TNA MT 40 36 Pt 2

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BEE
BAT
"ADVANCE"
DUNKIRK.
6.
appeared to be more needed.
While we were doing this, we were hailed by a Destroyer and
came alongside. We were instructed to take on board a portable
radio transmitting set, and two operators and to land them at a
certain place. (Signal Station at La Panne, not marked on our
chart, but readily visible on land).
Embarked signalman and equipment.
Cast off pontoons etc. so that they would, as far as possible,
drift onto beach near troops and so be of further use.
Picked up another whaler, and while doing so, passed close to a
transport using her remaining boat to evacuate troops from a crowded
paddle steamer recently bombed; aground and with her after part on
fire.
Went as close to beach as possible, transferred signalmen and
radio to whaler, and slipped them near "The Frenchman on the Horse".
Their plan was to get a volunteer party of soldiers to carry their
gear, and to leave the boat to be used by troops.
By this time (late afternoon), we had no electrical circuits and
no instruments (other than engine oil pressure, and water temperature)
still working, so we stood off and dipped the fuel tanks by hand. -
Found that there was only a small reserve over what we should need
to make the English coast again (about 40 galls.) Still making
water through strained chines - Neither hand nor power bilge -
pumps working (probably owing to leaks in suction lines)- Decided it
was advisable to return to England soon, without passengers.
29 May. 2045 hrs. Found one of the boats which had started with us
from Dover, still afloat and functioning. We had seen several others
beached or abandoned at various times, including the original Leader.
Reported to Lieutenant Garside, R.N.V.R. in command, as the
only available officer.
It appeared that he was in much the same state as ourselves,
except that he had a compass. Neither of us had charts which
showed minefields, etc., nor had we any other aids to navigation.
Agreed that be should endeavour to make Ramsgate, towing a
whaler which he still had; 'Advance' to follow, keeping as much
reserve fuel as possible in cans, in case we had to abandon during
the night.
One of Leader's crew found an empty tin so we came alongside
cue
cloths TO
The
in their pockets was explouing.
n
medical 120 men, whom they transferred to a French Trawier 102
ue
attention.
that day, so they returned to England, and were allowed
Daylight prevented them reaching Dunkirk
and were unable to remove any troops as, owing to Dunkirk
but a day's rest. Following this they again went to
to England. bombing, there were none on the beach, so they sholling returned