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SECRET
Dyram
FROM
The The Senior Officers in Command, H.M.S. GOLDEN EAGLE through 275
Officer, Thames Local Defence Flotilla.
DATE
4th June 1940.
TO
gunds
The Extended Defences Officer, Sheerness.
SUBJECT.
Report of Proceedings - Golden Eagle. May 29 -
June 2nd 1940.
Submitted
On May 29th about 1045 ship received orders
tp proceed to position 9 miles East of Dunkirk and embark
troops.
Ship sailed at 1140 and arrived inj position south of Quint
Bank buoy about 1820 where a number of men were seen
swimming in the water. GOLDEN EAGLE picked up all that
remained in the water (some 285) and it was realised that
two trawlers were also present picking up men.
A
French
destroyer was present but left without taking any part in the
rescue work.
It was ascertained that these survivors (British
soldiers) were from H.M.S. WAVERLEY who had been sunk by
bombs about an hour previously.
Ship then proceeded
straight back to Margate and anchored at 0035, May 30th.
At 0445 went alongside and disembarked survivors.
At 1000 proceeded from Margate by route "Y"
and arrived at the Dyck buoy at 1322 when a signal was
30
received saying that ships were to use route "X". Ship was
turned about and proceeded by "X" route to "W" buoy, when
the Commanding Officer did not seem sure of his position
and returned to "R" buoy and then finally returned to
Margate where ship was berthed at 2137.
The Commanding Officer had previously made a signal
to say he was unwell and on arrival was seen by a medical
officer on the pier and was sent ashore.
GOLDEN EAGLE then shoved off and proceeded alongside
H.M.S. GUILLEMOT at 2359 and filled up with oil.
At 0430 in the absence of any orders it was
decided to leave for Dunkirk. Proceedings were then as
follows:-
0742. Passed close to Dunkirk harbour entrance.
Tried to get in touch with pierhead but failed.
0807. Anchored in position 2± miles N.E. of
harbour. Dunkirk High Lighthouse bearing 224 deg. 2.4 miles.
Lowered two boats and embarked about 40 troops from the beach.
Received information that more troops were further East and
owing to great number of boats and facilities in present
position decided that GOLDEN EAGLE would be of greater
assistance further East.
1005. Weig/hed and proceeded.
1035. Observed large number of troops waiting by
Zuidcoote Sanaterium and no boats or ships in immediate
vicinity.
1040 Anchored in 2₂ fathoms in position
Dunkirk High lighthouse bearing 237 deg. 3.25 miles.
Established communication ashore by using ship's ropes
secured ashore and by using two ship's boats and two small
boats salved from beach, ferried troops from beach to ship.
Owing to falling tide, shallow water and inshore swell
operations were difficult and troops had to wade into 3 feet
of water to keep boats afloat but by changing the boats
creews for every trip - about 60 troops per hour were
embarked.
During this time bombing, shelling and aerial
and machine gunning took place, and gun's crews were
continually on the alert and in action and embarking operations
continued without a break.
Embarked about 340 troops.