TNA ADM 199 792

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boat wore not soon egain und X had to nend the survivor book on 10 hed only
one engine and was too badly damaged to be of use.
We got over about 2030 and went in and picked up Gonoral Aloxander and
his staff. I transferred them to a destroyer shortly after, and in her
General Mansergh was later killed by a machino-sun bullet from 0. pl: no then
close to Dover. Tennant and the last of his party loft in on M.T.B. as soon
as the last of the British troops had gono.
The outer part of the East Fier was not built solid but was of concrete
piles through which the Westgoing tide set. This, coupled with a fresh
Eastorly wind, made it very difficult for ships to got alongside until the tido
turned about 2300. We used the M.A.S.B. to push one destroyer in and tried to
get other small craft to do likewise. By this time the French had come to life
and a large number of their small craft of overy sort, size and description filled
the narrow harbour. To make matters môre complicated the M.A.S.B.'s clutch
went wrong and she could not go astern. Turning in that harbour became most
dangerous in consequence as hoats of all sorts boro down on us from both directions.
By 2200, however, in spite of the tide and wind, 1/- destroyers hed got any and the
last of the B.E.F. was clear soon after.
Then there was a long pause. The French should have followed OU2* men on
the East Pier but they did not appear. I could see crowds of beholmetted
figures at the West quay and there seemed a scareity of French ships, 30 I sent
two personnel ships in there, One was the "ROYAL SOVERSION" who vas handled
magnificently, turning and going alongaide bown out. Another was the "ROUEN,"
Q. French cross-channel steamer. I don't know what happened to her but in gotting
away she got broadside on to the wind and grounded just to the Westward of the
quay; there she lay showing up clearly against on oil fuel five bohind hor.
The tide was falling and I had visions of her still there in daylight - Sull of
men and a sitting target for bombers. I went outside the herbour and cont in
a tug to try and help her but the tug drew too much water and could not got
near. I also sent a lifeboat to her to try and get the mon away. The men, I
think, were got away, but she remained there until she florted off with the
next tide in daylight and then returned in safety.