TNA ADM 199 795

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AS H.M. Government had not been consulted with regard
to the BRITTANY scheme, and the withdrawal of the B.E.F. had
been approved, I considered that I was no longer in a
position to carry out the dispositions settled with Generals
WEYGAND and GEORGES. I therefore requested the C.I.C.S. to
inform General WEYGAND, and I understood this was to be done.
The instructions which I received later (see paragraph 10
below), stating that I was no longer under General WEYGAND'S
orders, confirmed this opinion.
Orders outlining the arrangements for the evacuation
were at once issued, and an officer was dispatched to
Lieutenant-General J.H. MARSHALL-CORNWALL requesting him
to come to my Headquarters.
9. The C.I.G.S. telephoned again at 2015 hours and said
that it was most important that everything should be done to
ensure good relations between ourselves and the French, and
to avoid, in every possible way, giving the impression that
the B.E.F. was deserting them. I replied that I would most
certainly see that this was done, that I was moving no troops
move back all other troops and material towards the ports.
engaged with the Tenth Army, but that I was arranging to
asked about the employment of those elements or the 52nd
At this stage the Prime Minister himself spoke and
Division which were not under the orders of the Tenth
French I assured him that I considered that forces no use-
ful Army. could be served by adding them to the restore
already purpose with that Army. They could not possibly the
of some 30 miles which now existed between the
the situation on that front, nor could they close Tenth gap
French Army and the Army of Paris.
Prime Minister then agreed to my proposal should that remain the
drawal fighting troops Moves The under of forces with the to orders ports remainder that moving army of of embarkation on the of for BREST, Tenth the the B.E.F. present, Corps French Tenth were should Troops therefore French Army whilst proceed. on Army) the ST. continued, with- MALO, on
Canadian 52nd CHERBOURG, Division of (less C. elements troops PALLICE. and with material Finally on ST. those MALO, elements BREST,
ST. with 10. situation NAZATRE, Tenth At 2235 admitted L. French hours NANTES Army I of and approval spoke their were LA to withdrawal to for the embark C.I.G.S. evacuation. at the from CHERROURG orders and that told The Army. of when C.I.G.S. him General of the
informed the Prime me Minister's that I was no longer was under to act as an independent in every
WEYGAND, and that however, the B.E.F. to continue Army. to co-operate
way force. I was, with the Tenth French
were 11. embarkation During busily 150,000 / with personal,
possible STATE THE myself for the