TNA ADM 199 795

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Report Captain I. Hugge RN
of Bray the Paime beaches
I reported to Vice Admiral Dover, about 0530
on Wednesday, 29th May. As a result of a report of an
Army officer recently evacuated, it was decided that
a party of Naval Officers was required on the beaches
between La Panne and Dunkirk. Accordingly, I together
with Commanders Gorton and Otway-Ruthven, Lt.Commander
brop
Nottle and Jones)embarked in SABRE about 1400, eventually
Cockburn, R.N., Lt.Commander Woodward and Lts. Whalley,
sailing for Dunkirk about 1600.
Dunkish
Captain Bush, who had also arrived from Dover in
the morning, took passage with my party. On arrival in at
Dunkirk about 1820, the Western side of the town was
southward. GRENADE was seen to be heavily on fire and
flames and vast volumes of smoke were drifting to the
alongside the Eastern pier and a transport sinking
sinking in the inner harbour. A trawler was sinking at
the outer side of the Eastern pier.
29
We disembarked at once, and proceeded to the
inner Dunkirk) staff. Captain Tennant had proceeded at
end of the pier where we met Captain Tennant's
to G.H.Q. Our arrival coincided with until dusk. heavy
in the morning and was expected back of any
bombardment had to clear the harbour as soon as possible to
time. which went on almost continuously owing
SABRE bombing, and it was therefore impracticable her
to the W/T sets she had brought prior to 2100(?) leaving
transfer beaches. the Captain Tennant returned time about to seek
his my function had been)to act to as
and proceeded instructions as to my party's disposal. either as
for the to a conference before I had Before
double-back leaving Dover, for Captain Tennant or alternatively decision. work
on the beaches according to S.N.O's
the above shelling and bombing, manoeuvring 3 or 4
transports were to the harbour was a near miss
During sunk or disabled. ordered KING ORRY to proceed
and subsequently remaining there until towed making the
clear, rammed the Eastern pier alongside by large at
in the entrance but before doing go was damaged by making a
drifter. hole, and The pier was holed by at bomb outer
part useless.
hospital ship about to enter was dark. ordered As to
proceed clear A and a considerable return alongside number after of stretcher the only cases three
darkness fell, accumulated were despatched other in side of the
which ambulances had available readiness' for to the the quay hospital the ship's across return. the Large
harbour in of walking cases were transferred
harbour numbers by drifter to the same quay.
Captain Bush in the S.N.O. meanwhile afloat proceeded of the beaches, in an
M.T.B. M.T.B. to embark being directed in HEBE as to return to transport me to the
beaches the later if necessary.
At about to proceed along the beaches. divided officers passage
2330 (7) S.N.O. returned and said On he
wished across my the party Channel, I had tentatively my into/