TNA Unclassified 1

Dynom. **6.119. biw/o/
1183
62
R.N.B. Chathan
6th June 1940.
I
Sir,
I have the honour is report the proceedings of H.M. Ship HILDA (Late
Dutch school) under my command from
Sunday May 26th is Wednesday The 5ᵗʰ 1940
The ship commissioned at TELBURY
at 1000 on May 26th Necessary stores were placed enbourd and wiping completed
Considerable chippianely was experienced wilk the engines due to incoperiened personnel, the delaying Sailing until 0500 May 27th.
Ship was Sway for adjustment of compasses A.M. May 27th at Sortherd and then proceeded [ Sheeracis where further recessary stores were placed an board
27
At 1800 I proceded to Southerd for rante instructions with orders LS peaced is Dunkisk, and Subsequently left Southerd in company wick Dossus Bank about
2030.
I anchored at clusk hear
27
the Shirening sand Buy and proceed

66
65
with the help of flub battomed canoes,
The The ships and beach were heavily bouted on two occasions, and bonts fell very close. No danage to
Hilda was Instanced except, the chaphy which loas holed by spliated and abandoned. By Roo ( had nearly
600 hoops on board and proceded to the castward is look for c des tranger is which is transfer them. However ab this time the only destroyed in sight were Some miles to the and buip Leavily sonhed Two were seen to be hit so I deaded is proceed ts Doner with my load, as
[ had practically a food eft anboad.
[ proceeded by the long none arriving about 0800 Thursday Ray 30th.
heari gas were Pitter and sloves received. Six Sub hicitenants RNR and 25
ratings for boats cicus juid and I
was ordered is sail for Deal on arrival of Six roluctur motor hoat chirces.
These did not arrive what

69
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little else for the arrift 5 cittach.
I about proceedure to the aid of "Huths survivors and with the heep of mater bouts recovered a large mumber, including two British Brigadies and a
French seneral. while this was taking place enemy chise bonhare appeared your and Sanh "Skipsack about half mile from n2. As soon as possible i proceded K their and and piched up all the Survivors except ⑆ but 12 of were recovered by a they. They were in a rong pitcous state being conced in oil fact, and in some uses service wounded. By the time this was completed E had Are then a full load, emadering their condition, and maraded for England. Dive bombus appeared your and finished off the "Kith but by some oversight child not attack Hilda althnish she appeared to the only craft left eflout in the roads.
I passed Dunkish breakwah chat
1130.
Shortly after passing No bbuy

73
Dynam.
16
-
72
H.M.S. HILDA,
To: Vice Admiral, Dover.
Dover.
From: Captain R. Pim, R.N.V.R.
Report of events in connection with final evacuation of troops from the beaches of
La Panne Bains and Bray-Dunnes.
Period covered: 30th May - 2nd June.
bject.
Evacuation of military personnel at La Panne Bains and
Bray-Dunnes.
rders
To take as many small motor boats, lifeboats, etc. as possible eceived.
to the above-mentioned beaches and effect the evacuation of all troops found there. The operation was not to include
Dunkirk beach, where evacuation arrangements had already been organised.
Action
Transport 1. Department, Dover, for the requisitioning of motor
Arrangements were made by Captain G. Fraser, D.S.O., Sea taken.
boats and lifeboats at Dover, Deal and Walmer. These were inspected and arrangements made for their being manned and provisioned on the afternoon of 30th May. The preparation of these matters of detail in advance by Captain Fraser wore-base ficient boats to send early the next morning, and subsequently entirely responsible for my being able to get together suffor providing something in the way of food for the very large number I had on board.
31st
2. I sailed from Deal with 8 boats in tow for Dunkirk early
May.
on the 31st, and Captain Fraser undertook to despatch the remaining boats to Dunkirk as soon as they became available.
I took 50 gallons of petrol in 2-gallon tins on deck for refuelling, the majority of these tins subsequently being civilians at Deal desired to accompany the party, and five jettisoned during the dive bombing east of Dunkirk. Several in fact did manage to get to Dunkirk and were of the greatest possible use.
Naval 3. or Port Official that I was to proceed to La Panne that
On arrival off Dunkirk I was informed by the Senior Bains French
Dunkirk beach was properly organised. An M.L. came alongside and Bray-Dunnes beaches forthwith, and he confirmed and took four of my boats in tow to La Panne Bains.
motor and lifeboats were sent away at 40 p.m. with to
4. work The the beaches, which at this time were being shelled shrapnel.
5. these I as found reinforcements. I also requisitioned lifeboats four additional boats at anchor and four acquired from a tug and three from a drifter.
6./

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-3-
13. Several of the motor boats had now broken down and between midnight and 3 a.m. complete repairs were done to these boats, which was most creditable to the R.N.R. and
R.N.V.R. officers and ratings sent from EXCELLENT and KING
ALFRED to man them.
14. I found it necessary to shift my anchorage to the west during the night, as shells meant for the beaches were ricocheting over H.M.S. HILDA.
15. In accordance with my undertaking to the troops, I sent off all boats again at 3.15 a.m. to search the beaches, starting from the western end of Bray-Dunnes. During the next three hours approximately only 250 men were taken off the beaches, and these in small parties; they were apparently stragglers.
A large rearguard party marching along the beach decided to continue to Dunkirk.
June.
16. At 7.30 a.m. approximately I closed H.M.S. KEITH and reported the position to Admiral Wake-Walker. He told me to continue my search of the beaches and if possible transfer my troops to another ship, subsequently returning to England.
17. Unfortunately, with the exception of KEITH, SKIPJACK, one destroyer a considerable distance away and an Admiralty tug, there were no vessels to whom I could transfer these troops, besides which, with the dive bombing and shelling, it would, as it turned out, have been impossible.
18. At approximately 8 a.m. H.M.S. KEITH received a direct hit from a dive bomber and was abandoned shortly afterwards.
I closed KEITH and picked up some 50 survivors out of the water, including the Q.M.G. of the B.E.F. and other Staff Officers.
At this stage I jettisoned all my spare petrol. The Admiralty tug went alongside KEITH before she sank and took off the majority of the survivors. I then proceeded to the east to make a final inspection of the beaches and to see that no motorboats had been left behind.
19. Half an hour later SKIPJACK received a direct hit from a dive bomber and sank immediately. I closed SKIPJACK and picked up some 60 or 70 survivors.
20. Dive bombing had been more or less continuous since early morning and the attacks went on while HILDA proceeded towards
Dunkirk on passage home. British fighters were seen on two or three occasions, but during the greater part of the day the
Germans seemed to be in complete control of the air.
21. At 10.30 approximately I sailed for England, being narrowly missed on several occasions by bomba, and after an hour's steaming, while in the vicinity of two of H.M. transports
I saw the latter struckby dive bombers and sink.
22./

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22. As I now had some 530 troops on board my small vessel, many of whom were in an extremely critical condition or badly wounded, and as there were some 15 ships standing by to pick up the survivors from these transports I thought it better to continue my course to England, but succeeded in picking up a number of French survivors. I was impressed by the splendid action of one British army officer, who several times went overboard to tie lines round those in the water. I did not ascertain his name.
23. I passed a signal to V.A. Dover through a destroyer giving E.T.A. for Ramsgate and asking for ambulances.
24. I arrived at Ramsgate at 5.30 p.m. and landed all my
British and French troops together with survivors from H.M. ships.
One man had died and two others were in an extremely critical condition.
25. I telephoned a full report of the operations and of the final evacuation of the beaches to an officer on the Staff of
V.A. Dover, and at 7.30 sailed for Dover. While on passage home I passed a number of motor boats being towed to Dunkirk, and after consultation with the Q.M.G. advised them to continue their journey and ask for instructions on arrival, as they might be of use to the Officer-in-Charge of the evacuation at
Dunkirk beach. The only boats brought home by me were two which were completely out of order. The other lifeboats, whalers etc. were left at Dunkirk for further use.
26. HILDA arrived at Dover at 10 o'clock but was not permitted to enter. While at anchor outside at approximately 11 o'clock a magnetic mine was dropped 50 yards south-east of the ship, and this was duly reported to the Examination Officer and sweeping operations carried out next morning.
June.
27. Reported at the office of V.A. Dover the results of the operation which I had been ordered to carry out, and was told to submit a full report in writing.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
28. The evacuation was carried out without injury to any of the troops, but a number were killed on the beaches by shrapnel while standing by or moving along.
29. I found that the crews of the motor boats, all young officers and ratings, were very steady both under shell fire and while close to dive bombing.
30. The great majority of the troops were carrying their rifles and equipment, and I was particularly struck by the fact that I heard no complaint at any time from these tired men, even when up to their shoulders in water in the surf. They appreciated to the full the efforts we were making.
31./

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22. As I now had some 530 troops on board my small vessel, many of whom were in an extremely critical condition or badly wounded, and as there were some 15 ships standing by to pick up the survivors from these transports I thought it better to continue my course to England, but succeeded in picking up a number of French survivors. I was impressed by the splendid action of one British army officer, who several times went overboard to tie lines round those in the water. I did not ascertain his name.
25. I passed a signal to V.A. Dover through B destroyer giving E.T.A. for Ramsgate and asking for ambulances.
24. I arrived at Ramogate at 5.30 p.m. and landed all my
British and French troops together with survivors from H.M. ships.
One man had died and two others were in an extremely critical condition.
25. I telephoned a full report of the operations and of the final evacuation of the beaches to an officer on the Staff of
V.A. Dover, and at 7.30 sailed for Dover. While on passage home I passed a number of motor boats being towed to Dunkirk, and after consultation with the Q.M.O. advised them to continue their journey and ask for instructions on arrival, as they might be of use to the Officer-in-Charge of the evacuation at
Dunkirk beach. The only boats brought home by me were two which were completely out of order. The other lifeboats, whalers etc. were left at Dunkirk for further use.
26. HILDA arrived at Dover at 10 o'clock but was not permitted to enter. While at anchor outside at approximately 11 o'clock a magnetic mine was dropped 50 yards south-east of the ship, and this was duly reported to the Examination Officer and sweeping operations carried out next morning.
June.
27. Reported at the office of V.A. Dover the results of the operation which I had been ordered to carry out, and was told to submit a full report in writing.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
28. The evacuation was carried out without injury to any of the troops, but 8 number were killed on the beaches by shrapnel while standing by or moving along.
29. I found that the crews of the motor boats, all young officers and ratings, were very steady both under shell fire and while close to dive bombing.
30. The great majority of the troops were carrying their rifles and equipment, and I was perticularly struck by the fact that I heard no complaint at any time from these tired men, even when up to their shoulders in water in the surf. They appreciated to the full the efforts we were making.
S1./

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31. Owing to the swell a number of boats capsized in the surf, which gradually subsided with continued good weather.
The swell on the 31st had calmed down considerably by the morning of the 1st June.
32. The marksmanship of the A.A. machine-gunners in HILDA
seemed to be very accurate, and they realised that it was essential to fire at bombers before they got into their dive.
The dive bombers seemed to be extremely accurate in their aim.
33. Messrs. Hammond of Deal, who act as Admiralty agents, were most helpful in every way in finding suitable motor boats and lifeboats, in arranging requisitioning, and obtaining spare supplies of petrol at short notice.
34. I was much impressed by the good-nature of the ship's company in handing to all those who lost their clothing or were in sad condition owing to being covered in oil, any parts of their uniform or private possessions not in use. This applied equally to the soldiers, who were most generous in sharing their clothing of all sorts.
35. I must record the assistance given me by Lieut.Few, R.N.V.R
of H.M.S. SANDOWN, in bringing the troops from one of the piers.
He made a great number of trips in a most expeditious manner, and his cheerfulness was a decided asset.
36. I should like to bring under notice the efficient manner in which the Commanding Officer of H.M.S. HILDA, Lieut. Gray, and the coxswain, Petty Officer Curd, carried out their duties, and this applies equally to the whole ship's company. Many seriously wounded men were on board, and each of these received such careful attention as was possible.
37. I was much struck by the efficient manner in which
H.M.S. HILDA was handled while rescuing survivors and also in avoiding dive bombing operations.
VIOE AD MIRAL
CAPTAIN, R.N.V.R.
2nd June, 1940.
*
DOVER

127
121
NARRATIVE OF M.V. "RIKA" DURING THE PERIOD 27TH MAY TO
5TH JUNE, 1940, ENGAGED IN EVACUATION OF B.E.F.
(Page 2 of Commanding Officer, M.V. "Rika's" letter No.1/12
dated 6th June, 1940.)
30th May, 1940.
That
0830
Arrived at Dover and secured to Admiralty Wharf and disembarked survivors. Reported to Captain Halifax-In at Lord Warden Hotel and was instructed to await further orders.
31st May, 1940.
1430.
Instructed by Captain Fraser to proceed outside
Dover Harbour to tow M.V. "Vrede" who had developed engine trouble.
1700.
Embarked two Lewis guns and ammunition and 6 Lewis
Gunners.
1st June, 1940.
0630.
Transferred 7 days stores and petrol for four launches from M.V. "Vrede" and received instructions to proceed to Dunkirk and report to Captain Pim, R.N.V.R.
in M.V. "Hilda".
0700.
Left Dover with launches in tow.
1300.
Contacted M.V. "Hilda" on approaching Dunkirk Roads and received instructions from Captain Pim to return to the Downs and make Dunkirk again at nightfall.
1340.
Intercepted by French destroyer T.113, and was requested to embark 80 French and 9 British survivors, several of whom were badly wounded.
1400.
Proceeded to Ramagate, having instructed launches to return to Dover under their own power.
1800.
Disembarked survivors at Ramagate and received instructions from Captain Wharton R.N., to anchor in the Roads.
2nd June, 1940.
2000.
Under orders from Captain Wharton, proceeded with launch and one boat in tow, under command of
Lieutenant Commander Miller, R.N.R., to rendezvous with Admiral Taylor off Dunkirk Pier.
3rd June, 1940.
0115.
Arrived off Dunkirk Entrance and, as M.V. "Rika" was unable to approach the beach, launch and boat were
Owing to the heavy bombardment of the beach unable by the to sent inshore to bring off B.E.F.
from the eastwards, the launch was contact enemy the B.E.F. and returned at 0200. Launch the was then sent to the Pier to endeavour to contact
B.E.F. there.
0215

122
NARRATIVE OF M.V. "RIKA" DURING THE PERIOD 27TH MAY TO
5TH JUNE, 1940, ENGAGED IN EVACUATION OF B.E.F.
(Page 3 of Commanding Officer M.V. "Rika's" letter No.1/6
dated 6th June, 1940.)
3rd June, 1940 (contd).
0215.
Supplied Admiral Taylor's launch with petrol.
0330.
Received instructions from Admiral Taylor to return to Ramsgate with all possible speed, having been any?
unable to embark and B.E.F.
From 0115 to 0330 "Rika" was lying off in Dunkirk
Roads and subjected to enemy shell fire and occasional bombing, the enemy planes using parachute flares.
0800.
Arrived off Ramsgate and reported to Captain Wharton.
0830.
Anchored in the Roads.
4th June, 1940.
Remained at anchor until 1700; then received instructions to proceed to Tilbury.
2215.
Secured alongside Tilbury Landing Stage in company with "Hornsburgh" and "Hilda".
5th June, 1940.
0600.
Embarked pilot and proceeded to Surrey Commercial Dock.
1030.
Secured alongside Upper Quebec Wharf and de-stored
"Rika" on instructions from the Flag Officer in Charge,
London.
1500.
Proceeded with stores and Ship's Company by lorry to
Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham.
Ship's Company were discharged to Royal Naval Barracks, and officers instructed by the Commodore, Royal Naval
Barraks, to report to the Second Sea Lord.
VICE ADMIRAL
7- JUN 1940
*
Lieut. Commander RNR
DOVER
in Command.

232
OPERATION
NO.21
SHIP:- MOTOR BOAT - TENDER TO SKOOT "HILDA".
STATEMENT BY $
Crew
Service
&
A.B.
M.J.Stallard
Detailed for small motor boats and went on board
PJX 154107.
the HILDA, a Dutch Skoot: taken round to Dgal
31/5
1100ca
19 years of age.and took two ships lifeboats and six motor boats
A
Sub.Lieut.
R.N.V.R. inntow. Stallard was transferred into & small
Motor Boat and towed across to La Panne. Passing
An o.s.
Dunkerque were mixed up with an dr raid. Then
1600
The old man from Deal he arrived at La Panne there was heavy firing mentioned in a Sunday and shells were dropping in the sea all around, paper.
firing at the destroyers. They were told to go inshore, when it was found that the propeller was foul with rope. They were towed inshore by another motor boat and were able to clear the propeller. Picked up a pontoon full of soldiers and returned to HILDA with them. Pontoon was so badly damaged that it had to be left. Found a naval cutter. Took outter in tow. Tyansforred from motor boat to cutter to help soldiers into boat. Went into beach and a passing destroyer beached them. By then motor boat and outter were full of soldiers. Breakers soon had motor boat and cutter swamped and outter full of water.
Stallard had to tell the soldiers and push and pull them out of the boat, as their equipment was caught up. Ordered them to push the boat off, doing his best with an oar, After they got the cutter off, all the soldiers got back in and
Stallard told them to get the cars. There were only 4 oars. The Officer and 0.3. abandoned the motor boat and came aboard the outter. The old man stayed in his motor boat. The cutter was
1815 ca rowed by Stallard and aix soldiers out to HILDA.
He stayed in the outter. This was after 6.0 Dalla and shelling was going on. One shell landed
2200
200 yards ahead of them inshore and wiped out &
group of 6 soldiers waiting. By about 10.0 Dalla one part of the beach had been cleared by
Stallard's party. They then moved to a jetty made of Army lorries. Took a boatload of soldiers to
"MOSQUITO". They were told by an officer in
MOSQUITO that on the next trip they would get &
bottle of bear each. This was the first drink
Saturday morning they had since leaving Deal. Could hardly see the sky for aeroplanes. One Spitfire attacked
37 German aeroplanes, brough down one and came down himself into the sea. Started bombing
0800ce: 12/gune immediately. Hit Keith; Captain Pin then ordered boat to pick up survivors. After picking these up: SKIPJACK was hit. Went down in two seconds.
Went over to pick up SKIPJACK'S survivors. There were some soldiers but veryflew of crew. Returned to HILDA. Ordered to take up tow astern. HILDA
was full of survivors in bad state, one diad.
HILDA tried to get away from the heavy bombing.
Tried to get clear. One salvo of bombs fall each side of motor boat. Finally /14000 ascaped about

OPERATION
NO.21 (Conta)
SHIP:- MOTOR BOAT - TENDER TO SKOOT "HILDA".
Crew
Service
31°
1400 after seeing two more ships go down.
Stallard had a very lucky escape. Had his fingers opened out and a bit of shrapnel went between.
Scotia
As they got past Dunkerque & sloop and troopship and a minesweeper steamed past and were later bombed and sunk.
Captain of HILDA out the two motor boats adrift -
Stallard in one - to pick up survivors. M.B. out of action: propeller fouled. Got under way in tow of the other M.B. this also broke down.
Were then picked up by HILDA and brought to
Ramsgate and proceeded to Dover after disembarking troops at Remsgate: arriving at Dover, anchored off Dover. A German minelaying plane came over
03 00 Ca and dropped mines, one landing 20 yards astern of them. It went off next norning when swept.
0800
Then he went to Deal, Ramsgate and returned to
Dover.

Dynams 121.
367
St. Malo Les Bains. June 2nd - 3rd.
- 345
I reached Ramsgate with Commander Troup about 4 p.m.
on the 2nd. The operations were to be for fast craft only, but hearing from a Colonel, who had just come ashore, that
2/6
he thought there were some British troops and others near
St. Malo who had not been able to get into Dunkirk, I got permission from V.A. Dover to go there with a group of
Schuits, motor boats and life boats. Commander Troup was to take the fast boats into the Avant Port and Commandant
Anduse - Faru arranged for the French motor fishing boats to go *mto St. Malo and ferry troops to a French ship and a paddle steamer. The larger ships, however did not sail, and the fishing boats went to Avant Port instead of St.
Malo. 3 Schuits and 12 motor boats were available. They sailed between 1800 and 1900. I was expecting a M.A.S.B
from Harwich and waited as long as I could for her, as I
thought her armament might be useful during our withdrawal.
As she did not come I went in the 12 know motor boat "White
Wings", Sub Lieut. Mullins. We left about 2045 and owing
2/6
to a head sea and some trauble with the starboard engine, did not overtake the slow convoy.
2.
I found the three Schuits in the appointed place between E.12 buoy and the shore and went in to close the motor boats. They had already been in and found the beach deserted. After giving one boat which had broken down to a Schuit to tow, I ordered them all to return to Ramsgate and went back to the beach to make sure no one was left behind.
6
3.
The battery of four/inch guns near Nieuport, which had been shelling a point somewhere near La Panne, where I supposed some Allied troops to be holding out, and had been dropping an occasional shell in our neighbourhood, now started to register on the Eastern Mole.
They got the range with about four rounds, and then landed a salvo, on the mole itself, these direct hits wore just short of me. Though evidently fired at entreme range, the salvo fell well together. Another round struck and sank a transport which was entering. It was now time to leave, but as it got lighter we made out S ship's lifeboat pulling off with very tired men in her. This was a party from the Schuit "Hilda", in charge of a volunteer from one of the yachting associations. I Ashou hope it will be possible to get his name. He had been and along the beach to make sure therewas no one there.
4.
There were hundreds of troops lined up on the
Mole, but it was clearly impossible for us to do anything but report. We also discovered a motor boat ashore (The
"Singapore") at the foot of the mole. The lifeboat went ashore and our volunteer waded along the beach to help her off. The boats's crew decided to wait till the tide lifted them, keeping under cover so that aircraft should think the boat deserted. As my boat drew too much to get anywhere near her, I decided to withdraw. The "Singapore" got away and returned to Ramsgate in company with the motor boat "Kitcat", which had been into Dunkirk.
who 4. were pulling for England in a small fishing boat. I
Off Dunkirk we picked up 6 French soldiers saw in the distance another of my boats towing a life boat full of troops, but I do not know her name. 8 German bombers flew out of the smoke cloud, but turned off to the westward, ignoring us. Many British aircraft were seen on the return voyage.

FLAG AG OFFICER IN CHARGE
17JUN1940
*
HARWICH
H.M.S. "Watchful"
547
Great Yarmouth.
8th June, 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the report of proceedings of the
"M" Drifters attached to Yarmouth Base (H.M.S. "Watchful") whilst employed on Operation "Dynamo".
30.5.40. 2345.
Flotilla sailed Yarmouth for Ramsgate,
Good
571
Yes
541
From:- Sub. Lt. D.L. Satterford, R.N.
Date:- 5th June, 1940.
To:-
Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
1d
28th May.
.ip
1800 Left Sheerness in Thames Pleasure Craft "Viscount" for
Ramsgate. Followed M.Y. "Prince of Wales" as ordered. "Viscount's" engine stopped on the way.
After repairs continued on course until 2330; having
29th May.
no compass we anchored till 0400 Wednesday.
1000
Arrived Ramsgate. Boiler pump defective; I asked for another boat.
lled
30th May.
g
1030
Took command M.Y. "Rygate II" with crew of 4 civilians.
in
Left for Dunkirk keeping station on the schoot ien
"Horst".
"Rygate II" broke down and was towed by out
"Horst". Found impossible to effect repairs.
1 all
Anchored "Rygate II" and boarded "Horst" with crew.
to to
1600
Arrived Dunkirk in "Horst" (Lt. Sarjent R.N.R.) *
worked 3 pulling boats with 2 men in each. Operation rendered difficult by bombing and heavy surf. One
A.B. wounded in groin by machine-gun bullet. One boat capsized but was righted.
Mann,
2300
Lieut. Sarjent decided to move closer inshore. Found ved anchor fouled by another cable. Donkey broke down.
Cut cable. Chief E.R.A. reported engine failure.
31st May.
400 troops aboard taken off by another boat.
0900
Arrived Ramsgate. Found M.Y. "Quicksilver" with crew of naval ratings. Obtained permission to take
"Quicksilver" across.
2000
Left for Dunkirk at 20 knots.
2400
1st June.
Arrived Dunkirk; ferried troops to transports.
0600
Fuel running short; left for Ramsgate.
1030
2nd June.
Arrived Ramsgate.
1930
3rd June.
Left Ramsgate; followed schoot "Hilda" out.
0100
Dunkirk and searched for British troops whalers according to
Arrived order. Beach being shelled. Sent direct continue to search. One whaler blown up by hit.