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31/5
and bombed several times and started burning again. I got the impression
that these guns were firing blindly into this area, as sholls foll near the
Olan Macallistor" and over her but not among the ships loading which were
some way inshore of her. Later, however, these chips did COMO under fire,
and "VIVACIOUS" reported she had been hit twice and had eleven casualties,
and two or three hundrod troops on board, I ordered her to 80 into Dunkirk
and fill up there.
General Lees 172.S the Senior Officer of the H.Q. Staff and I thought it
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would be a good education for him to see something of what the naval problem
was, so I kept him on the bridge with ICC. As Lord Gort was in the "EdEE"
I felt that he WGB safe, and as the "HEBE" was doing good work caberking
troops I did not send her back to Dover with him at once. Thorein perhaps
I was wrong, as I had not realized the anxiety of the Government to have
him safe and sound at home but had felt he would soonor the ship helped to
bring off more men rather than that he should land a few hours carlier in
England.
During the day I made a signal to all ships with instructions for
supporting fire against enemy tanks and lorries on the boach. The critical
place was likely to be at La Panne after the line was evacuated, and I intended
to be there myself in "KETTH" at deybreak the noxt morning. I also kopt
"BASTLISK" free of troops for the same purpose.
The weather improved gradually and at 1700 I was able to signal:-
" Weather off beaches now good. Many more boats should come into use again
Q.B tido rises. General movement of troops westward towards Dunkirk. No
petrol supply yet and many basts are getting short off La Panno and Braye,
Movement from Dunkirk continuos. Great air activity."
Actually drifters with petrol arrived not long after at 1815.
31/5
After embarking the Headquarters Staff I returned to Dunkirk to DOG
how the boat situation was getting on. There I found Wynne-Invardo who had
been doing good work, and I saw for the first time that strange procession
of craft of all kinds that has become Pamous - tuge towing dinghise, life-
boats and all manner of pulling boats - small motor yachts, motor Isunchos,
drifters, Dutch scoots, Thames barges, fishing boats, pleasure ateamoro,