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From! Resident Naval Officer, Poole.
Dynam 239. A14/0/ 9
1352
To:-' Flag Officer in Charge, Portland,
9
Copy to Staff Officer Operations, Portsmouth.
REPORTS RECEIVED FROM COMMANDING OFFICERS OF REQUISITIONED
DUTCH COASTERS, WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION DYNAMO.
"ALICE".
H. 11. S. Alice sailed from Southampton for Dover at 20.00 Sunday 26th. May
loaded with stores approximately 300 tons and proceeded in Company with
H.M.S. Kaap Falga and H.M.S. Abel Tasman. On arrival at Dover orders there
received to proceed immediately to La Panne and discharge. When 4 miles
from La Panne we stopped to pick up a sergeant pilot of a Hurricane fighter
who had been shot down by an A.A. Ship On arrival at the beach 0830 May 28th.
we joined the Abel Tasman close in shore unloading and the Kaap Falga
anchored close to. I closed the Abel Tasman and grounded. Lt. Condr. Crick
had disembarked and proceeded to Local H.Q. for orders, and on his return
he informed me that we were to proceed to Bray Dunes and discharge there.
This was not possible until 17.00 when we would float again at H.W. In
consequence I decided myself to go ashore to British H.Q for definite
instructions and to arrange hands for unloading. Whilst ashore we were
subjected to various forms of areial attack and we had to take cover with
the result that some time had elapsed before I could be driven to H.Q. at
Bray. I was then given orders to roceed in Company with the laap Falga
to Bray Dunes to arrive at 21.00 28th. May, the shins to be beached and
unloaded. I was driven back to La Panne and went down to the beach to enbark
on my ship. Later in the afternoon the Captain and 1st. Lieut. of the Abel
Tasman had been wounded which neccessitated a redistribution of Officers.
I was to remain in Command of H.M.S. Alice and Lieut. Beale the Senior
X
Officer took command of Abel Tasman. On arrival at the beach I found
only two ships. The Kaap Falga, I could just see moving off to the Westward
about two miles away which was then the visibility distance. There appeared
to be no signs of life aboard the Alice and the Abel Tasman was endeavouring
to refloat. After about 20 minutes I managed to attract the attention of the
Abel Tasman which sent a waterlogged boat in for me. Before leaving the
beach I explained the situation to the Adjutant of the R.A.S.C. who had
accompanied me during the afternoon. On arrival on board the Abel Tasman
Lieut. Beale informed me that in my absence he had refloated the Alice
and anchored her. He then received a message from the Alice informing him
that the engines of the Alice had completely broken down. He also informed me
that the crew etc. had gone over to Kaap Falga which weighed and prodeeded
without orders from Lieut. Beale or informing him of his intentions
The situation was then appreciated by the C.O. LaPanne Lieut Beale and myself
and beale decided that XX first Lieut. Martin and first first Lieut. were
capable of dealing with the situation which had arison. The adjutant of The the
R.A.S.C. who was remaining ashore knew the orders that had been issued.
possibility of towing the Alice to Bray Downs was
considered. Owing to the absence of personnel and boats and gear this Beale project
considered unwarrentable to delay departure. I consulted Lieut.
was and the Colonel R.A.S.C. unit who was Senior Officer La Panne and it was
decided that I should take over the duties of 1st. Lieut. (Lieut. Beale being it
was to C. in C. Dover on arrival and he approved of my appointment
single considered that I should serve no useful purpose otherwise. The
handed, and assist him in taking the Abel Basman back to Dover, situation as
was I remained reported second in Command. The movements of Abel Tasman have been reported
by the Commanding Officer.
Signed H.M. Slater Lieut.
KAAP FALGA and ailed ABEL Sunday TASMAN. 26th. May 16.00 from Southampton for Dover ordered for
Kaap Falga. 27th. May 16.00 arrived Dover Roads At 19.00 was Arrived at to
orders. Monday route to La. Panne. 08.00 Tuesday 28th. and unloading La
proceed to Downs for near a Abel Tasman who was beached broadside on of it in
Panne and anchored started unloading our Deck Cargo and landed part H.M.S.
ammunition. Ce ashore with Lieut. Slater, Commanding Lieut. Condr Alice
Ships boats. At 13.00 ashore I went about what they wanted done. We met troops and
to Crick see commanding the authorities H.M.S. when Abel we Tasman had discharged who told us some he of was our evacuating Cargo. and Incendiary At 14.00 bombs the three
we should were do attacked the same by 20 German bombers the who beach dropped and were H.E. not hit by bombs except
machine one ships incendiary gunned which the ships fell and in troops the hold on of Abel Tasman and luckily did not ignite.