BRITISH SAILORS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 January 1943, Page 4

BRITISH SAILORS

IN FIGHTING FRENCH NAVY. HAPPY COMRADESHIP. British sailors form part of the crew of the French warship La Moqueuse, and their story is told in “The War Illustrated” of October 2. If they found French difficult, they found vin rouge went down easily and well, and the French way of cooking food rendered them enthusiastic. The British sailors are attached to communications, as it is more convenient to have British signallers. “I have seen quite a few places since I have been with the Moqueuse/’ said one of the British sailors. French colonies for instance, which British people don’t see so often. And I have seen them go for the Jerries a few times, U-boats and aeroplanes mostly. And let me tell you, the Fighting Frenchies are 0.K.” Another British sailor said that the French sailors had managed to pick up English quite well. Sometimes they are stuck for a word. The British lads, too, have disproved the old idea that Britishers cannot learn foreign languages, for they have mastered quite a bit of French. At one time, a British and a French sailor doing watch together kept a dictionary handy, but its use grew less frequently necessary. “If anyone ever had any doubts about the Fighting French Navy all they need do is to see these boys in action,” said yet another _ sailor. Its grand to be shipmates with men so eager to fight the common enemy and wipe them from the earth to make it a better place to live in.”