THE CHINA MAIL, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 1946.
TASK OF
HOPELESS TASK
B. E. F.
Drama Of Last Few Days Now Told
French Retreat:
Official Story
Brittany
ters to Vitre, Just west of Loval.
"I was entirely dependent on lines of communication signals for my communications. Bly own staff consisted only of four officers and two clerks, the remainder having been stopped at St. Malo and sent back to England.
later and explained the situation. I asked whether the Brittany scheme had HM. Government's Approval and told him that Gens. Weygand and Georges considered it impracticable with the force vailable. The C.I.G.S. informed The full narrative of the operations, of the B.E.Fe that he knew nothing of the
Acheine, but said he
"At 12.30 hours the C.I.G.S. in Belgium and France in 1940 as told in the
would refer the matter the telephoned to say that the Prim official despatches has been completed by the Prime Minister, Mr. Churchil Minister was anxious about the publication of a despatch by Lt.-Gen. Sir Alan "I told the CLG.S. that in view withdrawal of the 52nd Division Brooke (now Field-Marshal Viscount Alan- of the general state of disintegra (less the detachment with the 1011
Lion which was beginning te wished the embarkation to
French
Army). The Prime Minis brooke), who took command of the remaining read in the French Army, ter
be British Forces in France on June 13, 1940. considered that all further movanced, as he feared the effect
ment of troops and material to] of such a
a withdrawal on the-mor It is accompanied by a summary of operations, France should be stopped, and ale of the French.
published as an appendix, by Lt-Gen. Mar-that arrangements should be start- pointed out that my plata
had received approval, "that" or shall-Cornwall, who was in charge. of the Bri-d for the evacuation of the B.E.F
dory had been issued for the meve, tish Mission at the French 10th Army H.Q., "The
ឆព that any alterations and who was responsible for co-ordinating the operations.
The German offensive late Hol-; Weygand at the headquarters of land, Belgium and Luxembourg No. 1 Mission,
170 miles begnu
some
un May 10, IND Thenway. Gen. Weygand was nhsen: evacuation of the B.E.F. and partaga Cabinet meeting but sent of the 1st Prench Army was car piessage that he would see the ried out from the beaches of Dan-
British commander at 08.30 hai on June 14.
kirk, a proce which was COM- uleted by June 3,
When the Battle of
France opened on June 5 Ely.. French were in a merry state. Weygand could oppose only about 50 weak and dispirited divisions to the 100 or sa Germany division
The fortunes of the British for ees were bound up with those of The 10th French Army on the Summe.
Force Under French
The British Forces involved con- aisted of little more than two divi- sions the 1st Armoured and the 51st Highland. When the German offensive had opened on May 10. the 1st Armoured the only arm
we then had was still in
qured England, its equipmen: far;
frum complete.
front available
verte,
זיין
BRITISH REDS DECLARE WAR
London, June 18. ́ The British Communist Party today announced a man- jor reversal of their past volicy in a strongly worded statement inated by the Eze- cutive Committea complaining of the "unprecendonted cam paign of columnji against the Communists at home and abroad."
The statement, which fat- lows the Labour Party's over- whelming rejection of the for Communist application affiliation at the precont- Lu- bour Party conference at Bournemouth, makes it cleur thet for the first time the Communiatz will no attack the damestice policy of the British Socinlint Government, --Router.
that he was withdrawing his | troops to Cherbourg.”
Aircraft were
Islanda,
2.1.C.S. informed me that complicate the embarku-! Chunnel
orders had already been issued to stou the dispatch. of further troops and material to France.
"An hour later (17.16 hours) the CIGS. telephoned
any that էլը Prime Minister knew nothing of the Brittany plan and that all arrangements were to start for the evacuation of those elements of the B.E.F. which were at that time not under the orders of the 10th French Army,
So far as it was known at the time the situation on the front that evening was that a Bne from Lho sea West the Scine to Neu- bourg and thence to Conches was beit being held by the Toth Froneri Army, which included the 16th Infantry Brigade of the 62ad Division, Armoured Division
derma Beurs Purse. one brigade)
There was a gap of eight mies, only lightly held by elements af the 3rd D.L.M. (light armouri between the Southern flank of the 167th Infantry Brigade and Dam-
ville.
South of this area, the Army of Paris was supposed to be hall. ing a line from Preux to Bonne- court, on the Seing, but there was no confirmation that this army, was actually in position.
Large Gaps
JUNE 14-At the meeting Gen. Weygand "spoke most frankly" to Sir Alan about the situation.
"He said the French Army was
"A HLM. Government had no! been consulted with regard to the Brittany scheme und the with rawal of the B... had been ap prayed, I considered that I was no longer in a position to carry tatis, Weygand and Georgea
ut the dispositions settled with therefore requested the C... to inform Geh.
h. Weygand and I ander stood this was to be done.
"The instructions which I ceived Inter, stating that I was no lenger, under Gen, Weygand's or ders. confirmed this opinion."
{
re-
Talks With Premier Orders on evacuation Were at once issued and Lt-Gen. Marshall Cornwall, in charge of the British Mission with the 10th French Army, was naked to come to Gen. Brooke's 11.Q. Again at 20.10 the C.LGS. was on the telephone.
inoved to the whence they tien al Cherbourg and
and might well would co-operate with Norman endanger 1. The CJ.G.S., how-| Force and protect the enburka- ever, said that the Prime Minister Lion. did
not wish the division
"A: 1:00 hours the C.1.G.S. tele- to be embarked without the approval of phoned and informed me that the his
Government. Majesty's
B... had reported that the 'e- "At this time the complet abtain Government had asked the sence of any information about
Germans for an armistice (in- the whereabouts of the enemy on
formation subsequently confirm- the Le Mans front caused me souse ml) anxiety, as any nenetration of enemy troops towards Laval and Rennes would have seriously en- dangered the safety of the A.E.F. "Norman Force"
Held On
"He agreed that in view of this all efforts should now be directed tu getting personnel uway and afterwards, if the situation allow ed, as much materini as possible. He further agreed that I should leave with my atall for the United "I apoke again to the C.I.G.SKingdom that evening. at 21.50 hours. I explained the When Sir Alan
up the situation as I knew it, and 1 once C.L.G.S.
at 1030
he was need informed by the Signals that all more impressed on him the to evacuate 52nd Division Gless communications with London had the detachment with the 10th been cut at Rennes and that French Army). The necesary
was also impossible to contact any shipping VY ALS Available at Cher
Nantes. port except
At 2130 bourg and was being kept idle. hours he left St. Nazaire in the The air situation was also at that armed trawler H.M.S. Cambridge time favourable,
shire.
"An hour and half taler the C.1.G.S. gave permission to em- hark one fold rogiment, one field
2nd Division company and offer details of the which were not
needed to suppert the infantry of the division.
JUNE 16-There was a tee phone
It was rushed out to Le Havre, where it began to disembark about May 16. Before it could move up to join the B.E.F. Rungstedt had elested the crossings of the Somine. Thus, in due course it came un- der the command French Army south of the Somme.
it had
now broken up into four selves and the French and to By Junc when the 1,
despatch groups-one of which
was the avoid in every possible way giving of
to, longer capable of organisei
ife said it was inost important that everything should be done to
of the 10th | resistance," «taled Sir Alan, "that fonsare good relations between sur-87 call from the C.I.G.S.
JUNE 18: The Cambridgeshire sailed as escort to a slow convoy.
JUNE 19: The Cambridgeshire reached Plymouth.
formations re-
under review takes up the tale, 10th Army (Gen. Allmayer) with the impression that the B.E.F01 52nd Division, less the delach.] Armoured Division were the only it had already been forced to and that semirrable zone existed way desarting them would but no actual movement was yet
Callant
but
abortive
In addition to the two
between the groups.
gaps
זי
Page'a
ENSA STAR THEATRE
Presenta
VARIETY SECTION
of
HONG KONG STAGE CLUB
J
in
“TAKE IT EASY"
with
AN ALL SERVICE CAST TO-NIGHT at 7.30 P.M.
Each Serviceman may bring one Civilian guest.
LEGAL BRANCH
CUSTODIAN OF PROPERTY
NOTICE
MOTOR VEHICLE
CLAIMS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A LIST OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTOR EN- GINES IN KOWLOON AND HONGKONG WILL BE POSTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE CUS- TODIAN OF PROPERTY FROM 7th JUNE, 1940.
LAMMERT BROS. Auctioneers, Surveyors and Appraisers, Pedder Building. Telephone No. 20224.
PUBLIC AUCTION
Toc
Undersigned have re- ceived instructions from Tho. Custodian of Property to sell by Public Auction on
Tuesday and Wednesday, the 18th and 19th. June 1946. commencing each day at 10 a.m at their Sales Rooms, Pedder
Building (busement)
500 LOTS OF MISCELLANEOUS GOODS.. comprising
South China Athletic Associa- tion's Football Ground), Causeway Bay
ÁNY PERSON HAVING Astored at Caroline Hill (former CLAIM AGAINST THESE VEHICLES AND/OR ENGINES ARE REQUESTED TO SUB- MIT SAME WITH PROOF OF OWNERSHIP NOT LATER THAN 22nd JUNE, 1946.
Motor Cars, Lorries, Engines, Vehicle Scraps, Etc.
ALL MOTOR VEHICLES AND/OR ENGINES REMAIN- ING
UNCLAIMED AFTER stored at Caroline Hill Garage, THIS DATE WILL BE SOLD
Land Transport BY PUBLIC AUCTION.
R. A. WICKERSON,
Custodian of Property.
"Attenuated" Division The despatch by Lt. Gen. Mar. shall-Cornwall, giving a summ of operations by the B.E.. from June 1 to 18, states;
The 51st Division and the 1st British fighting maining in France after the eva cuation of the main British Ex.
| PUBLIC AUCTION hepeditionary Force from Flanders
in the first week of June,
The Armoured Division wag
The Undersigned have re- "attenuated." lind lost heavily ceived instructions from The in its first engagement on the Custodian of Property to sell by Somme and could only
Public Auction on roughly one-third of its quota of re- tanks. While this division was re-fitting south of the Spine the 51st Division was engaged in an ineffective attack along with French units at Abbeville and was faced by a powerful German offen- Bive.
hours. He authorised arrangements for the evacuation
ment with the 10th French Army, "I replied that force the Somme rossiivisions.
most to Lake place. certainly see that this was done,
"At 08.30 hours, however, "The armies, he explained that I was moving no trespa en there was a heterogeneous mass of would continue to fight under the gaged with the 19th Army.
rang up again and confirmed that but 2nd Division, less the detachment British personnel in base and rein. erders of their own commanders. that
I was
arranging to move, with 10th French Army, could forcement depots and of thebut co-ordinated action of the beek all other troops and material
now begin to embark at Cher Pioneer Corps on the lines of com- force as a whole would no longer towards the ports,
bourg. Norman Force itself was munication between
Some possible, the
"At this stage the Prime Minis- to continue to casperate with the the Atlantic ports. As the hausted ond.
formations tor himself apoke and asked about 10th French Army." The GIGS. Battle of France developed. "n
worn out. force was formed from this ex- He then informed me that in the cployment of those elements also said that troons of the French the 62nd Division which were Army who wished to enibark at cellent but wholly unorganised accordance with a decision taken not man-power for the defence of the
under the orders of the 10th Cherbourg should be allowed to do French Army. I assured him that I considered that no useful pur pose could be served by adding then to the forces already with that Army.
Rouen base.
Few Reinforcements Such, then, was the handful of gallant men that the tide of dis- aster left to carry on the fight on the ahorca of France. At home there were few enough reinforce ments to send them. The
B.E.
Reserves were ex-
Ariny,
ת זךנן
10th
the
army.
60.
to
muster
of con-
Were
Friday, the 21st. June 1946 commencing at 10.00 a.m.
at their Sales Rooms, Pedder
-Building (busement)
91 LOTS OF MISCELLANEOUS GOODS, comprising:-
Trolley Frames,
Wheels,
Mat Bags,
A Tractor, Pitch,
Concrete Mixers,
Rails and
Iron Scrap and Iron Ware,
A 15 H, P. Engine, Cast Steel Shell Cases, Iron Pedestals, Etc., Etc., Etc.
The
Motor Engines and Vehicle Scraps
Service
stored
in Dodwell's Station, Corner of Matheson/ Russell Streets, Wanchai
Motor Engines, Motor Cars, Lorries, Vehicle Scraps, Etc.
stored in Hongkong TramwOJB
Depot, North Point
Motor Cars, Etc. stored at Saifee Terrace, Corner -of Jordan/Nathan Roads, Kowloon.
'Motor Cars, Etc.
stored at Jardine's East Paint
Godown
Motor Engines
stored at Queen Victoria Street,
Hong Kong
Motor Car
storci
at Taikoo Dockyard, Office Garago
Lorry
by the Allied Governments Brit- any was to be defended by huld- Unfortunately, it was given the ing a line across the neninsula in
German Pressure misleading title of the Beauman the vicinity of Rennes."
captured orders showed that the condition after 12 days
Information received later from By this time, in an exhausted "Division," a title which led thef During discussion of the pro- 10th Army, under which it, too,ject Sir Alun pointed out to Gen. "They could not possibly restore Fourth German Army was to at- tinual movement and battie and was placed to ask much more of Weygand that the proposed line the situation on that front, nor tack that day with the ultimate holding too wide a Lant, the divi it than it could perform.
was 150 kilo-metres (04 miica)
could they close the gap of some object of galning Cherbourg and
sion, though it
ought bravely. at least 30 miles which new existed be-Brest long and would require
was forced back to the line of the 15 divisions.
During a telephone conversation liver Bresle, the next tween the 10th French Army and
natural "I gathered from both Gen. the
with the C.I.G.S. at 13.26 hours obstacle, 16 miles in the rear. Army of Paris. Weygand and Gen. Georges, C-in-
"The Prime
Minister then Sir Alan asked that the Norman
Owing to the treat to the Bri North-Eastern Theatre of
to dis- tish C..
agreed to my proposal that troops Force ghould be allowed
base at Rouen, Gen. Sir Operations, that they did not con under griers of the French. 10th engage and withdraw อ
Cher- Henry Karslake, G.0.0. Lines of was Isider the Brittany project to be Army should remain fighting with bourg. The C.I.G.S.
not Communication. had scraped to- Canadian Division and the 52nd feasible with the forces that now that army for the present, whilst propared to give the decision an
gether an improvised force for Lowland Division-these
the withdrawal of the remainder asked me to ring again."
local defence. Thin forco of "nine including could take the field reasonably
alone available in the
of the B.E.F. should proceed."
At 16.15 hours, after arriving infantry battalions of a sort" had cour
Moves ie ports of embarkation at his now headquarters at Redon. no war equipment except rifles and equipped. For the rest, the equip.
80 miles north of St. Nazaire. Gen. "Gen. Weygand referred to the were continued. Those British Army ha ment of the
a few odd Bren guns and anti- elements been left on the benches of Dun-mofect
and sail with the 10th French Army were Brooke rang the C.I.G.S., who said tank guns, which they had neve 'romantic,' kizk
that it had been adopted-without-to embark at Cherbourg when the had been decided that Norman fired before. They were without
Construction Material To the Battle of France wmilitary advice." Since the Allied altuation admitted of their with Force was to stay with the 10th artillery, means of transport and Dump, College Road, Kowloon could, in fact, contribute a total Governments had issued instrue- drawal from that
That French Army until that
They army signal equipment. started to disintegrato.
City-The Nam Jam Factory, of four divisions and the Benu-tions for the defence of Brittany night Sir Alan and his staff were
placed in charge of Brig. Beau- 136/137. Fook Wa Street, Sham-stored at Aberdeen Dock man "Division," but nothing more. he felt he must carry out the er-busy perfecting arrangements for Sir Alan had previously arrang man. The command of this forlorn hopeders. He had drawn up plans for the embarkation and evacuationed for 90,000 rations, as well as
Unfortunately, this "heterogene- shulpo-Marsman No. 1 Go-
Motor Car the British Government entrusted the participation of the EE.F. in of approximately 150,000
be ammunition, per-
sent to Cher- ous collection of untrained and down, Canton-Kowloon Railway with large stocks to Sir Alan Brooke, whose hand-the scheme.
Chatham Road-The the port on equipped unita¥ was given the title Yard, of bourg, as this was "Being under the impression vehicles and materials which had shared. At this stage the roads French.
which Norman
of Fleming/Jaffe Force would be of a division, thus misleading the Sidewalk
The above Premises, where ling of the 2nd Corps of the B.E F. in the Battle of Flanders had that the British Government had been accumulated
are stored, will bo Crossroads-und Holt's Wharf, the goods since Sept.,, been brilliant. It was well that approved this plan," continued Sir 1939.
and the railways congested and
Hunghom (where the goods are open to inspection on 16th, and French Spirit Broken signed the document Exposed Position
only spasmodically. in these critical days, they had the Alanycribed the role of the
stored), will be open to inspec- 17th, June 1946 between 10.00 benefit of his wise and calm coun- which
the Ger- While the German armoured at- tion on the 19th, and 20th, a.m. and noon and between 2,00 JUNE 16-At 03.15 hours Lt-- B.E.F. In
mana maintained their pressure
tack was at its height on the (The documents in quoted in Gen. Marshall-Cornwall reparted, on the 10th French army. In the maternoon of June. Gen. Wes. June 1946, between 10.00 a.m. p.m. and 4.00 pm.
All British troops with the 10th evening English later).
a mesangra came from gand visited 10th Army H.Q. and, and noon and between 2.00 p.m.
The Auction is subject to the "In view of the gravity of the French Army were placed under Gen. Marshall-Cornwall that this impressed on Gen. Altmayer and and 4.00 p.m.
Conditions of Sale published in He was given er command.
would army
on Gen. Evans, commanding the situation which Gen. Weygand his
British Armoured Division, the The Auction is subject to the the stb. March 1946, issue of
the Gazette. dely sent a telegram to the until an opportunity arose to dis- "On the rest of the front the necessity for halding the Gorman Conditions of Sale published in Chief of Imperial General Staff engage his troops and
nd withdraw forman advance continued an attack on the Seine at all costs, as the 9th. March 1946, issue of
LAMMERT BROS. (Gen. Sir John Dill), later Field them to Cherbourg for embarka- the cap between the 10th French this was the decisive battle of the the Gazette.
tion to Nov.
England, (Subsequent Army and the Army of Paris was Marshal, who died
war."
Auctioneers, JUNE 13-Disembarked
at 1944.
while in America) Sir Alan operations of these troops "Norwell over 50 miles wide.
"That night-June 8-German Cherbourg at 00.80 hours and
During the previous 24 hours, armoured units penetrated into reached
also sent Maj-Gen. Sir Richard man Force," an improvised for Le
at 2 o'clock that Howard-Vyse, representing Mans
Bri-mation--are described later in about 47,000 troens and 250 ve- Rover and the Frenos 10th Army afternoon after a journey much tish intercala at Fronch Ariny the despatch by Lt-Gen. Marshall-hicles of all kinds were reported lost all touch from then on with hampered by crowds of refugees 11.Q., to the War Office to report Cornwall).
its 9th Corps in the Rouen-Dieppe on the roads. He at once 200k
more fully to the C.I.G.S, and to
cul-de-sac command of all British troops In
take him a copy of the document,
The 51st Division was thus France from Lt-Gen. Sir Henry Karelako, who returned to Eng-
completely cut off from its pro- SERVICE auction rooMS por line of retivement via Rouen. land by plane that afternoon.
This was mainly due to the failure Auctioneers, Surveyors, etc. An hour after his arrival Sir
inability of the French High Begment. French Bank Bldg., Alan was on his way to nee Gen.
Command to withdraw its left A.E.B, do Sousa, Auctioneer. wing while there was 'still time)... · Telephone 31867. and space" for this manoeuvre,
sel.
Seven-Day Battle
A Summary of Sir Alan Brooke's despatch, which in thr
โฟ
sonnel
were
Shout the day
first of a further serios of wari had described." Sir Alan Immie-dera to co-operate with that army seriously attackegrate if it were i
despatches by British generals to be published, follows:
JUNE 12-Sit Alan Brooke sailed from Southampton.
French Break-Up
Rnek at his headquarters at Le Mans at 10.16 hours, Sir Alan spoke to the C.I.G.S. 15 minutes
BOOTS AND HER BUDDIES
ROD LOOK!
HEY, YOU!
COME BACK HERE!
(PTT· PUTY
WORKS!
ed
The withdrawal of B.E.F. start- In the early hours of this day. Considering his position at Le
to have been embarked.
Full Retreat JUNE 17Early in the morn- Mani to be too exposed. as there in I received a message from was no known body of troops Gen. Marshall-Cornwall that the covering the area, Sir Alan at 10th French Army was in full 08.10 hours moved his headquar-retreat on Laval and Rennes and
That Flat Sound
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(Continued on Page '6)'
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