Message to all 1st Corps Troops on the Outbreak of War

Discussion in '1940' started by Drew5233, Feb 9, 2011.

  1. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Taken from WO 167/346 1st Guards Brigade
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  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I'm quite interested in the saluting part of the message. This is the second time I've seen a mention encouraging soldiers to salute, the other in a 48 Div file.

    Does anyone know what the policy was in the field during this time. I was always told never to salute in the field - On peacekeeping Ops we just braced up and in my war we didn't even do that, to reduce the risk of officers from being identified-Some of my officers didn't even wear their rank slide until the war was over.
     
  3. RosyRedd

    RosyRedd Senior Member

    I remembered having read this thread after coming across the following entry in the 1 BOD diary dated 14th April 1940.

    It was significant to observe today the marked improvement in saluting by French soldiers, both officers and men. I walked through the town [Nantes] from No.1 Sub Depot to this Headquarters, and being Sunday there were a considerable number of people walking the streets. Every soldier without exception saluted. Whether this is due to an order by the French or to our naval victories is not known. It is probably due to the latter. The French are very much stirred by our successes at the moment.

    I'm not convinced about the French being stirred by British success though :D
     
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Its before the 10th May when it started for real and the RN had at least the Graf Spee under their belt by then.
     

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