Allies Outta Norway

SUN 9 JUN 1940
Allies complete evacuation of British, French, and Norwegian troops from Norway.

Heavy cruiser Vincennes (CA-44) and destroyers Truxtun (DD-229) and Simpson (DD-221), reach Casablanca, French Morocco, having touched briefly at Ponta Delgada, Azores (4-6 June) en route. Vincennes's mission is to load the 200 tons of gold brought to Casablanca by French auxiliary cruiser Ville d'Oran. The precious metal cargo (Bank of France gold reserves) will be transported to New York for deposit in U.S. banks (see 10 and 20 June). This is not the first time a cruiser is dispatched on a mission of this kind. Light cruisers Nashville (CL-43) and Honolulu (CL-48) bring back $25 million in gold, stabilization funds lent to the Bank of England but brought back because of wartime fears in the late summer-early autumn of 1938. The money is delivered to the Federal Reserve Bank in New York on 11 October 1938.

Destroyer Dickerson (DD-157), from Squadron 40-T, departs Casablanca, French Morocco, with American nationals who desire passage on board U.S. passenger liner Washington which is slated to leave Lisbon the next day for Ireland and the United States. Washington departs Bordeaux for Lisbon with 813 U.S. citizens on board (see 10-11 and 15 June).