TNA MT 40 66

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FROM STATES STATES
COPY.
50
ORES 10
GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.
T10 bothe TUO is DAS
in
Chief Docks Manager's Dept.
of Marine Section,
and FISHGUARD HARBOUR.
Dist
14th June, 1940.
Harbour entrance,
became
CDM.C/30077/S.
B.25/272.
About
to
Dear Sir,
Harbour, S.S. "ST. ANDREW".
EVACUATION OF TROOPS FROM FLANDERS.
Harbour
It is reported to me that on Monday, the 20 May, at
3.0a.m. the S.S. ANDREW" left Netley for Boulogne, which
was reached without incident at 11.0a.m.; and almost as soon
as the ship was moored the first air raid warnings were sounded,
and continued at intervals throughout the day. Although During
the early raids no enemy planes actually reached the docks, the
crew were kept in readiness to deal with outbreaks of fire, etc.,
as required by A.R.P. Regulations; also to shift ship as
required by the S.T.O.
to
At 10.0p.m. the first of the night raids commenced
incendiary and explosive bombs were dropped on the town,quays,
and harbour, while much shrapnel was falling from the anti-
aircraft fire.
on Tuesday, the 21st May, at 6.0a.m. wounded from the
Base Hospitals were embarked, and at 8.0a.m. the vessel left
for Southampton, which was reached, without incident, at 4.30p.m.
The wounded were absonce disembarked, and the Ship
se
ciled, stored and watered and placed by the S.T.O. on one hour's
g
notice. At 6.0p.m. orders were received to sail at 8.0p.m.
for Cherbourg.
on Wednesday, the 22 May, shortly after daybbeak
Cherbourg was reached, but owing to lack of quay space the vessel
was put to anchor until about 4.p.m. at which time she
proceeded to berth at the Quay Francais.
In the early evening patients were embarked, this
being completed about 10.0p.m. when orders were received to
sail about 5.0a.m. on the 23rd.
On Thursday, the 23 May, at 3.0a.m. air raid warnings
were sounded, and the S.T.O. appeared, saying that the quay would
n-
be the centre of objective, and that the ship was to leave as soon
wed
as possible. All was in readiness, and at 3.30a.m. this order
g the
was executed - the vessel sailing for Southampton.
id
1 of
This Port was reached about noon, patients were at
scort
once disembarked, and the ship oiled and watered, and then placed
the
on one hour's notice. At 6.0p.m. orders were received to sail
raft
at 7.0p.m., and report to the Vice Admiral, Dover.
On Friday, the 24 May, the vessel arrived off Dover,
and was ordered by the Examination Vessel to proceed to the Downs
and anchor until daylight.
These were reached, and at 3.0a.m. enemy planes
passed over, dropping bombs so close to the ship that we felt the