TNA Unclassified 1

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-3-
519
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490
As
the
wreck
of
the
"Grenade"
instructed follow the "John other Cattling" ships to was attempt drifting to pull down her on clear the trawlers,
I
7
up troops and survivors, out. "Polly Johnson" and "Brock" and to
at full speed. got clear, and proceeded out of harbour picked
"Arley" was clear and "Fyldea" under way.
further and several up the pier troops and survivors jumped on board. the I
The more Skipper of "Fyldea" kept his ship close to wall
instructions, but I trying to find the Piermaster again for was further
on board as she failed to find him and just managed to jump
was leaving. This was at about 1815.
then told clear me of the Piermaster had also instructed him to "Granade"
Lieutenant that Peake - the First Lieutenant of the
ships the four it and to go round to the beaches. I therefore get took the
ships three there asking if there were any troops available for me. to the After
remaining ships towards the beaches and signalled
capacity ships replying that they were themselves up
unsuccessful - all attempts to obtain further troops to fill to
and difficulty in completing I received signals from "Polly having Johnson"
necessary. by "Polly Johnson" and to remove her crew and sink her if
stand "Brock" stating that they were damaged. I ordered "Arley" to
who was anchored in the vicinity of the Nieuport Bank Buoy with her
With "Brock" in company I then proceeded towards the "Jaguar"
should take some from her. I was told to escort her as she had to I Express
troops on board and another destroyer alongside her, and asked if
boats and I therefore told "Brock", whose damage was slight, to
proceed to independently. I proceeded with "Brock for about two miles
exchange the necessary signals and satisfy myself that she was
capable of making the journey and then returned to "Jaguar".
her and signalled my maximum speed.
By this time she had weighed, and I followed astern of
side to at about 2500 feet, in the direction of the "Jaguar" and started port
At about 1930, five German Dive Bombers passed on our
detached itself from the formation and made an attack on us.
make an attack. We opened fire with the 12 pounder and one plane
We Six bombs were dropped which fell about 40/50 yards on our port beam.
the plane straightened up to attack I gave the order"hard-a-starboard" As
then straightened up and proceeded on our course.
her multiple pom-poms and zig-zagged, and no hits were registered,
The other planes attacked the "Jaguar" who replied with
although all attacks appeared to be very close to her.
out of sight.
After this attack she increased speed and she was soon
route I set a course for the Dyck Buoy and followed "y" route.
Having been left by "Jaguar" - who was taking a different
Between "m" and "S" buoys I overtook "Brock" and she
signalled that she could only steam at half speed and that she had
three serious cases on board. I signalled her to heave to and
went aea ongside her and transferred her survivors and troops to
at 0300.
I then proceeded at full speed and arrived back at Dover
situation was so tense that it would have been almost impossible to
During the bombing raids and the periods between, the
realize any passage of time, so that the times in this report may
be in error to a considerable extent.