TNA ADM 199 795

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At 1800 approximately Lord Gort embarked at La Panne for
the U.K.
At 1937 the following signal was made:-
"As it is vital to carry on the evacuation of troops
throughout every available moment day and night
it is intended to place two white lights at eastern
and western pier head as a guide to ships in the
hours of darkness. It is requested that all H.M.
ships and other vessels who are likely to enter
port to-night be warned accordingly!
At 1945 a further signal was made:-
"Slow British progress in the port due to shelling,
bombing, and wounded and French troops using quay.
Weather fine and clear, sea moderate, good prospects
for night embarkation from beaches."
I returned Dunkirk with General Alexander and discovered
that totally different instructions had been given to General
Alexander by Lord Gort and by Lord Gort in writing to Admiral
Abrial and General Fagalde.
Lord Gort had told the French authorities that General
Alexander would, assistine holdi-the the "PERIMETER" for the French to embark
and that he was to place himself and his divisions under
General Fagalde's orders. General Alexander, however, was told
by Lord Gort in my hearing that he was to do nothing to imperia
his army and was ultimately responsible for their safety and
evacuation.
I suggested to General Alexander that he should at once
return to La Panne before the telephone was cut off to telephone
to the Secretary of State for war, and to get the matter cleared
up. This he did. The Secretary of State instructed General
Alexander to act on his own discretion and to proceed with the
evacuation.
Admiral Abrial asked me to take charge of the British and
French embarkation, which I did. I also asked for French
officers to assist, and they were provided.
The following signals were despatched:-
2028. "I have felt it necessary for the operation to