DUNKIRK EVACUATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 June 1940, Page 7

DUNKIRK EVACUATION

GREAT DIFFICULTIES OUTLINED

ENEMY’S FIERCE ATTACKS

[BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.]

RUGBY, June 7.

The story of the work of the Navy in organising the B.E.F. evacuation from the moment a naval party arrived at Dunkirk, until the last soldier embarked, was told in London, today, by one member of the Naval Staff who was present during the entire operation. Already, when the directing party arrived, Dunkirk had been subjected to many bombing attacks, and oil stores were burning fiercely. The ship carrying the staff was bombed from 5000 feet as soon as it arrived. The port had received such a “straffing” as to be largely unuseable. The Senior Naval Officer, however, soon came to the conclusion that if there was any hope of getting the B.E.F. away—and he thought such hope would be slender —embarkation must be mainly carried out from the pier. After interviewing the French authorities, who asked him to undertake the command, the Senior Naval Officer proceeded to make arrangements which, howeevr, quickly had to be altered, as the attacks on Dunkirk harbour become so fierce, he had to order the warships to sail. The beaches became crowded with men, there being never less than ten to 15,000 waiting to embark. After bombing the harbour for two days, the Nazis altered the main attacks to the ships off Dunkirk. After a day or so, these beaches in turn received most attention, and it was extraordinary the casualties were so small. The Germans again altered' their tactics, and concentrated bombing attacks on ships making the journeys from the anchorage to the pier, and this form became so formidable, it was decided that embarkation could only take place at night time.

The Naval Officer described the unhappy duty of telling all men beyond a certain point in the long column, which was waiting for the ships, that they would have to remain on the inhospitable beaches a further long day, until darkness fell once more. By this time the men were gettingshort of food and water. The Dunkirk water supply had been cut off before the evacuation was started.

As the battle developed, following the Belgian capitulation, the German Command endeavoured either to capture or make untenable all ports behind the B.|E.F„ in the hope of capturing the whole army. In this they were unsuccessful, and about a quar-ter-million were embarked from* Dunkirk pier. ATTACKING HOSPITAL SHIPS Many thousands more/ were taken off by all manner of small boats', from the beaches and an extemporised pier, made with lorries and planks, was the means of embarking a. great many, until it was blown up by gunfire and bombs. The evacuation of the wounded did not go so smoothly, and the British Senior IsTaval- Officer made a wireless signal in clear language, stating he was using hospital ships by daylight, that they were plainly marked, and he was strictly observing the Geneva Convention, by which thel ship was used only for the. wounded, doctors and nurses. In spite of this, three hours later, a hospital ship was bombed and sunk. The Naval Officer paid a tribute to the gallant action of the French warships and merchantmen, who were continually occupied in embarking French troops from the other side of the pier. The Naval Staff agreed to take equal numbers of French and British, and this agreement was mostcarefully observed. The Naval Officer described the work of the R.A.F. ’as 1 magnificent. He said that immense help was given by British fighters, who kept the sky clear of German bombers, for considerable spaces 1 of time. The naval officer added that when naval party arrived from England to direct operations, they never expected to get more than 25,000 away. Captain W. G. Tennant, Officer-in-Charge of the naval arrangements at Dunkirk for the B.E.F. embarkation, was received by the King, to-day.

NAVAL HONOURS AWARDED.

(Received June 8, noon). LONDON, June 7

The first list of naval honours- for the Dunkirk action includes a K.C.B. for Vice-Admiral H. B. Ramsay, flag officer, three Companions of the Bath, live 0.8.E.’5, one D.S.O. bar, 10 D.S.O.’s, two D.S.C. bars, 13 D.S.C.’s, and 11 D.S.M.’s.

DAY OF THANKSGIVING.

RUGBY, June 7.

All churches will share in the national movement to observe Sunday as a day of thanksgiving for the safe return of the B.E.F.

Approval has been given by the heads of the Church of England, .Roman Catholic, and Nonconformist Churches. The Jewish, synagogues will join in thanksgiving during the Penetcost feast, next Wednesday and Thursday. DUNKIRK HONOURED. PARIS, May 7. The city of Dunkirk has been awarded the Croix de Guerre for its heroic defence.