TNA ADM 199 xxx

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Дунамо 341.
REPORT FROM OFFICER IN CHARGE OF DRIFTERS
2503
"KINDRED STAR" & "THRIFTY" during DUNKIRK OPERATIONS -
29th May to 5th June 1940.
ay 29th.
Having received orders to proceed to Dover on special
duty, all M/S gear was landed, the ships were coaled
and provisioned and left Portland Harbour at 1900.
ay
30th. Arrived off Dover at 1730. Reported arrival to
examination vassel and was told to anchor about à mile
off broakmater and amait instructions.
lay 31st.
Having waited outside Dover Harbour all night #0 finally
received instructions to enter harbour and borth.
alongside Prince of Vales Pior at 1400.
I reported in person to Vice Admiral Dover and was
instructed to stand by for sailing orders.
June
1st. At 0430 orders were received to report to H.H.S. "Lynx"
for final instructions. No were then given orders to
take in tow 6 Lifeboats or sinilar craft with each ship
and to proceed to the boach 1 mile east of Dunkirk by
route "Y".
We loft Dover Harbour with boats in tow at 0700 for
113 O.
Dunkirk via North Goodwin Light Vessel.
Passed "U" Buoy Saw floating lline destroyed by gun fire
1330.
from another vessel.
Passed soveral vessols returning from direction of
Dunkirk - some with a for troops on deck, others
1400.
1430g
Passed " Buoy. Speed made good approximately 4 knots.
apparently empty.
Saw large Ship on her side on fire and boat blasing in the
1530.
water. Shells falling very near from shore batterios.
Attacked by dive combers. Sent out message # attacked by
aircraft" on R/T. Our lowis guns in action.
Several vessels were soon trying to enter Dunkirk Roads
but all were driven back by action of enesy aircraft and
shore batterios. No altered course to bring us outside
1610.
Again range attacked by dive bombers. R/T call sent and Lowis
of shore guns.
Guns again inaction.
One salvo were of 4 bombs struck the mator just ahoad of the
"Kindred on the dook but doing no apparent danage. 3 each
Stare scorching the paint and seattering small
of great the columns of water and flooding foot. top bridge
There was "Thrifty". These bombs burst under the throwing
fragments another salvo of 6 bombs dropped water - side
Two and hands wore washed overboard but these were picked up
up decks so a depth of several
The town was seen to be badly was blown a bomb to pieces. - afterwards
by lifeboats. were slipped for greater hit safety. by
No sinking. did not stop as there vore other ships those
One Trauler Another unknown vossel nearer to
1620.
vessols. "Kindred Star"reported steam that the and boiler feed was
Engineer losing water on rapidly also the main pipes
1730.
were cracked. to collect tou which had scattered, all except
3 lifeboats signal to Dover asking for instructions ro these
Returned having returned independently.
1800.
Sent lifeboats R/T but no reply was received..
1830.
Tou was slipped by attheir dive bombing request. airoraft other near attacks "V" buoy. by
Lowis bombing Guns aircraft, but no further down boilor sustained. "Kindred
Again attacked again in action, also two damage was
Star" in order to effect repairs.
Entered high Ranagate Harbour and blow on