On 7 and 8 July 1940 the convoy traveled 134 miles and 130 miles respectively.  On 7 July the seas were moderate but a heavy swell is recorded on 8 July 1940.

The convoy travelled another 130 miles today 6 July 1940 in "moderate seas".  The 157th HAA Battery had tea served at 17.45 hours that day and sat down to a summary of the days news as shown below.  Of particular interest is the mention of Hitler's triumphant return to Berlin to celebrate the fall of France; a hint of Roman triumphs held in Rome two centuries before?

PRECIS OF ENGLISH NEWS BROADCAST 6th JULY, 1940.

            The official French and German News Agency to-day announced the loss of two more French Warships. One warship was sunk off the Isle of Crete. This warship was on way back to French Port when met by a British ship. She refused surrender, and was sunk after a two hour battle. The second is a 2000 ton escort vessel, which was torpedoed by an unknown submarine outside Algiers.

            There is surprise in London at the reports from Washington that the Isle of Martinique is being blockaded by the Royal Navy. It is announced that the Royal Navy's idea was to prevent a consignment of aircraft purchased by France from falling into enemy hands.

            There is no news in London from the French Embassy about the decision of the Petain Government to break off diplomatic negotiations with Great Britain. The British view is that the Petain Government is now nothing but a tool of the Nazi Government in Berlin. This is also the view in America. Free France continues to organise. General De Gaulle to-day visited 700 French men who have arrived in London to form a legion. General De Gaulle was told many stories of the hazardous journies which many of them had undertaken in order to get to this country.

            Another German bomber was shot down this afternoon off the N.E. Coast of Scotland. It was shot down by R.A.F. fighters into the sea. This is the second brought down to-day. This morning enemy planes dropped bombs on a town on the S.E. Coast. Damage was done to some houses, but only slight casualties. One bomber was shot down. In raids on Britain last night, two German bombers were shot down. No important damage was done. Our fighter climbed to the attack, and hit one of the bombers broadside. The second was shot down into the sea. Germany has now lost 36 aircraft since they started raiding Britain three weeks ago.

            From Cairo comes news of three successful raids on enemy territory without loss to ourselves. An attack was made on a motorised column, a petrol store was set on fire, and much damage was done. Bombs were dropped on a building believed to be a barracks. Fires were started.

            Four raids carried out yesterday on Gibraltar by single aircraft. Bombs were dropped, but no damage was done. Another warning was received to-day, but no planes were seen.

            Hitler to-day returned to Berlin, and made another triumphal drive through streets this time to celebrate the downfall of France. The place was a sea of flags. The usual order was issued by Goebbels that bouquets intended for Fuehrer must not be thrown at him, but, laid on the side of the road, where they would be collected by German Storm troopers. He drove from the Station in an open car to the Chancellery, where he appeared on the balcony for a short time but did not make a speech.

            In London there is great satisfaction at the announcement that since the beginning of the war India has supplied us with 750,000 rounds of Small Arms Ammunition, 200,000 shells, 10,000 sets of webbing equipment, 600,000 blankets, 150,000 pairs of boots, as well as large quantities of khaki drill, etc.

To Sheet 2

 - 2- 

            Plans are being considered for sending out to India and Burma children whose parents normally live there, and who wish their children to join them.

            England has agreed to buy the whole of S.Rhodesia's surplus maize crop.

            The fortress of Britain was to-day strengthened by the arrival of Heavy Artillery from Newfoundland. The men were given a very warm welcome as they stepped ashore.

            Further details of the bombing of the "Scharnhorst" have just been made known, by a gunner of the R.A.F. who took part in the bombing. Amongst his remarks were the following :-

            "We crossed over on a very clear night last week. The reflection of the sea could be seen about 60 miles away as we flew over enemy territory. As we flew over enemy territory we encountered A.A. fire and searchlights, but these were ignored. We flew over the target before delivering our attack on the "Scharnhorst". She was so plainly marked that we couldn't miss her. Just at that moment we saw A.A. open up on another of our aircraft. At this time we were flying fairly high. When in position I gave the Captain the word. Shutting off the engines we dived to the attack. I directed my line of sight on the floating dock, and gave necessary corrections to Captain. The searchlights got on us as we dived, but we went under their beam. The Scharnhorst could not be missed, she stood out so plainly. I could clearly see traces of pom-pom from the deck of the Scharnhorst. When we were dead in line I released my stick of bombs. Immediately flames came from the ships deck, and swept right across her. We circled for height, and as we turned for home we could see fires breaking out all along the dockside as our comrades swooped to the attack behind us. As we were returning, the fires could plainly be seen 85 miles away. As the result of these attacks, I am certain that the Scharnhorst will be unserviceable for several months to come".

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY COURTESY OF THE MASTER

S.S. CITY OF CAIRO, AND COMMANDING OFFICER,

53rd H.A.A REGIMENT. R.A. FOR INFORMATION

OF TROOPS AND PASSENGERS.

-----oOo-----

P L E A S E   P A SS ON.

Regimental Diary entry for 5 July 1940:

Mileage of day 130 moderate seas.

The Unit Diary entry for 4 July 1940 records the following:

At sea - Convoy now 23 ships and one destroyer - remainder having taken another course.
10.30 O.C. troops inspection of Personnel and ship etc.

The convoy covered 164 miles on 4 July 1940.

The SS City of Cairo on which Frank was travelling had arrived in Gibralter on 27 June 1940 with members of the 82nd Heavy Anti Aircraft regiment on board.  The ship was owned by the Ellerman Hall Line and was a cargo ship of 8034 tons.  It had cabin accommodation for 150 persons which on the voyage from Gibralter was taken up by 134 civilian refugees and 6 officers.  The diary of the 53rd HAA Regiment describes the SS City of Cairo as much more comfortable than the SS Alma Dawson on which they had escaped from Marseilles.

When they left Gibralter on 2 July 1940 the journey back to England was estimated at 12 days, which was slower than expected but caused by the slow speed of the other ships in the convoy.

The 53rd HAA Regiment diary for 3 July 1940 states:

Mileage of day 120 moderate seas.

The Unit diary for the 157th HAA Battery for 3 July 1940 states:

At sea - ships Standing Orders received.

The deck space reserved for the 157th HAA Battery was the Poop and the Poop Deck at the back of the ship.

The Unit Diary entry for 2 July 1940 sets out the timings of the departure from Gibralter on board the SS City of Cairo.

2/7/40    0800  Preparation for move to U.K. Copy of Embarkation

                        orders attached

              1200  All stores, kits etc. despatched from Europa

                       Barracks Gibralter

              1300  Main body left Europa Barracks.

              1400  Main body arrived Main Quay Gibralter.

              1630  Main body embarked "S.S. CITY OF CAIRO".

              1715  "S.S. CITY OF CAIRO" sailed for U.K. with 120

                    refugees and approx. 650 Officers, W.O.'s, N.C.O.'s

                    and men the majority (450) being members of the 53rd

                    HAA Regt. Convoy of 28 ships. Escort two destroyers

                    - Wishart (?) - Viscount.

The embarkation order is set out below.  Intriguingly, from the list of those on board the SS City of Cairo are the details of one soldier from the French soldier,a Pierre Auguste Lafon.  I wonder what happened to him?

EMBARKATION ORDERS 53rd A.A.

REGIMENT R.A.

URGENT & SECRET

53rd A.A. Regiment strength:

13 Officers

5 Warrant Officers

432 Other Ranks

The Vessel will be berthed at Main Wharf H.M Dockyard.

A guide will meet the Unit at the Dockyard Gate to conduct it to the forming up place.

O/C Troops Lt. Col. V.R.Krohn M.C.

Also on board:

                   

 1 member Royal Signals

 5 Soldiers attached to 4th Bn. Devonshire Regiment

 Pierre Auguste Lafon French Army

---------------------

Ref. S/GIB/1

Accomodation aft is allocated to 157 Battery & RHQ Staff

Remainder of Regiment will parade at Zero hour minus 1¼ hrs on the parade ground at Europa Barracks under O/C 159 Battery, who will march the Party to Main Wharf leaving at Zero minus 1 hour.

Fed on board by two field kitchens - 1 forward & 1 aft. Supplemented by one petrol cooker each.

Parades 

(a) 1030 hrs daily Inspection by O/C troops

(b) Lectures, P.T., rifle Drill, Bren gun Drill and Instruction, knotting and lashing etc.

Also on board RAF personnel of 212 Sqdn.

1 July 1940 saw the preparations for the return of the 53rd HAA Regiment to Great Britain from Gibralter.  The instructions to stand by for the move were received by the 157th HAA Battery in the message below from the CO, Lieutenant Colonel Krohn and were recorded in the Unit Diary.

MESSAGE FORM

1/7/40                                                                                                                                VK/1

Sheet 1

To OC 157

   OC 159

From CO 53 HAA

The Regiment will sail for U.K. per S.S. CITY OF CAIRO on 2nd July - Detailed embarkation instructions will follow - The following cleaning party from each Battery will report to the Chief Officer at 0915 hrs on 2nd July; one officer; 2 sergeants; (Sheet 2) 25 men - In addition the Carpenters who worked on the ship on the 30th June will also be taken down - Parties will march to ship leaving Barracks at 0830 hrs - Kits will be packed before leaving and left (Sheet 3) in charge of BQMS's who will be responsible for their subsequent delivery to the ships with the Battery Bagger - All Parties working with other units will be withdrawn forthwith

Krohn

                                                                                            Lt. Col.