STEADY STREAM

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 157, 3 June 1940, Page 7

STEADY STREAM

TROOPS FROM DUNKIRK. NATURE TO RESCUE. LONDON, June 2. The stream of British and French troops evacuated from Dunkirk is still unbroken. An extraordinary break in the weather, transforming the notoriously rough English Channel into calm, smooth waters, has made possible the use of “mosquito fleets.” -NEARLY FINISHED. TASK OF EVACUATION. OUTSTANDING COURAGE. LONDON, June 1. The troops of the British Expeditionary Force evacuated from Flanders continue to stream homeward. All confirm by their appearance and words the grand tide of heroic efforts and endurance told by previous contingents. There is a noticeable change in the constituents of the B.E.F. at present arriving. The earlier evacuees consisted of men from the army auxiliary units, but for the last 24 hours thousands of soldiers from the fighting regiments have been pouring in. It is reported that only one division of Allied troops remains in Flanders. The task of the Naw and those helping is nearly finished, but the work will continue while there is a chance of getting off even one Allied soldier. An increasing number of French troops are reaching England among the thousands still pouring in from the evacuation area. This results from the arrival at Dunkirk of detachments of General Prioux’s army, whose rearguard continues to fight a critical rearguard and flank action against the Germans.' SMALL BOAT’S FEAT. The “entrenched camp” of Dunkirk is holding out well, according to to-day’s unofficial reports. Despite German air gttacks, the embarkation of the troops and their transport in every type of vessel goes on. It is reported that one quite small boat coming* across with evacuated troops was attacked by German aeroplanes. With machine-guns it shot down the attacker, whose crew of two were picked up and brought ashore as prisoners. No authoritative figures can be given of the number of Allied troops which have been removed safely from Belgium and Northern France in the last few days and nights and which, after a rest, will take their places on other parts of the Allied front. What can be said is that, while the Allies have suffered a grave reverse, a defeat .which at the beginning of this week, following King Leopold’s defection, there were few to hope could be anything but a grim, tragic and unmitigated disaster for the Allies has, through the example of nerve, resource and tenacity on the part both of the Allied troops themselves and of the Allied naval and air forces which have come to their aid, been turned into an operation which not only covers the defeated in glory, but promises to deny to the enemy a most substantial part of w'hat he had counted to cheered by the waiting crowds was the grizzled crew o. a lifeboat-who took their tiny eight-knot unarmed craft to Dunkirk and brought it back crammed with a load of officers and men. SCENES IN ENGLAND. Britain’s harbours are filled with returning craft. One port held nine destroyers and many more other craft and French and Dutch worships and i merchantmen sharing in the evacuation. Thousands of people *' alted the London stations. The police foiced thGixi to move on. . i A West Country town was surprised by the flooding of its streets with krench and Belgian troops. Twenty trains arrived at half-hourly intervals, lailors joined the welcoming crowds Shouting: “Good old Tommies. The t nS vo e u cleared out cigarette shops, handing gifts to the “it' was' emphasised in official circles this morning that the withdrawal from the north-west coast of I ranee is an Allied ooeration during which the British and French troop* in" in close unity and with a stead ne&s which has never been excelled in SuS lrtorr. Th.rtae togrtbe. provided and are p r ovid.n o British and French ships are also collaborating in the task of the evacu - tion of the Allied troops in England. Once again and not tor the first in British history, this is a case whe e little ships are doing great deeds. It has been impossible to bring away from Dunkirk many men who have recentlv been wounded, and they are falling into German hands. Boyal Army Medical Corps doctors and orderlies are staying with them and facing probable capture.