TNA ADM 199 795

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REPORT OF PART PLAYED BY H.M.H.C. ISLE OF GUERNSEY"
106
in the evacuation of Bunkirk.
a May 1940
Having received orders from Dover at noon, we proceeded towards Dunkirk
company with the Hospital Carrier "Worthing" and Transport "Monas Queen",
lowing the route given by the Naval Authorities. At approximately 4-0 p.m.
we approached Calais, which lay in ruins under & heavy pall of smoke, two
tish destroyers crossed our bows, hove to and commenced shelling the
re Batteries who promptly returned the challange. To avoid this No mans
d we were forced to Deviate, as our proper course would have taken us
ween the combatants. Whilst carrying out this manouvre, enemy planes
eared and commenced bombing the convoy but none of the three vessels were
pok, although as the bombs fell very close.
Arriving off Dunkirk, which was under an even heavier pall of thick
ok smoke than Calais, we manouvred our way inside through the various
cks of vessels which had been struck by bombs and the "Worthing" having
on made fast to the Quay we moored alongside her. A few moments after our
rival streams of motor ambulances arrived threading their way through
) columns of troops who were not so seriously wounded and were able to
sisted in stretcher bearing so as to facilitate the loading. By 9-55 p.m.
Lk. Loading was commenced immediately and every member of the ships Crew
sle of Guernsey" having 346 cases on board, and as her number of cots the is
th Hospital Carriers were loaded with as many as they could take, the
ok along many corridors, in fact wherever it was possible to put & and stretcher. was
ly 203, of these cases were accomodated in between the cots on
mpleted Ballo on the 37th May. At 11-47 a,m. on the same day,
0 voyage back to Newhaven, via Dover passed without incident
loading having by 4-53 been completed, Water, provisions and Oil fuel taked aboard,
proceeded to Dover for orders.
y 29th 1940
At 5-16 received orders, we proceeded towards Dunkirk, TO
4-1 for a course of an engagement between aircraft and at observed
llowing p.m., having which took us well clear of Calais. At 7-18 British p.m. stood
scending immediately close ahead of us and the vessel was but save
stroyer a while because in our track. At 7-30 palla an airman was stopped to
m. One by parachute went down a rope ladder to assist the airman, with bombs
innon and reached the By a miracle none of the bombs struck cannon
fore he of the seamen bottom, 10 enemy planes attacked the Ship the ship,
iells and considerable damage bullets. British fighter planes drove place enemy
though machine guns. was done by the concussion, shrapnel, off the
rerhead. proceeded towards port at 8-20 pall. we found it was being Returning
id we machine gun Dunkirk with at terrific air battle taking bombed
4d Arrived off the from the shore to keep clear.
ong shelled, the and we had orders with two destroyers, we later received At 11-30 orders p.m. to
it channel in company fallen and then return to Dunkirk. brilliantly lit
entered until darkness had breakwaters, the whole place being to up up
ongside of fires, of the quay at 12-30 a.m. Loading numbering 490. at once
the glare between the burning oil tanks atc., and managed commenced moor
2-15 what was left taken on board as many as we could throughout, carrying
crew and R.A.M.C. their utmost to load the ship few minutes as by the
a.m. we had personnel behaved splendidly quickly and
/ on as possible, the quay and in the water. found the
their duties and although doing the ship was shaken every Leaving the quay
a.m. of we proceeded and shouting for help, presumably a these men up,
of bomba falling out on of the harbour and just outside transport we had
n men swimming destroyers were standing by picking Dover.
ided our way for us to attempt to stop and try to save any overhead,
sunk. As two carefully through them and proceeded towards of these It
ve been fatal wonderful target for the airoraft hovering paintwork up.
We made such a burning port showing all our white just
o ng was comparatively & patrol boat headed us off as we were heading orders
flames of the quiet on the way across, except that straight before for
ly Dover, laid minefield. Arriving off Dover at 7-0 a.m. we received