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 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 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 5921 as it turned out, fatally injured in a motor These moves left only four divisions on the accident returning from the conference which he frontier defences and made'it possible to with- and I had attended at Ypres on the night of draw the headquarters and Corps troops of 2ist May. General Blanchard succeeded him in 3rd Corps for employment on the Canal line command of the French First Group of Armies, where they were badly needed. This was done and presumably succeeded to the function of at 4 p.m. on 23rd May, leaving ist Corps with co-ordination although this was never officially 42nd and is…

17 OCTOBER, 1941 5925 makes it impossible to extend our boundaries, was likely to prove an exacting one: work which were notified yesterday, further to the had to begin at once, and my own headquarters right. were fully occupied with the withdrawal of the We must therefore, with regret, say that forward troops. we have no longer any forces available to I therefore appointed Lieut-General Sir Ronald fill the gap in the direction of Ypres. Adam to undertake this duty, and sent with As regards the withdrawal to the Yser the. him my Quarter-Master-General and other idea must be ruled out since it would destroy staff…

5904 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 17 OCTOBER, 1941 The initial scheme provided for the formation The Welfare of the Force of temporary maintenance dep&ts near the ports 23. The health of the Force has been good of Brest and Nantes, but it was soon evident and the number of troops in the care of medical that, with so long a line of communication, units has never exceeded 2-8 per cent, of the an advanced base was required. strength of the Force, despite the unusually The use of the port of Havre had at first severe weather conditions in December and been considered undesirable owing to certain January. geograp…

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…