TNA Unclassified 1

Raw OCR

Unformatted machine-generated OCR for document page 66.

CONFIDENTIAL.
Dynam. 131.
B14/0
Copy
13
1
13
SUBJECT: PROCEEDINGS OF H.M.S. ALICE.
FROM:
THE COMMANDING OFFICER, H.M.S. ALICE.
DAGE:
7th June 1940.
TO:
THE RESIDENT NAVAL OFFICER, POOLE.
(Copy to :- The Commodore, R.N. Barracks,
Portsmouth)
Letter of Proceedings.
Submitted.
The following letter of proceedings of H.M.S. ALICE
in accordance with your verbal instructions.
2. H.M.S. ALICE sailed from Southampton for Dover at
2000 Sunday 26th May, loaded with stores, approximately
300 tons, and proceeded in company with H.M.S. KAAP-PALGA
and H.M.S. ABEL TASMAN. On arrival at Dover 1600, 27th
May, orders were received to proceed immediately to La Panne
and discharge.
When four miles out from La Panne, we stopped to pick up
a sergeant pilot of a Hurricane fighter who had been shot
down by the Anti-aircraft ship.
On arrival at the beach, we found the ABEL TASMAN
close in shore unloading and the KAAP FALGAR anchored close
to. I closed the ABEL TASMAN and grounded.
Lieutenant Commander Crick had disembarked and proceeded
to local Headquarters for orders. On his return he informed
me that we were to proceed to Bray Dunes and discharge there.
This was not possible until 1700 when we would
float again at High Water. In consequence I decided myself
to go ashore and go to British Headquarters for definite
instructions and to arrange hands for unloading.
Whilst ashore we were subjected to various forms of
aerial attack and we had to take cover with the result that
some time had elapsed before I could be driven to Headquarters
at Bray. I was then given orders to proceed in company
with the KAAP-FALGA to Bray Dunes to arrive at 2100 28th May,
- the ships to be beached and unloaded I was then driven
back to La Panne and went down to the Peach to embark in my
ship. Earlier in the afternoon the Captain and First
Lieutenant of the ABEL TASMAN had been wounded which necessit-
ated a redistribution of officers. I was to remain in
command of H.M.S. ALICE, my Fist Lieutenant - Lieutenant
Wykeham-Martin was to command the KAAP-FALGA and Lieutenant
Beale the senior officer tools command of the 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 onboard After the ALICE
about twenty minutes I managed to attract the attention of
and the ABEL TASMAN was endeavouring to refloat.
the ABEL TASMAN which sent a waterlogged boat in for me.