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REPORT OF 'BOUNTY (Contd).
295
I should like to draw special attention to the magnificent work
2
of, Petty Officer ,Jones throughout operations.
The following officers, Lieut. Dawson, Sub.Lieuts. Godman
accompanied me and reported to Ramsgate,
on the following day if required.
on the Volunteer's List.
June 2. Having reported to S.N.O. Ramsgate, we were informed
that only fast and shallow draft vessels were required. During
course of day, found M.T.B.101. lying idle and requested use
of same, but were informed that the vessel was R.A.F. property
and we were unable to obtain permission to use her.
Received instructions to stand by and later to return
to own Base.
Throughout twenty seven hours spent at Dunkirk and
adjacent beaches, were under continuous bombardment from the
pin and shelling from the land.
Diframs 298
300 B14/0/
REPORT OF THE SENIOR OFFICER, INNER PATROL ON THE WORK CARRIED OUT 1314
BY YACHTS OF THE INNER PATROL IN THE EVACUATION OF THE SOLDIERS FROM
DUNKIRK.
Nine Yachts of the Inner Patrol, "ANKH", "BOUNTY", "CARYANDA",
"LAHLOO", "THELE", "SERIOLA", "EILA II", "AHOLA", & "NONETA", sailed
in company from Hamble at 1800 on Wed. 29th. May, and arrived at
Dover at 0830 the following morning. We were ordered to sail from
Dover at 1930 on the 30th. May and to proceed to the beaches at
Bray and La Banne and assist in the embarkation of the troops. The
flotilla arrived off Bray at 0600, 31st. May and then divided and
acted independently. Owing to the shelving nature of the beach, it
was impossible for our yachts to approach very close; instead, they
had to lay off and assist boats coming off form the beach. They
either took the troops on board and transfered them to larger ships
or else took the small boats in tow to larger ships. The operations
were greatly hampered by the lack of good motor boats which could
operate from the beach. Thert appeared to be only a very few and,
during the day, some of these were left on the beach. All the I.P.
Yachts launched their motor boats and operated them as long as poss-
ible but the fresh onshore breeze soon put them out of commission.
Knowing the conditions on this coast, I had asked before sailing
from Dover whether suitable motor boats to operate on the beaches
were available over the other side and had been assured that there
were literally hundreds. There is no doubt that, had these boats
been over there before the beaches came under fire at about 1600,
thousands more troops could have been brought off. At dusk, the
Yachts that were damaged were ordered to return to Dover and the
others remained until dawn on Sat. 1st. June. "ANKH", "SERIOLA", "AHOLA", "THELE",
damage "EILA by course on reported "LAHLOO", sent the the The over II" 4th. but they and fact & "BOUNTY" again. only "CARYANDA" June all were that reported one two and The told & all casualties "NONETA" those Yachts ultimately to the at stand Yachts at Hamble, at Ramsgate to Dover by Ramsgate. returned returned for having were on orders; Officers the was sustained ordered to On 5th. Dover; none, only arrival, June. back and made however considerable Ratings to they possible In Hamble due were all
concerned, great and, coolness bearing and in resource mind that of many all of them had never been
under fire before, I consider that their conduct under almost
continuous bombing and shelling deserves the highest praise.
Sgd. C.C. Bone, Lieut. R.N.V.R.
VICE AUMIRAL
Senior Officer, Inner Patrol.
6th. June 1940.
15 JUN 1940
*