Details

CONFIDENTIAL
320c. (For use with S. 1320b).
NAVAL MESSAGE.
(Revised Dynamso ds. 356
October, 1935.)
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TER OF PROCEEDINGS - EVACUATION.
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during daylight. About half-way across a French trawler with
an open boat in tow was hailed. He reported having picked the
boat up with soldiers off Dunkirk and it was thought this might
be the boat for which we were searching. To make sure we
proceeded to Dunkirk where two open boats and a Thames
barge with sail set were found approximately three miles from
the coast. The first open boat yielded five Spaniards,
the second one about 6 soldiers, Belgian, French and
English. We then went alongside the Thames barge at
approximately 1330. This was found to contain about 320
soldiers including two Colonels and a Major of Artillery, and
various wounded. They were endeavouring to sail to England
but had made approximately three miles in 10 hours, see note below.
Motor-mechanic Whittaker fitted a new piston to the air compressor
motor while the 1st Lieut. and myself trimmed the sails.
They had no charts on board. The air compressor motor was
made to run but all efforts to start the diesel failed.
I then left 1st Lieut., Leiut. Dehammel with instructions
opened the distance to search for the "Girl Gladys".
to sail the my barge to Dover; and proceeded along the coast having
About two up miles to the east I found an open boat containing 18
soldiers who were embarked, after which we approached to within
of La Panne. Visibility was good and no sign of the drifter
approximately three miles of the coast slightly to the eastward
could be seen, the search was therefore abandoned and course
was set to intercept the Thames barge.
by approximately eight dive-bombers, 20 to 30 were the dropped
At 1720 when out of sight of land bombs we were attacked
The fell at to attack in pairs out dive of the sun
and eight six distances or varying from 10 to 50 yards of and ship.
having bombers appeared their bombs continued their endeavour firing to machine- miss
guns. the Course was appeared to explode after entering water,
released altered frequently in an the
some bombs. Some the surface and & certain number appeared ahead and not the to
explode at all. the splash. A certain amount who were exposed was
on striking One exploded under the bow right of discomfort ship
passed through myself and members of the crew hours or 80. to
experienced the by eyes for the next twelve manning
Able-Seaman Power of the soldiers in the fore to peak. return to Dover now had
splash in the was wounded in the leg when As I the port
wounded on board ask for assistance for barge sailing
turret also one I considered it advisable the barge. A tug was
forthwith and approximately to 2100 and found the Deut. Dehammel well
sent out at from Dover. I consider Sub. bombing to
performed a very subjected had caused leaks for that night's the
about 10 miles creditable operation. The to the hull which and
petrol the ship tank had and been the ship was not used again
operation.