TNA Unclassified 1

Raw OCR

Unformatted machine-generated OCR for document page 471.

382
From:
Unit Officer, H.M.Y. "ALOURTTE"
-
361
Date:
8th June, 1940.
To:
Captain M/S, Sheerness.
Subject: Report of evacuation of troops by H.H.S. ALOUNTTE II,
Sheerness.
31st May, 1940.
Receive route orders from N.O.C.I., Ramsgate and leave for Dunicive.
Enter Dunkirk Roads. Anchor amongst other craft opposite 3.3.2.
and French troops on beach. Small craft running in are over-
loaded and capsize in surf. Launch motor boats and fix to iling
lifelines - the idea being to run in and drag troops out, keeping
clear of surf. Coxswain J.M. Fenwick runs in, and after
making several trips rescues 3 Naval Officers 4 Ratings and 30
French soldiers. The Germans are shelling the town and several
air raids take place. Four bombs drop alongside at a distance
of 20 feet, but cause no damage to us. Small craft alongoide
hit and disappears completely.
Leave for Ramsgate under shell-fire and air raids.
Observe small craft making signs of distress. Run alongside md
embark occupants: 1 B.E.F. Staff Officer, 4 B.E.F. soldiers and
Naval Crew, leaving Helmenan aboard as we are taking him to tow.
Arrive Ramsgate, disembark rescued, and receive Orders to tie
up for night. Make request for fuel and water.
1st June, 1940.
0 Have taken in fuel and water and leave for Dunkirk.
0 Drifter ahead strikes mine and is observed being taken in tow.
5 Observe transport and paddle steamer sunk on the Port hand.
Alter course for wreckage; all survivors have already been
picked up.
0 Observe Germans are shelling Dunkirk Channel. Many boats waiting
outside out of range. Alter course for No. 3 N. Buoy 00 as to
miss most of shelling. We get through and run alongaide the
Dunkirk E. Mole, next to D. 15 - an English destroyer. German
aircraft drop salvo after salvo. D.15 and the French multiple
Pom Pom on the end of the Mole keep them up and we also have our
double Lewis gun going.
We are loaded up to capacity with 140 men of the B.B.F. To cast
off and bomb dropping 10 feet astern lifts our stern high
out of the one water. We think we may founder, but the ship levels
up and sail out of the harbour. Engine is grinding natern, D.15
but we her going and signag down bunkirk Channel. attacked
follows we keep aut and when she is abeam we are again and by
several us squadrons of German bombers. Many bombs fall 70
observe two raiders crash into the sea. Ammunition is handed
spare hands are reloading pans, One bomber leaves formation and as
out to B.E.F. on deck and A.B. P.H. Wyatt is at the Lewis;
and circles on to our Stern line. He starts to dive, hard
soon as he is on our Fore and Aft line, our helm is put