AMAZING FEATS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 156, 1 June 1940, Page 7

AMAZING FEATS

BRITISH FLEET’S ; ROLE. EVACUATION OF TROOPS. INCREDIBLE HANDICAPS. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegrapn—Copyright.) Received June 1, 11 a.m. LONDON, May 31. A naval spokesman stated that the part of the Navy and merchantmen in the withdrawal of the B.E.F. will stand as one of the most classic in the history of the sea. Using all classes of ships, from destroyers downward, in shallow, treacherous waters on a lightless coast, and bombed intensively throughout the operation, the navy has succeeded beyond all ordinary expectation.

Ail- protection was magnificent and undoubtedly reduced the enemy attack from something quite stupendous to action within limits which could be coped with. The terse report of one destroyer officer reveals that his ship withstood six dive-bombing attacks on arrival outside Dunkirk Harbour. She went in, picked up her quota of troops, was attacked by bombers, sailed, gave anti-aircraft protection to a transport and suffered twelve further attacks duing which the steam pipes were damaged. Another ship then began to tow her. The troops were transferred and landed safely in England. The destroyer which had been put out of action anchored in mid-Channel and repaired the steam pipes in 90 minutes and, despite further attacks, steamed to a south-east port. Many ships arrived damaged, landed their troops, and returned immediately to Dunkirk. The loss of three destroyers is nothing compared with what might have been expected.