TNA MT 40 66

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Sir,
53
H.M.H.C. "DINARD" No. 28.
As instructed, I beg to report herewith on my recent experiences in connection
with the evacuation of Dunkirk.
We made two trips, the first on May 28th, leaving the Downs anchorage at 2.02p.m.
We went by the northern route, arriving off Dunkirk beaches at 6.30 p.m., the only
other vessels about at that time being three small destroyers. We had some
difficulty in obtaining instructions; eventually one of the destroyers asked us if
we would go alongside the Jetty. This we did, and berthed at 8.10 p.m.
Our R.A.M.C. staff went ashore to contact, and assist in carrying the wounded
down the pier, whilst we on board organised ourselves into parties to get the wounded
aboard, and carry them to the various wards. We had no gang planks supplied, so had
to utilise planks, skids, and anything suitable that would span between ship and pier,
during which time the ship continued to range and could not be kept still alongside.
However, we managed somehow to get the wounded aboard; 271 stretcher cases and 13
n
R.A.M.C. personnel, and being assured that there were no more available, we cut our
moorings and proceeded to back out.
We had difficulty in finding the channel as several of the light buoys were not
functioning. We managed it, however, without any harm coming to us.
At about 1 a.m. on the 29th we were attacked by torpedoes, two being fired at us
from the starboard quarter. The water being very luminous that night, it was very
easy to see and avoid the attack, one torpedo passing ahead and the other astern.
Some minutes after this we heard a heavy explosion astern of us, and saw what
appeared to be smoke and steam well back in our wake. This took place between
Kwinte Bank Whistle Buoy and West Hender Whistle Buoy.
We had several narrow escapes from collisions as we were meeting dozens of ships
coming along without lights, and the weather misty.
One destroyer actually touched
our belting on the starboard side, going very fast.
We arrived back at the Downs at
4.30 a.m., and on to Newhaven berthing at 8.35 a.m.
Ouic second trip to Dunkirk on May 30th commenced at 0.40 p.m. from the Downs,
this time taking the Western route via U.V.W. Buoys. We arrived off the entrance
at 7.34 p.m. and proceeded to go in, but were instructed by H.M. Destroyer to go out re
again until dark. We remained outside until 9.45 p.m. and at 10 p.m. we berthed well
down the pier. During the whole of this time shells were bursting about us, enemy
planes were continuously overhead, and bombs were dropped all round us, but none near
enough to damage us. Whilst alongside, shell fire was very intense, and planes
overhead were giving the range by Verey lights. The pier was damaged, and men coming
along the pier to destroyers to seawards of us, were being wounded and billed.
Shrapnel from bursting shells was continually coming aboard. We found great
difficulty in making contact with those in charge of wounded, the same condition
prevailed regarding gangways, having to use planks and skids as best we could. The
range was getting very close at this time, shells falling and bursting not more than
20 yards from our vessel, causing her to rock and range. It was with difficulty we
kept our improvised gangways intact. The water was falling, and our draft being
13'6", we decided when 14'6" was reported to me, to prepare to get out. We still
found difficulty in contacting the wounded, and at 11.45 p.m., the water being under
14'6", we cut our moorings and backed out.
We made our way down the channel by steaming close to the buoys and using an
electric torch to identify their markings. We had no idea what wrecks we should
find in our way. We steamed cautiously however, to the end of the channel and
eventually made our way back to the Downs. We were under shell fire to the end of
the channel 3 W. Buoy.
During both these expeditions I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of the
crew; officers, engineers, sailors, firemen and stewards did everything in their
power to assist me in every way, getting the wounded aboard over these improvised
gangways, with the distumbed water causing the ship to shake and range continuously,
carrying stretchers, standing by to sound our depth, carrying men wounded alongside,
aboard, and a dozen and one things. They were splendid, I cannot draw attention to
any special case.
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