TNA ADM 199 795

202
481
3.
Orders were received on 30th May to despatch to Dover, the pontoon pier which had just been sent off to Narvik in the EMPIRE
ABI ITY. A working party was detailed for the pier under Lt. Commander Layard R.N. and
Sub. Lieut Murray R.N., and embarked about
1900 hrs 31st May when Empire Ability arrived, having been recalled from the Clyde, She sailed for Dover at about 2100 hrs the same day
This pier was not used, and EMPIRE ABILITY returned, to PORTSMOUTH on the 2nd June,
4.
At about midnight 30/31 May orders sere received to embark and A.L.C. referred to in para 2 above, together with their crews in the
City of Christchurch for despatch to Dover; this was completed by about 1130 hrs 31st day, and the
City of Christchurch sailed at noon, This party was under Sub. Lieut ensonby R.N.V.R. It is believed that of these craft only A.L.C. 10 was unloaded and used, but it is not certain at present whether the CITY OR is on her way back to ortsmouth or not. Purther definite information will be forwarded as soon as it can be obtained. A.L.C. 10 left Dover for Portsmouth under her own power at midday, 4th June.
Commander Cassidi reported to this Centre
5. at about 2000 hrs on 1st June, having landed at
SHEERNESS with A.L.C. 5 which had been considerably damaged. His report is attached in appendix
Part I, and a summary of the action of the various
A.L.C. is given in art II.

8
504
SECRET.
Use of Landing Craft during the
Evacuation of the B.R.F.
APPENDIX "A"
PART III
Dynam 286
Biuld
INTER Survices TRAINING - DEVELOPMENT Center
Form CUMMERLAND EASTHER Burneos
PORTSMOUTH
FROM:- Commandant, Inter Services Training and Development Centre.
TO:- The Vice Admiral,
H.M. Ships & Vessels,
DOVER.
DATE:- 12th. June 1940.
coc/resc/se/40
USE OF LANDING CRAFT DURING THE EVACUATION OF THE 3.3.7.
Two copies of Appendix "A" Part III, to 15 report on the above subject enclosed with by COC/PM/17/8/40
are forwarded herewith.
2.
Part III deals with the novements of A.L.C. 10
and M.L.C. 12, 17, 21, and 22, which were sent in the
"City of Christchurch" on Stat. May 1940.
Abbilby major RM
for
LISUTENANT COLONEL
10
VICE ADMIRAL
14 JUN 1940
*
DOVER
R
Difference

&
504
SECRET.
Use of Landing Craft during the
Evacuation of the B.R.F.
APPENDIX "A"
PART III
Report by Sub. Lieut. S.R. Ponsonby R.N.V.R.
The City of Christchurch with A,L,C. 10
and H.L.C. Nos. 12, 17, 21, and 22 onboard arrived off
Dover at midnight 31st May 1940,
At 0900 on 1st June orders sere received to place A.L.C. 10 and W.L.C. 31 and 82 in the water and to embark sufficient fuel and water for 48 hrs running over and above that which was already in them,
(sufficient for 120 miles), using the street despatch,
This was completed by 1130,
2.
At 1430 orders were received for the City of Christeburch to drop all the Landing Craft off Buoy in These were then to proceed to the beach, and to return to Dover, undertheir am power, the following morning. M.I.C. 17 was unfit for service owing to a hole in her water pump, and was therefore left behind,
The craft left Buoy * at 3130 and proceeded
3. in line shead I, myself being in A.L.C. 10.
On arrival at the beach 1 found it impassible all the craft under my personal control therefore owing to keep of boats that were there, and I
gave to the orders number for each coxswain to carry on independantly.

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507
USE OF LANDING CRAFT DURING THE
EVACUATION OF THE B.S.P.
APPENDIX "A"
PART III
REPORT BY DJ/X125435 P.O. 7. PARSONS
While M.L.C. 21 was being lowered at Dover, two destroyers passed the City of Christchurch at high speed. This caused her to roll and M.L.C. 21 YES
dashed against the ship's side. The only visible damage at the time was a broken timacle, but later it was discovered that there was a tad laak startcard side forward below the water line, and that the petrol pump on the starboard engine - broken. This necessitated rigging a jury petrol tank on dick, and keeping the bilge pump working continuously.
2.
On arrival at Dunkirk the craft under Sub.
Lieut. Ponsonby parted company, and N.L.C. 21 embarked troops from the inner end of a wooden pier as it -
not considered wise to work from the beach, oring to the damage she had sustained. During the embarkation Sub.
Ideut. Towers, R.N. came on board.
After loaving Dunkink, the troops were placed
3.
on board the sloop Locust, and on the orders of her
Captain, H.L.C. 31 want to & scall tue which vas grounded a sand bank. About 100 troops were taken off and an on attempt was made to refloat the tug which was unsuccessful.

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USE OF LANDING CRAFT DURING THE
EVACUATION OF THE B.Z.P.
APPENDIX "A"
PART III
REPORT BY DJ/X125435 P.O. 7. PARSONS
While M.L.C. 31 was being lowered at Doror, two destroyers passed the City of Christchurch at high speed. This caused her to roll and M.L.C. 31 YES
dashed against the ship's side. The only visible damage at the time was & broken binnecle, but later it was discovered that there was a tad laak startcard side forward below the water line, and that the potrol pump on the starboard engine was broken. This necessitated rigging a jury patrol tank on dick, and keeping the bilge purity working continuously.
2.
On arrival at Dunkirk the craft under Stabe
Lieut. Ponsonby parted company, and H.L.C. 21 embarked troops from the inner end of a wooden plan as it -
not considered wise to work from the beach, owing to the damage she had sustained. During the embarkation Sub.
Lieut. Towers, R.N. came on board.
After leaving Dunkirk, the troops were placed
3.
on board the aloop Locust, and on the orders of her
Captain, M.L.C. 31 went to & small two which vas grounded sand bank. About 100 troops vere taken off and an on attempt a was made to refloat the tug which was univecessaful.

REPORT BY C/393895 C.P.O. H. MITTEN
M.L.C. 22 in company with M.L.C. 21 and Arb.C. 10
was towad to within about 32 utles of Dunkirk by S.S. City of Christchurch, and alipped at 3130 and proceeded towards
Dunkirk.
On arrival at Dunkirk, the landing craft became separated and when N.L.C. 22 came alongside the jetty she was commandeered by a naval embartation party, after leaving the jetty 19 followed B.ll.S. Hareball, but lost sight of her about 8 riles off Dunkirk, we hailed W
passing paddle steamer.
M.L.C. 23 was abandoned about 8 ailes 2.1. of
Dunklrk at 0420 2nd. June, by the order of Connamier Clouston,
R.N. of H.N.S. Iris.
Commander Clounton's written authority for the casting away or M.L.C. 22 to attached to this reports,