TNA ADM 199 xxx

Raw OCR

Unformatted machine-generated OCR for document page 172.

III
15419
4.-
Throughout the day a fresh breeze was blowing from the
East North East causing in the shallow shore a line of breakers
extending about fifty yards of EXE shore These conditions made
embarkation difficult and together with the small number of
suit ble boats caused the evacuation to be very slow.
5.-
By 1700, 175 British troops had been evacuated.
6.- company were bombed. At 1500 a very thrilling dog-fight between
Intermitently throughout the day the ship and those in
nine spitfires and a larger number of Messershmits and various types
of German bombers XEXE shar was witnessed. Two spitfires were
shot down and two enemy bombers A fifths unaccounted plane was
was also shot down. Most of the enemy aircraft attacks were
high level bombing from over 10000 feet.
of 7.- troops assembling on the beach, which in the circumstances
It was particularly distressing to sea an increasing number
revailing gave me a feeling of impotence. Towards late afternoon a g
general movementMestward to Dunkirk was apparent.
8.- and later four 4" guns situated on the coast to the
Throughout the afternoon a shore battery believed to be
two Bastwardshad 9 carried out disultary and inaccuratefire on the
anchorage, the principal target appearing to be san abandonned
aerchant ship at anchor in the roadstead.
9.- fire #vivacious" At who was under weigh and pointed along assembled the line
1800 this battery commenced a controlled and accurate
of fire. on When it was obvious that the target was the to
the ships Westard. "Vivacious" ous" was hit on the Foxle by and is
(Shikari, Esk, and Mosquito" I orered a retirement what
Delied casulaities to a to the troops on the upper ness deck. waterline near
******* be 4ᵗʰ graze fuze shell, causing three deaths Two
welve about forty small shrapnell holes on the These
abreast No. XXXX two fuel tanks rendering lubricating
misses caused the ngineroom and the after toypedo them tubes. unfit for use. near
The central store punctured and the De-Gaus ing two mile movemnet
is e punctured was flooded partially antx, circuits the were cut pipe in to
the ight stern places. was The batteries were outranged by a to
the Wesnaxdtward.
10.- a Panne and Bray Br but no noteworthy incident
Throughout the night "viv clous' patrolled occured. between
about 1900 on 30th May "Codrington" had returned to Bray
11.- nd took over at the senior officers duties.
12.- .M.S. "Keith" At about ordered "Vivacious" to prodeed embark
0530 on 31st my Rear Admiral to Dunkirk Wake Walker to in
roops.
13.-