TNA ADM 199 790

170
. 175
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Motor boat towing vhaler and too essy pontecns. lines provious day plar had boon constructed by driving art Lorries at obb tido in line and securing plants on top, considerably oxpediting loading of bonto, though embaritation ruto was closed considerably by Lock of control at shoro and of plar to novo troops along and by natural reluctance of troops to venture along pier without being relieved of part of their heavy equipment. Somo difficulty experienced in loading too of 4 boato without smaching up ageinst plane in swall, and in hendling pontome in for in provailing conditions which tended to reduce emborketion rate. Bonto available quito inadequato, largo open notor beach borto required, together with vencol. enchored or our whord of pier to give a 100 if necessary with oil slide provided. During enbortation
Sutton collected coldiers from overtumed pontoon. Allowed to bronch in swell. Three believed dramed mainly the to lack of foresight of shore authorities in allowing troops to emback with full equipment and overcoats in detoriorating weather conditions. 120 tecago omberked montly 3,S,,
ReAdy RAIS.C. with a for infortaynen ml guards, moralo very good but very critical of Lock of R.M.P. support and Solgium treathory bohind lines.
Country code to be filled with adoo, night poultions during retreat soon to be signatted by flamlight to plened, banbed within half on hour of being ontablished. Surgelning apood of advance of Commo against positions being propared and against (ive boolding also
Important factors.
1137. Walghed enchor and discharged tedogo alonguide lydi, 1SA8
and DOB Ancreasing alightly, rather low cloud.
1190. Proceedod North Goodsin 60, Voccal to and the for nomb readeavous. tydd and Room procession to Mergabo to Mocharge treaps.
1530. Anchored où North Goodidn St. Voncol.
1055. Weighod and proceeded to Dunkiris in company with Riger.
Passed great number of mall creft, 00 will 00 Controyors and paddlors.
2115. Pessod Dunitize Herbour docume 1 cable. Heavy genfire from boach about 2 milos word of Herboury apparently enemy chelling tom.
Pires in Dunident more expensive.
2147. Anchored off bonch between La Pomo end No algn
2235. Boat from shore reported troops further to content, only or bonto an expected.
boat available nun aground. Moved 1 allo customerd.
Security 194 June 0200: No troops yet contrated, to bonto except
Subton's available. Several minolaying aircraft overhood, observed parechuto minos deconding about 3 cables should and 1 cable astern.
Mines reported dropped all over folrway.
0190. Commenced loading broops with our oun notor bont and wholer
Troops ship's Refe and infentryment Including guards, 3. Yorks., after and lifeboat found off booth. Lator contated by motor yacht. and mohine montly detechment. No. RedePe before or One dram.
Opened gun occapional aircraft at drum. whilet lovel bombing fire on at about 9000 foot followed by mechino gunding in omborizing boing halped over the aldo. This heavy gun attack wounded from postecns alongaide, 000 commity mechino receiving wounds attack undoubtodly but would ted Lowis gun and Bron toxido manned Bron the back whilet have boon prossed home country the
Bin ships defence 4.0. for the largo chip's lifebook breings 1940
for concernte Dotachment of low flying.
M.M.S. "SUTTON"

179
- 183
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Motor boat towing whaler and two army pontoons. Since previous day pier had been constructed by driving out lorries at ehb tide in of line and securing planks on top, considerably expediting loading boats, though embarkation rate was slowed considerably by lack of control at shore end of pier to move troops along and by natural reluctance of troops to venture along pier without beding relieved of part tow of their heavy equipment. Some difficulty experienced in loading pontoons in tow in prevailing conditions which tended to reduce embarkation of 4 boats without smashing up against pier in swell, and in handling rate. Boats available quite inadequate, large open motor beach boats required, together with vessel anchored hocadside or sunk athead of pier
Sutton collected soldiers from overturned pontoon. Allowed to broach in to give a lee if necessary with oil &td provided. During embarkation awell. Three believed drowned mainly due to lack of foresight of shore authorities in allowing troops to embark with full equipment and overcoats in deteriorating weather conditions. 120 troops embarked mostly R.B.,
R.A., R.A.S.C. with a few infantrymen and guards, morale very good but very critical of lack of R.A.F. support and Belgium treachery behind lines.
Country said to be filled with spies, night positions during retreat seen to be scignalled by flashlight to planes, bombed within half an hour of being established. Surprising speed of advance of Germans against positions being prepared and defencelessness against dive bombing also important factors.
1137. Weighed anchor and discharged troops alongside Lydd. Widd and sea increasing slightly, rather low cloud.
1150. Proceeded North Goodwin Lt. Vessel to await time for next rendezvous. Lydd and Ross proceeded to Margate to discharge troops.
1538. Anchored at North Goodwin Lt. Vessel.
1855. Weighed and proceeded to Dunkirk in company with Niger.
Passed great number of small craft, as well as destroyers and paddlers.
2115. Passed Dunkirk Harbour distant 1 cable. Heavy gunfire from beach about 2 miles west of Harbour, apparently enemy shalling town.
Fires in Dunkirk more expensive.
2147. Anchored off beach between La Panne and Dunkirk. No sdgn of boats as expected.
2235. Boat from shore reported troops further to eastward, only boat available run aground. Moved 1 mile eastward.
Saturday 1st June 0100: No troops yet contacted, No boats except
Sutton's available. Several minelaying aircraft overhead, observed parachute mines decending about 3 cables ahead and 1 cable astern.
Mines reported dropped all over fairway.
0130. Commenced loading broops with our own motor boat and whaler and ship's lifeboat found off beach. Later assisted by motor yacht.
Troops mostly R.A. and infantrymen including guards, 3. Yorks., and machine gun detachment. No. R.A.F. assistance before or after dawn.
Opened fire on occasional reconnaisance aircraft at dawn. One level bombing attack at about 5000 feet followed by machine gunning whilst in the back whilst being helped over the side. This machine gun attack embarking wounded from pontoons alongaide, one casualty receiving wounds undoubtedly would have been pressed home causing very heavy casualties but for concentrated Lewis gun and Bren gun fire from troops, who manned ships M.G. armament. Detachment of Guards also offered to provide Bren gun defence for the large ship's lifeboat against occasional low flying.

-188
102
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Motor boat towing whaler and two army pontoons. Since previous day pier had been constructed by driving out lorries at ebb tide in line and securing planks on top, considerably expediting loading of boats, though embarkation rate was slowed considerably by lack of control at shore end of pier to move troops along and by natural reluctance of troops to venture along pier without being relieved of part of their heavy equipment. Some difficulty experienced in loading tow of 4 boats without smashing up against pier in swell, and in handling pontoons in tow in prevailing conditions which tended to reduce embarkation rate. Boats available quite inadequate, large open motor beach boats required, together with vessel anchored broadside or sunk at head of pier to give a lee if necessary with oil slick provided.
During embarkation, Sutton collected soldiers from overturned pontoon. allowed to broach in swell. Three believed drowned mainly due to lack of foresight of shore authorities in allowing troops to embark with full equipment and overcoats in deteriorating weather conditions. I20 troops embarked mostly
R.E., R.A. R.A.S.C. with a few infantrymen and guards, morale very good but very critical of lack of R.A.F support and Belgium treachery behind lines. Country said to be filled with spies, night positions during retreat seen to be signalled by flashlight to planes, bombed within half an hour of being established.
Surprising speed of advance of Germans against positions being prepared and defencelessness against dive bombing also important factors.
II37. Weighed anchor and discharged troops alonside Lydd. Wind and sea increasing slightly, rather low cloud.
II50. Proceeded North Goodwin Lt Vessel to await time for next rendezv ous. Lydd and Ross proceeded to Margate to discharge troops.
1538. Anchored at North Goodwin Lt Vessel.
I855. Weighed and proceeded to Dunkirk in company with Niger.
Passed great number of small craft, as well as destroyers and paddlers.
2115. Passed Dunkirk Harbour distantI I cable. Heavy gunfire from beach about 2 miles west of harbour, apparently enemy shelling town. Fires in Dunkirk more extensive.
2147. Anchored off beach between La Panne and Dunkirk. No sign of boats as expected.
2235. Boat from shore reported troops further to eastward, only
Saturday Iss Junable roo. Saturday Isavailable.com No troops yet contacted. No boats except aground. Moved 1 mile eastward.
Sutton's available. Several minelaying aircraft overhead, observed parashute mines descending about 3 cables ahead and I cable astern. Mines reported dropped all over fairway.
0130. Commenced loading troops with own motor boat and whaler and ship's lifeboat found off beach. Later assisted by motoryacht.
Troops mostly R.A. and infantrymen including guards, E. Yorks.
and machine gun detachment. No R.A.F assistance before or after dawn. Opened fire on occasional reconnaisance aircraft at dawn.
One level bombing attack at about 5000 feet followed by machine gunning whilst embarking wounded from pontoons alongside, one casualty receiving wounds in back whilst being helped over the side. This machine gun attack undoubtably would have been pressed gun and causing Bren fire from troops, who manned ships L.G. armament.
home very heavy casualties but for concentrated Lewis
Detachment of gun Guards also offered to provide Bren gun defence for the large ship's lifeboat against occasional low flyiing

203
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Motor boat towing whaler and two army pontoons. Since previous day pier had been constructed by driving out lorries at abb tido in line and securing planks on top, considerably expediting loading of boats, though embarkation rate was slowed considerablyby lack of control at shore end of pior to move troops along and by natural reluctance of troops to venture along pier without being relieved of part of their heavy equipment. Some defficulty experienced in loading tow of 4 boats without smashing up against pier in swell and in handling pontoons in tow in provailing conditions which tended to reduce embarkation rate. Boats available quite inadequate, large open motor beach boats required, together with vessel anchordd broadside or sunk at Hoad of pior to give a lee if necessary with oil slick provided.
During embarkation, Sutton collected soldiers from overturned pontoon.
Allowed to broach in swell. Three believed drowned mainly due to lack of foresight of shore authorities in allowing troops to embark with full equipment and overcoats in deteriorating weather conditions. 120 trags embarked mostly R.E., R.A., R.A.S.C. with a for infantrymen and guards, morale very good but very critical of lack of R.A.F. support and Bolgium treachery behind lines. Country said to be filled with updes, night positions during retreat seen to be signalled by flashlight to planos, bombed within half nn hour of being established. Surprising speed of advance of Germans against positions being propared and defencelossness against dive bombing also important factors.
1137. Weighed anchor and discharged troops alongside Lydd. Wind and sea increasing alightly, rather Low cloud.
1150. Proceeded North Goodwin Lt. Vessel to await time for next reddezvous. Lydd and Ross proceeded to Margate to discharge troops.
1538. Anchored at North Goodwin Lt. Vessel.
1855. Weighed and proceeded to Dunkirk in company ml. th Higer.
Passed great number of small craft, as well as destroyers and paddlors.
2115. Passed Dunkirk Harbour distant 1 cable. Heavy gunfire from beach about 2 miles west of Harbour, apparently enemy shelling tom.
Fires in Dunkirk more extensive.
2147. Anchored off beach between La Fanne and Dunkirk. No sign of boats as expected.
2235. Boat from shore reported troopa further to eastward, only boat available run aground. Moved 1 mile eastward.
Saturday 1st June 0100. No troops yet contacted. No boats except
Sutton's available. Several minelaying airoraft overhead, observed parachute mines descending about 3 cables ahead and 1 cable astern. lines
0130. Commenced loading troops with own notor boats and whalar reported dropped all over fairway.
Troops mostly R.A. and infantrymen including guards, X Yorks., and machine and ship's lifeboat found off beach. Lator assisted by motor yacht.
gun detachmont. No R.A.F. assistance before or after. dawn. Opened fire occasional reconnaisence aircraft at dawn. One level bombing wounded from pontoons alongaide, one casualty receiving attack wounds in attack on of about 5000 feet followed by machine gunning whilst embarking back whilst helped over the side. This machine gun but undoubtedly for would being been pressed home causing very heavy casualties manned
L.G. concentrated Detachment of Guards also offered to provide low gun have Lowis gun and Bron gun fire from troops, who Bron ships defence armsment. for the large ship's lifeboat against occasional flying
COMMANDING OFFICER
19 JUN 1940
H.M.S. "SUTTON"
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At this time a terrific aerial battle was on, shells from shore batteries were falling around and bombs dropping all over the place in close proximity. As I was towing this boat I saw a bomb hit the pleasure steamer "PRINCE OF WALES". I closed her and took aboard two badly wounded Officers and two ratings.
I offered to go aboard as she was sinking slowly, but was told only two dead remained on board.
Just before this, ordinary seaman Purbrick fell overboard from exhaustion and I picked him up somehow.
My Cox. was sleeping on his feet on and off and the two others lay down and stood up as strength permitted.
The C.O. of the "PRINCE OF WALES", although covered in blood, offered to try and steer the boat.
I then saw a man swimming naked in the water.
Stopped and got him.
Next a heavily loaded boat of soldiers turned right over close inshore, and left the men struggling in the water. I
got down to them and rescued the lot personally hauling them aboard with my crews feeble assistance.
While doing this, I got a rope round my Starboard screw and fouled the rudder. I now had a full load of soldiers on board (six wounded) a full boat load towing and soldiers clinging to the stern.
With what I thought was the last of my strength, I got my launch alongside a lifeboat and from there hauled her hand over hand, by means of a grass rope, up to the sloop "MOSQUITO". I then discovered the lifeboat's propeller was also fouled. Neither
I
nor my crew could clear the propeller, so I boarded "MOSQUITO" and asked the 1st Lieutenant to send someone to do so.
Meanwhile,
I
went below for a cup of tea.
I came on deck in fifteen minutes, but the rope could not be cleared I was told.
Air battle still in progress with bombs dropping all around.
I then with difficulty closed the yacht "GALETA" and asked her to take me in tow.
The C.O.'s ship was in a very bad position with regard to German shore batteries, nevertheless, he wanted another boat load of troops before leaving and asked me to try and close the beach and get one. I said I would, but asked him to watch out for me in case
I got ashore.
I proceeded towards the beach just then coincident with an explosion of some kind.
The launch seemed to rise from the water, fall back, rise again and fall back.
I could only move slowly now and I saw the yacht was drawing the fire from shore. One of the crew called out that the yacht was signalling me. I looked round and saw she was signalling me. With great difficulty I got alongside and made her fast for towing, then slumped on the yacht's deck, stupified with exhaustion, want of sleep and food, I suppose.
Unfortunately the tow rope parted a few minutes later.
The C.O. of yacht objected and rightly so to going back to the shealed area with his ships and troops on board.
So the "TRITON" was left afloat with a rope round her screw and a badly damaged stem and stern.
I regret exceedingly that I did not get her home again for various reasons.
It was about 1840 31st May, 1940, when my activities ceased.
I had been on my feet from 0700 29th May, to 1840 31st May, 1940, in a small craft, without sleep and the only food eaten from 2000 29th
May to that time was one tin of herrings, ont tin of bully beef and between five and two slices of bread each also four cups of tea without sugar.
We simply had not time to eat.
A few more remarks and I finish. I was the only
Commissioned Officer (excluding Commodore Skippers) who was constantly in the boats at La Panne.
I took off more troops than I can remember there - scores and scores of boat loads and I venture to say if my boat had not remained there to the last, hundreds would never have got away.