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This story was submitted to the People's War website by a volunteer from CSV Newcastle on behalf of Robert Pattinson and has been added to the site his/her permission. Robert fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

In May 1940 I was with my regiment near to the town of Arras, we were brought together to hear the news about an important movement of the German Panzer Divisions.

These German divisions had broken through the Belgian frontier and were moving quickly through France cutting off the complete British and French armies, about 500,000 soldiers. Our regiment was told about the situation the C.O. announcing that it was now every man for himself, we were not aware if this had been announced to all the British forces but his statement did cause great emotional distress in our regiment. All my regimental friends knew I belonged to the Salvation Army having seen me play in the band on church parade. After hearing the statement a number of them came over to me and asked me to sing ‘Abide with me’, I was distressed myself but managed to lead the singing of ‘Abide with me’ and I said a short prayer.

After a short period we found that there was only one way out but this road was covered by the German artillery. It was the end of May, the weather was brilliant, sunshine from early morning until late in the evening and it was unwise to be near this road. However on the Monday morning at 5 am when we gathered together and there was a very thick must over the area, which allowed our regiment to proceed along the road, we were approximately 20 miles from Dunkirk.

It was amazing the mist was so thick , we could only see a few yards ahead but could still see the sun shining above the mist. This mist lasted for about 4 hours and we were well out of the danger area, only about 5 miles from Dunkirk, when it lifted. We had had nothing to eat or drink, as all the water in the area had been poisoned by the Germans, and the French had evacuated the area. We were able to help ourselves to anything we could find, there was no food anywhere but there was ample wine in the breweries! I filled a water carrier with champagne; I only had small sips as I had no intention to affect my mobility. I can honestly say that the champagne was very useful; I used it to wash my feet and have a nice shave when we reached the area of Dunkirk.

When I got home I told my mother about the thick fog on the Monday. She told me that the Sunday had been a National Day of prayer for the forces in France; the churches were so full that many people were kneeling outside. She felt certain that the evacuation of the forces at Dunkirk was an answer to prayer.

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