Post by Admin on Feb 25, 2013 22:09:41 GMT -5
FREE FRENCH MERCHANT NAVY:
The "Marine Marchande Française Libre." which has now reached a ' quarter of the strength of the total tonnage of the French Merchant Navy before the Armistice, contributes to a non-negligible extent to the British war effort; for instance, in the work of transporting supplies to this country and carrying troops and material to Egypt.
The growth of the Free French Merchant Navy Is best explained by these few facts. In July, 1940 all the French merchant ships in Great Britain and the Dominions were immobilised and disarmed. In September, 200,000 tons had already put to sea again. In December the gross tonnage had mounted to 100,000 tons (70,000 have yet to be re- armed). No less than 60 merchant ships have a tonnage of over 1500.
WORLD WIDE RECRUITING
At the end of December, 160.000 tons were manned exclusively by French crews; the rest being manned by French or English crews combined until sufficient recruits arrive to man the whole of the Free French Merchant Navy. Recruits arrive from all corners of tile world. The greater number come to England to embark, others join their ships in such distant places as India, Singapore, Egypt, Palestine, French Equatorial Africa, Australia, New Caledonia, Bermuda and Trinidad.
The Ministry of Shipping aids the Free French Merchant Navy in her task, and is providing for French sailors in the case of wounds or sickness, and pensions for widows and orphans. To assure a complete cooperation, the personnel of the Free French Merchant Naval staff have their offices In the Ministry of Shipping.
LINK
The "Marine Marchande Française Libre." which has now reached a ' quarter of the strength of the total tonnage of the French Merchant Navy before the Armistice, contributes to a non-negligible extent to the British war effort; for instance, in the work of transporting supplies to this country and carrying troops and material to Egypt.
The growth of the Free French Merchant Navy Is best explained by these few facts. In July, 1940 all the French merchant ships in Great Britain and the Dominions were immobilised and disarmed. In September, 200,000 tons had already put to sea again. In December the gross tonnage had mounted to 100,000 tons (70,000 have yet to be re- armed). No less than 60 merchant ships have a tonnage of over 1500.
WORLD WIDE RECRUITING
At the end of December, 160.000 tons were manned exclusively by French crews; the rest being manned by French or English crews combined until sufficient recruits arrive to man the whole of the Free French Merchant Navy. Recruits arrive from all corners of tile world. The greater number come to England to embark, others join their ships in such distant places as India, Singapore, Egypt, Palestine, French Equatorial Africa, Australia, New Caledonia, Bermuda and Trinidad.
The Ministry of Shipping aids the Free French Merchant Navy in her task, and is providing for French sailors in the case of wounds or sickness, and pensions for widows and orphans. To assure a complete cooperation, the personnel of the Free French Merchant Naval staff have their offices In the Ministry of Shipping.
LINK