TNA ADM 199 xxx

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142
Subject.
Operations off DUNKIRK.
the 137
From
The Commanding Officer H.M.S. "VENOMOUS".
Date
6th. June 1940.
Ref.No. ........ 1442/144
To
The Captain (D) 16th. Destroyer Flotilla.
Submitted:-
The following report is forwarded in
accordance with V.A.Dover's signal 2001/4/6/40.
2. H.M.S. "WHITEHALL" and H.M.S. "VENOMOUS" left
DOVER Harbour at 0035/31, and arrived off BRAY at 0350.
During the passage, searchlights were observed burning from
the shore seawards near CALAIS. H.N.S. "VENOMOUS", after waiting
off the beach for one hour,proceeded,or the receipt of orders
from R.A.D., to berth alongside DUNKIRK Eastern Breakwater,
laving remained alongside for thirty minutes, H.M.S. "VENOMOUS"
left harbour with 1200 troops on board, entering DOVER Harbour
it 0800.
3. At 0940 31st. May 1940 H.M.S. "VENOMOUS" left
arbour with orders to proceed to BRAY or LAPANNE beaches to embark
roops. The ship arrived off BRAY at 1530, and finding no small
raft available, I lowered my motor boat and whaler to embark
roops. The motor boat broke down and was towed back to the ship.
.M.Motor Boat "BALQUHAIN" ( a Sub-Lieutenant was in command) used
he whaler and ferried some 200 troops from the shore to the ship.
uring this period, repeated high level bombing attacks were
arried out on the beach and ships lying off. Barrage fire vas
pened as opportunity presented. At 1700 H.M.S. "VENOMOUS" was
rdered by R.A.D. to proceed alongside to embark troops. While
aiting for a berth, aircraft appeared and dropped bombs. Since
he H.A. ammunition in H.M.S. "VENOMOUS" was nearly exhausted
.M.S. "VENOMOUS" requested permission to return to harbour to
eplenish ammunition. At 1900 the ship was ordered to proceed
longside by S.N.O. DUNKIRK. The ship proceeded alongside but
O troops arrived. 60 German aircraft were observed approaching
rom the S.E. Fire was opened with all guns. The gun recoil parted
11 my wires and as no berthing party was available on the jetty,
proceeded out of harbour go as to retain mobility of the ship
uring the air attack. All H.A. ammunition was now-expended and
n receipt of orders from V.A.D. H.M.S. "VENOMOUS" returned to
OVER to replenish ammunition, arriving at 2220.
4. The ensuing twelve hours vere spent in refuelling,
epairing damage to the D.G. equipment and ammunitioning ship.
5. At 1245 1st. June 1940 H.M.S. "VENOMOUS" left
arbour with orders to proceed to DUNKIRK. At 1430 all Destroyers
ere recalled by V.A.D. and accordingly I returned to DOVER at
545.
6. At 2050 1st. June 1940 H.M.S. "VENOMOUS" embarked
rders to party, to a position off T.MALO-LES-BAINS but and boats embark
beach consisting of ten officers and ninety men, with
roops. proceed 2nd. June 1940 the ship arrived no
ppeared At 0030 the shore. Number one landing section(Lt.Cdr.CRAIG R.N.)
ulled from inship's whaler to investigate. Nothing further was
longside of this party. embark troops. He stated that order After half one of
een ashore At 0200 R.A.D. ordered the he would ship to berth
de and take over the whaler and berthing party. "VENOMOUS" an hour
longside M.S. to 1100 troops had been embarked and H.M.S. returned
a DOVER at 28 knots, arriving at 0515.