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1594/07
FROM: Unit Officer, 40th A.S. Group, H.M.S. "Olvina".
DATE: 17th June, 1940.
TO:
Flag Officer 1/c Portland.
Dynam 353
-397
371
In accordance with your Memo No. 2912 of
narrative. 6th June, 1940, I have the honour to submit the following
On Wednesday, 29th May, at 1700, "Olvina"
proceeded to Dover in company with "Topaze". During the
night she became detached and reached Dover independently
at 1045/30 May. The Examination Vessel was hailed for
instructions, and at 1230 orders were received to proceed
to the Downs, where the Examination Vessel would have our
sailing orders. This ship, which was engaged in towing
a steamer off the Goodwins, directed us to the Examination
Tug at the North Goodwin Light Vessel, where we anchored
at 1545 to await instructions from the shore, since the
Tug had no orders for us. At 1810 orders were received
to proceed to Bray beaches, 6 miles east of Dunkirk, to
pick up troops.
At 2210 the anchor was dropped 1 mile to
east of Dunkirk, when visibility was very low owing to
smoke clouds. Orders were then received from a destroyer
to investigate a reported enemy M.T.B. 2 miles to eastward.
Anchor was weighed at 2221, and we steamed to Bray beaches
without encountering the M.T.B. Pilotage was somewhat
hazardous in the intense darkness, owing to wrecks obstruct-
ing the channel, and at 2345 the anchor was dropped as
close inshore as possible.
The ship's boat was taken away soon after
midnight, and brought off two loads of troops totalling
32, including one stretcher case, which was put aboard a
destroyer. Owing to deterioration of conditions, no more
troops were embarked until daylight, when the boat was
pulled ashore on two more occasions.
At about 0500/31 May, "Sabre" was full of
troops and ready to proceed to England, so it was arranged
that "Olvina" should provide a crew for "Sabre"s" motorboat
and use it for embarking troops. Accordingly, after I'm
filling with petrol from "Icarus", the motorboat was manned
and proceeded to tow off ships' boats and Royal Engineer's
pontoon floats from the pier to vessels anchored off. The
pier consisted of motor lorries driven into the sea at low
water, having planks lashed to the roofs. Owing to a
northwesterly breeze, which freshened to force 3/4 at 1100,
only the eastern side of the pier could be used, and some
difficulty was experienced in handling the boats. Probably
about 300 to 350 troops were removed in this manner, of
which 240 were put aboard "Olvina".
No interference by enemy action was experienced
during the embarkation, although enemy aircraft were being
dunes. fired at, and shrapnel was observed to burst on the sand