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very fow troops to be seen as they were kept away on the boach behind the
shelter of the vall except when ships were coming alongside,
The "Bastion" comprised several large earthworks and on open space, rest
of which was takon up with parked and battered cars. French soldiers and
marines stood about and guarded the entrances to various chembors inside the
carthworks.
In one of those was the room which was Tonnent's hoadquarters, and there
I found him with General Alexander. It opened off a narrow dark passage and
was lit by a single lamp - a bare small room about 10 feet by 8 feet. While
I was there the lights went out and WD waited in darkness for an air raid to
pass. Thon we discussed the situation. I told them what was arranged and heard
with great relief that the Fronch were holding a line in real of ours and that
the rearguard were to withdraw through this line which the French would continue
to hold. After a drink with them I persuaded Tennant and Maund to come ond have
supper with me in the M.T.B. As I came out of the door into daylight again I
found my staff talking to Balfour, my proper Flag Lieutenant, who had been in
Newcastle when I left London. He had followed no down to Dover and had then
been sent off to Dunkirk the day after I left, with a W/T not and was looking
out for the W/T and signal work there.
Back on the pier again I waited for Tennant who prosently walked down,
His tin hat had been decorated with the letters "S.N.O." otri: out of silver
paper and stuck Oil with sardine oil ... It looked very distinguisked all the
same. As we stood talking there a Lysender Army Co-operation plane came over
very low and flow down the pier. It WSS fired at by several Bofors guno and
Tennant said "I'm sure that damned follow is a Eun he has been flying over
here all day." I then realised it was the plano sent over at my request to
See if the pier was being shelled and felt wather sorry for the poor charg,
though he seemed none the worse, I explained the situation and hopell I had
calmed their fears.
After this excitement we returned to the M.A.S.D. and had some food.
The party ashore had not had much to call: and 0.00 been fruid, some raisins one
chocolate which I Had brought over besiden more ordinary food WEB such
appreciated.