Supplement 35305 — Gort’s France and Belgium despatch

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…

17 OCTOBER, 1941 declared an open town and that British troop Air Force to impede the enemy advance; but movements would prejudice its safety, but no such opportunities were of a fleeting character, adequate alternative routes to the Dyle were since the enemy established strong anti-aircraft available and I was therefore compelled to defences soon after his arrival, particularly in adhere to the original plan of using the outskirts towns at which roads converged. Tactical of the city. reconnaissance became virtually impossible The 3rd Division, on arrival, reported that a without fighter support, and the demands…

17. OCTOBER/1941 "59*5 The enemy had, during the previous day, the abandonment of large quantities of equip- penetrated as far as Amiens, and rail communica- ment. It would obviously be unwelcome to tion with the bases was severed' at that'point. the Belgians who would be faced with the 'Communications by road and rail over the alternatives of withdrawing with us and aban- Sorrime at Abbeville were still holding on igth doning Belgian soil, fighting on a perimeter of May and the town was being placed in a state their own, or seeking an armistice. of defence with such resources as were available, So far as I am aw…

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…