TNA ADM 199 795

ISA
3.
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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 remanager 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