Page 444
Page 444
2
A report received from Captain (S), 2nd Submarine Flotilla, dealing with the Escort Vessel La Moqueuse says that discipline is very slack and that a defeatist attitude exists. The reporting officer seems confident, however, that this will be overcome when discipline is tightened up and the French Officers have mixed with ours.
The discipline of the submarine Junon's crew has not been satisfactory, but some of the more irresponsible elements have been removed and improvement is expected to follow.
Arrangements are nearly complete for the transfer from the Polish Navy to the F.N.F.L. of the 2 Chasseurs 11 and 15' now at Dartmouth, and when manned by French crews they will join the Portsmouth Command.
The eight French Cadets who joined the R.N. College, Dartmouth, for a two-term course are well reported on.
The Bouclier, lately manned by the Poles, has now been manned by the French.
3.
Portsmouth.--Morale excellent and the men much heartened by our successes against the Italians.
The Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, has paid special tribute to the readiness of French seamen to help during air raids, particularly noticeable during and after the heavy air raid of the 10th January.
Discipline is generally good, but comment is made that a certain number of officers promoted from the Lower Deck are not of the type to enforce a high standard. Unfortunately and inevitably, Admiral Muselier's choice of selection is very restricted.
The men in the Chasseurs are developing an esprit de corps of their own and look upon themselves as one of the most active units of the F.N.FL.
At the same time there seems to have been some complaint that crews of British-manned Chasseurs receive hard-lying money whereas the French do not.
The old French battleship Courbet, depot ship, includes the less desirable elements of the force and till now has been its weakest link. If she could be paid off and the depot transferred to a short establishment many skilled ratings now retained to maintain machinery could be sent to seagoing ships. Unfortunately, it seems impossible to find a suitable building.
However, the Commander-in-Chief reports that-
'A great change has taken place since the appointment of a good Captain to the Courbet and a good officer in command of the Chasseurs. Between our men and the French there will probably never be a very cordial relationship because the national temperaments are so entirely different, but I am told that the French sailors and British sailors get on very well together now. Our ideas of cleanliness and sanitation are, for instance, entirely different from theirs, as can be easily seen by the washing and heads arrange- ment in a French ship.
"Captain Gayral of the Courbet has effected a big all-round improve- ment, and he has asked to land his own patrol in order to keep his liberty men up to the mark.'
4. The Nore. The Minesweeper Congre was paid off and her French crew returned to Courbet.
5. Rosyth.-Morale and discipline of submarine crew at Dundee remain satisfactory.
The submarine Minerve is now manned by an entirely French crew and although the majority of the officers and men were previously untrained in submarines they have shown great keenness and aptitude and have quickly reached a satisfactory standard of efficiency.
The Minerve is now due to join this base.
Frenchmen in the Royal Navy.
6. Morale and discipline remain satisfactory.
Portsmouth. Morale and discipline good. Pleasure is expressed over participation of Free French Forces in North Africa. Hope is entertained that General Weygand will join the cause, but Admiral Darlan is mistrusted.
Page 444
Page 444
Page 444
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.