TNA ADM 199 792

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KEITH'S I learnt boats he sent in, but Gort was not in 207 and
No one his staff: heavy air attack trips necessary time.
to bring off was in HEBE already. Three first boat
(21)
ships and was hit, though narrow escapes. Many during this on
increase beaches; HEBE shot down a Heinkel. attacks
(19)
of shell fire off Braye, where CLAN Great
was and a valuable decoy: she was hit and bombed MACALLISTER several times
blindly into this area, as shells fell near CLAN MACALLIS-
started burning again. Enemy guns seemed to be firing
TER but not among ships loading which were some inshore
of her. Later, these ships did come under fire, way and
VIVACIOUS was hit twice and had 11 casualties - 2-300
troops on board. Ordered her to go into Dunkerque and
fill up there.
Lees was Senior Staff Officer of H. Q. Staff, and I thought
it would be a good education for him to see something of
what the naval problem was, so I kept him on the bridge
with me. As Gort was in HEBE I felt he was safe, and as
HEBE was doing good work embarking troops I did not send
her back to Dover with him at once. Therein, perhaps, I
was wrong, as I had not realized the anxiety of Government
to have him safe and sound at home, but felt he would
1st
sooner the ship helped to bring off more men than he should
land a few hours earlier in England.
During the day made signal to all ships with instructions
for supporting fire against enemy tanks and lorries on the
beach. Critical place likely to be at La Panne after the
line was evacuated; intended to be there myself in KEITH
at daybreak next morning. Also kept BASILISK free of
(22) troops for same purpose.
1700
Weather improved gradually. Signal = "Weather off beaches
now good: many more boats should come into use again as
tide rises. General movement of troops westward towards
Dunkerque. No petrol supply yet and many boats getting
short off La Panne and Braye. Movement from Dunkerque
continues. Great air activity. "
1815
Drifters with petrol arrived.
After embarking H. Q. Staff I returned to Dunkerque and
found Wynne-Edwards had been doing good work. Saw for the
first time that strange procession of craft of all kinds
that has become famous - small motor yachts, motor launches
drifters, Dutch schuyts, Thames barges, fishing boats,
pleasure steamers, tugs towing dinghies, lifeboats and all
manner of pulling boats.
(20)
As tows of boats appeared they were told to which beach be
they should go; particularly anxious there should
sufficient at La Panne which was farthest off. Directed 10
miles up the coast; and as light was beginning the remaining to fail,
several tows to go on to La Panne, telling them it was
Motor I left and Wynne-Edwards went on up to in La a MA/SB Panne myself. to direct Off Panne Braye were I saw
tows I had feared - that tows ordered to La
stopping what at Braye: got there just in farther time to on. warn
CODRINGTON (off Braye) to send them
out to Lees how easy it was to talk about ten-mile distribu-
Pointed boats and craft at certain places along different a
ting of coast, but that it was a very craft which thing
stretch it done in practice, in the dark, by to help
to get not been there before and with no lights the first place them. they
had inevitable tendency was to stop assembled. at
The where other craft were
In the (on a his return to me at about off was La Panne.
came to end pretty fair distribution was 2230) made, and able Wynne- to
Edwards report that it was there this were evening a number that of I boats saw 2 would transports be bombed. go into
Dunkerque and out was just as it was getting from dark, that direction.
I think very nervous that they and shortly
They moved heard very heavy bombing aircraft attacking off
Actually, afterwards bombing was from our NOW own dark and I remained
batteries La Panne in down company the coast. with HEBE and several other Stayed ships.