NEARING AN END

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 June 1940, Page 5

NEARING AN END

EVACUATION OF ALLIED FORCES GRAND TALE OF HEROIC EFFORTS. DUNKIRK HOLDING OUT WELL. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. 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 tale 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 Navy and those helping is nearly finished, but the work will continue while their 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. The “entrenched camp” of Dunkirk is holding out well, according to today's unofficial reports. Despite German air attacks, 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 machineguns it shot down the attacker, whose crew of two were picked up and brought ashore as prisoners. DISASTER AVERTED. 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 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 what he had counted to gain. Specially cheered by the waiting

crowds was the grizzled crew of a lifeboat who took their tiny eight-knot unarmed craft to Dunkirk and brought it back crammed with a load of officers and men. HARBOURS FILLED. Britain’s harbours are filled with returning craft. One port held nine destroyers and many more othei’ craft, and French and Dutch warships and merchantmen sharing in the evacuation. Thousands of people waited at the London stations. The police forced them to move on.

A VZest Country town was surprised by the flooding of its streets with French and Belgian troops. Twenty trains arrived at half-hourly intervals. Sailors joined the welcoming crowds, shouting: “Good old Tommies.” The answer - came back promptly, “Thanks to you, Jack.” Women cleared out cigarette shops, handing gifts to the men. It was emphasised in official circles this morning that the withdrawal from the north-east coast of France is an Allied operation during which the British and French troops are working in close unity and with a steadiness which has never been excelled in military history. British and French ships are also collaborating in the task of the evacuation of the Allied troops to England. Once again and not for the first time in British history, this is a case where little ships are doing great deeds.

It has been impossible to bring away from Dunkirk many men who had recently been wounded, and they are falling into Germans hands. R.A.M.C. doctors and orderlies are staying with them and facing probable capture.