The ordeal of evacuation by warship

29th May 1941: Many men who have survived the battle die during the evacuation by sea

On 28th May 1941, Italian bombers from 41 Gruppo attacked HMS Imperial and inflicted severe damage. Once it was ascertained that the vessel was damaged beyond repair at 0345 on the 29th, it was decided to scuttle her off the island of Kassos. The evacuees and crew had to be transferred to other ships, delaying the whole evacuation flotilla.

The decisio…