TNA ADM 199 790

134
139
...herself.
IT was then discovered that the Yessel ranned was the drifter 'Comfort' and not he M.T.B.. V.A.Dover was informed of the circumstances as far as I then knew than; I also informed
Jason and Javelin not with shortly afterwards, of diafton's plight. On further questioning the two survivors of the
Comfort, it was ascertained that she had been picking up survivors from the Wakeful, when and explosion threw all on board into the water and disabled the Yessel. Three men managed to scramble back again, of whom two got on board
Lydd and the other who was apparently badly wounded, went down with the vessel when ahe was rammad.
I landed the troops at Ramsgate and returned to Dunkirk by $ X route.
When off Nieuport Bank buay as 1700 a large number of enemy aircraft started dive-bombing ships arriving and leaving, paying particular attention to the hospital ship St.Julien which had repeated attacks made on her.
I arriver off Bray at 1730 and sent boats inshore to embark troops. I did not anchor but lay to off the beach. At about 1745 andurgent call for assistance was received from 3.8.
clan Mee Allister which was on fire aft. I passed this to
Pangbourne who was just arriving, as I had already started embarking troops. panghourne then went alongaide the burning ship.
Embarkation was not such hampered as far as Lydd was conserued by the almos incessant boubing assacks; but 16 was

Dynam 106
153
H.M.S. *Pangbourne*
158
At Sea.
5th.June 1940.
Sir,
1 have the honour to forward the following narrative in accordance with your signal 2049/4/6.
At approximately midnight on Sunday 26th. May, H.M.S.
remainder of the
5th.4.S.
147
SLYDLE'S-CLOSE,
152
HIGHTOWN,
RINGWOOD.
From Lieut.-Commander H.G.Boys-Smith, R.N.R.
To
Vice-Admiral, Dover.
Date June 7th, 1940.
Subjet:- Summarized report of part taken by ships and craft under my commend during the evacuation of
Dunkirk.
th a.m.
Joined Dutch Scoot "Trente" at filbury in command.
Sailed p.m. for Shoerness where vessel 403 prepared for operations.
th p.m.
Sailed from Sheerness direct for Dunkirk beaches via Rest Bindar Buoy in company with other "scoots".
3th 6330
When approaching Beaches was turned back by
Naval M.L. with orders to return to Ramagate. Half an hour later was attacked by one salvo of bomba and machine gun fire by a German comber which appeared to be returning from the direction of England. Arrived
Ramsgate 8.m. same day.
18th p.m.
Sailed for Dunkirk via Buoys U, V, 1, and 6 West.
Dunkirk harbour entrance was reached just before midnight.
A full load of British troops was ferried off in drifters
(380). Ship sailed immediately by same route. Fierce fires were blazing all over Dunkirk, lighting up the sea. Continuous distant firing was heard. Local

e/172
H.M.S. Pangbourne"
158
At Sea.
5th.June 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to forward the following narrative in accordance with your signal 2049/4/6.
At approximately midnight on Sunday 26th. May, H.M.S.
with the remainder of the 5th.m.s.
149
3
154
Entire Ship's Company of "Twente" relieved for
24 hours 88 sleep had been unobtainable for 3 nights and
2 days running. "Twente" sailed immediately with relief crew.
st. a.m.
"Twente" unaccountably not returned. Took cormand of two Army Metor Launchee, "Kestrel" and "Grouse" instead, and seiled for Dunkirk Beaches via U, 1, and * bucys.
Embarked a full load of French troops during afternoon.
Slow process. Motor Launches' dinghy *** used to begin with but capsized. Slight swell. Troope then boarded a grounded craft whilst Motor Launches were manosuvred alongside seaward and of this. Considerable air activity and bombing throughout operations. Returned immediately to Ramsgate.
Whan off Goodwin Sands Launon I HAS In, "Kestrel", began to sink. "Grouse" came alongaide and took off some men. By hard baling and slow speed Ramagate was somehow reached at midnight. Investigation and repairs immediately put in hand. (Patent self-baling device responsible for leak).
1st. Noon.
"Kestrel" fit for gea. Left for Dunkirk Baaches via U, V, and * buoys. On approaching Dunkirk at 1530
most intense air activity was observed. Sky filled with German bombers and shall bursts. Beach was reached

H.M.S. "Pangbourne"
158
At Sea.
5th.June 1940
Sir,
I have the honour to forward the following narrative in accordance with your signal 2049/4/6.
At approximately midnight on Sunday 26th. May, H.M.S.
with the remainder of the 5th.m.8.
150
4
155
at 1600. Dive bombers everywhere and shells falling on beach. Although attack after attack TSS made by bombers on various ships relatively ****** few hits appeared to be secured. Motor Launch having lost dinghy on previous day I went alongside an abandoned wreck. One of the wreck's boats was swung out, lowered, and taken in too by Launch. French troops were ferried to the Launch in this boat by Launch crew. Conditions (other than state of sea which was good) were shocking as German planes were flying low, dropping bombs and using machine-guns.
Operation delayed 89 great difficulty was experienced in rersuading some of the Frenchmen to ambark. So far as I could understand, their units were incomplete and they were unwilling that part of a unit should embark without thefrest. At one point on the beach there were at least 2,000 men, none of whom would embark. The rowing boat bad to be pulled back to the Launch and towed further Rest where 8 fresh start me made. Eventually
& full load was obtained and we sailed for Hamagate by the same route. Throughout the first part of the return journey repeated bombing and machine gun attacks were made. On one occasion a salvo of 6 bombs was released so low that they were plainly visible as they left the racks. They all fell close together near the Launch but all failed to explode. Several machine gun bullets

H.M.S.
"Pangbourne"
15
At Sea.
5th.June 194
Sir,
I have the honour to forward the following narrative in accordance with your signal 2049/4/6.
At approximately midnight on Sunday 26th. May, H.M.S.
with the remainder of the 5th.m.s.
151
5
156
passed right through the Launch but only one soldier was wounded (slightly).
When about half say across to Ramsgate a trawler signalled that her engines had broken down owing to &
bomb attack. Ment and **** spoke another trawler and told him to take her in tow. On another occasion a flottila of life boats was met which reported having been machine-gunned outward bound. Many wounded were on beard.
This afternoon was much the moret day experienced during the whole evacuation. The last bombing attack
I witnessed in the distance was made when my launch ***
approaching the.Goodwin Lt.-V.
Very few British fighters were seen during the day and the German bombers appeared to do much as they pleased.
Ramagate was reached at 2230.
2nd.
Commandeered a large fast Dutch Netor Launch on the everning of this day, and sailed for Dunkirk harbour at
2000 hrs. via U, V, and 1 buoys. On srrival found the port of Dunkirk under heavy and quite contiruous shell fire. Proceeded inside and secured alongside Eastern
Arm. Mole was being plastered with shells and many dead Frenchmen were lying about. No sign of troops.
Sent one of crew to tastes inshore end of mole to investigate. He returned with 30 Frenchmen ( all he could

'yangbourne"
158
9
At Sea.
5th.June 1940.
Sir, in accordance with your signal 2049/4/6.
I have the honour to forward the following narrative midnight on Sunday 26th. day, H.M.S.
with the remainder of the 5th.w.s.
North Shields, and proceeded to Harwich, arriving at about less "Saltash" slipped from Union Sharf,
2300 Monday 27th.May. The ship coaled and provisioned S.D.
Tuesday 28th. May, and proceeded to the beach east of Dunkin at 1200. On arrival off the beach Fangbourne vas ordered into Dunkirk harbour, and secured al ngside the last mole at 2145. Some difficulty was experienced in getting along)
side properly as a wire cable vas discovered across the stem which prevented the ship going ahead far enough to clear the Gossamer, who was secured alongsidein the next berth to
Fastward seaward. Pangbourne's stern ma thus outside
Gossamer's stem which meant that embarkation of troops could only take place over the lower bridge and & ladder on the forecastle.
When about & hundred to & hundred and fifty troops had embarked Commander.Clouston R.N. who vas
N.O.I.C. on the jetty informed ae that an unknown number of badly wounded were isolated on & jetty the other side or the entrance about one and a half siles further up, and asked ae if I could go and collect them. 1 pointed out the presence of the wire across my bow, but he assured Be that the centre of the channel was clear, as he had just seen some French destroyers go ug. 1 backed out clear and proceeded as directed, turning before going alongaide.
In this 1 was assisted by thelight of blaming buildings although the wharf itself was in deep shadow. Un securing alongside 1 found about one thousand troops including a large number of stretcher cases and saveral hundred walking cases.
Owing to th a tide being low and still abbing it was necessary to rig wooden gangways from the boatdeck to the wharf, and the stretcher cases and walking cases were embarked by this mathod. It soon became apparent that we could not accomodate all the stretcher cases:
the quarterdeck. passages, Wardroom etc. were soon full
80 non-wounded were embarked over the bridge forward until the ship was full. The troops on the mole behaved well and carried out instructions, but as there appeared to be very few officers or N.C.Os. ashore to take charge there was, when it became apparent that the entire party could not be taken off, & certain amount of crowding round the gangways.

154
Sheet 2. 159
At 0030 on Wednesday 29th. May I slipped and proceeded down harbour. After rounding No.6E whistle and bell buoy I found myself in among two or three
French destroyers, stopped in the channel, and as a result missed No.13 bouy and went aground on sandbank north of Zuydcoote Pass Engines were put to full astern and the ship slid off into about ten fathoms. In order to ascertain my exact position and wait until unlit bouys could be seen I anchored and very shortly picked up the
Nieuport buoy While waiting the ship was roughly fixed and found to be in position51 degrees 7 minutes 30 seconds
North, 2 degrees 28 minutes 48 seconds East, and clear of the channel. I proceeded without further incident to
Margate. Just before dawn gunfire was observed shead and shortly afterwards several destroyers passed ae proceeding towards the French coast. Later passing the Kwiente buoy one sunken destroyer and another badly down by the stern were passed.
At I000 ship secured alongside Margate pier and disembarked troops. Although no exact counting of troops was possible, about 450 in all were landed, including approximately 50 stretcher cases and 100 walking cases.
The arrangements for disembarkation of troops at Margate were most efficient.
At 1107 Wednesday 29th. may slipped and proceeded back to Dunkirk, being joined by Lydd at North Goodwin light vessel. At 1315 Lydd reported & submarine to starboard, although not observed by Pangbourne a warning was broadcast at 1321 Between 1645 and 1715 just off Nieuport bank several air attacks were directed against Pangbourne and all ships in the vicinity. Immediately after this two
British soldiers were picked up in an exhausted condition, apparently having been blown from the deck of some small ship. At approximately 1730 several enemy bombers appeared to be about to attack Pangbourne but passed overhead, and were distinctly observed to attack & hospital ship about a mile on the Starboard beam for & considerable period without registering any direct hits. Just before passing the Nieuport Bank buoy a large lifeboat containing some thirty Belgian soldiers was picked up and the boat taken in tow for use on the beach. On closing the beach 1 was ordered to proceed Alanasise the Clan MacAlister lying at anchor and embark the crew. This ship was on fire aft, and the ammunition round the after gun was continually exploding.
The Master reported to ae that there was no chance of saving the shipas all hoses were out and the steering gear out of action. The crew, including some 30 Lascars, and several
Naval ratings, - crews of motor boats - were all embarked.
I then proceeded and anchored about half a mile off the beach opposite the Sanatorium. All available boats were lowered and sent inshore in charge of Lieut. Tadman
R.N.R. and Rabbitts, Boatswain R.N.. Between
1860 and 1900 the ship was subjected to numerous low diving bombing attacks, although no direct hits were made there were several near misses. The hull was holed on both sidesabove and below the water line and the D.U. coil cut in several places. It was during this period that all casualties occurred, resultang in the death of of seven the ratings and six Belgian soldiers, and wounding seven

156
161
Sheet 4. & final embarkation.
At 0200 a lifeboat with 43 French troops and 4 Officers came alongside and embarked. They stated that they were from a French vessel which had run aground on & sandbank.
Whilst getting this party inboard I was ordered by R.A.D to *
return to England. As Albury was leaving harbour at this time I followed her out clear of the channel and then proceeded to Folkestone and disembarked troops, then proceeded to Dover and coaled as I had only 15 tons of coal remaining. Owing to being unable to leave Granville
Dock until 2130 Pangbourne did not take part in any further operations.
1 have the honour to be Sir,
Your Obsdient Servant
VICE ADMIRAL
Commander R.N.
9- JUN 1940
*
*
DOVER

Dynam 162.
33 o
H.M.S. HARWICH. "Stella Rigel" 308
7th June, 1940.
Report on patrol of May 29th to June 3rd.
At 1515 on May 29th we cast off and proceeded out of harbour, icking up H.M.T. "Argyleshire" and "Lord Melchett" outside. We rrived off the position at 2200 and proceeded to our patrol area east f S. Buoy. At 0030 on May 30th we observed a vessel stopped which got nder way as we approached. As she did not answer the challenge we ave chase and eventually stopped her. She proved to be M.S. "Ricas"
rom Ostend with troops.
At 0750 we picked up "Argyleshire" and returned to area of
Walls Buoy for patrol.
At 2100 on 31st May we received orders from "Argyleshire" to atrol S. Buoy to West Hinder during night.
At 0230, having lost touch with "Argyleshire", and having efound her, we were closing when she was struck by a torpedo and sank mmediately. We lowered the boat and recovered five survivors, the two fficers, the signalman, wireless operator and one Able Seaman. During he course of the rescue a plane circled overhead and dropped parachute lares, but took no action. The Captain reported having seen a ubmarine crash dive, and while manoeuvring to attack he was struck midships by a torpedo. We received instructions to land survivors at earest port and proceeded towards Ramsgate. Artificial respiration las carried out on A.B. Laycock for 3 hours until we transferred all urvivors to H.M. Drifter "Gerrars Rontoul" outside Ramsgate to be taken nto port. Picked up "Lord Melchett" and patrolled area of S. Falls
Buoy during daylight of June lst.
At 2015 received orders from "Lord Melchett" to patrol from
3. Buoy to West Hinden.
At 0430 on June 2nd we picked up a motor boat with 23 soldiers, aking them aboard and the boat in tow. During this operation the
'Lord Melchett" had closed us, and reported seeing a torpedo passing close inder our bow.
the soldiers and boat to her, rejoining the "Lord Melchett" on patrol.
At 0745 we were signalled by H.M.S. "Pangbourne" and transferred enemy plane, which attacked us and dropped a salvo of four bombs close to
At 1100 all ships in neighbourhood were in action against' one the "Lord Melchett", doing no damage.
daylight, and arrived at Parkeston at 1135.
At 0130 on June 3rd we received orders to proceed to Harwich at
(Signed) J.W. Wykeham.
Sub Lieutenant, R.N.V.R.
p.p.