CAB80-20 — Page 58

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French Officers and Men awaiting Repatriation in Camps.

5. On the 24th September Admiral Muselier visited Liverpool, where the Earl of Derby gave a large luncheon party in his honour. The visit was somewhat marred by the news from Dakar, as a result of which the Admiral decided to visit only one of the camps.

6. The rate of recruiting in the camps is now small. Dakar and the resumption of proper naval pay for personnel in camps are probably the chief reasons for this.

7. The news from Dakar had at first a very unsettling effect on the morale of the camps, but this is reported to be wearing off rapidly. The aspect of the matter most disliked is the fighting of Frenchmen against Frenchmen.

8. Of the few recruits now coming forward, the best invariably seek to join the Royal Navy. It appears probable that all the recruits worth having in the Forces Navales Françaises Libres have now joined that force and future volunteers are not likely to be assets.

(ii) Army.

9. Camberley. Strength—

Foreign Legion: 7 Officers, 92 Other Ranks. Remainder 46 Officers, 690 Other Ranks. Equipment-Issued during the past week-

Pistols, 45-inch, 25.

Training-Range practice has taken place at Sandhurst. General training has been carried out.

Morale. Good.

Pay-Family Allowance has been authorized in respect of families of General de Gaulle's troops in sterling areas.

10. Seamen's Hospital.-25, Gordon Street.

Strength-

Army 23 Officers, 47 N.C.Os., 173 Other Ranks. Air Force 12 Officers, 17 N.C.Os., 24 Other Ranks. Navy 3 Officers, 8 N.C.Os., 152 Other Ranks.

Morale. Very good.

(iii) Air Force.

11. No important developments.

B. POLES.

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(i) Navy.

12. Morale and discipline continue to be excellent. (ii) Army.

13. Strength.-4,212 Officers, 13,249 Other Ranks.

Accommodation.-The Polish Army Corps Sapper Battalion, until recently employed on defence work at Lossiemouth under Scottish Command, and the Sapper Companies from both the 1st and 2nd Brigades have moved into the Fife- Angus Sector for the erection of huts and provision of R.E. Services for winter quarters.

Equipment. Issued during the week-

Motor cycle combinations

...

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Approval has now been given for the issue of 100 per cent. personal arms to the whole of the Polish Forces in Scotland, and an increase from the 25 per cent. training scale to 50 per cent. in other arms for the 1st and 2nd Brigades.

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