TNA ADM 199 795

Raw OCR

Unformatted machine-generated OCR for document page 617.

ISA
3.
422 u52
Ruoff R.N.R. with instructions that they were to re-join the Commodore
if possible at Wimereux. As this was absolutely out of the question
I co-opted them onto my staffand they remained as my assistants until
they left for the United Kingdom on 29 th May. I found Lieutenant
Blandy's knowledge of the port invaluable particularly as My predecessor
had been wounded before he had been able to turn over to me and I was
working rather in the dark.
The principle I adopted after consultation with Lieutenant-
Colonel Jesper who took over the duties of Director of Docks was to
use the Monitor Quay for hospital ships and personnel ships and use
those berths in the docks which were the most suitable for our purpose
after making the necessary arrangements with the French authorities
and I was given to understand that the only commodities with which TO
wouldbe called upon to deal were supplies, ammunition and petrol. Lieut-
Comdrs. Seymour and Williams I placed in charge of Monitor Quay and
Lieuts. Swinsco and Blandy of the other berths in the port. It was
JNC
hoped to embark wounded and personnel during the whole 24 hours whereas
the store and other ships would work from 0500 until 2200 < this reduced
hours of unloading was due to lack of properly shaded lights and also
to the scarcity of skilled stevedores. A number of air raids occurred
of
during the day but between raids Colonel Jesper and I managed to call
upon and make ourselves known to most of the French Port Officials.
Alll these gentlemen were very helpful but made us realise that French
supplies for both the military and civilain population were arriving in
the port and that we were not in & position to pick and choose our
berths without consulting them but that we should have to work vis-a-vis
to
re-
manager consult
tely out
Port Officials.
ned as my ass)
realise that From
ay. I found
ainsten were arriving
pick and choose our articularly as My