TNA ADM 199 795

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REVISED DRAFT OF W.Q.NOTE.
Up to the 30th May, 1940, the arrangement vas that
British troops were to be taken off in British ships and
French troops in French ships. Notwithstanding this
arrangement, up to noon 31st May, 14,811 French troops in
addition to 149,642 British had arrived in this country in
British ships. The number of French troops taken off in
French vessels while this plan was in operation ves only a
little more than 6,000.
It was not until May 31st that French troops started
arriving in any numbers at Dunkirk. On the night 30/31 May,
Lord Gort received orders that equal numbers of French and
British troops were to be taken off in British ships, and
it was decided that the final night of evacuation 188 to be
1/2 June. By arrangement with Admiral Abrial, the French
troops were marched to the jetties at the Western side of
the harbour and ships were diverted specially throughout the
nights of June 1st and 2nd to embark them. After May 30/31
evacuation by daylight W88 no longer possible as the only
channel was covered by enemy gune and his air action use
incessant. On the morning 1st June alone 18 lost siz ships
by enemy bombing.
Notwithstanding the former decision, the evacuation
was continued up to and including the night 3/4 June. Najor-
General in the early morning of 3rd June. This withdrawal he
Alexander and the last of the British troops left
Dunkirk full agreement with Admiral Abrial who said
had sufficient naval and air assistance during night 3/4 vsa
was made in French troops to hold the perimater and June, asked off of
At for considerable British risk to our shipping this assistance given.
numbers During of French the and British troops the mmbers brought
period after the decision to take off off equal
in British ships were -
British ** 74.943
French ** 97,735
The total numbers including wounded during the whole
period of evacuation were -
British ** 224,585
French 4.8 112,546
The main reasons for the disparity in total numbers
are -
(a) Failure in evacuation. of French was A THE THE THE to destroyers. destroyers number to assist of
were The
were evacuation French brought ships only off by French even French greater. efforts. troops issue During small out any of orders British 112,546 the whole
(b) Failure delay. instances as to 1 THE of rushing of in plan to great British there confusion were boats *** and and