TNA ADM 199 790

Dyrrang Diginal sent
D.Afs.W. --401
H.M.S. "CAPE ARGONA" howler.
379
5th June. 1940.
Report of Operations on Q.Z.X. 60 Patrol.
?9th.1530.
Cast off with from Parkeston Quay and proceeded to sea in company St. Achilleus and Sphene.
2350.
between Arrived on Patrol ground and commenced patrolling
T.Buoy, West Hinder Buoy and Kwint Buoy.
30th.
0025.
Whilst steaming line ahead speed 8 knots "St.Achilleus"
leading "Sphene" centre and "Cape Argona" in the rear observed track of torpedo approaching from Port side and going between "St. Achilleus" and "Sphene".
"Sphene" altered course to Port and brought Lewis Guns into action. All ships separated and rang Full Speed.
Still no sign of M.T.B. or Submarine.
0040.
Torpedo track passed ahead of "Cape Argona" from Port.
Altered course hard Port but still no sign of enemy craft.
0125.
Observed smoke screen close to our Starboard Bow, altered to Port brought smoke screen astern, distinctly heard powerful motor engines behind screen and surmised enemy M.T.B. was approaching through it so dropped
D/C. M.T.B. Engines had ceased after D/C explosion, no vessel visible. Proceeded zig-zagging on course for T Buoy and observed black shape of M.T.B. crossing rapidly across our bow from Starboard to Port, when she appeared on our Port Bow opened fire with all
Lewis Guns, couldn't get Pom Pom to bear as she was too close. Firing was returned but no damage done.
M.T.B's engines were heard to miss-fire, stop, then
'on' again. We hung around, no further sign of enemy craft, so carried on to Westward of Patrol.
0430.
Joined company with "St. Achilleus" and "Sphene" again.
The whole patrol ground was littered with wreckage and either whole or partly destroyed boats, no sign of survivors or dead.
Carried on Patrol, no contacts made, plenty of air activity both German and British planes passing continuously overhead, no attacks made.
y 31st.
Received instructions from F.O.I.C. Dover to patrol under further notice near South Falls Bucy. "Sphene"
dropped out of group and joined with "Arotic Pioneer".
0615.
nothing to report during day, but towards midnight,
Instructions received to carry on original patrol, there seemed to be great activity.
de ne 1st.0040.
Investigated "St. Achilleus" so carried on with be going contact, found to be non submarine, patrol, lost track of increased, explosions seemed to all on activity M.T.B. tracks were observed between over S the place, had very could make nothing definite of that all around us, anxious time. Zig-zagged all and T buoys, around us, thought I observed this pinned searchlights us in being played & T. Buoys, would from enemy was happening across QZX60 at S Buoy not cross searchlight area track. between Several S. star shells were dropped

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above aircraft, us at working one moment in conjunction but by with M.T.B's two right
3:22
we actually evidently observed. escaped torpedoing. twisting No surface and turning rapidly was
Daylight was welcomed by craft all.
400.
was Keep rather calling worried "St. Achilleus" by R/T and "W/T no event of about her as we had arranged answer at S. Buoy. losing each other during the night to rendezvous in the
.000.
Came to to conclusion "Arctic that "St. Achilleus" had gone, been group mainly all because of W/T watches, our operator had already gone Pioneer" and asked permission to join reported her on night and couldn't carry on indefinitely.
315.
Whilst heading from T.Buoy towards Dunkirk in answer to S.S. "Pragg's" S.O.S., received signal from Arctic
Pioneer that M.T.B. was approaching, we cleared for action challenged her five times, no distinguishing mark or ensign was shown, also she approached us zig-zagging. Fire was opened with four inch, Pom Pom and Lewis guns, all three ships heading straight for her firing; one four inch from "Arctic Pioneer" struck her superstructure and she then stopped and layto. On approach a white ensign was observed being waved. Fire ceased and boats were lowered.
We went alongside M.T.B. took survivors and casualties off.
Report of action has been given to F.O.I.C. Harwich also with report for Commanding Officer of M.T.B. Casualties
1 killed and five wounded. Transferred all to H.M.S.
"Saltash" who also took charge of M.T.B.
175
2100.
Received instructions to take charge of Group consisting of "Sphene" and"Lord Melchett" and patrol between S.Buoy and West Hinder.
e 2. 0509. Contacted "Lord Melchett" she joined us, proceeded
Eastward.
0711.
Stopped and Picked up 12 Refugees from small boat, boat not worth keeping so cast it adrift and proceeded.
0729.
Signalled by aircraft (Hudson) piloted by Pilot Officer
Elworthy of Detling and asked to follow him. He repeatedly circled around us and eventually said carry on as you are going and you'll meet and open boat full of people.
0740.
Met small boat, took refugees onboard, made boat fast astern and proceeded on patrol.
0955.
Attacked by enemy dive bombers first one dived and machine gunned us, the second one dropped bombs, not both rame out on us. They dived to within a hundred exhausted, feet, of sun, could be heard distinctly but seen until almost fire was maintained until ammunition dropped continual continuously. 15 bombs were Bombs ship zig-zagged during the course of three attacks. thought altogether 20 feet of ship both sides and setting one fire fell within fell in bulwarks forward, also blew base to be incendiary unprimed D/Cs and deck and bulwarks and to two spare bar one arm supported, port by explosion but D.G.
of mast away Engines were stopped done to gear dismantled. believed considerable numerous damage minor carried on ship again, badly strained, deck besides hose.
engine defects. and Fire was put out by

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403
381
made Inspected but cement all under-water compartments, no water in-Chief, to Nore, leave giving details of damage and requesting
The badly cracked. Sent Signal to Commender- being permission patrol for Harwich. Signalled "Sphene"
bombing and at times were 600 out.
to lead us in as our compasses were erratic owing to
Sent further signal through "Sphene" to C. in C. Nore saying wireless gear now out of action and so was proceeding to Harwich with "Sphene" as escort.
1900.
Arrived at Examination ground off Harwich and anchored awaiting instructions.
1945.
Proceeded into Harwich and moored to Parkeston Quay
During the whole of the operations, crew behaved with remarkable calmness and stuck to their posts despite the fact that at the most none had more than &
few hours sleep since leaving Harwich, and were continually at action stations.
(SD.) K.J.LEE.
Lieutenant R.N.V.R.
COMMANDING OFFICER.