TNA ADM 199 xxx

128
4.
At dawn and June, having embarked 70 soldiers and finding every ship had left, I proceeded towards
Dover, Halfway across the Straits I sighted a paddle steamer, and put the soldiers onboard her, A.L.C. 10
arrived at Dover about 1000 where I reported to the
Captain in charge of Auxiliary Services, asking for a mechanic to repair my starboard engine.
I received orders to leave A.L.C. 10 at
Dover and to take charge of the Royal National
Lifeboat Jane Holland.
5.
I proceeded in this vessel under tow, at
1600 2nd June with orders to sick up French troons at the Eastern Breakwater. 1 was employed on this work until dawn 3rd June, when 1 received orders to 80 to
B, and C beacher and take off the Beach Basters there.
on arrival at there beacher which were being heavily shelled, I was unable to find any trace of there officers
I was informed however by some troops who were embarking in a destroyer, that the Reach Haster had been taken off by another destroyer. Having obtained confirmation of this, 1 returned to Dunkirk, but found all the ships had left.
6.
It was now daylight and I not courre for
Dover, Shortly aftervards my engine broke down and the lifeboat was taken in tox by a motor boat, I borrowed a mechanic from this hoat who succeded in getting the engine running again, when we cast off.
A little later the engine crught fire, and became completely useless. The crew were taken off by a C.M.R. from Dover and an the lifeboat was of very

155
IV.
-
150
Dunkirk 13.- the ship was attcked by a Junker 89 in a dive attack.
At about 0610 on 31st whilst waiting to enter
Five 250 or 500 1b bombs were released from 1000 feet but fortunately missed the ship by about 20feet. No Damage was caused.
during 14.- an air attack. 650 troops were embarked by 0645 and the
A difficult alongside was made successfully at 0630
ship sailed arriving at Dover id thoutincident, except for slight and inaccurate enemy gunfire at ITc.6 buoy.
"Vivacious" arrived at Dov I at 0915 on 31st May remainin there 15.- until 1800 on 2nd June.
At 1800 a 2nd June "Vivacious" sailed after embarking object was to block Dunkirk Harbour. A conference of Captains S.S.
Captain 16.- Dangerfield R.I. to escort three block ships whose of Holland) and of the M.T.BS of the blocking force was held T.B. the the Blockships ( S.S. Westgrove, S.S.Bdward Missen and in
Downs. in and M.A.S. 07 in company moved off from the
At 2030 "Vivacious "leading the blockships, with M. Downsat
7 Captain knots D ngerfieldembarked in M.T.B.107 at 8230 and proce ded
107 tow, through ''' route arriving off Dunkirk at 022450.
to Dunkirk.
17.- ordered On to weigh and proceed to block last the in the arrival off Dunkirkthe Block ships were channel. anchored line, It had been rammed about five miles west and subsequently at 0245 transpired that S.S.Holland, of the Dunkirk.
18.- Dunkirk at 0300
The block210 respectively. and Edward Nissen entered
19.- navgation It is in the approach brought channel off to the docks crews is of unfortunate that the blockshing the was not completeand and M.T.B.107 had fortunate by to this the that Bastward time this moved however movement opened three was a miles well the to was made as at the the crews Weswxkitward almost aimed fire complete on and to without damage.
20.- "Vivacious" crew were landed arrived at Dover at 0630 on 3rd June.
with Two the
At 1145 on the4th
31.J

CONFIDENTIAL.
Part
REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS OF H.M.S. WHITSHED.
The Rear Admiral (D) gave me orders to II
loud hailer and stop other ships entering and this
Some 80 troops and 10 civilians and others were en from small craft. Orders were received to return as no more troops were available and ship proceede
0245, When at No. 5 W. buoy H.M.S. HOLLAND was obs apparently splitting in half and sinking. I stood but survivors were taken off by M.T.B. 102 so I pr arriving Dover at 0530.
A Dutch scoot flying the white ensign he me in Dover harbour the previous afternoon piercin oil tank. While off Dunkirk with H.M.S. MALCOLM 1:
across my bows an unknown paddle minesweeper rammed stern and carried away part of the depth charge ra
Ship accordingly proceeded alongside Sandhurst when damaged stern was made watertight.
although lying at one time alongside H. HEBE we
My ship's company were in very good heart unaffected by their hysteria.
pier party ship sailed at 1900 for Dunkirk with the
Embarking Commander Buchanan, R.A.N. and harmonica band playing.
jammed me in the entrance and and tide we
Ship arrived Dunkirk at 2215, 3rd June.
berth and a wire out but this got my I put part 0
ships off the Eastern arm. I the wind bows alongside party into the M. T.B. that had parted. (D) abc my and wires. The harbour was now French full of troops ships of all again went alongside, but the Rear Asmiral would I
brow SABRE who had slipped and my me. I gave 8
alongside M. a transport's stern stern alon sizes backing and filling. Eventually I got II
as to the transport to assist in inside them in embarking to one the very tide was small narrow brow. or She, four however, decided th they only had some three hundred on boar more board. and about I or that ens fell can troops the Perforce same use M.T.B'S in falling sight time. I were of I she By sailed this again must now down at number I at and leave high had the 0245 embarked nn harbour about speed and board having H.M.S. 200 and with a and been furthe troops salvo SABRE so my the WI V
manoeuvring uncomfortably of to the ship One while passage made in dense from fog. within a mile arrived of the Dover breakwa at of After making of arrangements which about the was admin th sailed at 1315 for a
I have the honour to be, Sir
Your obedient Servanys
The (Copies Vice (Sga.) E.R. CONDER
CANADA

Dynamo 336.
2979
SECRET.
WAR. DIARIES.
DOVER
In compliance with Memo No. A14/0/330/40 dated 5th
February, the following record of the part played by the Dockyard Departments at Dover in the events which took place between 10th
May 1940 and 5th June, 1940 is forwarded.
ON MAY 10TH, at 0400 the German invesion of Holland, Belgium and Luxemburg began.
In accordance with previous orders the operation XD was commenced at about 0630 May 10th, and by 0830 over 20 tons of explosives had been placed on board "Falconet", "Lady Brassey", "Gondia" and
"Simla". These stores and & Naval Demolition Party of 300 men were then embarked in H.M.S. "Whitshed" "Wild Swan" "Verity" and
"Brillient" who sailed at noon for Dutch and Belgian ports.
ON MAY 11th. H.M.S. "Whitshed" arrived with several easualties
H.M.S. "Sandhurst" and at once taken in hand for repairs.
and damage caused by heavy air attacks. She was placed alongside At
2030 H.M.S. "Venimous" and "Verity" each embarked a Royal Marine detachment with stores and ammunition and proceeded at midnight for the Hook of Holland.
FROM TO MAY 22ND the principle activities in the Some Dockyard were MAY 11TH with repairs to ships damaged by bombs.
destroyers concerned had between 50 and 80 holes caused by bomb splinters or or aircraft patching. cannon, Damage to electrical circuits was also by repairs to which were affected by welding sustained nearly all
Belgian coast became expended and the difficulty of for the sole duty
The supply urgent owing to the large embarking number this rounds at of ships. of ammunition to vessels operating of on the
A.A. ammunition Some destroyers were detailed coast. A
any of other port. to the vessels on the Belgian for them where berth crane and at West reilway Pier, facilities are available. also carrying ammunition Submarine Basin was reserved Ammunition was sent off to ships in harbour tugs.
AT of to H.M.S. 0900 explosives ON "wild MAY were 23RD Swan", loaded operation "Venimous" in "Falconet" XDI were and was "Viay". carried also and embarked. "Simla" out, About about and 470 Commander taken 26 Royal tons off
Marines and details of the landing party. sailed for Boulogne.
from the Army At 1230 the
Welman, operation R.N. was was completed in charge and the destroyers of
ON MAY 24TH "Wolsey" and "windsor" and sailed embarked with at severe 0945. 6 tons damage in H.M.S.
"Wild explosive, the and at embarked and 80 were Royal taken Marines hand and sustained for in action 1600 H.M.S. "verity"
ON H.M.S. "Wolsey" and Calais. "Wolfhound" embarked Military used for stores ammunition repairs. and sailed for Calais.
The Prince ammunition of Wales Pier and stores from now in lighters and barges and for Dunkirk. small and MAY 25TH and sailed for on was extensively for
The craft Submarine requiring repairs. "Burza" The in The ship's bottom in the embarkation of Basin water was used for tugs a the had sailed with been the Polish destroyer by air shattered attack. but temporary the night repairs the enemy had
___???___ certain the During aress Harbour, in of it and had several the been Harbour mine swel,
No outside seen and reported. and exploded. being laid.
was carried mines closed out were to 8 found in until Harbour but These the lgying positions One mine were exploded plott and actually the mines had in been the later Western were Entrance swept within an hour of damage was sustained.

330
OPERATION
NO.20
SHIP:-
LIFEBOAT, "JANE HOLLAND* (Eastbourne).
STATEMENT BY di
Name
Service
Sunday 2nd
Started off in a lifeboat towed by SUN II.
Lifeboat *JANS HOLLOND* (Masthoume). Cast
$
Sto. J. Strangeways off outside and told to go to & landing right
PKX 95036.
up the other end of the harbour. Found they ó
Sto. Aella Shaw were under fire in the harbour. Shell struck
PKX 94553.
the tug or drifter they vero goding alongside
One Sub.Ideut., R.N.V.R.
so they sent on up harbour. Mc enough hole
One A.B.
in the lifeboat bows to crawl through. Drenched
One 0.S.
with spray caused by shrupnels is proceeding also there.
up harbour saar a destroyer out a mall rowing boat down with two Fyench sailors in it. They
All came back.
took these to the first destroyer. light right harbour: - Trench troops but they refused up to be taken off. So they owne back out of the harbour to tug anahored outsdde. Then they were told to collect troops from anywhere.
Nearly every boat had gone by them. So they
Engine stopped just before dawn inside harbour.
Several got destroyers passed, they vaved up sail and tried to get out of harbour. and destroyars naved backs one hour after dawn when cards Towed them out, engine started, they ware just about giving up hopes a
N.T.B. they vara alipped and after about 4 ailes fire.
the in sight and two E.T.3's - along then engine began to moke and she daught to
No resease one Took than aboard. Edfeboat in flames, returned bells 11st.