Dunkirk 1940

Dunkirk 1940 – Major T Averill T.D. R.A. (Army No 93869)

In Action
I served in the 67th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery and was commissioned in June 1939, having joined the Territorial Gunners in May 1939; mobilised September 1st and sent abroad as part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). Served in France and Belgium and took part in the battle at Louvain, Brussels on May 10th 1940. We fired a 50 yard creeping barrage in support of the Grenadier Guards counter attack against the German’s advance, which later earned us a congratulatory signal from the Brigade Commander. We were then forced to withdraw with other units, when the Belgian army pulled out on the 28th May, leaving only a few French pockets of resistance in the line.

The Withdrawal
The withdrawal was orderly, though very hazardous. My troop of 4.5 howitzers was in the rearguard, having been left to do harassing fire on 2 vital bridges. We had to leave in a hurry and made our way through a small gap between Cassel and Ypres. On route to Dunkirk, we ran into heavy air burst German artillery, particularly at Templeuve – at the main cross roads and in Popheringe, which was engulfed in flames. We had to unhook the guns and limbers, turn round and find a minor road to take us to Bray Dunes on the coast. Much shell and cannon fire damage had been inflicted on our vehicles, though only two men had been wounded and I dropped them off at an Advanced Dressing Station.
Later I discovered that my gas mask which was positioned on my chest was shattered- a piece of air burst shell had passed through the eye pieces and finished up in the canister. There were also 15 visible holes in the 15cwt truck I was sitting in. Our final gun position was at Les Moires south of Bray Dunes, where the last observation post (O.P.) was occupied by the Battery Commander, Major J. C. Flay and signal party with Bdr. Willis in charge.
The regiment together with 19th Field Regiment and 2nd Field Regiment were part of the 1st Division Artillery, 1st Army and 2nd Corps. Commanded by General Alexander who had taken over from Lord Gort and now acted as rear guard.

On the Beaches
On 30th May, I left the troop, leaving 2nd Lt. P. Craw in charge, and made my way with several others towards Dunkirk. The orders were “every man to himself”. On route to the port, myself, Sgt F. Brewer and Gunner F, Smith took pity on about 12 Belgian horses,- abandoned and left hitched to their vehicles- they were subject to dive bombing and cannon fire. We unhitched them, slapped them on their backsides and wished them the best of luck. I selected a Belgian charger which was saddled and bridled, mounted it and went on a recce (reconnaissance).
I ascertained Capt. W. Tennant and 18 sailors were in charge on the beach and only larger vessels were leaving from the East Mole, which was continually under heavy attacks from German Dorniers and Stukas and later shell fire.
I was advised to go to Bray Dunes where larger vessels were able to operate, this proved to be a lost journey and we trudged back to Dunkirk. I now found I had a detachment of approximately 45 men and advised them to walk at the water’s edge, this served to keep tired feet cool and was easier going. In all we must have covered 18 kilometres with no sleep; very little food; but fortunately some French rum found in the town, diluted with water.
Things were hotting up now, more bombing and cannon fire and long lines of servicemen wading up to their necks in water. I noticed a hospital ship, which was having regular attention from the enemy, also the bigger ships. The destroyers lying off shore were giving them good protection and put up a good barrage of ack-ack fire.

The Way back
On the morning of 1st June, when the sea had becalmed I sent Cliff Willis, my signaller, off to find out what ships there were loading at the East Mole Pier. I figured the bombardment there would surely have a lull. He returned and said “You’ll never believe it but it’s HMS Worcester a V and W class destroyer”. All the men with me, some from Worcester and some from Malvern agreed it couldn’t be better and off we set. Two men at the beach end of the pier, Lt Cmdr J.C. Clouston, and a padre who I am sure was from 1st Division impressed me. They were controlling the men and guiding them along the makeshift planks on the shattered pier. I also witnessed several kitbags being tossed into the sea; the men were told that there was no room for them on board. We got on the ship’s deck, with very little trouble, but saw several weary men topple back into the sea below. No sooner had we settled down below, than there was an almighty noise – the Stukas and Dorniers had returned with their bombs. Later we learned that this was to be the last daylight evacuation and turned out to be HMS Worcester’s 6th and last journey, she had carried over 5000 servicemen to safety and this last trip she suffered 350 dead and 400 wounded. Before she reached Dover she bumped into the Maid of Orleans, her steering went and she had a list of 30 degrees, which meant that we all had to clamber onto another ship before we could get onto the dockside. Our Colonel, A.C.W. Hobson M.C. T.D. R.A. was full of praise for Commander Allison’s wonderful seamanship and the evasive action he took against the bombers.
From the instant I settled down below decks on HMS Worcester a great burden of responsibility seemed to fall from my shoulders and it wasn’t long before I dozed off, and a curious sense of freedom took possession of me, all the accumulated strain of the last few days seemed to vanish. I felt my job was over and I was content to leave the last lap to the Navy, I was happy to leave it to them and I had nothing more to worry about. Then ... more bombing and shuddering, twisting and turning and a distinct list to port of 30 degrees and finally a loud bump and all lights out.
I have special personal memories and praise for the old destroyers that took part, particularly their radio contact with the larger passenger ships and their ‘mothering’ of the smaller vessels when they were in trouble. Special praise should be given to Lt Commander J.C. Clouston R.N., the pier master who stood his ground for 6 very hazardous days but who unfortunately drowned when the pier collapsed. He had been Capt. Tennant’s chief embarkation officer and liaison officer to Vice Admiral Ramsay.

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