TNA ADM 199 792

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For 2230 this and night the time was cut down by
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destroyers docks of the inner harbour; the go right up
quays and 0230. The small craft were to an hour to between to the
and the and paddle sweepers were to use the transports, East
to remainder the West Quay. Arrangements Pier, made
bring off the French Admiral in MA/SB 7, as his were own
MTBs were said to be out of action.
Naval pier and berthing parties for the East Pier, under
Cdr. Buchanan, were to go over early in WHITSHED. I went
over in MTB 102 which had a cruising engine - very useful
inside the crowded harbour. On the way over we passed
other ships which had started earlier, and in the distance
they seemed to be having a hot time from an air attack.
2220
I got over at 2220 to find the harbour swarming with French
fishing craft and vessels of all sorts. They were yelling
and crowding alongside the East Pier which was already
thick with French troops. Managed to get them out of the
way of transports and destroyers in time and go on up the
inner harbour.
WHITSHED also arrived at 2220, but owing to fresh easterly
wind and west-going tide she could not get alongside pier
where there was no one who would take a line. She was
soon followed by SABRE and KINGFISHER. KINGFISHER was
sent to the West Quay, but the others were backing and
filling in the narrow harbour trying to get alongside and
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being continually set off. Situation was not made easier
by the stream of French craft coming in or leaving harbour;
seamanship displayed was really magnificent. A small hand:
handy tug to push them in would have been invaluable.
Could not use the MTB for this as a similar attempt on the
previous night had put the MA/SB's engine out of action.
2300
Took some of the berthing party from WHITSHED to land them
on the pier, but had great difficulty in getting alongside,
2330
even in the MTB. Finally got them ashore, and by 2330
WHITSHED, SABRE and 3 personnel ships were alongside.
Note.- There was a wreck alongside the pier itself, a
wrecked trawler off the end of the piling on the west side
of the up-harbour channel and blockships sunk in the
channel: task of these ships in getting alongside against
wind and tide could hardly have been more difficult.
Luckily tide was high. Meanwhile, schuyts, Fleet sweepers
and French TBs had been making their way into the West Quay
where embarkation was going well.
The hold up at the East Pier had thrown out the programme
tion in the entrance. At times had to stop ships coming
of ships entering the harbour and there was great conges-
in the move and the handling of them was
to let others out in safety, but ships seemed marvellous. always to
be Collisions on were inevitable: KINGFISHER was badly holed trawler by
a her D.G. cable had been cut and there were plenty to Dover.
French trawler. She transferred her troops to a of
magnetic of 6 E-boats proceeding S. W. from off the
as mines about. Then she was sent off back Ostende.
4th June.
0100
Report (Several ships of all sizes lying stopped harbour
KELLETT breakwater. A lifeboat towed her to risk keep- and
entrance.) aground on a falling tide, right up stern against clear the
0140
western refloated. Was then too near daylight have been
she her: West Quay was occupied and it would then so slow
ing time before she could be loaded. By her return, as a
some would be exposed to great danger on our fighter
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ship might not be able to get back while empty.
she were operating. Sent her back
Flow bad pauses. The first group quickly personnel
patrols of men on the East Pier was better this night, of but
there were and destroyers some got away by 0100 there and were were crowds
replaced by West Quay where more ships could be know so the at
ships others. All the time used, of
men on the led a large personnel ship, which did clear, not another
0145
0145 I this berth. As soon as she was till 0330,
way, - ROYAL into SOVEREIGN - went in and stayed there At
i.e. half an hour after the time intended.