TNA ADM 199 790

Dynoms 182.
186
From... Lieutenant R.H. Irving R.N.R. Motor Boat "TRITON".
Date... 3rd June, 1940.
To... Commodore Taylor, Sheerness.
Submitted, with reference to the short report handed in on my arrival at Sheerness, Saturday, 1st June, 1940, I shall now endeavour to fill in details left out at that time, due to inability to recollect everything and put it on record before being refreshed and rested, after so many hours of exertion.
On Wednesday, the 29th May, 1940, while supervising the cleaning and scrubbing of the Dutch Scoot "PRINCESS JULIANA"
of which vessel I was 1st Lieutenant, Lieutenant Commander
Gwinnir, R.N., who was C.O., instructed me, to report immediately to Commander Troupe for orders.
I reported as instructed, and was ordered to take command of thirteen launches and get them to Ramsgate.
I got clear of Sheerness with the launches about
1200 29/5/40, and arrived Ramsgate about 1930. I reported to
Commander Davies there, and explained to him what had been said tome by Commodore L. Taylor regarding the launch "SILVER QUEHON
and "BEVERLEY". "BEVERLEY", however, failed to turn up at
Ramsgate although I had sent back my fastest boat from Margate to look for her, and waited for one hour to allow him to catch up.
Commander Davies consulted the N.O.I.C. and it was decided that in the "TRITON" I should endeavour to get "SILVER QUESION and seven more launches to La Panne.
The other launches for various reasons could not proceed until the morning. Commander Davies said he believed
East of La Panne was devoid of Allied troops, and as far as he knew no troops on beaches West of Braye Duns.
This meant I had to make the Belgian coast within a three-mile limit, rather difficult without navigating instruments or current charts.
Nevertheless, I thought I could do it, so at 2200 on Wednesday I left the harbour with eight launches.
I waited outside and shouted to them to keep close up and follow me.
I steered for N. Goodwin Light Vessel, and stopped there to count my fleet, though it was very dark.
I
counted five and was informed the other three had put back to
Ramsgate with engine trouble.
I then order "SILVER QUEIN® to render every assistance in keeping boats together (Sub.Lt. in command) in order that the five of us might carry out a successful crossing.
Only the
Seaman Cox.J. Keith could steer on my boat; this meant I had to relieve him myself. Two of the crew were already seasick, but kept their feet and showed spirit.
From N. Goodwin I proceeded.
It was very dark, and on and off I passed ships heading N.W. or S.E. About 0300
30/5/40 visibility was very poor, with heavy rain, no ships in however, to get into a position 15 miles north of La Panne, and then sight, and I was a little doubtful of my position.
I decided, steer South (mag) to make the coast.
At 0400 turned south, strong wind and following sea, boat steering wildly. Still no ships in sight or land.
About 0420 saw a cruiser loaded with troops, recognised her as British, and closed her.
She had received heavy punishment aft from shellfire.
I made signs as to whether I should hold on my course, and she answered in the affirmative. At this time one of my boats very foolishly crossed my bow and received a blow which damaged her.
I instructed one of the others to watch her, and

_203
LAUNCH "TRITON"
for 190
Lieutenant R.H. INVING, R.N.R.
3, KNITH. Sea. Cox.
J.STEPHENS. Ord.Sea.
D. SIMPSON. B.R.A. (utterly useless)
0. GLYNN. Ord.Sea.
F.G. PURBRICK. Ord.Sea. (fell overboard and had to put him on "MOSQUITO"
suffering from cold and shook).
I was at Sheerness as No.1 of Dutch Scoot "PRINCESS JULIANA"
Wednesday 20th May 1940, was instructed to proceed from Sheernoss to
Ramsgate in charge of 13 Launches, various kinds and speeds - handed over
12. Left Sheerness about noon Wednesday, 29th May.
Arrived Ramagate about 1930
Left Remagate about 2150
for Cuploa near La Penne with 9 launches.
Very vague instructions about La Panne and was not definitely informed whether British troops were actually there. Had bad visibility and did not know exact position but made Cuploa 0500, Thursday morning -
only 5 launches arrived in company, others broke down and returned to
Ransgate. Launch "SILVER QUEEN" was of great assistance.
From 0500, Thursday, 30th May to about 1700 Friday, 31st May
I towed or picked up hundreds of troops and transferred them to destroyers, scoots etc. Launches not equipped with proper towing topes and crew very unsemanlike. Had to steer and make fast myself. Commodore Stephens used my launch and participated in taking off troops, no one at Cuploa to give to instructions.
I worked all Thursday night and carried on until 1330 when ship was shelled heavily and all ships proceeded towards Dunquarque and I was last to leave Cuploa under heavy shell fire.
I proceeded towards Dunquerque along the beach and on arriving at extreme west end of Dunquerque beach a heavy air attack and fire from shore batteries was falling all round. I took the most westerly boat in tow and when looking round to find a near ship, saw the large launch "PRINCE
OF WALES" struck by a bomb, I proceeded with the boat I had in tow towards her and found 4 survivors very bedly wounded ready to take off. Two others were dead on board. On the way to the sloop "MOSQUITO" with survivors I
resoued soldiers from drowing whose boat had sunic close ashore. While doing this my starbcard propeller get fouled and I had a terrible job to get to the sloop "MOSQUITO" with troops and wounded from "PRINCE OF MALZES".
All this time bombing and shelling was going on. I landed all on the
"HOSQUITO" and then asked the "MOSQUITO" to tay and clear ay propeller, they tried but could not do so. I them consulted the First Lieutement and he suggested that I get a tow home. I spproached the yacht "CALSTA", the C.O. immediately asked me to get him troops but I told him I would attempt it with one engine although I could not handle her. I got near the west beach and immediately came under shore fire and no boats being ready to come off "GALETA" signelled me to return as he was being shelled and had to get out of it. I got back and made the launch fast for towingunder fire, but the tow rope broke and the Launch being in the hotly peppered area and close to the surf the C.O. of "CALETA" and myself thought it would endanger his vessel to remain there to try and pick up again so chose inshore.
Neither I or the arew had any sleep or proper food from Wednesday morning until the launch was abandoned at 1640 Friday. All of us were stupid with exhaustion.
I took off more troops at Cuploa than anyone else.
I have lost my voice meantime through constant hailing of boats and giving orders. The "TRITON" was damaged badly in the stern and bow through going alongaide ships so frequently in a very heavy swell. I have lost my uniform cap and raincoat, rasor and other items.
My information on sailing from Ramsgate was - "No troops east of
La Panne or west of Braye Duns", the first item was correct byrb the second quite wrong.

COPY!/3
2024
OPERATION DYNAMO
NARRATIVES BY PERSONNEL OF SMALL CRAFT.
INDEX
NAME OF VESSEL
WRITTEN BY
1. TUG 87
Sub.Lieut. H.M. Davis, R.N.R.
2. M.B. BLUE BIRD
If
G.B. Eyre, R.N.V.R.
3. M.B. AURA
#
M.A. Chodzko, R.N.V.R.
4. M.B. BRITANNIA
If
S.D. Ward
5. M.B.'s CAVERSHAM and QUISISIANA
If
A.V. Weaver
6. M.B. LADY CABLE
Lieut. B.S. Fidler, R.N.R.
7. M.B. EMPRESS
Sub.Lieut. T.W. Betts, R.N.V.R.
8. M.B. SKYLARK
If
M.J.R. Yeatman, R.N.V.R.
9. M.B. SOUTHERN QUEEN
#
Demattos
0. M.B. PRINCESS LILLY
#
K.E.A. Bayley
1. M.B. SKYLARK VI
Ct. Rating G.R. Price
2. H.M.M.B. WHITE BEAR
Cd. Gunner E. Deacon, R.N.
3. H.M.S. DOLPHIN's Motor Boat
Sub.Lieut. E.F. Cornish-Bowden, R.N.
4. WALTON and FRINTON Life Boat
P.O. Tel. Cooley.
5. M.B. CORDELIA
Sub.Lieut. C.A. Thompson
6. M.B. PELLAG II
Lieut.
Martino, R.N.V.R.
STATEMENT BY
7. M.B. SKYLARK (Southend)
Pensioner P.O. R.A. Smith
8. BOURNEMOUTH Life Boat
L. Sea. H. Huntington
9. M.B. BONNY BELLE
Sto. I. G.H. Rose
O. EASTBOURNE Life Boat
(Sto. J. Strangeways P/KX.95036 and
(Sto. A.H. Shaw P/KX.94553
1. M.B. (Unknown)
A.B. M.J. Stallard P/JX.154107
2. M.B. SEA FALCON
L.Sea. A. Westbrook P/JX.131401
3. M.B. SKYLARK
Sto. G. Bramhall P/KX.88343
4. M.B. COMMODORE
Sto. Beech P/KX.90016
5. NEWHAVEN Life Boat
(A.B. W.J. Morris P/JX.126097
(Sto.I W. Spray P/KX.87052
(0.S. T.E. White CDX.133
6, M.B. YSER
Act. P.O. W.H. Achin JX.149919

225
OPERATION DYNAMO.
ENCLOSURE NO. 10213
SHIP: PRINCESS LILLY.
OFFICER REPORTING: SUB-LIEUTENANT K.R.A. BAYLEY, R.N.V.R.
On 30th May I left Sheerness in PRINCESS LILLY, a river pleasure boat. I started with 19 other small boats escorted by a trawler as guide, as most of the ships had no compass. During the early hours of 31st the trawler left us. We managed to continue on our way by following other vessels and H.M. Ships presumably bound for Dunkirk.
We gave assistance and several tows to motor boats during the passage. Arrived Dunkirk on Friday morning and proceeded to embark a small number of English troops and 4 naval ratings and many Frenchmen from the beach 1½ miles East of Dunkirk.
I took these to merchant vessels lying nearby.
2.
I was told more British troops were at La Panne -
so I proceeded there. The falling tide and lee shore made rescue difficult, so I picked up a derelict ship's boat to which I made fast some 90 fathoms of warp and rowed her to the beach paying out the warp. Took British troops aboard and overhauled on line back to ship. The strain eventually proved too great for the anchor cable which broke and the ship drifted ashore fouling her properllor with the warp. Had great difficulty in clearing properllor and only succeeded in getting her to work "Astern".
3.
Refloated boat and took troops on board and ferried them by going "backwards" to H.M.S. MOSQUITO. Engine was losing compression after about 40 hours running and propellor was fouled.
4.
Shore batteries got our range so abandoned ship when we got aboard MOSQUITO as she was moving off.
5. MOSQUITO brought us back, arriving Saturday morning, 1st June, 1940.
6. We had repeated bombings, machine gunning and shrapnel. My 2 civilian crew and one naval rating, age 192, who had only been 2 days in the Navy, behaved perfectly under very difficult conditions.

1710 Only one boat in company (Abdy Beau Clark
Aldeburgh lifeboat).
1718 Life-boat "Rosa Wood" Shoreham joined company. One drifter ahead.
1726 To drifter "what are your intentions".
1730 To drifter "Stop". "Rosa Wood" and "Phyllis
Lunn" informs us he intends returning Dover.
1736 Three British planes over.
1740 Closed drifter. Hang on in position until last, most other boats and one drifter out of sight. Speed boat informs us soldiers still ashore but refuses to come aboard.
1821 Planes attacking with bombs.
1837 To trawler "Have you had any reply". From trawler "No".
1838 Planes still bombing. 1 ship damaged not our fleet. Captain decided to try on his own to reach Dunkirk. The two life-boats in company turned back. Bombs still dropping.
Being machine-gunned 1849. last and stays hit.
1854 Captain carrying on to Dunkirk single-handed.
1859 24 fighters overhead.
1908 I have been deserted please stand by no.
To Motor Boat with Liteut.Commander on board.
Put us on our course.
1926 Covered white conspicuous parts of ship with oilskins. From Cairmoorn I.B. "Steer S.558
for Dunkirk". S.S. "Sun 4" Duniciric 2012.
2023 One friendly plane overhead.
2044 Proceeding to Dunkirk beach. Arrived Duniciple with "Sun 4". Message from M.B. "Inadvisable to go in". Captain boarded "Sun 4" 2100.
2108 Proceeding to Dunkirk. Arrived Dunicive harbour 2135. No one on piers. Picked up
"Sun 4" one rowing boat to go to beach.
Lieut. Mead billed. Boats in beach taking ratings from shore all night (run aground).
0423 2nd June Sunday left Dunkirk. (Scored out in log 'believed to be last boat in
Life-boat in tow of "Sun 4%
0450 "Sun 4" ran aground.
0456 Under way. Rope round starboard propellor of life-boat.
0923 Passed S. Goodwins.
1010 Arrived Ramagate - "Sun 4ª anchored, Lifeboat secured astern.
1030 (approx.) Soldiers landed.
1310 Left anchorage for Ramagate Harbour S.B. and secured alongside "Princess London"
at 1325.
1412 1424 Arrived and secured to "Sun 4" off Ramagate.
Left P.L. Steamboat.
2023 Left anchorage Ramsgate Harbour and secured
Collected all spare ammunition laying.
alongside H.M.S. DWARF 2035.
Monday 3rd June
0930
Reported to N.O.I.C. Ramsgate for permission Told sail to Dover. Permission granted. to
Commander by Cook, Piermaster prior to sailing. inform to Naval Officer-in-Charge to report
Dover. Sailed from Ramsgate 1026 an
Informed Condr. Cook and asked him to route
1112 Dover. Passed Occ. fog bell.
1157 1354 To examination steamer off Dover. "Walton
Passed South break.
1355 Told to proceed. Arrived Dover and secured
Life-boat. May I enter".
alongside.

Dynom. 120,
363
-
Admiralty House,
341
Sheerness.
8th June, 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to report that on Monday 27th May, after getting final instructions from the Vice Admiral,
Dover, I proceeded to Sheerness and commenced duty as
"Dynamo" Maintenance Officer; my staff consisted of
Commander H.R. Troup, R.N,, who accompanied me from
Economic Warfare Division, and Lieutenant Commander D.B.
Holland-Martin, R.N. We had the invaluable assistance of the Fleet Engineer Officer, Captain T.E. Docksey. Lieutenant
Commander Guinner, R.N. in command of the Schuit "Princess
Juliana" which had broken down, helped for the first day, he then left to join N.O.I.C. Ramsgate whose need was greater. Lieutenant Commander Filleul, R.N., from Weymouth
Contraband Base, also joined but was sent away in charge of a lighter with petrol cans of water and subsequently joined
N.O.I.C. Margate. Lieutenant R.S. Hellby R.N.R. who came from
Weymouth Contraband Base, but was not fit enough to go to
362
Dynam. 120.
:0
347
mainder crews and
FROM: "Dynamo" Maintenance Officer, Sheerness.
rer on
(ate or
Dover.
DATE: 8th June, 1940.
to were given
TO
:
Vice Admiral, Dover.
18 that they
"y them mg as to
10 was
Submitted: A copy of my original report forwarded to Commander in Chief, Nore together with original reports of Officers whose adders, statements have so far been received are forwarded were
3".
herewith.
had ness
If to aws to,
I
Rear Admiral.
general
VICE ADMIRAL
rved nduce
10 JUN 1940
S,N.S.O
*
ion on
DOVER
ed to elied ors.

Dynom. 120,
363
Admiralty House,
341
Sheerness.
8th June, 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to report that on Monday 27th May, after getting final instructions from the Vice Admiral,
Dover, I proceeded to Sheerness and commenced duty as
"Dynamo" Maintenance Officer; my staff consisted of
Commander H.R. Troup, R.N,, who accompanied me from
Economic Warfare Division, and Lieutenant Commander D.E.
Holland-Martin, R.N. We had the invaluable assistance of the Fleet Engineer Officer, Captain T.E. Docksey. Lieutenant
Commander Guinner, R.N. in command of the Schuit "Princess
Juliana" which had broken down, helped for the first day, he then left to join N.O.I.C. Ramsgate whose need was greater. Lieutenant Commander Filleul, R.N., from Weymouth
Contraband Base, also joined but was sent away in charge of a lighter with petrol cans of water and subsequently joined
N.O.I.C. Margate. Lieutenant R.S. Hellby R.N.R. who came from
Weymouth Contraband Base, but was not fit enough to go to sea, took his place.
2. Officers, ratings, volunteers and boats commenced to arrive on Tuesday, and the work of preparing boats for service occupied the whole of daylight hours for the remainder of the week.
3. The first group consisting of 20 cutters with half crews sailed for Dover on Tuesday in tow of the"st. Clears" and
"Sun V". The first group of motor boats sailed for Dover on
Wednesday. Subsequent groups were sent either to Ramsgate or direct to the beaches, as directed by the Vice Admiral, Dover.
When there were insufficient Officers available, boats were sailed in groups with at least one Officer trained in navigation in each. Lighters were as far as possible given motor boats to attend them.
4. Officers and Coxswains were given broad instructions that failing orders and guidance from Officers on the spot they were to find the places where troops were waiting, ferry them off to the ships off shore, and continue the work as long as possible, retaining enough fuel in reserve to get back to
Ramsgate. As far as I have been able to judge, good use was made of the wide discretion given.
5. Requests were made from time to time for rafts, ladders, lifebuoys and water. These and all the other demands were met wholeheartedly by the Dockyard and H.M.S. "Wildfire".
6. Most of the owners and crews who brought boats volunteered to serve in them; more would have done so had what they were wanted to do. Many volunteers who had it been possible to tell them before sailing for Sheerness commitments went away to clear themselves and came back to who lost their boats joined others at Dover and Ramsgate, join, although their own boats had already sailed. Crews or back to Sheerness to find another. There were I
am came glad to be able to say, very few exceptions to the general at In Dardanelles, did all he could to get away and induce enthusiasm. X213 the Master, a man of 60 years who had served his the to take her. They went away to Chatham. S,N.S.O on me and I suggest that the Dockyard would be well sent drivers them back. They made a most unfavourable impression advised to get rid of them. I feel sure that they could not be relied on in any emergency and would have a bad effect on others.
One I regret to add, is an ex-service man.

Dynama 173.
389
366
Admiralty House,
C-in-C Nore.
Sheerness.
with "Dynamo".
List of Officers deserving special mention in connection
1
H.M.S. "wildfire". The work of providing the stores of all kinds required by the boats sent from Sheerness and accommodating a constant flow of Officers, men and volunteers placed a heavy strain on the establishment resources. In addition I observed the admirable work done in receiving the British and French troops landed at Sheerness. From Captain Coleridge downwards all did their best, but Commander V.P. Freeman and Paymester
Captain E.C.Annaheim deserve special mention.
2.
Sheerness Dockyard. The tug Clears" towed 20
cutters with half crews over to the beaches for 22 hours under considerable bombing. The Master Penny and the helmsman Arthur Chawnce A.B. deserve special mention.
All departments of the yard put out their best efforts; the heavier work fell on the Naval Store Department.
Mr.A.Paterson.
The Chief Constructor, Mr.S.R.Tickner, designed and built a large number of rafts, not too big to he manhandled.
3.
Stoker Petty Officer T. Test, Off.No.C/HX 87588.
This Petty Officer sent as boat's crew, was taken out to assist in getting boats ready for sea. lie showed great energy, driving power and resource in dealing with many difficulties that arose. He accompanied one to
Ramsgate on Sunday 2nd.June in hopes of a trip to the beaches, but took on a boat whose engines were giving trouble and was unable to get there.
4.
Officers in charge of boats. The following Officers showed particular energy in getting the boats away. Their work on the beaches did not come under my personal observation, but I draw attention to their names in case they have not been mentioned by Officers on the spot:-
Sub. Lieut. Dann, R.N.V.R., took the lead in getting away the first group 01 boats on Vednesday 29th. May and conducted them to Dover. Having had his first boat swamped, returned to Sheerness and got away another group.
Lieut. Irving. R.N.R., got away the second group of boats and led them to the beaches in M.V. "Triton".
This Officer WAS a volunteer from the Schuit "Princess
Juliana which was broken down. He is believed to have done very good work on the beaches.
initiative The and resource in getting their boats away,
Acting Sub. Lieutenants R.N., as a whole showed but it would be difficult to discriminate.
yacht "Constant Nymph" which he finally lost after bringing
Smith, a volunteer who brought his own off some 900 troops.
eficers came under my observation during 5. The following the noght 2nd.-3rd, and of Motor 3rd.-4th.
1 sailed on to
R.N.B., in charge 2nd.-3rd. I
Yacht struck by the he had taken acqueint of was much navigational details, the instruction volunteer himself with and his boat. He had a 1 should with him, like to have with me again on a similar job.
his Bren Mr.Devine, Gunners, and they were a fine couple who

Dyrom 391
il
368
June 5th, 1940.
1.
Lieut. A.J. Davies, R.N.V.R. -"Java" never got over the other side and was finally towed to Sheerness by "Gorecht"
2.
Lieut. A.N. Blundell, R.N.R. - "Bornrif" did three. trips between Ramsgate and beaches at Dunkirk. "King Orry" was sighted sunk off Dunkirk.
3.
Sub Lieut. R.H.C. Amos, R.N.V.R. - "Iote" was beached and abandoned after she had damaged her rudder while rescuing two of her crew, who had fallen overboard on the morning of Saturday June 1st. On night of Monday, June 3rd, Sub Lieut
Amos, R.N.V.R. and Sub Lieut. R.H. Wallace, R.N.V.R. were in a new but unnamed power life boat which was towed over to
SUN
Dunkirk by Tug XV "About..... (A).
On the 30th May D.S. "Horst" was known to have been abandoned.
4.
Sub Lieut. D.C. Williams, R.N.V.R. - left Ramsgate on the night of Su day, June 2nd in the "Kiteat". On the way over he became separated from the rest of the convoy. After doing some work the other side he towed the "Singapore" back to Dover and then on to Ramsgate on Monday, June 3rd.
5.
Lieut. R.W. Thomson, R.N.V.R. - After being discharged from the "AEGer", where he had proved lacking in experience, did
4 trips in the "DABB II", two of which were unsuccessful.
6.
Sub Lieut. C. Minchin, R.N. - Went to the beached in the
"LYDD" where he ferried until the boat broke down. She was abandoned and Minchin returned to Ramsgate in the "Lydd".
On Monday, against orders he tried to go over in the "Helfrinore" but she broke down.
7.
Sub Lieut. E.S. Foreman, R.N.V.R. - In the"Princess Freda"
he ferried from the beaches for a destroyer. He then worked for the Dutch "Besta" --?, who finally towed him back to Ramsgate.
8.
Sub Lieut. R.E. Blows, R.N.V.R. - Started in the "Minikoi"
but she was rammed and sunk by "MASB 6" off the downs at
0250 on Wed, May 29th. He next went over in the "Ambleve", which with the "Sambre" was towed over by the "Skipjack", for whom he ferried from the beaches. A crew from the
Skipjack releived his crew for 'stand-easy' and ran the
"Ambleve" aground. He and his crew returned in the
Skipjack. On Saturday, June 1st, he went over in a power life boat. She was damaged by near bombs but the engines continued to run.
9.
Sub Lieut. J.W. Pratt, R.N.V.R. - Ran aground in the
"Singapore" on beach at 0130 on Sunday June 2nd. She rfloated at 0800 and he left with three French Officers.
On the way he picked up two British soldiers who were
French Officers' water bottles. He passed the "Mosquito"
floating around'. These were revived with wine from the which was still afloat but had been deserted. In mid channel he found three life boats which he took in tow until his engines gave out and he was taken in tow by the "Kitkat".
10.
Sub Lieut. I.F. Smith, R.N.V.R. - In "Jong" helped to ferry home he sighted the "Iote" drifting round empty and troops from the beaches on Friday, May 31st. On way the "White Heather" empty but at anchor.

605
Once ashore, and 9 got in touch with a party
Engineers made arrangements for the of Ro stern to be raised in an attempt to clear boat whatever had become foul of them. while this away being done I took the crew and a party of we some way along the beach to where am abando sole cabin-cruiser lay. she appeared to be in good condition; after considerable effort and mus hampered by bompandment and machine attacks from berman aircraft she was ever refloated. I left her in charge of my consway the rest of the crew,.1 with orders to carry on previously. When I returned with the soldiers original place it was obvious that my A/A
boat was of no further use. The most import articles were removed to safety: Secret chai the Captain of the minesweeper PRINCESS ELIZA
and Aldis hamp to the Royal Curps of Signa had only a motorbicycles lamp.
With the aid of more soldiers we got a ships trip back took became over into badly another the sea motor-boat holed one. and so By made I had this abandoned several been time force my he and in in life-boat the as private almost the and engine redhot. appeared did They a pulling rejoined rather too Jerry me 70
for the remainder we of the time. There being five oars the work was exhausting and ob slow. with darkness, the submerged private cans, buses etc) and the suit the difficulty of operating from the sing con transports run out into the sea and

606
570
ch other by single planks. shorthy before midnight we ade our last trip. The Princess Elizabeth was full up nd the object of much shell-fire; our We-boat was lowly breaking up and the cnew were exhausted fter a day of fairly continuous fire from land nd bombing and machine gun attacks from the air.
They could not have carried on any longer. We were iken onboard the Princess Eligabeth and arrived it mangate next morning. I reported with my cnew it
Dover and on being informed that we would not enle required any further, returned to H.M.S. Excellent.
I have the honome to be
Sir, w
Your absectent servant.
13 JUN 1940
WHALE ISLAND
Q.W. m. Matthew.
(sub heat. R.N)
2A
he Captain life
H.M.S. Excellent.
own