Supplement 35305 — Gort’s France and Belgium despatch

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…

17 OCTOBER, 1941 5909 the Belgian Government were wedded. The Both these plans were worked out in the French authorities were never in a position to greatest detail, and orders and instructions obtain reliable and accurate details of the plans kept up to date as new divisions arrived and of the Belgian General Staff for the defence of the role of divisions changed. their country in the event of an invasion by The Escaut plan was by far the simpler of Germany; staff conversations were out of the the two; it involved sending armoured car question, yet plans had to be framed in such a reconnaissances to the river De…

17 OCTOBER, 1941 and troop carrying companies were allotted to OPERATIONS—FIRST PHASE Corps in such a way as to complete the move (ioth-i6th MAY) in 90 hours. Belgium calls on Allies for assistance: advance At the same time 44th Division was to march to the River Dyle by British and French to an area north-west of Audenarde, with a Armies: the Belgian anti-tank obstacle is view to organising the defence of the Escaut in found to be sited further forward than had this area. been expected. The enemy penetrates the front Movement in the first phase was to be con- of French gth Army and crosses the Meuse. tinuous by…

5908 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 17 OCTOBER, 1941 There were also deficiencies in technical units, including anti-aircraft. My Adjutant- apparatus for light anti-aircraft requirements, General's branch, in conjunction with the such as Kenison Predictors, signal lights, Adjutant-General's branch at the War Office, technical and specialised vehicles of many had in hand plans for the more economical use types and a number of smaller items. The same of man-power, the elimination of fit men from difficulties in provision of equipment were no sedentary or base duties and the reduction of doubt the cause of delays…

5912 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 17 OCTOBER, 1941 I visited H.M. the King of the Belgians and By the night of i5th May the movements General Van Overstraeten and reached agree- envisaged in Plan D were all running ahead of ment that the Belgian ist Corps should be schedule. 4th Division was moving into Corps withdrawn from the area of 2nd Corps and that reserve behind 3rd Division; 5th Division was the left boundary of the B.E.F. should be moving on to the Senne in place of 5oth Division adjusted so as to allow the Belgians the use of as originally planned, and the latter was now the road Vilvorde-Alost for…

5932 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 17 OCTOBER, 1941 The liaison with flanking French formations breaking up formations of enemy aircraft. But was carried out by the exchange of bilingual being purely defensive, it can never prove the liaison officers. I was particularly fortunate in complete antidote to 'enemy bombers and recon- the French officers who were attached for these naissance aircraft, even when available in duties from neighbouring formations. sufficient strength. A commander must have at his call sufficient fighters to intercept and attack I would also like to take this opportunity of the enemy. r…