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A fascinating diary entry which sums up the chaos that was caused by the swift advance of the German armoured columns through Frnace.
16/5/40
0200 Code word "SCRAM" received from R.H.Q. (copy of message attached). Telephone communications out of action. Lines severed. O/C PIP I & III advised (by D.R.)
0430 O/C PIP I again warned to "SCRAM".
0500 O/C PIP III ordered to "SCRAM" on verbal instructions received from Brigade Commander. As it was not certain whether the 'stages' contained in Emergency Move Orders would operate on the order as given, the Battery Commander visited R.H.Q. leaving B.H.Q. at 0230 hours. Considerable difficulty was experienced on the road due to convoys and considerable numbers of evacuees, fires and traffic accidents. Was told by C.O. and adjutant to 'get out' as quickly as possible as enemy armoured vehicles were only a few miles away North - possibly on the Aisne Canal. Returned to B.H.Q. and issued orders to O/C PIP I & II as above. Transport was limited and guns not ready for the road. PIP III were ready to move and did move complete, transport having been delivered to them p.m. 15/5/40. Remainder of transport spread over B.H.Q., PIP I & II who were in position to take instruments and personnel only, in the case of PIP I and instruments only in the case of PIP II. Personnel marched south and were picked up later. B.H.Q. took valuable stores and personnel. Sufficient PIP I vehicles were off loaded at BERGERES (T26.37) and sent to THIBIE (T43.43) to pick up PIP II personnel. The Battery rendezvoused at MERY (Map Michelin PARIS - CHAUMONT 61). Battery H.Q. established at DROUPT- ST-MARIE 2 miles S.E. MERY - One section at BEAULIEUFME E. MERY on MERY -POUAN road. Remainder in MERY.
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It was from this site in May 1940 that we first heard the Germans had broken through at Sedan a few miles north of our position. One night before kipping down in the Nissen hut whilst resting we were individually told that if we were awoken by somebody calling out 'scram' we were to immediately get up (we were in our uniforms) pick up our side kit and mess tins and literally scram into the woods adjoining our gunsite which we did pronto. This was obviously to avoid a probable attack on our guns. However, this did not happen, but our Colonel drove up under the trees in his jeep. He said, "The Germans have broken through with their Panza troops, from this second onwards each and everyone of you must proceed on foot southwards across fieldsl and rivers until I get further south and hopefully find a rendezvous. The Colonel said, "Don't travel in a bunch or crowd, as obviously the Germans would soon spot you, go in twos or threes at the most." I chose a gunner named Jack, I can't remember his other name (its over 60 years ago). Jack who lived at Hastings was a great guy to choose, reliable, tough and a channer like me! So off we go, just 2 gunners, about 10 o'clock in the morning with several packets of iron rations which we spread and skilfully we pounded across ploughed fields, etc. We had previously run out of ammunition and did not have rifles. Within an hour I spotted a dot in the clear blue sky above a spinney some way ahead. I knew it was a German and thought very quickly when we were about 30 paces from a haystack, the only cover of any sort around. "Dash for the haystacks, Jack" I said, which we did. When a few yards from the objective, and both of us out of breath, I yelled out, "spreadeagie yourself as you run into the stack Jack, do not crouch down in a heap". The seconds were passing and the German fighter plane was very near, the pilot fired the machine gun, and the bullets crashed into the ground about a foot from our bodies. If we had piled in a heap on approaching the haystack we would not have been here today.
ReplyDeleteContinuing from the haystack incident the next several weeks are quite a bit vague in my memory. The French country people were mainly friendly, but when we met any French soldiers they were quite hostile. When I first arrived in France in September 1939 the girls were throwing us oranges but now stones were thrown. I remember walking along a main road through a small town, just Jack and I, when a column of French soldiers marched past shouting "English shitbags". Not exactly friendly. Makes one wonder where they learnt their English! As I said earlier we had quite a nice supply of iron rations but we did have to find other food. I remember eating swede or something similar raw. Some farming folk were good and offered us fruit and biscuits, etc. We even managed to get eggs for favours at several farms, I can't remember now what the favours were. At one farmhouse I shall always remember a most wonderful chicken casserole with all the right herbs, etc and several glasses of local red wine. We were even allowed to choose the chicken we would like to have for dinner. We chose a most beautiful cockerel with its coloured feathers. I have felt mean ever since! Several days we joined the hundreds of refugees fleeing south. They were very frightened but friendly. All modes of transport from old prams, wheelbarrows, farm carts, one of which we were invited to join. I remember one old car being towed by a cow as petrol was nil. Old people and disabled folk trying their best to keep going, lots of young children and babies crying, etc. But we were given morsels of bread and oranges. We could not stay with them as the Germans decided to strike the refugees column, lots wounded and killed. Jack and I thought our British uniforms might attract the enemy so we left and looked for some more eggs.
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