157th Battery Diary entries 21 and 22 May 1940

Diary entries for 21 and 22 May 1940 recording the journey to Nantes.

21/5/40

0400 Preparation for evacuation of Battery to NANTES No.2 Base Sub Area. Orders issued that Battery would move at 1200 hours.

1145 Battery column assembled. Took cover while a few bombs were dropped on area.

1200 Column moved off. Destination railway station ROUILLY-GEROUDOT road

1345 Battery column complete arrived at destination. Many evacuees on roads. Loading of guns commenced immediately. This was a very difficult task as guns had to be side loaded on to trucks about 10 inches above siding platform. All guns were manhandled on to trucks one or two breaking through truck floors and having to be hauled up and moved. Tasks completed and train ready to move approx. 2200 hours.

1900 Road party moved off at approx. 1900 hours.

22/5/40

0500 Journey in progress. One gun broke through truck floor during journey had to be man handled to fresh position on truck.