大象传媒

Dad joined the army and served for 13 years.
During his service he was posted to India, Ireland, Egypt, Italy, France, and the Northwest Front. And most importantly, Dunkirk.
Dad told me so many stories of his army days, mostly about his experiences on the front line.

His Story

Arrived at Dunkirk after escaping from the German army, what a hot sunny day it was.
It had taken us about three weeks of rough travelling with very little food.
Getting off the lorry I made my way across the beach to get my name added to the list for transportation across the Channel, and home.

There were about twenty queues and only one officer in charge of registration in groups of fifty. It took me half a day to see the officer in charge. All the time German planes were diving and firing at us, and all we could do was throw ourselves down onto the sand, while machine guns peppered us all. Some of the men fired back at the planes hoping to bring them down.

At last I was able to get my name down with the officer making up a party.
Whilst this was happening the rescue boats were also being attacked, it was so very frightening.
We could hear the German artillery getting nearer and nearer.
Much of the day was spent running backwards and forwards trying to get away from the planes.
Every time the planes came over we had to disperse. We were temporarily very, very disorganised, which I guess was understandable in the circumstances.

During this waiting time we discovered a store of tinned food, milk, jam, meat etc.
I remember I had to crawl on my stomach to get at the boxes, so that our party of fifty men could at least have some breakfast.
Luckily we found some cooking equipment, as well that had been left on the transport lorries.
What a feast, we hadn't eaten for such a long time

That night we managed to find an underground hideout, French soldiers were also hiding there.

I finally got away the next morning.
It was the same pattern as the day before; German guns blazing, bombing, screams, and such dreadful noise and smells.
About eleven thirty it was my time to get onto the boat.
The German artillery had started shelling the beach again. The party of fifty men in the boat just in front of ours got a direct hit - they were all killed.

Now it was out turn to get into a boat, it was a torpedo boat, capable of travelling at thirty-six knots. Unfortunately there was only room for twenty-two men, instead of the expected fifty.
We were told by the captain to leave our guns and equipment on the top deck, and get down into the hold as quickly as possible. All the time the German planes were still trying to destroy us.
The boat's crew gave us food, French rolls and a mug of tea.
I was lucky to get away without being injured, there were so many others killed and wounded.

It didn't take long to get across the Channel, even though the German planes that were strafing us all the time followed us.
Our boat twisted and turned travelling at high speed, attempting to avoid the gun fire, at times almost turning upside down, all we could do was hang on, and pray.
We arrived at Dover Creek, and had to climb an iron rung ladder about thirty feet high, carrying about thirty pounds of equipment, guns and ammunition. That was difficult after the rough crossing.
Arriving on the dock, we were given tea and sandwiches by the WV's. I have never felt so grateful as I was when I first saw those WV's, and their welcome smiles.
We boarded trains that took us up to the local transit camp.

Although it is many years ago, I will never forget those agonising hours we spent among the bullets, and on the beaches of Dunkirk

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