Safe Arrival in Gibraltar

On 21 June the 53rd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment made it safely to Gibralter and the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel V R Krohn MC, RA, issued a Special Order of the Day.  This document provides a great summary of the previous 8 months whilst the Regiment was in France.  It also makes mention of Haddock Force, the unsuccessful deployment of RAF Wellington Bombers to the South of France to target Northern Italy.  The Regiment provided anti-aircraft defence at the airfield in Salon, North of Marseille. 

The SS Alma Dawson managed to convey 650 soldiers to the safety of Gibralter allowing them to escape from France and eventually return to the Britain.

SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY

BY

LIEUT. COLONEL V. R. KROHN M.C R.A.

COMMANDING 53rd H.A.A. REGT.R.A.

FRIDAY - 21st JUNE, 1940

The occasion of our landing at GIBRALTER marks the end of the first phase of the War as far as the 53rd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, R.A. and attached troops are concerned.

The Regiment landed on French soil on the 17th October, 1939. Exactly eight months later, on the 17th June, 1940 the Regiment once more set foot on the equivalent of British soil - the deck of the S.S. ALMA DAWSON.

During these eight months all ranks have met and successfully overcome many hardships and difficulties. The winter months were especially trying, the lowest temperatures experienced for over 100 years having been met with on most gun stations. THE CHEERFULNESS AND GOODWILL DISPLAYED BY ALL RANKS, NO MATTER HOW TRYING THE CIRCUMSTANCES, HAVE BEEN A CONSTANT SOURCE OF PRIDE AND ADMIRATION TO ME.

On 10th May, 1940, the War proper commenced, and the efficiency of the Regiment was really tested for the first time. During the following six days the Regiment accounted for 8 or 10 hostile planes shot down, and double or treble this number probably never reached home. I say now, without fear of contradiction, that this can be considered a very creditable performance with the equipment in our possession, and I heartily congratulate all ranks on their success.

On the night of the 15/16th May, 1940, the Regiment lost 6 guns in country to the north of the RIVER AISNE in which German fighting vehicles were already patrolling. We were ordered to withdraw, and owing to the shortage of vehicles fourteen of the remaining guns had temporarily to be rendered useless to the enemy. During the same period we lost an Officer and 6 men taken prisoners. We also lost our beloved Padre, Capt. the Rev. Hobling. To these I extend the sympathy and good wishes of all ranks, and I trust, as do all of us, that they are at least being treated as human beings.

During the ensuing few days all these guns, ammunition and stores were salvaged under considerable difficulties, and eventually reinstated by Base Workshops at NANTES.

At about 48 hours notice the Regiment again moved to SALON to form the A.A. Defences of HADDOCK Force, and although the Gun Stations were not called upon to go into action against hostile aircraft, I am satisfied that there very presence in action around the aerodromes was a deterrent to the Italian Air Force.

After a relatively few days at these stations, circumstances beyond local control forced the withdrawal of Haddock Force. This withdrawal was effected at a few hours notice in a manner which was a credit to all concerned.

The fact that the Regiment was forced to leave behind its guns for the second time, but on this occasion with no chance of recovery, has been to me and all of us as gunners, a matter of the deepest regret. Our one satisfaction is that we have brought with us all essential instruments and parts of guns, thus rendering them useless to the enemy.

What destiny may have in store for us I do not know, but I know that all ranks will wish to be re-equipped with all possible speed, in order that we may once more be in a position to take our part in what must now be a struggle for the ultimate and complete defeat of the Nazi Regime.

I wish to take this opportunity to express to all ranks of the 53rd H.A.A. Regiment, of the 162nd Lt. A.A. Battery, Drivers of the R.A.S.C. and R.A.F. and to all the ranks of the Workshops Section of the R.A.O.C. attached to us, my very deep and sincere appreciation of the unswerving and loyal support that I have always received. My one wish now is that I may continue to have the honour of commanding the Regiment and once again taking it into action.

I wish also to express to Captain Townsend and the Officers and crew of the S.S. ALMA DAWSON, the appreciation and thanks of all ranks for their kindness and help to us all during our voyage to GIBRALTER. Few of us probably appreciate the responsibilities which Captain Townsend has had to accept in taking his ship with some 650 men on board unconvoyed through seas in which Hostile Submarines, and over which Hostile Aircraft, may well have attacked at ant moment. He and his men have truly lived up to the fine traditions of the Merchant Service.

V.R.Krohn

On board S.S.ALMA DAWSON                                             Lieutenant Colonel, RA

Friday                                                                                         Commanding

JUNE 21st, 1940.         53rd H.A.A. Regt.

                                                                                                    ROYAL ARTILLERY.