brock".
serious to transfer more than fifty men, and if damage became the
7
"Fynella" I was "Canterbury" then and a few other troops wandered in the
During and this lull more wounded troops were embarked and I all Officers abreast each ship and instructed my ships them jetty. stationed told that I could try and fill up up unwilling in what they considered "fishing boats" at order unwounded to embark men down into the trawlers. They were mostly to first and made various excuses to try and get to the larger ships.
As the rate of filling up was so slow I asked the Piermaster if I could send the four outside ships to sea to wait their turns and decrease the target, but I was told that there would be a large number of men ready as soon as the wounded had been embarked and that the ships were to remain alongside.
I was then asked by the Piermaster if I would place a trawler alongside the Western Jetty and light some smoke floats, and he suggested that I might like to volunteer for the job. I
said that I was quite prepared to do the job by boat, but that I
did not consider it possible to place a ship alongside the jetty as the foundations of the pier were shewing when I entered harbour, and that my trawlers were all drawing over 15 feet while the rise and fall on that day was only 11 feet.
"Jaguar" completed and left harbour during this period, and a large paddle steamer (I think Crested Eagle) berthed shead of "Fynella".
At about 1630 the second raid was carried out, but this was a rather half-hearted affair. All ships opened fire as before, and no damage was done to the ships alongside. About 20/30 bombs were dropped as before but they were divided between three targets
"Jaguar" leaving the harbour - the ships alongside, and two French destroyers on the opposite side of the harbour. The "Jaguar" was damaged.
Fighters again appeared and the raiders were driven off.
The Canterbury completed and left harbour, and a destroyer came in to take her place.
After this raid more troops started to come down the pier and although traffic was still hampered by the wounded and stretcher cases quite a large number were embarked in the trawlers.
At about 1800 the third raid started. This was a very much more determined attack, and the bombers came over in waves at a few minute intervals - fire was opened but fighters appeared and it was impossible to tell if they were enemy or not and it hanpered the firing to a great extent.
About 100 bombs were dropped, and the attack appeared to be directed entirely on the pier and the ships alongside.
The "Calvi" and "Grenade" received direct hits and sank ensign remained flying from the foremast. There was a Mrect hit immediately. "Calvi's" masts and funnel were above water and her amount of panic ensued and men started climbing out of one shore. ship on the pier close to the end and "Fynella" was damaged. A cortain into another, and some attempted to run back towards the
At this time I was with the Piermaster and he instructed with me to draw revolver to quell the panto and to load up survivors and my troops and to get the ships out as quickly as possible.

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As instructed the wreck "John of the "Grenade" was drifting down on the I
follow and ships out. "Polly Johnson" and "Brock" and to the other Cattling" to attempt to pull her clear trawlers,
7
up troops survivors, got clear, and proceeded out of harbour picked at full speed. "Arley" was clear and "Fyldea" under way.
and several the more troops and survivors jumped on board. I was
The Skipper of "Fyldea" kept his ship close to the wall further up but pier trying to find the Piermaster again for further instructions, I failed to find him and just managed to jump on board as she was leaving. This was at about 1815.
Lieutenant Peake the First Lieutenant of the "Granade"
then told me that the Piermaster had also instructed him to get the ships clear of it and to go round to the beaches. I therefore took the four remaining ships towards the beaches and signalled to the ships there asking if there were any troops available for me. After three unsuccessful attempts to obtain further troops to fill up to capacity - all ships replying that they were themselves having difficulty in completing I received signals from "Polly Johnson"
and "Brock" stating that they were damaged. I ordered "Arley" to stand by "Polly Johnson" and to remove her crew and sink her if necessary.
With "Brock" in company I then proceeded towards the "Jaguar"
who was anchored in the vicinity of the Nieuport Bank Buoy with her troops on board and another destroyer alongside her, and asked if I
should take some from her. I was told to escort her as she had to Express boats and I therefore told "Brock", whose damage was slight, to proceed independently. I proceeded with "Brock for about two miles to exchange the necessary signals and satisfy myself that she was capable of making the journey and then returned to "Jaguar".
By this time she had weighed, and I followed astern of her and signalled my maximum speed.
At about 1930, five German Dive Bombers passed on our port side at about 2500 feet, in the direction of the "Jaguar" and started to make an attack. We opened fire with the 12 pounder and one plane detached itself from the formation and made an attack on us. As the plane straightened up to attack I gave the order"hard-a-stareoard"
Six bombs were dropped which fell about 40/50 yards on our port beam.
We then straightened up and proceeded on our course.
The other planes attacked the "Jaguar" who replied with her multiple pom-poms and zig-zagged, and no hits were registered, although all attacks appeared to be very close to her.
After this attack she increased speed and she was soon out of sight.
Having been left by "Jaguar" - who was taking a different route I set a course for the Dyck Buoy and followed "y" route.
Between "T" and "S" buoys I overtook "Brock" and she signalled that she could only steam at half speed and that she had three serious cases on board. I signalled her to heave to and went "Fyldea". alongside her and transferred her survivors and troops to
I then proceeded at full speed and arrived back at Dover at 0300.
During the bombing raids and the periods between, the situation was so tense that it would have been almost impossible to realize any passage of time, so that the times in this report may be in error to a considerable extent.