TNA ADM 199 788 A

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Officers but was before only to the fact that they were waiting for official orders
Perhaps the this men may due have refused to take orders from English Naval and Army
from their Commander at the end embarking. of English officers trying to persuade them to
proceed to ships this the jetty, shouted "Allez" at them, but the French
naturally.considered. nothing more than an insult, which maymhave added to the
general
As for the B.E.F. words cannot praise them too highly. They were under constant
bombing and shelling, and unable to do anything active, many, too, having marched
as much as 80 miles in 3 or 4 days, yet on no occasion was a single grumble or com-
plaint overheard. They all just seemed to want to get back at it.
I understand that one R.A.F. mechanic was the only other survivor, besides myself.
He was picked up by a destroyer, clinging to remains of the motor boat. According to
him, the rest had already died from exposure.
Although I realise that it is of no consolation to those bereaved, I feel that
the extraordinary courage of all the poor fellows in the water should be recorded.
Even though they must have known that the end was near, they never grumbled, nor were
they afraid; they even went so far as to ask permission of Conmander Cluston before
removing their tin hats. When I left them clinging around the wreck, although already
suffering from exposure, they were singing and discussing old times together.
Commander Cluston's example must have helped them all as it helped me. Although
exhausted himself, he continued to chat, encourage and white-lie to the end.
Mata Soloner
(M. Solomon)
Sub. Lieut, R.N.V.R.