TNA ADM 199 xxx

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Subject.
Operations off DUNKIRK.
THE
rom
The Commanding Officer H.M.S. "VENOMOUS".
Date
6th. June 1940.
Ref.No. 1482/144
The Captain (D) 16th. Destroyer Flotilla.
Submitted:-
The following report is forwarded in
accordance with Dover's signal 2001/4/6/40.
2. H.M.S. "WHITSHALL" and H.M.S. "VENOMOUS" left
OVER Harbour at 0035/31, and arrived off BRAY at 0350.
uring the passage, searchlights were observed burning from
he shore seawards near CALAIS. H.M.S. "VENOMOUS", after waiting
ff the beach for one hour, proceeded, on the receipt of orders
'rom R.A.D., to berth alongside DUNKIRK Eastern Breakwater.
aving 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" ( & 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 was
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, airoraft 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
10 troops arrived. 60 German aircraft were observed approaching
from the S.E. Fire was opened with all guns. The gun recoil parted
all my wires and as no berthing party was available on the Jetty,
proceeded out of harbour so as to retain mobility of the ship
uring the air attack. All H.A. ammunition was now expended and
in receipt of orders from V.A.D. H.M.S. "VENOMOUS" returned to
OVER to replenish ammurition, arriving at 2220.
4. The ensuing twelve hours were spent in refuelling,
epairing damage to the D.G. equipment and ammunitioning ship.
arbour with orders to proceed to DUNKIRK. At 1430 all to Destroyers
5. At 1245 1st. June 1940 H.M.S. "VENONOUS" left
ere recalled by V.A.D. and accordingly I returned DOVER at
545.
6. At 2050 1st. June 1940 H.M.S. "VENOMOUS" embarked
rders party, to & position off ST.MALO-LES-BAINS but boats embark
beach consisting of ten Officers and ninety men, and with
proops. At 0030 the shore. Number One landing further CRAIG R.N.)
to proceed 2nd. June 1940 the ship arrived section(Lt. no
topeared pulled from inship's whaler to investigate. the Nothing to berth was
seen ashore At 0200 R.A.D. ordered he would ship order
the longside and over the whaler and berthing and H.M.S. party. "VENONOUS" returned an hour
of this party. embark troops. He stated that After half one of
so DOVER at 28 knots, arriving at 0515.
longside M.S. to 1100 take troops had been embarked