TNA Unclassified 1

71
70
to Ramsgate
At 1900 i was ordered is take two boats in tow and proced 5 embark troops from the beach close eastward of
SIDMOUTH- WILLING
Dunkisk. hightenant Syddas willing of the
Sec Codet Training Corps Gas chapted to The as
1ˢᵗ hintenant.
I Cannot speak ta highly of his Keeness and efficiency cluring this operation.
[ arrived off Dun hisk about 0130/11
and Sent the boats inshore under the command of the 1ˢᵗ high C ren-cined under way between the jetty and Sunker French destrayer. with an clob tile [ considered it imprecticable togo further inshor.
and
I was shelled intermittently but no damage was clas. By 0330 there was no sign of my houls claim was rapidly approaching therefore C chosed Rika further is seaward where [ fand the of my boats.
The Commodate then closed in his
Caunch and confirmed that there were as troops on the beach and ordered me is return is Ramsfete.
The Commodate Subsequently picked up my other bots cicar and 1sc

ECRET
Dynams 66
Alu/o/
1415
120
NARRATIVE OF M.V. "RIKA" DURING THE PERIOD 27TH MAY TO
5TH JUNE, 1940, ENGAGED IN EVACUATION OF B.E.F.
FROM... The Commanding Officer, M.V. "Rika".
DATE
...
6th June, 1940.
No.1/6..
TO
...
The Vice Admiral, Dover Command.
(Copy to:- The Commander-in-Chief, The Nore.)
27th May, 1940.
0930.
Assumed command of M.V. "Rika" at Tilbury Landing
Stage and commissioned with 1 officer and 10
ratings from Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham.
Day spent in wiping, storing and provisioning ship.
Owing to negative wiping, the operation was carried out three times and was eventually satisfactory for a depth of over 50 feet.
28th May, 1940.
0600.
Left Tilbury Landing Stage and embarked pilot off
Gravesend. Proceeded to Southend for compass adjustment.
1130.
Compass adjustment completed; proceeded to Sheerness for orders.
1300.
Arrived alongside Sheerness for additional stores.
Storing continued throughout the day.
2000.
Received orders from D/M Commander to proceed at daybreak by 'y' Channel to Le Paine Beach.
La lanne
29th May, 1940.
0500.
Left Sheerness and proceeded as directed.
1644.
Off Middlekerke Buoy - attacked by enemy dive bombing aircraft. 4 bombs were dropped on ship which fell approximately 100 yards off starboard quarter. Aircraft repeated attack; this time the bombs fell approximately the same distance off the portbeam. No damage was sustained although the vessel was severely shaken.
As the ship was unarmed, no defensive action could be taken.
1815.
Observed H.M.S. "Jaguar" had been hit by enemy bomba and proceeded to render assistance. Embarked approximately 280 B.E.F. survivors from "Jaguar" and proceeded at full speed to the Downs.
30th May, 1940.

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

122
NARRATIVE OF M.V. "RIKA" DURING THE PERIOD 27TH MAY TO
5TH JUNE, 1940, ENGAGED IN EVACUATION OF B.E.F.
(Page 3 of Commanding Officer M.V. "Rika's" letter No.1/6
dated 6th June, 1940.)
3rd June, 1940 (contd).
0215.
Supplied Admiral Taylor's launch with petrol.
0330.
Received instructions from Admiral Taylor to return to Ramsgate with all possible speed, having been any?
unable to embark and B.E.F.
From 0115 to 0330 "Rika" was lying off in Dunkirk
Roads and subjected to enemy shell fire and occasional bombing, the enemy planes using parachute flares.
0800.
Arrived off Ramsgate and reported to Captain Wharton.
0830.
Anchored in the Roads.
4th June, 1940.
Remained at anchor until 1700; then received instructions to proceed to Tilbury.
2215.
Secured alongside Tilbury Landing Stage in company with "Hornsburgh" and "Hilda".
5th June, 1940.
0600.
Embarked pilot and proceeded to Surrey Commercial Dock.
1030.
Secured alongside Upper Quebec Wharf and de-stored
"Rika" on instructions from the Flag Officer in Charge,
London.
1500.
Proceeded with stores and Ship's Company by lorry to
Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham.
Ship's Company were discharged to Royal Naval Barracks, and officers instructed by the Commodore, Royal Naval
Barraks, to report to the Second Sea Lord.
VICE ADMIRAL
7- JUN 1940
*
Lieut. Commander RNR
DOVER
in Command.

"VREDE"
Page 3
151
145
wound' I5. As only in her enough air the for one start was available the was
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ berth, operation being carried out ship comments willing cooperation of our passengers, with whose the were most instructive.
I6. Outside the harbour entrance I closed a French pilot for instructions and was boarded by a French pilot who remained vessel
Dover. on board until he was discharged to the Customs Authorities at
I7. No other ships being available into which our troops could be embarked, and the first intensive bombing attack having started, I proceeded for Ramsgate, but made the entrance too late to catch the light or the tide, so proceeded to Dover.
I8. At Dover an air raid appeared to be in progress and I was unable to enter until daybreak on Thursday 30th.May when the party was disembarked at Admiralty pier.
I9. Fresh victualling stores were embarked and I was informed by Captain the Hon. George Fraser that I would be required to sail with a tow of motor boats for the beaches. Stores and provisions for the tow were embarked and the party sailed at IIOO.
20. About two miles off Dover the three forward main engine bearings statrted to run so I sent the tow back to report to
Captain Fraser and came to an anchor. I was later towed alongside Admiralty pier by the schoot "RIKA".
2I. I reported "Vrede" to be out of action, and myself and the company to be available for other duties, to the Vice-Admiral,
Dover and to the Captain, H.M.S. "Lynx". I and the Ist.Lieut:,
Lieut. Hamilton, were employed on various duties, during which time the ship remained in charge of the coxswain.
22. On Tuesday 4th. June I was instructed by Captain Hallifax R.N
to report with Lieut, Hamilton to Rex House for leave and return for to previous duty, leaving "Vrede" in charge of the coxswain disposal.
I have the honour to be,
Sir, your obedient servant ce-Admiral over.
Rampand Lieutenant Commander
0
mander in Chief
Royal Navy.
the Nore
VICE ADMIRAL
26 JUN 1940
*
DOVER

224
OPERATION DYNAMO
212
ENCLOSURE No.9.
SHIP: Motor Boat SOUTHERN QUEEN.
Officer Reporting: SUB.-LIEUT. DEMATTOS.
Went with Sun XI. Picked up about 200. All
French and women and children. 2 Loads from East Mole,
2 from small West Mole. Back 10 miles under own power, then tow by Sun X.
Suggest Officers speaking French to send Frenchmen into boats, as they refuse to go in small boats.
First trip towed by VREDE, broke down and we towed her clear of shipping and returned.
by
Second trip towed RIKA, sent back under own power from 2 miles off Dunkirk.