FINAL STAGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 June 1940, Page 5

FINAL STAGE

TOWN LITTLE MORE THAN SHAMBLES LAST HOURS OF DEFENCE. FRENCH OFFICER’S STORY. LONDON, June 4. The epic of the evacuation from Dunkirk, the success of which continues so much greater than was hoped for, is beirig hailed throughout Britain by all organisations and leaders, including this morning, the House of Commons. The withdrawal from the port continues in the face of terrific enemy pressure. It is not quite complete and, according to this morning’s French communique, the withdrawal was proceeding in spite of heavy German attacks and unceasing pressure. More French troops are arriving in England. One officer stated that there had been heavy fighting right up to the time they had left. “We were.heavily shelled as we embarked. At one time the German long-range guns dropped their shells into the sea. Then they shortened the range and dropped them behind us.” he said. Parts of Dunkirk are again blazing. The town is little more than a shambles. “POTATO” JONES ACTIVE IN THE EVACUATION OF DUNKIRK. LONDON, June 4. “Potato” Jones, the 67-year-old captain who persistently ran General Franco’s blockade in the Spanish civij war, participated in the evacuation from Dunkirk. Captain Jones two months ago suffered a broken shoulder when German bombers attacked his ship, and he has scarcely recovered, but he is daily crossing the Channel to Dunkirk. A soldier said, “I scrambled on Jones's ship and began to help the sailors to haul in a hawser. A terrifying voice yelled. ‘Drop that! My men can run rny own ship. You work this damned gun.’ Members of the B.E.F. manned the gun to good purpose against German dive-bombers. The crew told me that the ‘old man’ does not like amateurs trying to work the ship.” ENEMY PRAISE BRITISH TROOPS DESCRIBED AS MAGNIFICENT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON. June 4. The German radio again paid a tribute to the British Expeditionary Force. “We must admit that the members of the B.E.F. in Northern France were magnificent,” it stated. “Each soldier was of marvellous physique and full of fighting spirit.” It added that the Germans had to storm each house in Hazebrcuck separately.