TNA ADM 199 792

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2.
N. 05 wasthe M/S Kellett
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600 troops and I considered she would stand little chance
241
of hauling off Oriole at high water. I accordingly signalled
destroyer N.05 asking her to detail a ship for the purpose
and she signalled a tug in the vicinity to stand by.
Almost simultaneously a bombing raid took place
1500
also a number of incendiary bombs were dropped near Oriole,
then high and dry. The position was becoming dangerous
having regard to the large number of troops on board
Waverley and I weighed at 1540 and proceeded via Zuedcoote
Pass towards Kwinte Buoy. At 1630 bombing attacks were continued
the principal targets being large transports and a hospital
29/5
ship using the channel. At 1700, 12 Heinkel bombers concentrated
their attacks on Waverly by now alone in the channel, and I
from a height of approx. 8000 feet,
adopted evading tactics successfully until about 1725 when one
four each saluo
of the salvoes off bombs entered the ship on the port quarter in
my cabin and after wrecking the ward room flat passed right
like
through the bottom of the ship leaving a hole about 6 feet in
diameter.
Four soldiers were killed and a number wounded who
were immediately attended by our Medical Officer and his first-
aid party. For a quarter of an hour the attack continued with
the addition of machine gunning of the upper deck but a rapid
rate of fire was kept up by our 12 pounder and Lewis guns,
supplemented by rifle fire of the troops. No further bombs
hit the ship and I intended to keep going with the possibility
y
of falling in with other ships and transferring the troops.
I
ahandoned in a smking condition (the
sponson being under water), the position new
T busy.
The confidential books in safe were
macesssable onco on bridge r in W/T Room relieved
to C.13. officer Door.