TNA ADM 234 360

Raw OCR

Unformatted machine-generated OCR for document page 27.

THE WEEK BEFORE OPERATION "DYNAMO"
CHAP. II
Communication with England was cut, and all messages had to be sent by des-
troyers.
By 1530 the Germans had occupied the whole of Boulogne except a bridge-
head, all anti-tank guns were out of action, and half of Major Holford's force
were estimated to be casualties. The destroyers Keith (D. (19), Captain D. J.R.
Simson) and Whitshed went over to Boulogne during the afternoon, and were
followed later by the Venetia, Venomous, Vimiera, Wild Swan and Windsor.
The arrival of the first two destroyers was followed by an enemy air attack,
together with close range mortar, machine gun and rifle fire, which caused
damage and casualties, including Captain D. (19) who was killed, and necessi-
tated breaking off, the work of evacuating wounded and withdrawing tem-
porarily from the port. Fortunately, No. 92 Squadron of the R.A.F. (12
Spitfires) soon encountered the large enemy formation and, with some loss to
themselves and much to the enemy, gained a measure of control of the situation;
and by 1955 the destroyers were back in harbour and carrying out the evacua-
tion of the Welsh Guards. The Keith had received a signal at 1749 ordering
all troops to be evacuated.
About 2000, while Lieut.-Comdr. Welman was on the point of firing the last
of the demolition charges, German tanks towing field guns appeared over the
hill north of the harbour and opened heavy fire at the three destroyers coming
in to take off Force Buttercup." An amazing engagement, described by
eye-witnesses as magnificent, ensued between the German field guns and the
destroyers. The Venetia was hit while in mid-channel, but she was got under
control and out of the harbour, thus avoiding blocking in the Venomous and Wild
who were embarking " Force Buttercup" and the Irish Guards while engaging
the enemy tanks and field guns with every gun they had.
It was low water when the destroyers eventually backed out of harbour,
loaded down with troops. When the Venomous backed out her wheel jammed
and she had to steer with her engines; the Wild Swan, following her, grounded
for a moment, but both ships got off and both reached Dover safely. When,
at 2234 some 3,000 troops had been brought off, the Wild Swan reported that
although a considerable number remained further evacuation was impracticable.
The Windsor, however, which had been ordered at about 2030 to help in the
evacuation, arrived after the rest of the destroyers had left; she entered the
harbour after dark, filled to capacity and sailed again without damage or much
difficulty. On clearing the harbour, the Windsor informed V.-A. Dover that
further evacuation under cover of darkness was still possible and that two more
destroyers could lift all the soldiers still left at Boulogne.
Vice-Admiral, Dover, therefore, despatched the Vimiera at 0015 on the 24th
to try to bring off the remaining troops. She arrived at Boulogne at 0130,
and found all silent. At length the Commanding Officer's hail was answered,
and it was found that there were more than 1000 troops waiting for a ship.
Going alongside the jetty, the destroyer was crowded to the tiller flat by 0230,
the only space left being round the guns; and when she slipped at 0245 she
was compelled to leave some 200 men behind. Five minutes later shore batteries
opened fire on the jetty, and at 0255 a bomber passed close and a bomb ex-
ploded 20 yards away. The Vimiera was so over-loaded that even five degrees
of helm made the ship list unpleasantly. She reached Dover safely at 0355
and landed some 1400 men, including Belgian and French troops and some
I The Whitshed had been at Boulogne helping to evacuate wounded from 0630 to 1045
when she left with two transports for Calais.
9