TNA ADM 199 795

(En clair)
DISTRIBUTION A AND EMPAX.
From: MOROCCO.
FROM TANGIER TO FOREION OFFICE.
Mr. Gascoigne
D. 1.17 p.m. 30th April, 1941.
No. EMPAX.
30th April, 1941.
R. 7.05 p.m. 30th April, 1941.
Depeche Marocaine of 30th April publishes offensive anti-British article from Vichy. Heading as follows: "A page of history. The truth on the epio of Dunkirk. Chivalrous
Mr. Churchill claims for the British Army the honour of co-operating in covering the retreat of Allied troops. 3a disregards the orders he gave. Admiral Darlan had to intervene directly with Churchill in order that the British Nest should not abandon one hundred thousand Frenchmen". Summary of article as follows:
(Begins): Gaullist propaganda during last for days had claimed that France should be grateful to her former Allies for help given latter during tragedy of Dunkisk. During Supreme
War Council held Paris end May, 1940, Churchill had in chivalrous manner insisted that British troops should fight but side by execution the British military Commanders Hill had side with French poilus to cover retreat towards adopted Duskirk different British help could only be given *as Admiral in actual tactics. During Supreme Council General much $
stated that General Cort, however, had informed his best Abrial,
Governor of best division. Following day immediately Alexander leaving possible". Dunkirk, that he would send to latter General
General and his battalion which he embarked complete the arrived with one duty of defending position. tragedy, To National precise to French and alone irrefutable today exposé following of Dunkirk new at particulare: Dunking had The
French radio broadcast what conditions French army armies without assistance covered from British Army, assistance Navy had first refused then have stated rearguard in and evacuation of Allied which had been promised.
accepted to evacuations. participate Because this It Dunkirk operation
We haveralso stated how British during last 48 is necessary hours in one that of all most 10
will give French you and British THE Prench. repeat possible difficult light statistics should be of Dankirk AP# I aloguent. 204,000
Darlan operations England. troops British night these 31st May 1st figures which that Darlan beach soldiers June Sands should some had sent Gort (sic). and announced have THE only of THE the I to consider Supreme On and Connoil, telegrams Admiralty had the Alexander arrived to French Impossible request at abandoning 'As varaed 1.45 appoaed and in remain that his During must of on to
THE soldiers Admiral what Dunkirk last THE Churchill in wall and day only of and 224,000 35,000 vigarous night French from
THE sare June/
3rd/4th June. by reason avacuated 3rd/4th was

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The "bombardments" continued incessantlyduring the next day nd more hangars and buildings in the dock area were either destroyed
I set on fire, one of the results being thatthe crews of our ships entirely disappeared and more often than not were never seen again
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resumably evacuating themselves in one personnel ship or another as hese ships were still embarking & certain number of refugees. It was
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think on the morning of the 26th that I found the troops who were lischarging a storeship beating a retreat from an abri in which they had aken shelter during a raid and which was almost entirely surrounded by fire. It was the same morning that I found the M.V.Spinnel alongside hangar which was burning furiously - both the contents and the buildng itself. I decided that the vessel must be moved into a safer berth поілтодото further along the same quay but clear of flames. The only member of the rew who could be found was the chief mate (an Irishman)and with the
Assistance of & handful of soldiers and an abandoned R.A.F. lorry we managed to tow her some 200 yards up the jetty and clear of any danger.
It was during the same day that I was informed that the Tristram look ates had been so badly damaged that they would have to be removed and he port would have perforce to become tidal. In view of this added ifficulty the Amiral du Nord (Admiral Abrial) appointed & port commission to onsisting of:-
rench representatives aptain.Etienne Chiou (?) Chief of Staff to Admiral Abrial
Director of Port
..Delattre
Engineer of the Port.
aptain Kernheis
Police de Navigation olonel Memel
Representing the Governor of the Town aptain Ladent
Military authorities.
ritish representatives
BACALIER
Ich
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