TNA ADM 199 792

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9
may 301 208
by Stayed moving off La Panne during the night, as could do much
Shelling was continuous and by the sound anywhere. some were
about after dark. No lights not
falling among the ships at the anchorage. News shells
(21)
no boats; ship message = boats found no one on beach.
conflicting: shore message = thousands of men waiting, very but
Probable truth was - Germans had range of lorry breakwater
and beaches near it and they shelled them heavily. Boats
went in there and found no one, as troops had moved farther
west clear of shell fire. Don't know what really took
place. Off shore one felt helpless, etc.
Aircraft passed close overhead flying down the anchorages
and fairway; MALCOLM off Braye reported a number of para-
chute mines dropped to westward of there, and suggested
ships should leave by Zuidcoote Pass in the morning as
passage to west was so heavily mined. Noise of MTB engines
often heard to seaward and eastward: ? our own patrol.
2300
Received urgent signal from Admiralty asking where Gort was
and why I had detailed the MTBs sent for him to other work.
Gort had just left HEBE in a motor launch: after long
search for him in the dark, at last found him, transferred
1st (24) June. As a result of the bombing the day before, asked for
him to the MA/SB and sent him off to Dover with Lees.
fighter protection at dawn.
0215
Heard that troops were moving westward and decided that
embarkation at La Panne was no longer possible. MALCOLM
and HARVESTER ordered from La Panne to Dunkerque. Also
told ships to keep close to fairway buoys to avoid mines
in the channel.
0235 (22) To Admiralty and VA, Dover:- "Yesterday ships off Braye
under fire. Today's shorter front will bring dangerous
area westward. Consider beach work too costly and evac-
uation must be confined to Dunkerque. Small craft will be
moved westward at dawn.
VA, Dover, reply = "While leaving this to your discretion,
essential that beaches be used until found impossible.
0330
Growing light. BASILISK with me - kept empty for support- La
fire against tanks or lorries along beach. Up by and
ing beach was deserted except for lorry breakwater - boats
Panne scattered cars. Sea also seemed deserbed small to the
westward. some of the boats adrift. Off Braye Ships were
had One or two motor launches about: there them was to a
vanished, a few empty ones drifting on tide told
collect and a paddle minesweeper ashore. and men were
minesweeper still loading off Braye and to the westward,
moving down westward off Braye along and the hailed beaches. a tug which and was try on to its tow way
Moved some soldiers on board to go in was
back with minesweeper. Master paid no attention; him and sent an only
(86)
off the get away. Trained a gun on board
anxious to to take charge, put the soldiers on
RNVR Sub-Lt. which was nearby, and go off to help the minesweeper with
SABRE, was that tugs had been told to regarded go over them-
Real trouble boats in tow and load up, and never they informed of this
pulling transports only. I was tugs.
selves as them as tugs and for use as by
All the night, but the degaussing possible. and
and regarded this time I was moving in waters mined proved effieient aircraft
(27)
during to edge of fairway when of the
I kept low clouds. Most ships were though full.
0400 (23)
Misty with that were not I sent into Dunkerque, and some for of the
Those were still many men on beaches, of small craft
there small gone back boats to for were England. the still night there, Did and not were majority then going realise back June. as they intended. Troops had had been
Reported are evacuating gradually directing to Dunkerque all boats as and eastern small beaches craft
sent over "Situation report at 0600, 1st
to
0625
are untenable. and loading Am all ships at Dunkerque. and fighter More attacks ships
vicinity required. Heavy bombing on Dunkerque About
(28)
on ships."