TNA ADM 199 790

H.M.S. *rangbourne*
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. say, H.M.S.
of the
Sthen.s.
2
148
153
conditions quiet.
a.m.
Arrived Ramsgate and disembarked troops. Sailed immediately for La Panne beaches via Test Hinder Buoy.
afternoon. When several miles from coast many Terman bombers were encountered. Bombs were dropped but utesed. Ships two Lewis @ guns in constant action. Although ineffective in fact, this gunfire probably kept them ups machines up. Many ships in vicinity being bombed. Some
British fighters sighted. then nearer to shore the
Paddle Steamer "Gracie Fields" was sighted homeward bound packed with approximately 800 troops. aftnessed a bomb attack on her during which & direct bit Y&S
secured amidships. Nent to render assistance. "Gracie
Fields" was unable to stop her engines. Upper deck enveloped in clouds of steam. Operation of going alongeide had to be performed whilst both ships more proceeding shead. Secured alongside. Terrible mortality and shambles on board. Transferred as sany injured and others as "Twente" would hold. During operation another scoot secured alongaide opposite side of "Gracie Fields" and took off remainder. Cost off and proceeded full speed to Hamsgate. Arrived dawn,
May 30th. Disembarked wounded and other troops.

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

the
- ledge ts enable the to concents ate on for troop embarkation while he kept. pm organizated the ship bith regard to Patria this is an e well. found. engined "Schuyt" of me build More in Their Lisdships plan tam Some of these ships in use, I fe ship should certainly be considered well Mas always been well kept.
May 24th 25ᵗʰ.
hurred from yearsend l
Tellury Landing Stage. The solul measured "wrped", various movement tell 0245 when she was again anchore they 25h
Proceeded Sheerness with and swring ship at No 19 Bu later the 10, "Schuyls" Delta "Twente"
almpide may 26th as Sheernese. Kedge and deck gear Ii prepand Misle ma 27th lafts secured to 6 fm lanyards for me
Proceeded 0300 for Dons with 5 other "Schuyto" anchose at approx. 1045 wind strong S.W.
bottom dragged sent of in orders slightly small & Downs I wrti decided to pward at 1330, to move N.C.S. to D Is northern Renli for Neemport r Dunkirk
I was under way, J proceeded indepen weather During this passago, continually I therefore the putting Casswain hor helm A.B. cenld creed ship the a found some stiened deviations manigated the Is the veme hand

2
139 14
133
11
conditions quiet.
ch a.m.
Arrived Ramsgate and disembarked troops. Sailed immediately for La Panne beaches via West Hinder Buoy.
th afternoon. When several miles from coast many German bombers were encountered. Bombs were dropped but missed. Ships two Lewis @ guns in constant action. Although plant ineffective in fact, this gunfire probably kept them apr machines up. Many ships in vicinity being bombed. Some
British fighters sighted. When nearer to shore the
Paddle Steamer "Gracie Fields" was sighted homeward bound packed with approximately 800 troops. Witnessed des a bomb attack on her during which a direct hit was
300.
secured amidships. Went to render assistance. "Gracie
Fields" was unable to stop her engines. Upper deck and enveloped in clouds of steam. Operation of going alongside had to be performed whilst both ships were proceeding ahead. Secured alongside. Terrible
T
mortality and shambles on board. Transferred as many with injured and others as "Twente" would hold. During
00
operation another scoot secured alongside opposite side situa of "Gracie Fields" and took off remainder. Cast off and proceeded full speed to Famsgate. Arrived dawn, ak.
May 30th. Disembarked wounded and other troops.
teh
20
4R
ICE ADMIRAL
Ell day light an air
9- JUN 1940
be durlsping at on
*
DOVER
- disaubarked toops, formism stares.

3
140 14
131
41
Entire Ship's Company of "Twente" relieved for
24 hours as sleep had been unobtainable for 3 nights and h
2 days running. "Twente" sailed immediately with relief crew.
st. a.m.
"Twente" unaccountably not returned. Took command of two Army Motor Launches, "Kestrei" and "Grouse" instead, plan and sailed for Dunkirk Beaches via U, V, and W buoys.
Embarked a full load of French troops during afternoon.
Slow process. Motor Launches' dinghy was used to begin with but capsized. Slight swell. Troops then boarded a grounded craft whilst Motor Launches were manceuvred did alongside seaward end of this. Considerable air
300.
activity and bombing throughout operations. Returned immediately to Ramsgate.
When off Goodwin Sands Launch I was in, "Kestrel", ans began to sink. "Grouse" came alongside and took off some men. By hard baling and slow speed Ramsgate was
1
somehow reached at midnight. Investigation and repairs
Erik immediately put in hand. (Patent self-baling device
00
responsible for leak).
1st. Noon.
situme
"Kestrel" fit for sea. Left for Dunkirk Beaches via U, V, and W buoys. On approaching Dunkirk at 1530
*
ak.
most intense air activity was observed. Sky filled leh with German bombers and shell bursts. Beach was reached
I
4R
ICE ADMIRAL
ill day light an air
9- JUN 1940
Vo
*
the durlsping at
DOVER
- disamber bed toops, promium stan.

6
-_143
147
137
41
find) and a report that all British had left. These
Frenchmen refused to come in so small a blogy craft and insisted on boarding a large ship which was also alongside/ the mole.
A British Naval Officer apparently in charge of embarkation on mole informed me that there were no more troops to come and that I must plain return empty. I took on board a Brenn gun which was lying on the mole and returned to Ramsgate.
It was afterwards learnt that although there were no more troops to come in the area that night, therewere some more further from the port who succeeded later did in reaching the port and were embarked the following
300.
night by other ships.
rd. a.m.
Returned Ramsgate arriving dawn.
!th
Re-assumed command of Dutch Scoot "Twente" and ans sailed to Tilbury and Surrey Commercial Docks.
5th
Handed ship over to Dock authorities and returned
-
with Ship's Company to Chatham Barracks.
Erik
00
without
Lieut.-Commander, R.N.R.
ak.
teh
21
4R
ICE ADMIRAL
Ell day light an air
9- JUN 1940
the durlsping at
Vo
*
DOVER
R
- disaurban had toops, promium stares.

V request of
147
mander Duffilt 138
RN
141
Yamrs of Ratings thering under me in
144,
Iding rarions much during the wascuation of
Tyne.
Dunkish who are waithy of special mention.
Leading draman R.W. Lagg D/J 107221
V.G.
3. Captain the particular cooluers and resource during surnal brip to Dunkin K as
Caxswan of the Dulet s coup "TWENTE"
and later in the M.L. "Kechiel
Particularly worthy of mentia was his grounded behaviour an lte afternon of may 29"
when lte "TWENTE" what alangside etc
4 2300.
Paddle strawer "Gracia fields (afthi had she had received a direct hil with means two bunks when packed with troop) to lake off as many of the wi/mid and during alter as she could hold.
The "Glacia Fields could not top
Junkink her Engines and lte whole operation had
300
without
Is br preformed which butt and are t
proceding at half speed sgak
Lady Tranam Lug's cantial of his catch to Dorn.
about 2300 was
CAPTAIN, R.N.
- misswerpors that 4R
Ell day light an air
ICE ADMIRAL
be durlipuing at
9- JUN 1940
*
DOVER
R
at disaurban had troops, promium stares.

at request of
147
an mander. 138 RN
141
Yames of Ratings thering under me in
144,
Iding rarions much during the wascuation of
Tyne.
Dunkish who are waithy of special writin.
Crading draman R.W. Lagg D/J 107221
V.G.
3. Captain the particular cooluers and resource during surnal brips to as
Caxswan of the Dulet Scoop "TWENTE"
and later in the M.L. "Kechirl
Particularly worthy of mentia was his grounded behaviour an lte afternoon of may 29"
when lte "TWENTE" what alangside lte / 2300.
Paddle strawer "Gracia fields (afhi had she had received a direct hil with means two bunks when packed with troop) to lake off as many of the wi/mid and during athers as she could hold.
The "Glacia Fields could not top
Junkisk Jun kink her Engines and lte whole operation had & 300
to br preformed which butt and are - without proceding at half speed sgak
Lady Tranam Lug's cantial of his catch
Dorn.
about 2300 was
CAPTAIN, R.N.
- misswerpors that 45
Ell day light an air
ICE ADMIRAL
the durlipuing at
9- JUN 1940
*
DOVER
R
at disaubar had two ps, formium stares.

Statement from S.Y. Vincen: (Re, Dankish
522
C. B.O.
Sir,
7
Gn Imday the 31° M May. are the S.Jay Vincia left Ramagah in taw of three skiffs for Dunkinh at
2.45pm.
at 7pm see were off the Sandetha Bany, ohn
I
Yes.
From:- Lieut. V.A. de Mauny, R.N.
See
1
Date:- 5th June, 1940.
$
To:-
Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
that
30th May.
1245
Proceeded from Ramsgate in drifter Ocean Breeze"
(Skipper Bailley) with 2 whalers in tow.
14.00
Passed N. Goodwin L/V and proceeded by Route X
to Dunkirk Roads.
1915
Arrived off Dunkirk East Pier. Proceeded forthwith to position 1½ miles east of Pier and commenced embarking troops. Whalers were used for taking troops off beach - naval crew in 1 whalerand and drifter's crew in other.
Found motor boat with civilian crew and coxswain continued to tow our boats to and from shore to
"Ocean Breeze" until dark having embarked 170
(approx) British troops. Contacted Lieut.
McMullan in Schoot "Twente", turned whalers over to officer in charge of a tug as I realised that, without small boats, tugs and drifters etc.
could not operate.
2300
Left Dunkirk Roads by Route X and arrived Ramagate
0400 on 31st May and discharged troops.
31st May.
0830
Proceeded in "Ocean Breeze" by Route X to Dunkirk
1330
Arrived Roads. off Dunkirk East Pier: proceeded to point
1½ miles east of Dunkirk Pier and owing to absence of small boats and inability to contact any power driven craft of shallow draft I was not able to embark any troops until
1500
When I succeeded in borrowing a whaler from tug to which I had turned mine over on previous day.
Effected one trip ashore with whaler under oars but owing to surf and tide this operation took over half an hour. Then was fortunate in contacting Sub. Lt. Cornish R.N.V.R. in motor boat. This officer assisted me greatly by towing my whaler as far in shore as possible and hauling her off again by means of a warp for which we utilised the Dan mooring which happened to be in "Ocean Breeze". Without this officer's assistance I should not have been able to embark any troops that day.