TNA ADM 199 792

(1709) Wt. 22622/4313 50M 9/38 S.E.R. Ltd. Gp. 671.
108
Register No.
M.011883/40
Minute Sheet No. 2.
105
Submitted:
(1) For approval to forward this report to all Flag
Officers with the "corrective" referred to in V.C.N.S.'
para.3 contained in the attached draft covering letter (I).
(2) For approval to write to Air Ministry and War
Office informing them of the existence of this report and requesting, as in the attached draft (II) their co-operation in analysing the report and framing recommendations therefrom as in A.C.N.S.(H)'s para. 5.
2.
It is suggested that if action as at (2) above is approved, the analysis should be carried out at the I.D.C.
DIRECTOR OF TRAINING & STAFF DUTIES
DIVISION.
24.8.40.
(2) of
DTIS: 24.8.40.
Comm his pace.
(H)
3L 8. 4
Conan
P.SOP
319

.011883/40.
DRAFT II.
181
Air Ministry.
War Office.
183
I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the
(Army Council that Their Lordships are now in possession
(Air Council of the complete reports of the V.A. DOVER and other Naval
Authorities concerned in the operation of the evacuation of the B.E.F. from FRANCE.
Their Lordships consider that these reports, together with any parallel documents in the possession of the (Army Council are of sufficient importance to
(Air Council merit full analysis by a committee of the three Services with the object of making recommendations regarding interservice co-operation in combined operations.
Their Lordships propose that, if the (Army Council i
(Air Council agree, the Committee should be composed of three officers, one from each Service, of the rank or equivalent rank of
3
Captain R.N., and that the work should be carried out at
S
the I.D.C.
I am, therefore, to request your early remarks on this proposal and, if possible, the name of the officer selected.
I am, etc.
r
3
ii

SURVIVORS OF H.M.S. "BASILISK".
199
BAKER, Walter T.W.
201
Ldg. Stoker Pens. R.F.R.
NOON, Robert
Stoker.
WESTLAKE, S.A.W.
Pens. C.E.R.A.
KAYE, Fredk. Leonard
Ldg. Stoker R.F.R.
WILLCOCKS, Edward. Stuart
Chief Armourer.
HOUGHTON, Leonard
Sto. R.F.R.
GREEN, Albert G.
Sto. R.F.R.
CUNINGHAM, Joseph H.
Pen. P.O. Stoker.
RICHARD, Frederick H.
Ldg. Std.
KINGSTON, Thomas J.
Stoker I.
ROWLES, Francis S.
Idg. Sto.
COWELL, D.C.
E.R.A.2.
RICHARDSON, Joseph
E.R.A.5.
BLIGHT, Leslie Roy
E.A.3.
COULTON, Amold
E.R.A.3.
HAWKER, Walter
Stoker.
SMALL, St ephen
Stoker I.
NICHOLIS, Reginald Wm.
Stoker I.O
HARRIS, Alfred
Stoker I.
CLAUGHTON, Harry
Stoker I.
SMALES, Ronald
Stoker
FOLEY, Alfred
Sy.P.O.
HODSDON
A.B.
MaANOY, Emest
Ldg. Ck (0).
JONES, Samuel
L.S.B.A.
CARR, Fredk. J.
Ldg. Stoker.
RICKETTS, John C.
Oh. Stoker.
EVANS, Thomas
P.O. Std.
ELLIS, Coorge
Ldg. Stoker.
PEARN, Kenneth C.
L.S.A.
TRELOAR, Worf.
Stoker I.
GOULD, Norman
Cook.
LIOYD, James J.
Stoker I.
STYLES, Charles W.
S.P.O.
HOLDER, William G.H.
P.O. Ck.
DANE, Alan
Std.
INCLES, JoAo
Stoker I.
SKONE, Leslie J.
Stoker I.
ARSTALL, Caorge R.
E.R.A.
HOBSON, Tan Oo
Stoker.
MERCER, Alfred
Stokpier.
GRIFFITHS, WoHo Charles
Steward.
BOMKER, Francis S.D.
Sto. P.O.
ROGERS, Stanley
P.O.
BRADLEY, W.E.G.
P.O.
STEAD, John A.
A.B., R.F.R.
FEELEY, S.
A.B.
FAIRFOUL, S.
A.B.
CORK, J.
A.B., R.F.R.
ATKINSON, God.
A.B.
WILSON, Win. H.
Sea. R.N.R.
BLUES, John
A.B.
THOMAS, Leslie
A.B., R.N.R.R.
TOMLINSON, Edward
Sea., R.N.R.
Phillips, Edward
Sea., R.N.R.
BRENTON, Sydney C.
Yeo.
HUCHES, Edward J.
A.B.
WHELAN, John
Lago Sea.
FERGUSON, James
A.Bo
FAIRBAIRN, Paul
A.B.
CROCKER, Ronald J.
Sig.
PAYNE, Gilbert P.
Ord. Sea., R.N.V.R.
A.B.
DARK, Wm.

346
343
- 38
3/6, by the stream of French craft coming in or loaving the harbour and the scamanship displayed was really magnificent. A small handy tug to push them in would have been invaluable. I could not use the M.T.B. for this as a similar attempt on a previous night had put the M.S.A.B.'s ongine out of action.
About 2300 I took some of the borthing party from the "WHITSHED" to land them on the pier but had great difficulty in getting alongsido even in the M.T.B. Finally, however, they got ashore, and by 2330 three personnel ships, "WHITSHED" and "SABRE" were alongsido. When 10 is remombered that there was a wrock alongside the pier itself, a wrecked trawler off the and of the piling on the West side of the up harbour channel and block ships sunl: to this channel, the task of these ships manocuvring to get alongside against the wind and tide could hardly have been more difficult. Luckily the tido was high. In the meantime, Scoots, French T.B.S and Floot sweepers had been making their way into the West Quay and the embarkation from there was going well.
The hold up at the East Pier had however thrown out the programme of ships entering the harbour and there WOR great congestion in the entrance,
I had to stop ships coming in at times so that other chips could get out in safety, but there seemed never a moment when ships were not on the movein the dark, in waters that were alive with small craft, and the handling of the ships in these congested waters Was marvellous, It was hardly to be expected however that there would be 110 collisions, and "KTNOFTSHSR" was hit and badly holed by a French trawler. She transferrod her troops to a traviler 88 her D.C.
cable was outland there wore plenty of magnetic mines about. Then she was sent back to Dover.
At 0100 there came a report of 6 enemy H.T.B.S proceeding South Weet
4/6
from off Ostend. This was rather disconcerting news with soverel transports, destroyers and other craft lying stopped off the entrance to the harbour.
There were other troubles as well, for the "KELLET" reported at 0240 that she was aground. The tide was falling and she could be seen right up against the Western breakwater. Luckily a lifeboat managed to tow her storn clear and she got afloat again. It was then too near daylight to risk keeping her. The
West quay was occupied and it would be some time before she could be loaded.