TNA ADM 199 795

10
SECRET
13
2.
Report on operations in connection with the evacuation of the B.E.F. from the Dunkirk area. (Continued).
Wednesday 29th May.
0300
All wounded that could be moved evacuated into
Schoot or ships boats all of which returned to
"Calcutta".
Schoot, with a certain number of wounded, sent back to England as she was nearly unmanageable with her steering gear in a precarious state.
0345
Boats sent in again to collect more troops as they arrived and if possible to connect with Lord Gort in view of your message 0127/29th May.
Officer in charge of "Calcutta's" boats, Mr F.J. March
Gunner, made personal contact with Lord Gort about
8 miles inland, and placed "Calcutta" at his disposal for his or his staff's evacuation. Lord
Gort courteously refused to be evacuated at this
0430
One stage, of "Calcutta's If whalers lost.
0520
Opened fire on one Dornier.
0710
"Calcutta's" boats returned with more troops and sent in again to La Panne with relief crews.
0735
"Sutton" alongside to disembark her troops into
"Calcutta" and return close inshore opposite La
0810
Panne. "Salamander alongside and as for "Sutton" above,
1210
Party of tugs and drifters towing own boats sighted, proceeding homewards full of troops. All ordered alongside "Calcutta" to disembarktheir troops and return to La Panne for more.
1227
"Java" towing launch alongside.
1228
"Golden Sunbeam" towing launch alongside.
1230
"Lord Rodney" alongside.
1237
"Lord Keith" towing launch alongaide.
1247
"Lord St Vincent" alongside.
1250
"Lord Collingwood" alongside.
1335
Captain (D) 1st D/F, who was senior officer at La
Panne at this time, informed that tugs and drifters were being sent in to load up again.
1350
"Calcutta's" boats returned to ship.
1357
1900
Weighed. Arrived Sheerness. Disembarked 1000 troops and completed with oil fuel and ammunition.
Friday 31st May.
1940
Slipped from buoy at Sheerness.
2130
Anchored off East Margate buoy with "Mallard" and
"Sheerwater" in company.
Saturday 1st June.
0315
Weighed and proceeded with "Mallard" and "Shearwater"
0500
Commenced patrolling on X route between and Y
buoys.
0938
Ordered to return to Sheerness.
1015
Opened fire on one Heinkel who had attacked and damaged "Mosquito". Heinkel shot down.
1018
Opened fire on two more Heinkels diving from broken clouds.
1024
Detached "Shearwater" to stand by "Mosquito".
1312

SECRET
14
3.
Report on operations in connection with the evacuation of the B.E.F. from the Dunkirk area. (Continued)
1312
Anchored off Nore Light Vessel.
2015
Weighed.
2140
Anchored off East Margate Buoy, "Mallard" and
"Sheerwater" in company.
Sunday 2nd June 1940.
0245
Weighed and proceeded with "Mallard" and "Sheerwater".
0430
Commenced patrolling in vicinity of.W buoy.
French destroyers "Epervier" and "Leopard" at U and
V buoys respectively.
0710
Last homeward bound ship passed W buoy.
1035
Attacked by 3 J U 88 diving from out of the sun.
4 bombs very close on port beam.
4 bombles very close on port bow.
4 bombs missed well ahead.
French destroyers left patrol.
1050
Attacked by 1 Heinkel dive bombing. 4 bombs missed well out on starboard beam.
1140
Attacked by 1 Heinkel with machine gun from 4,000 ft.
1155
Attacked by 1 J U 88 who would not come through
"Calcutta's" barrage and dropped 4 bombs well astern.
1350
Orders received to return to Sheerness.
1459
"Mallard" detached to stand by Hospital Ship
"Worthing" who had been bombed and damaged.
1644
Anchored off Nore Light vessel to make good condenser trouble and slight damage from near misses.
Monday 3rd June
0510
0550
Weighed. Secured to buoy at Sheerness. Discovered further condenser trouble and serious cloud in all reserve feed tanks.
All defects made good by 1400 on Tuesday 4th June.
3. During the period at La Panne, "Calcutta" had to lie too far from the beach to be of any use for direct embarkation of troops so the principle adopted was to order any small ships alongside when they were full, disembark their troops into "Calcutta" and return close inshore for another load.
4.
In the two salvoes each of 4 bombs which fell very close to "Calcutta" on Sunday 2nd June it appeared that one bomb in each salvo had at delay action and burst some way under the water whereas the other three burst on impact.
5. The conduct and behaviour of my ship's company and of the military forces evacuated has been exemplary throughout.
VIOE ADMIRA
D.M.dees D.rr.
10JUN 1940
*
POVER
CAPTAIN