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).
I should like Officer to T.Jones draw special attention to the magnificent work 295
of, Petty throughout operations.
2
officers, Lieut.D.A.Dawson, Sub.Lieuts. Godman accompanied me and reported to Ramsgate, and services on the following day if required.
Our names were accordingly entered on the Volunteer's List.
June 2. Having reported to 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.
-
309
REPORT OF "SERIOLA" (contd).
288
ne 1 0700. Signal from destroyer to collect all boats lying in the channel between La Panne and Dunkirk and to take them in tow to the latter place so that they could then drift ashore. This had been carried out by 0830. We then collected several boathloads of troops who boarded us and we took them to a destroyer lying off Dunkirk. The Captain of this destroyer asked me if I could tow the "BOUNTY" back to
Ramsgate as her port engine had been put out of action.
This I agreed to.
0845. Closed "BOUNTY" which was lying on the other side of the destroyer and took off Commodore Stephenson and Lt.
Lundy, R.N.V.R. (C.O. of "BOUNTY"). We then took "BOUNTY"
in tow. the Commodore gave me orders to leave the vicinity immediately and set course for Ramsgate. "LAHLOO" was in company with is. We were attacked by aircraft machine gunning us but the damage done was slight.
1430. Arrived Ramsgate. Reported to S.N.O., Ramsgate,
S.O.I.P. at Hamble and to Flag Lieut. to C. in C., Portsmouth.
The following officers reported with me to S.N.O., Ramsgate:-
Lieut. Lundy of "BOUNTY",
Sub.Lt. Godman (with me on "SERIOLA")
We offered services for anything that might be required
Sub.Lt. Potter Irwin, C.O. of "NONETA".
and the our 0.qccordingly put our names down on the volunteerM did.
list, and asked us to report next day to him, which we ne 2. When reported to S.N.O. Ramsgate, we were informed use, that no craft with a search of a suitable craft. We found ourselves M.T.B.101
we speed of less than 15 knots was of any not so we went in suggested that we manned her and being took her used, accross. so This unfortunately was not permitted as it belonged to the R.A.F.
ne 4 Received orders from S.N.O. to sail at 0800 on the 5th. and to collect charts and routes.
ne 5 with "BOUNTY" in tow, followed the by rate "LAHLOO" we were &
0830. "SERIOLA", I realised that minefields at off the
Nab going "NONETA" during we would left the Ramsgate. hours be in of the darkness, vicinity of so thought the it would be advisable to make Examination for Newhaven. anchorage, to Newhaven. Shoreham. Exam Ship refused 1800. Arrived us entry, at to shorehamporteported go to S.N.O.,
2030. Shoreham, Tied SOIP up at at and at 1030.
As we ne
6.
With ordering cancelled. sailed us to return at once were as all were (Continued).

REPORT OF 'BOUNTY' (Contd).
of, Petty throughout operations.
I should Officer like to T.Jones draw special attention to the magnificent work 295
2
The following Potter-Irwin officers, Lieut. Dawson, Sub.Lieuts. Godman and ships accompanied and me and reported to 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 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.
Good
290
REPORT OF INNER PATROL YACHT "LAHLOO". C.O., Lieut.J.V.Ould, R.N.V.R.
y
29. 1740. Slipped and proceeded to sea from Hamble.
Took station with yachts of Inner Patrol on course for Dover.
y 30 Made fast on arrival in Dover Harbour. Depth Charges removed,
1050 hours.
1940. Cast off and, proceeding from Harbour, took station with yachts. Crossed Channel in station with yachts.
81 0610. Arrived off Zuydcoote. Destroyer signalled to lay off close to beach and tow boat loads of soldiers as they pulled out from beach to destroyers. Carried on with this work for some hours taking many boat loads in tow.
In the course of this operation was told that a boat had overturned in seas which had now got up somewhat considerably.
Hurried round stern of a destroyer and found quantities of men struggling in the water. Managed to save seven of them and put them aboard a destroyer. (In point of fact I believe only one of the boat load was lost.) Carried on towing as before while being bombed at frequent intervals, by enemy aircraft.
During the afternoon, Commodore Stephenson in "BOUNTY"
ordered me to proceed to La Panne and close destroyers off
Went shore. alongside H.M.S.HEBE who gave me a boat with three ratings and told me to lay off La Panne and put this boat
1700. Lay off La panne as ordered and, while waiting for Lord ashore to take off General Lord Gort.
Gort, took several boat loads of soldiers who had rowed
1830. Boat brought out General Lord Gort and his Aide and de out from shore and put them aboard destroyers.
put him aboard me. H.M.S.HEBE. It appeared to me that bombed enemy
Camp out to He came aboard and I took him over the knew of his departureas they shelled the beach and over it as he left and a very large enemy formation flew and him aboard the HEBE.
Continued to lay nightfall, off by which time they were Had had no coming bombed as I put La Panne as instructed, taking only off out further had La him soldiers away Panne at told from intervals orders me until in him the to in lay except early with consequence With alongside morning about that first the two him daylight of and flaet men which told the per were me destroyer I I if lost found boat. he to going had lay touch myself further KEITH had to with shell any near who
I.P. instructions. Yacht in the "SERIOLA" dark. Found and he had closed not to so see told him we would remain around there until further orders.
(Continued).

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 Potter-Irwin following officers, Dawson, Sub.Lieuts. Godman and ships accompanied and me and reported to Ramsgate,
Our names accordingly entered on the Volunteer's List.
volunteering were 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 and we were unable to obtain permission to use her.
of same, but were informed that the vessel was R.A.F. property
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.
-
REPORT OF INNER PATROL YACHT "LAHLOO" (Contd).
201
ne 1 0400 (about). Destroyer signalled us to collect various empty boats which were drifting about and tow them inshore
While doing this we were bombed and continually shot at by enemy fighter aircraft. It occurred to me as poetic justice that I who had been on night bombing duty at
Dunkirk in the last war should now be well bombed myself in this war.
It should here be mentioned that my crew behaved splendidly throughout. None of them had been properly under fire before and they took the almost continuous bombing, shelling and shooting up without a trace of nerves. My
Engr., D.Brewer was invaluable in sending and receiving signals under these circumstances.
Collected several boats as ordered and also picked up several boat loads of soldiers from shore again, putting them aboard a sloop. While putting the last of these aboard a bomb fell right alongside and a splinter broke the fore skylight and hit one of my crew on his steel helmet. This ship seemed to bear a charmed life and though we had several bombs alongside I can only think that they were so close as to be ineffective.
While carrying on the work I have mentioned, we were closed by BOUNTY with the Commodore aboard who was good enough to express pleasure at finding that we were still carrying on. He told SERIOLA to take BOUNTY in tow and ordered me to slip the boats I was towing and to lead him back to Ramagate.
0815. Set course over Route X for Ramsgate. On the way back we were again attacked, being bombed, and shot up by fighter aircraft. Off the North Goodwin Light a launch I
had the alongside Commodore's orders to precede him to Ramsgate for and, we came and bold me to return to Dunkirk, but had point of for my five nights, as before we left which in fact, crew and I were almost all in Hamble we had had been no sleep on patrol under special circumstances had made us do without sleep for two nights.
1500. Made fast at Ramsgate.
ine 2 We were told that our aboard boats my were not Refuelled at Ramsgate. further duty. I stayed told was fast enough for so swollen with what I am of SERIOLA, boat shock, as that my but the my 00.'s name down with theirs
BOUNTY to take AND a fast a the but none was available.
une 3 & 4. In Ramsgate awaiting orders.
(Continued).

REPORT OF "NONETA" (Contd).
322
sub. Lieut. reported Godman that joined me about 1640 and the engineer N. 301
having I got we were leaking and making water very slightly, under way at once.
12
We left Bray at 1650. Arrived at Ramsgate at about 2200, when I reported to N.O.i/C. and arrangements were made to remove the wounded.
June 1. At 0500 Sub.Lieut.Godmen took over a naval pinnace and sailed for Dunkirk.
At 1500 "Seriola", "Bounty", and "Lahloo" arrived at Ramsgate. I reported to my C.O. Lieut. Dawson and sailed, in company, to Hamble.
I would like to recommend very highly,
E.C. Hallet, Engineer T.124
B.P. Whitehouse, A.B. S.T.
C.Wilyman, A.B. S.T., for all their calm and brilliant work.
Under very difficult circumstances they set about their task cheerfully and without a thought for themselves.
I consider myself particularly fortunate to have had these men with me.
Petty Officer Lock was with me in the wheel-house until he was wounded and although in great pain cheered and encouraged the others and kept up the morale of the ship.
(Sgd) a I Potter Irain
Sub.Lieut. R.N.V.R.