The naval experts suggested that Germany moy employ allan warships which could lo off-shore and rop_amphiblan tanks, "such. asthe! Germans vised to cross the Meuse in Frihey. stressed the fact that there ere no reports of such attempts yet said they were confident that the British Fleet would smash tempts promptly.
These experts. also pointed out that the island defenders were pre= pared with a thorough system of antly Yanie defences on the beeches 2s well inland.
The chiot worry for Gen. Freyberg appeared to be the danger of losing the facilities for" Brush - Aghting planes which were reported to be Catnummbered some times by az much \dmiral Francois Darlan_ (Vichy Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister) visited Beauva: s, in northern France. on April 24. It'was the first time since the collapse that the inhabitants had seen any French uniform different from that worn by prisonfers working in those parts. There was great excitement in the town. and a large crowd gathered outside the restaurant where Admiral Darlan luod a meagre meal of sandwiches and ersatz coffee after his interview with the commander of the German General Stafl.
"After his lunch, Admiral Darian trid his staff appeared on the terrace fin front of the cafe, When he saw the crowd he hesitated for a moment and then spoke some words in the customary style of French statesmen visiting a prov-nelal town.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.