TNA ADM 199 792

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Royal Naval Hospital,
265
Chatham.
6th June, 1940.
The Commander-in-Chief,
H.M.Ships & Vessels.
GRIVE
Portsmouth.
Sir,
83
I have the honour to report the movements of
H.M.S. "GRIVE", commanded by Captain The Hon. L.J.O.Lambart
D.S.O., R.N., from her departure from Portsmouth on Wednesday
29th May, 1940, and also especially to notify the changes in
officer personnel which took place and which may possibly
have caused confusion or uncertainty in compiling casualty lists.
At the time of receiving orders to proceed from
Portsmouth to Dover (i.e. 1300. 29-5-40) S/Lt. F.B.Hobson
R.N.V.R. was unwell and had already seen the Medical Officer
at R.N.B. Portsmouth, in consequence of which he was
immediately put ashore, but in the meantime Captain Lambert
had obtained Lt. Branwell R.N. from Lee-on-Solent as an
additional officer for the pending operations and he joined
the ship just before sailing.
H.M.S. "GRIVE" left Portsmouth at 1530 on the
29th May and anchored off Dover at 2400 awaiting further
orders. Captain Lambart went ashore at 0800 30th and
after receiving orders from the Commander-in-Chief Dover,
decided to sail at 1400 and utilise the evening tide at
Dunkirk.
Dunkirk was reached about 1900 and we proceeded
to take off troops from the East beach with our two whalers
and two motor boats, it was evidenced however that for the
number of troops which "GRIVE" could carry this method was
not an economic proposition. "GRIVE" remained about two
and a half hours and returned to Dover A.M. 31st with
just under 300 troops. There was an air raid on the town
during the period of "GRIVE'S" stay but the beach remained
untouched except for some artillery attack at the Eastern
end, directed I think, against A.A. guns.
Setting out again from Dover at 1400 31st, "GRIVE"
this time entered Dunkirk Harbour about 2000, and took off
nearly 400 troops from the jetty, more might have been
taken, but there was very severe air raid and as the
ships were three abrenst at the jetty Cantain Lambart
decided to withdraw and reduce the target. This air maid
continued out to sea and just after clearing the harbour
it was confidentally thought that "GRIVE'S" after 12 pounder
accounted for an enemy machine. Returning to Dover by
0100 1st June, "GRIVE" landed her troops, and although having
only 5 rounds of ammunition per gun, set out again at 0300.
response to a signal to the assistance of H.M.S. "IVANHOE", I
Approaching Dunkirk about 0800 "GRIVE" proceeded in
but arrival found another vessel alongside already.
of on the jetty and he accordingly proceeded attacks alongside
then on reported to Captain Lambart that I could see a group
and troops took them off undergoing very heavy bombing
just outside the jetty while we were on the inside.
hich we fortunately left us unharmed although one salvo We dropped
withdrew from the harbour and proceeded to sea, a tremendous
air battle was proceeding all this time.
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