TNA Unclassified 1

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FROM.
SENIOR OFFICER, THAMES LOCAL DEFENCE FLOTILLA,
Dynama 10, 263 Aveley
DATE
1st June, 1940.
274
TO
COMMANDER IN CHIEF, THE NORE.
(through and EXTENDED DEFENCES OFFICER, SHEERNESS
COMMODORE IN CHARGE, SHEERINES).
PROCEEDINGS OF THAMES LOCAL DEFENCE FLOTILLA - A/A SHIPS. PERIOD
Submitted.
27/31st May, 1940.
were and full speed to & position 9 miles East
anchored to proceed at outer estuary a signal was received that/ships were
During in the the night of 27th-28th May when all ships
Dunkirk minutes embark troops. All ships were underweigh within of a
few of the signal being decoded and proceeded towards
under dark night conditions was not easy and I consider credit
the North Goodwin. The passage through the Edinburgh Channels
is due to the Commanding Officers of the ships for the way in
which they were handled. The signal was cancelled before ships
reached North Goodwin and they returned to normal duties. Early
on 28th May ships were ordered to return to Sheerness forthwith
and land surplas crew not required for embarking troops.
I had previously issued a memorandum on the steps to be
taken if ships were used as troop carriers so that ships were
ready with the necessary organisation and special arrangements.
Later only two ships were stated to be required and I
detailed "Royal Eagle" and "Crested Eagle" and myself decided to
go to the "Royal Eagle".
Ships sailed from Sheerness at 1400 and were ordered to
proceed to the Downs. On arrival at the Downs I reported the
arrival of both ships to the Vice Admiral, Dover and also
endeavoured to find out from every ship visible in the Downs if
there were any orders for me. There were a number of troopers and
hospital ships present so I put ships to short notice for steam
and anchored for the night. There was considerable activity amongst
the transports during the early morning so that I again asked for
instructions and was then told to proceed to Dunkirk by route "y"
(Goodwin to West Hinder). I stationed "Crested Eagle" astern and
proceeded at 1030 high speed. On approaching the Belgian Coast
I noticed a few rounds from Shore Batteries falling round ships
ahead of me but the firing was not at all intense. On approaching
Dunkirk I saw a large number of men on the-beaches as far as La
Panne so not being able to get any instructions from anyone
proceeded to the spot where British Troops appeared thickest and
anchored at about 1530 close inshore to embark them. I sent
"Crested Eagle" to Dunkirk as I felt that on account of my original
instructions ships might have been wanted there - however she soon
re-appeared and anchored about 2 miles East of me and contenced
embarking troops. At about 1630 German planes were sighted and
"Royal Eagle" opened a heavy fire - the plane carried out a high
bombing attack on ships and beaches. The "Royal Eagle" was only
hit by splinters but a Drifter near was set on fire and H.M.S.
proceeded under her own steam. A number of casualties occurred
"Greyhound" appeared to receive severe damage - although she later
to boats and soldiers and were taken in board - amongst them
volunteer crew and I regret to say died some hours later.
the Paymaster crews Subo Lieutenant of H.M.S. "Sandown" who W&B in a
Although boats explosive bomba were used on ships I noticed a
line only high to be incendiary bombs along the line of the
beach. of Embarkation what appeared proceeded slowly chiefly owing to the lack the of
power boats and the fact that few seamen were available for
boats which were left with an insufficient Military crew.