TNA ADM 199 795

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CHRONOLIGICAL SUMMARY OF THE EVACUATION OF
LA PANNE, 31st MAY - 1st JUNE, 1940.
my 31st May,
I. Fridan
P.M.
On Saturday afternoon, on By return from a visit to
Bray Dunes, I was instructed by Captain Tennant, R.N., to
arrange for the evacuation of the Army Cormander-in-Chief
and staff, and to take over his duties as S.N.O., La Panne,
and to join General Montgomery, lInd Corps.
2.
At that time, an enemy 18 or 25 pounder battery near
Nieuport had been ranged by kite balloons on the beach and
embarking ships, which had withdrayn. I accordingly
arranged with the remaining unwanted beach officer,
Lieutenant Greatwood, R.N., and the 12th Lancers, to complete
the building of a second pier of motor transport, on "A" beach,
and for the repair of the eight pulling boats and pontoons
still serviceable. Parties were also organised to provide all
the buckets and to collect all the cars and boats that could
be found. Damaged boats were made watertight as far as
naval Lieutenants, who had been wounded in the hand, to embark
possible with discarded clothing. I also ordered one of the
in a small notor cruiser to run a ferry service off to ships.
3.
The intention at this time was to recomence the embarkation
quantities of the essential boats and power boats had
from the enemy's battery would be less effective. Further been
of troops at 2030 with two ships, when it was hoped that the fire
promised and the local situation appeared promising even had if
arrived difficult. at La Panne were ordered on to Bray, to reduce the numbers
To make it easier, certain army units which
waiting to be embarked.
31 4.
Admiral, 2 miles westward of La Panne at about battery near
At Dover for the evacuation of the Army Commander-in-Chief, 1800, which I
about 1630, arrangements were made direct with Vice
considered from a point would be out of gun range of the enemy
Nieuport.
31 5.
At 1800, in the with cars,
the had his been staff delayed in by
and at change I joined General
staff officer returned to say that the
6.
the the ships for boats by
at the there. rendeavous, I therefore nor could
the and asked flag signal, of
but, went before with him these to could be sent, being "Keith", informed flying of the the situation,
R.A. Dover, arrived, and At the on same time another Commander-in- staff officer
sent boats the party inshore. with the information La Panne. that The the other of the
wounded Chief, joined had naval embarked Lieutenants nearer also to embarked under my orders in this
boat.
During the embarkation, of a bomber few bomba squadrons were dropped attacked near motor La Panne. the ies
7.
The boats, transport, enemy and battery and a large some also number damage opened was fire done, on which the two was, piers however of repaired.