TNA ADM 199 790

Raw OCR

Unformatted machine-generated OCR for document page 582.

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-
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
sent inshore to bring off B.E.F.
Owing to the heavy bombardment of the beach by the
enemy from the eastwards, the launch was unable to
contact the B.E.F. and returned at 0200. Launch was
then sent to the Pier to endeavour to contact the
B.E.F. there.
0215