TNA Unclassified 1

Dyram 75. A14/0/14
om Lieutenant Commander Laurence Phillips, Royal Navy.
5th June, 1940
-
28
the Vice Admiral Commanding, Dover.
Submitted:- (1) Summary of proceedings H.M1 S.Amazone 25.5.40 - 1.6.40
and French S.s. "Newhaven" 2.6.40 - 4.6.40.
(2) Recommendations.
(3) Detailed letter of proceedings.
1) Saturday 25th. p.m. sailed Amazone Poole to Portsmouth.
Sunday 26th.
wiped' ship, stored, and swung for compass.
sailed at dark for Newhaven. Sighted S/M surfaced
1 mile E of Owers 0005. Reported on arrival at
Newhaven.
sailed at dark for Dover in company with Foxglove and other skuyts.
Monday 27th. p.m. sailed from Dover in companym Embarked about 100
men from beach m/a mile West of Bray and returned to
Dover.
Wednesday 29th. sailed 0230 for Dunkirk, embarking about 400 troops at Bray and leaving 1930. Divebombed off Middlekirke on return journey to Ramsgate.
Friday 31st. 1215 sailed for Dunkirk and embarked troops from positions 2 and 3 miles E of jetty, using grass-rope as far as possible. Brought down one bomber by Bren gun fire on nearing Dunkirk, Straddled by shells on leaving.
Saturday 1st. 0500 disembarked troops and secured in harbour with gurnt-out clutch.
The reason for such a small number of troops being disembarked by Amazone was that I went to beaches where boats were not provided, on purpose.
Sunday 2nd.
I proceeded with S/L Clarabut to Dover and embarked with one and eight ratings in French steamship
"Newhaven". Took off French troops from east jetty
(B berth) and sailed for Dover 0245 (Monday).
Monday 3rd.
Proceeded in"Newhaven," Embarked Admiral Abrial, a
General, and about 1000 troops, returning to Folkestone about 0630.
(2)
I wish to mention especially:-
340691 L.A/C Harker, who took boats inshore again and again after coming off himself (Thursday 30th near Bray). He took charge of the troops in his boat most efficiently. Later, when the ship was being dive-bombed, he took charge of a body of men on deck and directed rifle-fire very coolly during each attack.
Also Ord. Sea. Wakeham (Portsmouth Division - Newfoundland
Rating) whose conduct in working our own small boats, and at the wheel, was exceptional.
set a most excellent example and whose assistance was a very gueat
Also Sub. Lieutenant Clarabut R.N. (lent from Montrose) who help to me.
VICE ADMI
7- JUN 19.

3. (astailed account).
30
29
5/40 Sailed Amazone, Poole to Portsmouth D.Y.
5/40 a.m. 'wiped' ship in Blook; stored with 14 days provisions and various instruments and navigational books.
p.m. Swung ship for compass adjustment and anchored near outer
Spit Buby. Sailed at dark in company to Newhaven.
5/40 0005 sighted submarine, surfaced, I'm E of Owers Lt. Reported to Examination Vessel on arrival with instructions to pass on message. Anchored outside harbour on orders received, having no opportunity to provide sand-bags, Lewis gun, etc.
Salled at dark for Dover in company, led by Foxglove.
5/40
Arrived at Dover a.m.
Sailed p.m., for Operation Dynamo, in company, and proceeded by long route.
Amazone led the skyts, but the compass was found to be reading about 70 low, due to Cerricks' being topped ready for the exercise, and her position was lost by the time this was rectified. I beached the ship about m/a mile west of Bray, bows in, and with a kedge astern.
Lieut. Audley, R.N.V.R. landed in our two small boats and led down troops from the sand-dunes. By 0300 the boats' crews were exhausted and the boats were being capsized by the sea which had increased with the westerly wind. It was obvious that no more could be taken off in our own boats from the beach. I approached a sloop which was not anxious to take our troops. A large steamer at anchor outside informed me that she was on her way in, and there was too much sea for putting Amazone alongside her. I decided not to go in to the eastern jetty at such a late hour with troops on board and returned, without incident, by the long route to Dover.
Disembarked about 100 officers and men (British) at Admiralty Pier.
Lieut. Audley's leg had been injured when hoisting in our boaths and he was placed on the sick list.. Sub.Lieut.Clarabut, R.N. was detailed from Montrose as First Lieutenant. I embarked essential stores and large quantities of water, also a Lewis gun and as few sand-bags.
Neither the Naval Shore Signal Station nor the Pier Master was urs.
able to inform Mr. Clarabut of the ship's whereabouts and it was
0th.
not possible to leave until 0230 after I had found him myself. This wasted five hours.
0230 Sailed in company with Pacific but lost touch soon afterwards. Made landfall to Eastwards of Dunkirk about 0930. Having been informed that there was no danger from mines I had taken a short out in shallow water. This, and the fact that the compass was still 'low', caused us to mistake Gravilines for Dunkirk! I steamed up and down the coast and examined the harbour from about 1 mile out and found no sign of life. Having no W/T, and having had no orders since 2100 the day before, I steamed W.N.W to seek information. Picked up drifter and proceeded to Bray Beach.
Anchored about 300ˣ from shore in 10 ft. water and embarked about
400 officers and other ranks, sending in water drums by empty boats.
340691 L.A. C. Harker returned inshore several times, until exhausted, with a large collapsible boat, taking water drums each time. He took charge of the troops in his boat most efficiently and set a very fine example. Later, while the ship was being dive-bombed, he took charge of the troops on deck and directed rifle-fire very cooly during each attack in spite of fairly accurate machine-gun fire.
.915 Proceeded. Fredanja informed me he was taking route Y so, presuming there were special orders, saild/company.
in
010
Attacked by German bomber off Middlekirke. Three bombs dropped close to Fredanja - avoided delay-action effect.
013
3 more bombs dropped close to Fredanja.
Lef.

Dyram. 147 428
401
H.M. Tug "St. Clears",
Sheerness.
TO: KING'S HARBOUR MASTER.
7th June, 1940.
Sir,
I submit the following report and the movements of
Tug "St. Clears" during the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk H.M. area.
in company with "Sun V", towing eleven naval cutters and with 70
The Tug "St. Clears" under my command left Sheerness, naval ratings under Commander Hayward, R.N.R. on board at 1205 on
28th May.
After arriving at Dover route instructions were issued by examination tug in South Downs and both tugs proceeded and at
0015 on 29th May, "Sun V" was involved in collision with H.M.S.
"Montrose". I searched the vicinity for two hours but failed to locate same. I then proceeded as instructed by "Montrose". When passing Gravelines we were surprised by fire from a shore battery in a position bearing 022° from Dunkerque C.W. buoy. We continued on our course for a short time until the firing became intensified shells falling very close to our stern some of which holed and sank two cutters in tow. I then ordered the helmsman to alter course to bring the battery astern of us, finally steering a course of 020°
till out of range of guns. The wireless operator was maintaining continuous watch so I was able to make an immediate report of the attack which I considered urgent in view of the possibility of other small craft following the same route. This warning was received and inmediately re-broadcast by North Foreland Radio. During the whole of this time the conduct of my officers and men was admirable, particularly that of Able Seaman Arthur Chawner who was at the wheel, he steered the ship with great precision and altered course efficiently when ordered to do SO. We then proceeded on the course
020° until we arrived at position T where H.M. Trawler "Blackburn
Rovers" was stationed. After some delay I proceeded Northern route as instructed by trawler. When passing Newport, shore batteries again opened fire, shells falling very close, this battery was silenced by French Destroyers, but two cutters were lost in this action and a third cut adrift, this cutter was later picked up by H.M.S. "Created
Eagle" and towed to my position off La Panne. I proceeded with dispatched the cutters to the beach of La Panne and commenced six remaining cutters and anchored off La Panne. Commander Hayward
La Panne aerial troops attacks were continuous. Commander Hayward his embarking immediately. During the whole of the time and at men showed great courage and endurance in working the cutters, continually transporting troops.
a
Our manned, the foremost by/naval rating being one of machine supplied the relief that with crew guns ammunition of were within cutters, by range naval the particularly after ratings. Lewis We at gun these one fired by myself, machine very both exceptional guns which at any was At circumstances During I and carried in transferred anchor. 2200 mess not this out required. decks period a I came machine proceeded cutters the when crew I I ordered was picked gunning to behaved to "Golden signalled defect unknown by up attack. me. excellently 70 Eagle" to French destroyer to main During assist Under and engines. troops one taking proceeded H.M.S. which bombing situation from shelter had The "Bideford" small to been raid defect assist. to in local H.M.S. hit I alleyways have was ashore, but boats.
"Hebe". signalled Engineer to "Bideford" reported who and asked made me necessary to report report then proceeded back to Sheerness I closed at "Hebe" slow speed due to defect.
All Penney
H.M.

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me assistance of c/o Pragne 77 h. Goodwin, member had been bound --- -
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take my place - How the Pragui x the Smill Dwn shut has were alongide, ginding my mistake in ships of required the "fore &
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Pierheads about 6 30 em, when a message wassent in to the signal station informing them we had been sent over to assist the Bidiford. We then received a message to come inside X berth alongside the Rier about 6 50 RM, H Robinson went alongside the East pier We arrived on shore for orders. We then received orders to cancelled given for the try to remain, by load up with troops ¥ return, but this order loas
Continue werleaf.

Reseue Eug Lady Brassy
Wed may 29.1940
411
his
Regarding the try Sr. abbs.
I was in charge of the Lady Brassiy when about /. am we received a message the solvage Officer was coming on board. about
40 am the Solvage Officer arrived H Robrison
We proceeded Iff to Mo2 Buay Calois Route.
r found the Destroyer Montrose about 11 miles off, who informed us that he had been in collision with a Jug We didnot All any tug whilst approaching the Montrose.
her position being about / mile W.S.W % Busy.
she had extensive bow damage r we trued her in stern first r was assisted simla when by the off the Eastern Entrances to make her fast to nos Buay. or 6.30 am.
yo
K.H.M.
yours faithfully
7.9 Hopgood master signed Tuesday gune