TNA MT 40 36 Pt 2

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"ADVANCE"
DUNK IRK.
4.
1300 hrs. Approached a large merchant ship (on fire) with a
Destroyer alongside, for more detailed instructions. Told to get
as many men as possible from the beach to the waiting ships.
Proceeded to do so.
Took 'Advance' as close in as seemed safe, Piercy and McGuffie
away in whaler. Whaler broached to and swamped on reaching beach;
as two men only, not enough to handle her in slight surf caused by
other ships wash and bombs.
The troops at this time rather disorganised, not only units, but
nationalities being mixed. Saw a French Officer, on a horse, making
great efforts to obtain order, (later "The Frenchman on the Horse"
seemed to become almost a landmark).
10
Eventually Piercy and McGuffie, assisted by a French Interpreter
Officer (Capt. de Gailis) succeeded in getting whaler partially
emptied of water, loaded and under way. Taken in tow by Dick in
'Advance'.
Proceeded alongside Destroyer, and troops embarked therein.
Returned to beach for more. Shortly after we left this
Destroyer appeared to be hit by one or more bombs.
Troops in rather better order by now, so got second boat-load off
without much trouble.
On third trip managed to get 'Advance' close enough in for men to
wade or swim out, in addition to those picked up by whaler. (Some
Naval Ratings in this party). On the way out, the whaler fouled
some submerged obstruction, was holed, overturned and sank. Picked
up all but three men, who were rescued by a motor pontoon.
Took our men out to a drifter. (Two Ratings remaining with us).
On the way back to the beach, picked up another whaler, empty and
abandoned, but apparently intact. Piercy and two ratings took it in,
filled up, and returned. Took it in tow and went alongside a
Destroyer to unload.
While we were there, and troops were climbing up nettings hung
over her side, aircraft dived from behind clouds, and the Destroyer
suddenly went ahead, presumably on orders, carrying away our lines
and also the whalers tow rope. Three or four men were seen to fall
over-board, some being crushed between the Destroyer's side and
'Advance' port quarter.
After getting 'Advance' under control again we could only see one
Cio
VIID
120 in their pockets was
The
medical men, attention. whom they transferred to a French
on
cue
J
a that day's day, so they Daylight returned prevented to England, them reaching Dunkirk
but were rest. unable to Following this they again and went were to allowed
to England. there were none on the beach, as, owing so they to shelling returned
and bombing, remove any troops Dunkirk