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further eastward but saw no signs of life on the
tracer bullets were used in the Lewis gun and several
and accordingly returned towards the harbour. On
hits were observed by small puffs of smoke coming from
nearing the eastern mole we saw large vessels lying
the Heinkels - presumably caused by the tracer bullets.
the mole and a great number of troops waiting for
It in remarkable why the Heinkels used the "Fervent"
embarkation. It now became clear that the inform
as their target when there were so very many large and
that Dunkirk was in the enemy's hands was not coΓΓe
small transports about - but not within a mile.
and we proceeded into the harbour. We were direct
Eventually they flew off without scoring a direct hit.
at first to go alongside the inside end of the easta
The ongines of the "Fervent" were badly damaged and very
mole, but before we had comple ted making fast an
nearly all the glass aboard was broken. I later found
Army Officer informed us that a large vessel require
a piece of shrapnel in my inside pocket. Half an hour
the berth and we were accordingly directed to
later I was again attacked - by three Heinkels and
immediately drove them brigh with the Lewis gun. About
up the harbour. After proceeding about of
30 bombs were dropped. The method of bombing on this
we made fast to the East Pier outside the motor
occasion was different to the first attack. On the
"Patria and shortly afterwards the "Medway Queen'
first occasion the five Heinkels hovered above and dropped
berthed outside Just as we were going alongsis
bombs but on the second attack the 8 Heinkels came towards
picked up a wire on the propeller. Isdid not
me on my port beam dropping bombs about every 15 yards.
that the propeller was badly fouled and therefore
Owing to the damaged engines considerable difficulty was
determined to take on board any troops that could
met in getting back to Ramsgate. I pay tribute to the
acco modated on the Patria or the "Medway Queen"
coxswain of the "Fervent" who on more than one occasion
during the next 11/2 hours embarked about 120 men
steered her between salvos of bombs and keeping a cool
hatches. Lieutenant-Commander Pisani, R.N., in
head under the gravest of situationsand thus allowing me
of "Patria" undertook to tow my vessel out of the
(the only naval person on board) greater opportunities to
stern first, after which I intended to use my
put the Lewis gun to its greatest use and drive the
The towing operation was successfully performed
8 Heinkels off. He quickly and readily obayed all
instructions I gave him as to alterations of course and
vessels being made fast starboard side to port
at about 0330 on 29/5/40 we cleared the harbour.
speed. He is a civilian and his name is Douglas
Kirkaldie of 4 Kent Place, Ramsgate.
During the time we had been the harbour the
fire and explosions was more or less incessant
(Sgd) W.R.T.Clements.
was gun no shelling of the harbours After leaving
the engines were ahead and shortly af terwards back
Lieutenant-Commender, R.N.R.
cleared itself from the propeller. We arrived
Downs at about 0845 ithout further incident.
6th June, 1940.
the made seven trips to Dunkirk and back.
On the 30/5/40 I relieved the Commanding
of the motor vessel Jutland and proceed again
embarked some 200 troops, the whole voyage being
Dunkirk beaches and during the dark hours until
FIW
accomplished towed back to Ramsgate. Hostile aircraft beaches
without any particular incident.
was observed going on. Lots of shrapnel landed on
boato were and much shelling and bombing on the board
severe
casualties.
1310 on 31/5/40 I left Ramsgate in H.M.S. and
Fervent via 'U', 'V' and 'W' buoys to Dunkirk attach
(a motor launch) with a whaler in tow bear
When 5 Heinkels who hovered above and feet,
proceeded about 8 miles from Dunkirk I was dropped betwes
140 by H.E. bombs from a height of about 1000 Lewis
the "Fervent" were six rifles and one Army
the Lewis gun but it would only fire one ohank
I aimod which indicated that the gas regulating
a time there was not the proper
spring. got the tension on the spring correct.
set wrong I took the Lewis gin
commenced guesswork, firing the 5 Heinkels Firing and the drove Lewis gun and
extremely difficult because it had difficulty was
least another 3, 000 feet.
to be fired from my shoulder. The
increased by immense volumes of water
boat from the splash of the salvos of
water. Eight to ten bombs were in
salvo made a weird whistling noise.