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terms. A selection of those with the best knowledge of English is in progress for the first entry, and the others will be called on to study the language and enter the R.N. College a term later.
4. It is interesting to note that some of the crew of the French Submarine Ajax who were taken prisoners at Dakar have come to this country and joined the F.N.F.L. A party of 34 ratings has arrived from Alexandria to join the F.N.F.L.
Morale and Discipline.
5. Plymouth. Morale and discipline remain low on the whole, but marked improvement has been shown by some. Progress under training is generally satisfactory. Difficulty was experienced with the crew of the Submarine Junon, and a number of ratings were removed from her.
French libertymen are still the least popular of our Allies, but there appears to be an improvement in this respect.
6. Portsmouth.-A number of ratings in the Courbet are under punishment, but it is thought their lack of discipline is largely due to inactivity and the situation will improve if they are sent to Equatorial Africa.
Morale is still considered to be good, and the general feeling of optimism improved by successes in Africa. Discipline remains satisfactory.
The Chasseurs employed on Local Defence and convoy duties have carried on satisfactorily.
7. Rosyth.-At Dundee the very friendly relations with our own ratings are commented on.
8. General. The low morale remarked on by Plymouth is not borne out by many of the letters written by officers and ratings to their families and friends in France. Some extracts are given in Annex I.
On the other hand, the less loyal and keen men are no doubt well aware of the censorship and deliberately refrain from expressing their true sentiments.
R.N. French.
9. Plymouth.The morale is reported to be very good and the discipline to be improving.
News of British successes in Africa have been received with delight. The recent changes in the Pétain Cabinet have had a mixed reception, but both Flandin and Laval are regarded unfavourably.
Four R.N. French ratings who were serving in French Submarine Narval in Mediterranean were removed in November and are being sent to the United Kingdom, the report stating that they lacked both discipline and efficiency to such a degree that their loyalty appears to be in doubt.
10. Portsmouth.-Discipline and morale are reported to be very good. One French rating who applied to transfer to the F.N.F.L. gave as his reason that British Officers lacked confidence in French ratings, even those of experience. He also remarked on the severity of the discipline, which is probably his real
reason.
11. The Nore.-There are only 1 officer and 9 men in Chatham Barracks, all R.N., and no particular remarks apply.
(ii) Army.
Free French Forces.
12. Strength.-Camberley: 69 Officers, 759 Other Ranks. Accommodation.-This has been greatly improved during the month, and the completion of the Institute has been much appreciated.
Equipment. The following has been issued during the month :---
75 mm. guns ..
25 cm. Hotchkiss A.-Tk. guns
Ointment No. 2
Capes, anti-gas Colt, M.G., 303-in.
5
7
631
704
8
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