CAB80-25 — Page 145

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ANNEX I.

Extracts from Letters from Free French Naval Personnel.

A Letter from a French Officer on Board Courbet, writing to his Parents in the

West Indies, 29.11.40.

I AM completely in my element here.

England's effort surpasses anything that one could imagine, they are the grandest people on earth. I believe that we shall bring the rest of France back to life, and that Alsace will belong to us again.

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"That marvellous man, Churchill, has been an example of splendid under- standing and support, both to the Free French and also to those who were disarmed. If only we had had in France a man like this from the beginning of the war, we should never have been brought so low."

A Sailor, writing from Hospital in Glasgow to a Friend in the Vaillant. 6.12.40. "All the rotters left to-day for Marseille. What a band of cowards! Not even the courage to defend their country and they call themselves Frenchmen.' Writing to a Friend in Saigon an R.N. Frenchman, serving in F.S. Mistral: After explaining who he is, and asking her to be his "Marraine de la Guerre," he tells her he is now serving in the British Navy. 9.12.40.

I am sure I am doing my duty as should every good Frenchman worthy of the name. Those of my officers who held forth in every possible occasion about Patriotism and Loyalty were the first to sell their country, and hand over without a single battle their ships and crews to the Germans."

A French Merchant Seaman who came to England to join the Free French and who gives as his Address Free French Forces, Mercantile Marine, 25 Gordon Street, W.C., writing to Marseille.

Here the life and the people are wonderful. It has to be seen to be believed! The bombing leaves them cold-as if nothing was happening. Not as it was in Marseille. . . . Here we are welcome-there is room for us all."

African Extracts and News of or from Frenchmen Abroad.

From Capitaine de Vaisseau of French Ship Surcouf.

side.

So long as the English fight against Germany I shall fight by their

The writer then sets forth passionately his duty towards France as he sees it and his confidence in the men serving under him in his present submarine command.

The general impression given in this letter is that of an intelligent, resource- ful, and strong-willed ally.

French Mail to and from French Naval Personnel.

A Letter from a Member of the Free French Forces to Santiago, Chile.

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England....

Let all Frenchmen who are able come and join the Legion in

"

A Free French Sailor in the Submarine Rubis writing to a Comrade c/o S.N.O.,

Gibraltar, says:—

"the English Admiralty has decorated us. I have the D.S.M. We are very well paid; £17 per month. The English are very very good to us. The Free French Navy is growing; in a few months we shall have a real fleet."

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