HISTORIC EVACUATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 158, 4 June 1940, Page 7

HISTORIC EVACUATION

ACHIEVEMENT AT DUNKIRK TRIUMPH FOR ALL SERVICES (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. Received June 4, 10.50 a.m. LONDON, June 3. Since dawn an armada of ships has been arriving at south-east ports with more members of the B.E.F. and French troops. Two hundred German prisoners have been landed. The embarkation at Dunkirk continues under intense aerial and artillery bombardment, the German line being only three miles from Dunkirk, said a British soldier of the latest contingent -to arrive. He added: “The French were attacking like mad when I left.” . ‘ ( “The most extensive and difficult combined operation in naval history has been carried out during-the past week,” declares an Admiralty communique. British, French, and Belgian troops have been brought back safely to this country from Belgium and Northern France in numbers which, when the • full - story can- b.e told, will surprise the world. “The; withdrawal lias been carried out in the face of an intense and almost continuous air attack, and increasing artillery and machine-gun fire. The success of this operation was only made possible by the close co-operation of the Allies and the Services, and by the never-flagging determination and courage of all concerned. .

GREAT FLEET OF SHIPS. “It was Undertaken, on the British ■ide, by several flotillas of destroyers and a large number of small craft of every description. The force was rapidly increased, and a total of 222 British naval vessels and 665 other British craft took part in the operation. These figures do not include large numbers of French naval and . merchant ships, which also played their part.” After further details of the small craft ’ engaged, the communique goes on: “The withdrawal was carried out from Dunkirk and from the beaches in the vicinity. The whole operation was screened by the naval forces against any attempt by the enemy at interference at sea. “In addition to the almost incessant bombing and machine-gun attacks on the Dunkirk beaches and the vessels operating off them, the port of Dunkirk and shipping plying to and from it were under frequent shell-fire. PRECARIOUS TASK. “This was to some extent checked by the bombardment of the enemy J artillery positions by our naval forces. The naval bombardment also protected the flanks of the withdrawal. ' “The enemy was active with submarines and high-speed motor torpedoboats. Losses have been inflicted upon both these forces. “The operation was rendered more difficult by the shallow waters, narrow., channels, and strong tides. The ; . situation was- such that one mistake in handling a ship might have blocked a vital channel or that part of the port of Dunkirk which could be used. “Nor was the weather entirely.in favour of the onerations. On two days fresh north-westerly winds raised the surf, making the work at the beaches slow/and difficult. Only on one forenoon did a ground mist curtail enemy air activity. . . “A withdrawal of this nature and magnitude, carried out in the face of an intense and almost continuous ail attack, is the most hazardous of all operations.... Its success is a triumph of Allied sea and air power in the face of .the most powerful air forces, which the enemy cduld bring to bear from the air bases close at hand. ZEEBRUGGE BLOCKED. “Zeebrugge has been blocked by the sinking of concrete-filled block ships (as iri the Great War). The sea gates of the canal and the lockworkirig mechanism have been demolished and the lock gates have been blocked. Other ports now in . 7 enemy hands have been rendered virtually useless, and fuel stocks have been destroyed. DESTROYER LOSSES. “The losses sustained by our naval forces have been comparatively small. The destroyers .(Grafton,. Grenade and Wakeful (announced on May 30) and the destroyers Basilisk (1360 tons), Keith (1400 tons), and Havant (1340 tons) have been sunk by enemy action. Of more than 170 minof' war vessels of His Majesty’s I leet engaged in the operation 24 have been lost:” . , The names of the 24 vessels are given (they include the Brighton Queen and the Brighton Belle). FULL STORY SHORTLY. No information beyond what was given by Mr Eden'last night regarding the Dunkirk operations is obtainable from' authoritative sources today, though these operations are stil going on (states the British Official Wireless). A full statement is expected from Mr Churchill in the House of Commons to-morrow. A large number of French troops, as well as British, have been embarked as Mr Eden stated. Some have been taken to England, by the British Na»y and others have been taken straight to French ports by the French Navy.