I recently came across the following extracts, in an old book titled 'Muck Shifting for King George', about a small band of plant equipment operators who had to make a retreat to Dunkirk along with their machinery. As you can see from the attached items it mentions that they had to go through a tunnel at Cassel. Now having visited the area a number of times I can only presume that they mean the very short entrance gates at the north and south of Cassel? Has anyone else come across this story before? Perhaps from the people mentioned within the text others may be able to shed even more light, along with some pictures?
Liked the look of it so much I had to buy it. https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_s...ield-keywords='Muck+Shifting+for+King+George'
I can't help wondering if it was the Porte de Cassel at Bergues. It would seem strange to have taken heavy plant up the hill to Cassel and down the other side again and I've seen no signs of abandoned dozers on photographs. This must have taken place before the town was defended by 145 Brigade and the town was so widely photographed after it fell...
Glad the post has proved to be of interest. Guessing we might never know exactly what tunnel they went through. Like you Rich I would find it strange for them to drag all that equipment up the hill to go back down again!
Didn't the Grand Old Duke of York march his men up and down the hill at Cassel just so the children could have a nice nursery rhyme ? If they took this plant into Cassel (and it could have been that all the other roads were reserved for fighting units) then I suspect that the Porte d'Aire is probably the most likely. It does have a stone blockwork cladding. I can't see it being a 'black abyss' though but I suppose if those narrow streets were in darkness, it could have seemed like it. cassel - porte d'aire e casetta - Photo de Centre Historique de la Ville Et Grand Place, Cassel - TripAdvisor
That is very true. I thought that was the most likely point of entry as well, if they did go through Cassel. I suppose as well when you are travelling at 3mph then things do seem to be that bit longer when travelling through them.
It's an interesting little book. The bulldozer story has come up before and it may be the same one pictured in Socx see here- BEF rearguard actions / Dunkirk what are your most poignant stories
Never actually got round to buying it - thankfully. The better half has just presented me with a pristine second edition copy she found in a charity shop!