TNA ADM 199 792

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Ship sailed from Dover at 0850 on 29th May, did a days minesweeping
and arrived off Dunkirk, lit by the red flames of the burning oil tanks
at 0040 on 30th May. On this occasion troops were embarked off BRAY
DUNE in our own boats and canvas punts. There were no incidents of
note, and we sailed at 0515, arriving at Dover at 1015 on Thursday
morning. All boats were left on the beach by order from Rear Admiral
Dover.
Third trip. Sailing from Dover at 1330 with a party of signalmen
for LA PANNE, we arrived off BRAY at 1830. Admiral Wake Walker came
on board for passage to LA PANNE, where we transferred him to H.M.S.
"WORCESTER" and enchored at 1930. I can recall no. features of this
trip, which was eclipsed by the incidents of the following one.
we
proceeded at 0118 and arrived at Dover at 0600.
Fourth trip. In order to comply with Vice Admiral Dover's
0446/30 12 hours were spent at Dover.
A
smallamotor-boat,
the
"Handy
Billy! was requisitioned. We left at 1800 and anchored as ordered,
one mile west of LA PANNE and 4 cables from the shore, at 1207.
Sub-Lieutenant M.Phipps proceeded to search the shore in "Handy Bill
and reported no answer to his hails. Inside an hour, however, the
situation had changed, and thousands were massing abreast the ship.
UI called for more boats by searchlight up and down the immic coast,
and eventually was much assisted by H.M.S. "IVANHOE" who lent me a
motor-boat. The vital need now was for more boats. About this time
Lieutenant-Commander McLelland swam off from shore with a message for
Dover which he was just able to gasp out before collapsing. The
troops had been forcedout of LA PANNE and were marching West.
We
also embarked a Major, 2nd in Command 2nd Coldstream Guards, and on
his advice ordered the bulk of the troups to move West on Dunkirk in
small groups.
I decided to remain where I was and to embark the wounded and such
troops as refused to move on. "IVANHOE" remained with me.
At this time a paddle minesweeper most gallently grounded herself
close inshore to save as many as possible. I do not know har name.
At 0500 as I had expected a flight of Messerschmidt 109's appeared
from Eastward, flew low over the beaches and sprayed ships and men
with machine-gun fire. The silvery tracer bullets were clearly
visible in the morning light. Our fire did something to disperse
these machines and casualties did not appear to be heavy.
At 0600 Captain D in H.M.S. "CODRINGTON" asked me my intentions
End as I had 675 troops on board I replied I was proceedingt He
ordered me to Dunicirk to "Fill up".
On our way there we went alongside H.M.S. "SKIPJACK" who required
8oz.
chloroform. We then berthed on East Arm just beyond the break,
and very quickly embarked some 170 French troops. The enemy was now
bombing the town and massing off the harbour entrence. As I went
astern "IVANHOE" was hit as she steamed full speed past the pierhead.
We set course west, and were about to turn North at 5W Buoy when we
were attacked by some five Junkers 87 dive bombers. These were
followed by nine or ten otheres the a few minutes later. It was
at
this time that H.M.S. "HAVANT" was hit. During these
attacks
I
attribute our escape to the coolness and precision with which Lieut-
enant .Menisty and Yeoman of Signals J.Young ( C/J X 131436
observed each aircraft as it turned to the attack, and assisted me in
handling the ship. The salvoes sonbanneck of four small bombs and
one large one fell very close; on two occasions it was only our swing
during the flight of the bombs that saved us. The 0.5" machine-gun
fired until all the feree springs fell off. The 4" guns were hamp-
ered by the swing of the ship.
This was a most trying time for the troops between decks who could
not tell whether or not we were hit. A great deal was done to calm
them by P.O. Std. A.Hockney ( L 14824 ) who actually sat on the ladder
to the messdeck and sang to the soldiers.