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15 October 2014
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Dumped in Dunkirk

by reglyn

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Contributed by 
reglyn
People in story: 
Reginald Shepherd
Location of story: 
Dunkirk France
Background to story: 
Army
Article ID: 
A2276255
Contributed on: 
08 February 2004

My Father, used to tell the tale about his unit driving into France with brand new Bedford Trucks, loaded to the gunnels with fuel,ammo and all kinds of equipment...
However after a few days of driving they found themselves around the Lille area and under pressure to retreat back to the coast. Some time later they were ordered to park all the vehicles in a field (in true Army style) in nice neat lines. Because the Germans were closing in, the men were asking if they could put several rounds into the engines and destroy the cargo, this was refused and the men ordered to retreat to the town of Dunkirk, leaving a fleet of brand new trucks and equipment for the Germans to utilise...
On reaching the beach they passed a jeep with two occupants sitting watching the onslaught on the beaches, looking back he saw the jeep explode in flames and the men burn to death..

My father was one of the lucky ones, after a while his unit was marched down the pier and climbed down ropes onto a detroyer where they all stood like penguins on the deck watching the straffing and general commotion hoping they would get away safely.. As the ship made way he got the urge to relieve himself and being so cramped together with his comrades his only option was to use his helmet. He then managed to work his way by shuffling over to the handrail at the side of the ship. Arriving at the ships rail he threw the contents over the side, but alas, a seafaring man he was not and the wind picked up the contents of his helmet and deposited them back onto himself and his comrades
to much glee by those not dampened!

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