TNA Unclassified 1

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SECRET
FROM.
COMMANDING OFFICER, H.M.S. "CALETA". 136 176 178
DATE.
3rd June, 1940.
166
TO.
EXTENDED DEFENCES OFFICER, SHEERNESS.
167
REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS.
May 30th, 0830. Underway in company with "Christobel II",
"Amulree", and "Glala" for North Goodwin by Oaze Deep, Knob
Channel, South Edinburgh Channel and Foreland Buoy. Anchored
off N. Goodwin, 0100 May 31st.
0645. Instructions from Examination Vessel to proceed to La
Panne by route X15. "Christobel" signalled one engine not
working and was proceeding to Ramsgate for repair.
id
0715. Underway. Had a defect in steering which delayed start,
finally got underway at 0800. Arrived Dunkirk 1145, went on to
La Panne, reached at 1245. Very few small boats to bring troops
off, and decided to anchor and send in Launch. Lowered launch
my
which broke down almost at beach. Conditions on beach very
id
difficult owing to, its flat nature and a fresh on shore breeze.
This combined with low water considerably hampered embarkation.
Launch towed back to ship was hoisted in board to effect repairs. ed
On the way back was attacked by low flying Messerschmitt.
Shortly after this, a considerable dog fight took place
1 to
between Hurricanes and Messerschmitts, two of our planes being
shot down, the pilots landing by parachute. Fighters were
at he
followed by bombers who bombed destroyers round us. Got under-
way, made towards seaward side of channel, where the water was
cuction
found to be very shallow. By this time it was about 1500. Went
drk.
back towards the shore launched boat again, and it again broke
down. Hauled in board to resume attempt at repairs.
agrees
est
The Commanding Officer and crew of "Amulree" which had gone
is to
on shore, were brought aboard, and shortly afterwards we were
C he
rammed on our starboard side aft of the beam by large motor boat
(Commodore Stephens on board) attempting to come alongside.
"Amulree", at 1700 approx. was floating, and Commanding
of
Officer and crew returned in small boat which took them off.
see
Shortly afterwards, German Batteries opened fire with considerable
surf
accuracy, and shells burst under our counter on both sides, and
2 and
under the port bow.
that
that
bout
men,
ed
gart
out
GILLS time a salvo or bombs fell across our stern the last DOMO ralling
about 30 ft away, the only effect was to drag our stern down a few feet
in the water. We opened fire on this aeroplane which was a heavy
bomber type Dornier 17 we registered a direct hit with our Lewis gun
and his Starboard engine burst into flames and he crashed into the sea,
as definitely. other ships were also firing I cannot claim this aeroplane
As I had promised to embark the British troops at Dunkirk I
steamed back at all possible speed hoping to find a boat to bring them
off, we were fortunate in finding a Whaler adrift which we magaged to
pick up with our dinghy, I immediately sent these two boats ashore
and started to embark troops at approximately at 1750, this was very
continued over