TNA ADM 199 xxx

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ENCLOSURE I. TO FORD'S NO. 541 of 17th. JUNE, 1940.
REPORT BY STOKER A. BENHAM. STOKER OF
MOTOR BOAT NO.275,
P.M. 29th.
Left Littlehampton and arrived Newhaven same evening,
had 8 spot of bother before we were allowed to enter
harbour and stay the night.
A.M. 30th.
Left Newhaven for Ramagate arriving Palle same day.
Port Stern Gland was leaking badly had to be repacked on
arrival, Refuelled and ready to sail.
A.M. Slst.
Was ordered to leave Ramagate independently for Dunkirk.
C.P.O. Leighton, Cox. A.B. Strand and Stoker Benham,
crew. Left harbour and picked up convoy already leaving
for Dunkirk. After about 81 to 3 hours out we had
trouble again with Port Stern Cland and returned to
harbour and repacked and tightened up both Stern Glands.
A.M. 1st.
Was called again about 4.30 and ordered to sail and
proceed to Dunkirk. Two Sub-Lieutenants R.N.V.R.
volunteered to come with us as their boat was unfit for
the trip, and an extra Able Seaman came aboard with them
for the trip. On the way to Dunkirk was kept busy,
Able Seaman Strand watching for aircraft and myself
tending engines, had no more trouble with Stern Clands,
There was quite a considerable amount of aircraft about
and our destroyers were continually repelling their
attacks. Struck something below water starboard side
which made the boat jump but no damage seemed to be done
as the engine was running smoothly and we were not making
water, so we carried on. On sighting unkirk we saw
two large ships loaded with soldiers steamin down the
coast and all small amot following, Bo we decided to
follow as there was nothing we could do there. After
minutes steaming we saw a crowd of German
six about $Arcraft detached 10 in the themselves, air flying not release and at dived a great their down height. bombs at the until About two
big almost on the ships, register d We sunk
ships. They did hits which they
were ships quite close to each other. 10 of were
both travelling at full speed and picked up the the
which made the boat full. As bombers
were best to leave with all possible speed hour
survivors still very active in the vicinity, we for decided home. it
was about half to three-quarters of an we were
mistaken fire on us at close range. had saw wrecked
After for German Torpedo Boat by our I own trawlers, C.P.O.
who opened leave the boat after a shell dashed forward the to
wheel wheel, 1 got on to the side though and saw it one was going
Leighton house and Able Seaman Strand of the grab
trawlers she was just about a seemed impossible away that I
the bearing down on us as boat's length when to
ran us, into the water, for it have boat around she
would to clear. I was picked up by I one dont know how
jumped miss us. But Strand must swung of the boats
enough swimming around for a while. boat's until long.
I did at Margate, when Able to about the affair.
after not see any one else of Seaman the Strand crew came aboard we
arrived the trawler I was on and spoke me
The only....