TNA ADM 199 795

Raw OCR

Unformatted machine-generated OCR for document page 215.

Dynamo 128.
Alu/o/19
SECRET
3.
-
6
Subject.. H.M.S. BIDEFORD. Report of Proceedings for the
period May 29th - May 30th. 1940.
From
The Commanding Officer. H.M.S. Bideford.
Date
June 6th. 1940. No
C.O.
1.
To
The Vice Admiral Commanding Dover.
Sir,
I have the honour to forward a narrative of the
proceedings of H.M.S. "Bideford," under my command, on May 29t-
30th, and 31st. 1940.
B. H.M.S. Bidefird was ordered to sail at noon on
May 29th, to proceed via The Downs and the South Rutyngen
Buoy to Dunkirk Roads, and to bring off from Bray Beaches as
many as possible of the soldiers there; and to report on the
situation.
3. H.M.S. Bideford entered the Rade de Dunkeerke at
No. buoy at 1645 and zig-zagged up the channel at thirteen
knots.
4. At about 1700 fire was opened on a squadron of one
enemy bombers who passed overhead at a height of about 6000
feet. One hit was observed and a bomber fell into the sea
about two miles distant.
During the next three hours fire was opened at tre
frequent intervals as enemy aircraft came over, but no further
hit, were observed. The tendency of all fire appeared to be
" low and behind."
5. At about 1710 "Bideford" was attacked with bombs
for the first time. The attack was carried out by one of a
squadron of bombers flying at about 8000 feet. The pattern
of four bombs fell in a line along the port side at a range
of about fifty yards. The ship was sprayed with splinters
and there was one casualty at No.2 Gun.
6. Immediately after this the ship was machine
gunmed by a single low flying aircraft, which passed down
close one side and a few minutes later turned and repassed.
The order was given to"take cover" and there were no
casualties. ( No.1 Gun's crew lay flat on deck only, which
gives some indication of how low the aircraft was flying).
7. H.M.S. Bideford arrived off Bray at about 1730
and hove to. The ship remained hove to, except for manoeuver-
ing as requisite on the approach of enemy aircraft, for the
next three hours.
8. At 1750 the first boat loads of troops, the
majority of whom were French, came alongside. Confuston was
evident. The boats were dangerously overcrowded and several
swamped on the way off from shore. On arrivalalongside the
men would all jump onboard and let their boats drift off on
the tide. Paddles were lost overboard rendering the boats
useless. "Bideford's" motor boat was lowered and ordered to
collect and tow inshore any empty boats. The whaler was
was lowered.