Supplement 35305 — Gort’s France and Belgium despatch

17 OCTOBER, 1941 5903 the weight of modern aircraft, has made it neces- requisite selective censorship on the abnormally sary to construct concrete runways, often of large number of letters now despatched daily. considerable extent, on the principal aero- Extremely useful reports on the outlook of the dromes in use. A number of special units of British Expeditionary Force as a whole and on the Royal Engineers had consequently to be its relations with the local French inhabitants raised, and a large amount of plant, grass seed are produced periodically. These are based and materials had to be provided. largely on…

17 OCTOBER, 1941 59<>5 as instructors to assist in the training of new I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the formations, while an equal number have been chief of the Mission, General de Division Voruz, attached to the Force, for instruction, from and to all his staff for their ever ready help to units at home. the-British Army on all occasions. Despite the almost complete absence of battle Thanks to their efforts, matters relating to casualties the supply of officers has caused me billeting, hire of land, and local purchase of concern. Over four hundred candidates have material have been handled without f…

17 OCTOBER, 1941 5907 28th March; 44th Division, on disembarkation, The sub-machine gun was taken into experi- moved into 3rd Corps reserve in the St. Pol area, mental use by patrols in the Saar front: its and 50th Division into 2nd Corps reserve, south- value had already been recognised and I trust west of Lille ; 42nd Division, on arrival, moved that a weapon of this type will be permanently to the area south-west of Amiens, in G.H.Q. included in the armament of the infantry. reserve. Preparation for Further Expansion. 5. The German invasion of Denmark and 7. In the meantime I had been preparing for Norway on g…

59^4 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 17 OCTOBER, 1941 of Military Intelligence. The force was known occupied by the French. It was not however as Macforce and its task was to cover the practicable to move the 23rd Division again crossings over the Scarpe between Raches (3 and G.Q.G. were informed to this effect. Yet, miles N.E. of Douai) and St. Amand. It began by next morning no French troops had appeared to assemble at Orchies on the afternoon of i7th either on the right of 23rd Division or to relieve May. them. Later in the day, however, an order was received by which the commander of the French Withdrawal t…

17 OCTOBER, 1941 5923 The remaining infantry brigade of 48th Cavalry Corps for this attack. Therefore, even Division (i43rd) was later placed under 2nd if no British divisions could be made available, Corps, and a pioneer battalion sent to begin the possibility of carrying out the operation preparations for the defence of Ypres in case would not be entirely precluded. I did realise Belgian measures for the purpose should prove however that the French Were unlikely to take inadequate. the offensive unless British support was forth- The Belgians had at this time one division coming. in reserve between Menin and Ypr…

17 OCTOBER, 1941 5927 beaches were organised at La Panne, Bray Dunes While at the Bastion, General Koeltz asked and Malo-les-Bains, one being allotted to each me, shortly after n p.m. whether I had yet Corps ; and military beach parties were impro- heard that H.M. the King of the Belgians had vised on each Corps beach. They carried on asked for an armistice from midnight that without naval assistance for two days, but were night. This was. the first intimation I had hampered by a.shortage of small boats and by a received of this intention, although I had lack of experience in their use. The troops were already fo…

17 OCTOBER, 1941 5933 creation of a road control organisation under APPRECIATIONS the Quarter-Master-General, on the linos of that The Royal Navy; the Royal Air Force; in use in the French Army, had already been Commanders and Staffs submitted, but unfortunately too late for more than preliminary results to be achieved. The Royal Navy. 70. I have already referred to the embarkation Security. of the Force from Dunkirk and its transport to 67. Akin to the foregoing problem is that of England which evoked the wholehearted admira- security/ Until loth May the work of the tion of the Army. The operation was carried ou…

5906 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 17 OCTOBER, 1941 SECOND DESPATCH f (Covering the period from ist February, 1940, to 3ist May, 1940, with an Appendix covering operations of ist Corps from 6 p.m. 3ist May, to midnight 2nd/3rd June). | i. The narrative portions of this despatch have been compiled from the war diaries and other records of the General Staff at G.H.Q. These have been supplemented by war diaries, including those of the Swayne Mission, and by diaries, notes and records made by various commanders and staff officers at the time, or within a few days of their arrival in England. The records of the Ge…

5930 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 17 OCTOBER, 1941 On the evening of 2gth May, therefore, the -I judged that it would be imprudent to con- organisation of the perimeter was complete, and tinue to maintain our position on the perimeter Sir Ronald Adam's task was successfully outside the permanent defences of Dunkirk accomplished. He himself embarked that night. for more than twenty-four hours longer, and I By 3oth May, there remained in the area, at therefore decided to continue the evacuation an estimate, 80,000 British troops for evacuation by withdrawing 2nd Corps on the night of and I had now to complete…

5934 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 17 OCTOBER, 1941 of my three Corps. Lieut.-Generals Sir Alan Honours and Awards. Brooke, M. G. H. Barker and Sir Ronald Adam, 73. I am submitting separately the names of Bart. The sudden turn of events on iyth May officers and other ranks whom I wish to recom- threw a violent and unexpected strain on the mend for reward or to bring to your notice for Commander, Lines of Communication Area (the gallant or distinguished service. late Major-General P. de Fonblanque), and I wish to record my sincere appreciation of his I have the honour to be good and devoted work during the tim…