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Dynam 196.
108
107
June 7th, 1940.
Supplementary to a brief report given to the
Resident N.O. at Poole - From the 0.0. H.H.S.
"Pascholl".
The above ship returned from La Panne to
Sheerness on Sunday 2nd June. Her Captain immediately
left her to return to his duties in Naval Control,
Ramagate. At 1830, on instructions from the Commodore's
Office, I reported to Admiral Taylor and without further
notice, was told by him to take command of the above
ship, and take her to Dunkirk. There being no routing
orders available I was told instead to await the
departure of H.N.S. "Reiger" and sail in company to
Ramsgate. "Reiger" was unable to sail until 1630
and Ramsgate was reached at 2300. To anchored and
went ashore for instructions which were to our intense
disappointment; we were to be off for the night and
await further instructions. With the exception of
two of the ship's company, all on board complained that they were
reliefs for the original crew and asked to be relieved,
having done one or maybe two trips across already. It
proved impossible to do this for them until Tuesday
morning, but after they had been allocated definite
jobs and posts during the operations and had been given a
little verbal encouragement they settled down, gave of
their best and did their duty in traditional manner.
2. At 1430 Monday, 3rd June, I was advised that the
"Pascholl" would be salling as flagship with four other
Schults. At 1500 Commander Hammond, R.N. cnme on
board with his navigator, Lieutenant de Mornay, H.M.
With great tact and understanding they assured me that
they were largely passengers and in no way intended to
interfere with, or supercede the Captain. by somewhat
natural disappointment at the apparent loss, in spite
of these assurances, of the opportunity of conducting
the operations on my own initiative, was more than
offset by company, guidance and encouragement they
afforded to the two Officers of the ship.
5. We sailed at 1600 and promptly loat one of the
five ships - "Reiger" which,, to Commander Hamond's
lurid disgust, went on the putty (Quern Sand).
Overtaking a convoy of wierd, but gallant little French
fishermen, we arrived in Dunkirk harbour at 3500
after a most tame passage. The town was blasing
furiously and presented a trult memorable spectacle.
The harbour Was congested, sonté of the ships there
being wrecked, and in cases already ablase. Difficult
navigation was intensified by our not being able to
find the Nouveau Avant Port (no proper plan of the
harbour being available ), our perigrinations nearly
putting us on the putty twice. In desperation we
went alongaide the Packet boat quay of. the inner
harbour, secured and got ladders aboard. Commander
Troup, waiting on the quay immediately asked our
capacity, and I foolishly but optimistically replied
"Oh, between 500 and 1,000% Poilus in reasonable
order commeneed to invade the ship and were embarked
in an orderly fashion, each mon being disarmed before
being allowed to descend into the hold. The work of
embarkation was su ervised by the First Licutenant
(Sub Lieut. St. Aubin, R.N.V.R.) in & most creditable
manner