TNA ADM 199 795

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Dynamne 256.
154
H.M.T. "Malines",
SOUTHAMPTON.
138
11th June, 1940.
The Principal Sea Transport Officer,
DOVER.
Sir,
Replying to your letter of June 5th., I submit the following
account of the operations as experienced in this ship :-
Ordered from Southampton, #6 proceeded to Dovor and received
instructions to go to Dunkirk by the Northern route from the North
Goodwin Light Vessel. As events proved, it would have been better if my
instructions had boon more detailed and if I had been supplied with the
large scale charts. These latter had been promised but not delivered.
However, the necessary daylight to navigate the shouls remained,
and I had had some experience of the locality, 30 "Malines" proceeded at
16 knots to arrive off Dunkirk just after dark.
To my astonishment, the whole port seemed to be in flames, and,
although it could not be exactly determined, the work of destruction
appeared still to be going on. The mate and funnels of ships could be
distinguished by the light of the flames, but whether suniters or afloat
I did not know.
Morse signals were ignored, and an attempt to inter the
harbour was mot by gunfire from the Western breakmater, 30, determined
to find out the true condition of affairs, 1 patrolled along towards
Gravelines, where & Pilot station was supposed to be established.
Dunkirk. I An attempt: to enter by our consort, Hellet. "Scotia", use also
Although hailed several craft, I could get no replice, and returned to
greeted with gunfire, 80 that I decided to go Enstwards to meet friendly
co-operation.
The dim shapes of vessels inshore could be determined, healtated but to my
draught than 13 foot, and no chart to hand, 1
deviate being more Channel. Hare my lack of information 1a now apparent,
10% from from later the events, I judge that these ships were attention removing were parties of
y
of extreme the beaches. annoyance No to them, who proforred to be unobserved by
from doubt by signals to attract the enemy. source
of the One and large I was on the point of returning to question be
vossel, recognised later as it Clan liner, him, moved when out
vaa attacked port, and aunt completely across the fairway.
cont.a ot, Therefore, and encountered I & destroyer, who signalled Turning
reauned the patrol to the Restward, "Follow aeaking 26 batter