Ahoy Shipmate RNA Torbay Newsletter Volume 5 Issue 5 November 2016 Have a great Christmas & Prosperous New Year In this issue Editorial ...... 1 Editorial Chairman’s Corner ...... 2 By Shipmate Norrie Millen th Newspaper July 13 1925 ...... 2-3 Hi! Shipmates, Battle of Jutland ...... 4-6 60’s & 70’s Commission Ditties ...... 7 he Festive Season is rapidly Sheep Framer to Secret Agent ... 8-11 approaching, don’t you just hate it Shot at dawn...... 11-12 when Christmas decorations and RN submariner gets USN Dolphins . 13 T Shot at dawn continued ...... 14 festive fare appear as early as late August in some stores, hardly before we have our DID YOU KNOW? sun glasses and swimming trunks off! I Although very little is known about don’t know about your families, but as a them due to sparse historical child we were bunged off to bed early records, there were female Christmas Eve with a stern warning not gladiators, known as gladiatrices, in reappear before morning or Santa Claus would not call. Ancient Rome. Phoebe Snetsinger (1931-1999) Whilst we were allegedly asleep, I guess we dozed a little; was the most accomplished birder my parents would then hang the Christmas Decorations in the history of the world–over the (homemade) and erect the small Christmas tree with course of her life she observed and about a dozen small lights on it. Main presents were documented 8,398 different bird sneaked into bedroom during the wee hours. After species. opening our presents and once we went down the stairs, Although Drew Struzan might not there was a Christmas stocking each with an apple, be a household name, you’ve orange, some sweets and nuts. (Remember things were on certainly seen his work–he’s the ration and scarce) artist behind some of the most iconic movie poster art of the 20th Still Tiz the season to be jolly and a fun family affair. I will century including Star Wars, Back be driving up to Scotland to celebrate with my eldest son, to the Future, Indiana Jones, and who did not want dad to be alone for Christmas. When more. Angela said last Christmas that she would not see another The first commercial flight in the UK Christmas, I told her to stop talking nonsense! took off from Teignmouth, in Devon. It’s kind of weird that people seem to know when their The passenger service was run by The Great Western Railway. time left on this earth is approaching, I remember my father saying many years ago, I will be dead within the The auditory equivalent of visualization is called audiation week and he was spot on. wherein you imagine sounds or Life is too short, take each day as it comes and enjoy it. musical constructs in the absence The way I see it anyway! of actual auditory stimulus; the term was coined by music education researcher Edwin Gordon in 1975. Volume 5 Issue 5 November 2016

Chairman’s Corner By Shipmate John Soanes From the local newspaper of July 13th 1925 Since the last edition our life Submitted by John Soanes member and President of the branch, Shipmate Peter Thousands of visitors to the Torbay towns who Brown Crossed the Bar on had never previously set eyes on a warship Saturday 22nd October 2016, lined the sea shore this morning to welcome he will be very much missed as the coming of the Atlantic Fleet. he was a very staunch supporter of There are about sixty craft of all sorts in the the branch. His funeral on Friday 4th Bay, and during the week several of them will November at St. Pauls Church, Paignton was open for inspection. very well attended by shipmates from many Many grey shadows passed through the heavy branches in No 4 area including standard summer haze which overhung Torbay this bearers from Brixham, Dartmouth, Dorchester, morning, shadows of naval greyhounds in the Newton Abbot, Portland, Royal British Legion form of light cruisers, worrying terriers in the Paignton, Torbay Sea Cadets, Royal Marines form of flotillas of destroyers, and just a few of Association, a Royal Marines Bugler from those amphibious creatures represented by the Lympstone and our own branch standard. modern submarine Many of his colleagues and friends The ships of the Second Cruiser Squadron of including members from the RAF Association the Atlantic Fleet arrived in the Bay, and Torbay Civic Society were in attendance, accompanied by several flotillas of torpedo which ensured that he had a really good 'send destroyers and four of the 'K' class submarines. off'. I am sure he would have been very proud. The last - named arrived at 8,30, accompanied Throughout the service, his wife Pat and by their parent ships. daughter Charlotte maintained a dignity, which They were K26, K14, K12 and K6, and they befitted the sad occasion. dropped their anchors, comparatively near the shore off the Haldon Pier. d d d d d d d d d At 1015 the hazy sky-line was broken by the "Our branch was well represented by most light cruisers, CURACOA, flying the flag of of our members on Remembrance Sunday, all Rear Admiral W.A.B. Kelly CB, CMG, MVO,; well turned out for the occasion. CALEDON, CALLIOPE, CLEOPATRA and Our Standard was paraded by Sea Cadet CARYFORT,(sic) which steamed in line along Antonio Cummings of the Torbay Sea Cadet the eastern shore, whilst nine destroyers were Unit who did an excellent job especially Nearly Sixty Ships Already in The Bay. considering it was his first time. Our grateful thanks to the Unit for the last minute Thousands of visitors delighted. arrangement." in company further out in the Bay. d d d d d d d d d "Life on the Ocean Wave" Trafalgar Night Dinner On the flagship the band was playing and the Although numbers attending was much strains of "Life on the Ocean Wave" rose to the smaller this year, it was once again a successful heights at Daddy Hole Plain and peaked Tor, and enjoyable evening. The entertainers where many visitors had gathered to witness played some good music after dinner which the naval assembly in the Bay. kept attendees dancing all evening and nice to see people staying until the very end. At 10.40 another cloud of black spots was sighted on the horizon and nineteen more See pictures Page 7 destroyers slowly steamed into view, led by d d d d d d d d CENTAUR, flying the broad pennant of Commodore C.K. Mclean, CB, CVO, DSO. RNA Torbay Newsletter Page -2

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The haze had by this time cleared and the It is too early yet to obtain definite information visibility was excellent. The water gleamed respecting leave, but it is anticipated that it will under the bows of the approaching flotillas be given freely given. which were stretched out in one long line in the Greetings to the Mayor mouth of the Bay. As they neared the other Almost before the CURACOA had dropped anchor, ships their formation was altered, the Rear Admiral Kelly got into telephone CENTAUR- leading, whilst the destroyers steamed in couples to their positions outside the cruisers on the Brixham side of the Bay. Did you know? RN 1945-2016 The Royal Navy, at the beginning of World War II, was immense — it was the largest naval force in the COMING OF THE FLEET world. The 332 warships included 15 mighty battleships, 7 aircraft carriers, 66 cruisers, a whopping Clouds of Seagulls 184 destroyers, 45 patrol vessels, and fully 60 The cables of the cruisers rattled through the submarines. Despite heavy losses, especially at the hawse holes (sic) simultaneously, breaking the beginning of the conflict, fleet size rose steadily wonderful morning stillness as steel met steel. during World War II and the Royal Navy had accumulated an almost unbelievable 553 combatant Flocks of white winged gulls gathered around vessels by war’s end in 1945. the ships almost before they became motionless. However, after the war a lack of a clear mission and scant funding lead to a steep decrease in the number of By 11am, there in the Bay the ships of the ships. Second Light Cruiser Squadron, the 5th, 7th The Royal Navy currently possesses a meagre 77 and 8th Destroyer Flotillas and the 1st commissioned vessels. 19 surface combatants, 11 Submarine Flotillas, snuggly anchored well submarines, 15 mine-countermeasure craft, 22 patrol inside a line drawn from Berry head to Daddy vessels, a landing platform, two amphibious docks, Hole Plain. four survey ships, one icebreaking vessel, and two The destroyers are the flotilla leaders, historic ships comprise this fleet. WALLACE, CAMPBELL and MACKAY; It should be noted, though, that fleet size does not WARWICK, WHIRLWIND, VORTIGEN, necessarily equate to capability. The current ships are VELUX, VERSATILE, VANCOUVER, clearly much more advanced than their World War II counterparts. WATCHMAN, WALKER, VALKYRIE, VESTIS, VERDUN, WINDSOR, WALPOLE, VIDETTE, communication with the Mayor (Mr E.H. Sermon) WESTMINSTER, VALHALLA, WESTCOTT, with a view to the latter paying him an official visit. WOLFHOUND, WESSEX, VOLOURUS, No official announcement has yet been VANITY, WHITBY, VENTUROUS and promulgated regarding the opening of the ships to VIOLET. the public, but it is highly probable that this will be Spread out on the surface of the blue waters of made tomorrow. the Bay the ships make quite an imposing The first of the social functions in connection with sight, although the "heavy weights", such as the Fleet visit will be an officers ball at the Town our old favourite, the Lizzie are this year hall ; there will be swimming gala at the Medical Baths on Wednesday and athletic sports at the missing. Recreation Ground on Saturday. There are still two or three vessels expected, Excellent arrangements are being made by the including the depot ships CYCLOPS and motor boat proprietors at the harbour for the DILIGENCE, whilst it is likely that the sea- conveyance of residents and visitors around the plane vessel, ARGUS, which was in the Bay ships which are to remain in the bay until 20th July. last week and made a somewhat hasty Paignton and Brixham have already made excellent departure will return tomorrow. arrangements to give the men of the Fleet a good time.

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Battle of Jutland May 31st – June 1st 1916 Transcript of the Journal of Petty Officer (Writer) Albert Symonds Submitted by Shipmate Mikle Seaward

Journal transcribed by Ian Mackenzie, HMS Lowestoft Association PART I subsequently sank. In 1917, she was transferred to the 8th Light Cruiser This is a transcript of Squadron with whom she the Journal of Petty remained for the rest of Officer (Writer) the war. Southampton Albert Symonds, was sold for who was serving scrapping on 13 July in the Town Class 1926 to Ward, of Light Cruiser HMS Pembroke Dock. Southampton. (Sister ship of HMS Albert William Lowestoft which was Garland Symonds was in 1916 with the the fifth of seven children

Mediterranean Fleet in the 8th HMS Southampton born to William and Emily L.C.S.) Symonds on July 2, 1888. The Journal was kindly supplied to the He was educated at the Royal Hospital HMS Lowestoft Association by Bob Hind School, Greenwich, and served 25 years of 'The News' Portsmouth who was given in the Royal Navy, retiring as a Chief access to the journal by Sarah Pilbeam, Writer. of Widley, the granddaughter of Albert Albert begins his notes at 6pm on the Symonds. evening of Friday, June 2, 1916 at HMS Southampton was laid down on 6 Rosyth. The battle raged from May 31 April 1911 by John Brown & Company at to June 1 their Clydebank shipyard and launched Foreword I am writing this at 6 PM on 16 May 1912. Upon completion in on the evening of Friday June 2nd 1916. November, the ship was assigned to the 1st Battle Squadron and she became The ship is at Rosyth and we reached flagship of the 1st Light Cruiser this base at 2 PM today having left it Squadron in July 1913. The at 9 PM on Tuesday 30th May. In ship had an extremely active the interval, a naval action of wartime career. some magnitude has taken Southampton participated in place. the Battle of Heligoland HMS Southampton played Bight, and later in the her part in it and it has been Battle of Dogger Bank in an honourable if somewhat early 1915. In May 1916, trying part which we have Southampton fought in the played. It is of course inevitable Battle of Jutland as flagship that one ship, not to mention of 2nd Light Cruiser one individual like myself can Squadron (Commodore form but an indifferent opinion of Goodenough) where she the complete results and actions

torpedoed the German light Writer Symonds of a 'show' such as this last one. cruiser SMS Frauenlob, which But it so happened that RNA Torbay Newsletter Page -4

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circumstances dictated that this ship B.C. Fleet. We held on our Easterly should see as much of the action, if not course until 3.55 PM the B.C. came into more than any other ship. Also my line, steering South with the "Lion" position in the ship as a Control Officer leading and they at once opened fire on of the After Control, only became a busy the German B. C. Fleet We were on the one under two circumstances. "Lion's" starboard bow and on our port beam was a number of T.B.D's. (Torpedo (1)If the Lieut. (G) is killed Boat Destroyers) and the "Champion" (2) If we should become engaged (Light Cruiser). both sides at once As soon as we opened fire (and by Neither of these incidents took place, "we" I mean our B.C.) the Germans so that I had time to take notes and opened fire as well, if not before. It observe times etc. I have judged it best must be realized that whilst our own to follow generally the form of a diary B.C. were only a mile or so from us the then I can distinguish easily between Germans were about 20,000 yards away what I heard and what I saw. (ALL and against a very dark TIMES ARE G.M.T.) background, whilst we THE ACCOUNT were silhouetted On the afternoon of Tuesday the 30th against the Western May, we were lying at sky. The tactical our base (Rosyth) disadvantage was very when the signal great, as it was came through at about extremely difficult for 6 pm "Flag Lion to B.C.F. our B.C. to see the (Battle Cruiser Fleet) and 5th German B.C. It was of B.S.(Battle Squadron) raise steam and course still harder for us to see the report when ready to proceed". Germans, in fact all that we ever saw of the enemy during the first period of the At 9 pm we weighed and proceeded, action was a series of flashes on the no one in this ship knowing at the time horizon. We were therefore helpless the object of the operation. It does not spectators of the severe punishment our in fact appear that we had great own B.C. were suffering without having expectations of seeing them as we the consolation of seeing what damage cruised East all Wednesday forenoon at the Germans were experiencing. no very high speed. By noon we had steam for "full speed" at ½ hours' notice As has been the custom before, the but as we were well over towards the German shooting was initially very good. Danish coast, this order partook more of Our B.C. were foaming through the nature of routine than of anything enormous splashes and it was evident else. The course of the Fleet was that our line was being straddled. I was approx. East and the L.C. (Light Cruiser) watching the line at 4.15 (approx.) and I screen was spread 1st L.C.S. had just noted with satisfaction that the (Light Cruiser Squadron) - "Lion" was emerging from a 3rd - 2nd L.C.S. (ourselves) collection of huge fountains of from North to South. water when I was horrified to see a At 2.23 pm "Galatea" colossal column of sighted two enemy grey white smoke Light Cruisers and stand on the water much smoke where the "Indefatigable" bearing East. At 2.56 pm (Battle Cruiser) had been. This they reported the German column of smoke which I

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estimate was 700 feet high expanded on (2) We wished to have a good look at top into a great mushroom. The base of them and report accurately. this mushroom stalk became a fiery red. With these intentions, we held on and on, ever drawing nearer to this formidable I realized the "Indefatigable" had line of German Battleships. I could see been blown up and the next thing I them plainly and counted 16 of them led remember was seeing the next ship in by the four "Koenig's" with the six older the line coming through the place where ones in the rear. Every moment it seemed she had been. as if they must open fire and obliterate us, I cannot attempt to describe my but luckily they decided we were not worth feelings when the action having ammunition at this stage of the proceeded as before vis: - flashes on the proceedings. Finally, at a range of 12.900 horizon, columns of splashes around our yards we discovered we could not get into position for a torpedo attack so we turned Battle Cruisers, salvoes from our B.C. 16 points and steered Northerly with the At 4.23 PM in an almost similar German B.C. on our starboard bow and the manner the "Queen Mary" (Battle German Battle Fleet on our starboard Cruiser) was obliterated by an 800 feet quarter and beam, this was at 4,45 PM. high mushroom of fiery smoke, in this When the "Lion" and remaining B.C. case I remember seeing bits of her turned 16 points to North or North by West 'flying upward'. As I watched this fiery the German B.C. seeing their Grand Fleet gravestone, it seemed to waver slightly coming up from the South also turned 16 at the base and I caught a momentary points. Our B.C. was then engaged with but clear glimpse of the hull of the the German B.C. but we could not see "Queen Mary" sticking out of the water much of this, then came a gap of a couple from the stern to the after funnel. of miles then the 5th B.S. heavily engaged with the leading half of the German line. At this moment (i.e. shortly after the Close to the last ship of the 5th B.S. was "Queen Mary" sunk) we had either the "Southampton", sometimes we were sheared across to port or the B.C. had 4-6 cables on their disengaged quarter, at sheared to starboard to open range, for I other times we were almost astern. Away remember noticing that we were about on our port quarter were some destroyers ½ a mile almost right ahead of the and the other ships of our squadron. "Lion". Whilst in this position I saw the shell or shells hit the "Lion" which put For the following hour, 5pm to 6pm, I her midship port turret out of action also can truthfully say I thought each succeeding minute was our last. For that causing a fire. I hear that this single hour we were under persistent 11in shell accounted for the greater number shellfire from the rear of the German fleet. of those killed in the "Lion" (109) That is to say, all the German battleships At 4.38 we sighted and reported Light which could not get to our battleships Cruisers followed by the German High thought they might as well while away the Seas Fleet bearing South East steering time by knocking us out. about North East or North. Either just Needless to say we could not fire a shot before or after this, Admiral Beatty made in return as the range was about 16,000 the signal to a/c 16 points which the yards, way beyond our guns. 'I crouched B.C. then did. We did not obey this behind the 1/10in plate of the after control signal and held to the Southward for two with Hayward-Booth (the Sub.) and the reasons:- Clerk and we gnawed on bully beef. However, my throat was so dry that I (1) We thought there might be the could not get much down and we could not chance of making a torpedo get any water. attack; PART II In next issue

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Trafalgar Dinner Pictures

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From Pacifist Sheep Farmer to One of Britain’s Greatest Secret Agents Francis Cammaerts dodged danger and death Researched and submitted by Shipmate Norrie Millen

stated. "This was borne out on D-Day when his Occupied France, 1944. Francis organization numbered 20,000 men of which Cammaerts stepped from a train onto the at least 15,000 were fully armed" - a boon to railway station platform in Avignon. Almost the regular Allied forces as the French immediately, German security forces at a resistance destroyed rail lines, sabotaged checkpoint became suspicious and asked for German communications and ambushed his papers. German troops. The son of a Belgian poet and English Only a handful of men and women who actress, he was everything you would never worked with Cammaerts are alive today. But expect in a secret agent. Cammaerts had been historians and family friends of Cammaerts a pacifist and conscientious objector remember him as a man who expressed assigned to tend sheep in fierce loyalty toward the French people, Lincolnshire when he refused and a fervent determination to wipe to join the British Army. His out the Nazis because of the job before World War II personal loss the war brought to his broke out? School family. teacher. And at six-feet, four-inches tall he hardly Like many of his generation blended into a crowd. and social status in Britain, Cammaerts enjoyed a life But in France, marked by elite education and Cammaerts was "Roger" athletic prowess. He was a his code name in the British student at Cambridge University, Special Operations where he earned degrees in history Executive and the organizer and English. Cammaerts also of a highly effective resistance distinguished himself as a star hockey group called Jockey. If player. He spoke fluent French - a captured, the Gestapo would have linguistic gift from his father the poet and brutally tortured him in an effort to Francis Cammaerts art historian Emile Cammaerts. At the gain information about his network. time, his ambition was to become a school If he broke under torture, it'd mean the lives of teacher. Eventually, he taught at Penge thousands more. Travelling under the cover Grammar School, where he became a close story that he was a French teacher recovering friend of the French master Harry Rée, a from severe illness, Cammaerts thought fast. Cambridge classmate. Like many during the "They were spending a lot of time looking at interwar period, Cammaerts was an avowed my papers and I coughed and spluttered, bit pacifist because of the effects of the Great my lip and spat blood on the platform," he War on an entire generation. "The whole story recounted in SOE: An Outline History of the of World War I was so overwhelming that I Special Operations Executive 1940-46. "The think many of us said we must never be part of Germans were very frightened of T.B. My this again," he said later. After Britain entered papers were returned very quickly and I was World War II in 1939, Cammaerts' younger sent on my way." brother Pieter joined the . Rée Luck, a penchant for survival and sheer joined the newly formed SOE, formed to guts, that was Lt. Col. Francis Cammaerts. He organize resistance in Occupied Europe. died in 2006 at age 90, and is still remembered Cammaerts registered as a conscientious as one of the most effective British operatives objector - a "conchie" as the British called of World War II. "From the earliest days of his them - and lost his job as a school teacher. work it was apparent that he was one of the Eventually, the British government ordered most outstanding organizers in the field," his Cammaerts to work as a farm labourer to citation for the Distinguished Service Order perform his national service. He went willingly, RNA Torbay Newsletter Page -8

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working hard on a sheep farm and meeting his Counter-Scorch, fighters wife Nan. In March 1941, Pieter died in an were not only expected to attack German airplane crash.“It should be pointed out that troops on D-Day but prevent the Germans Francis began the war as a fervent conchie - from destroying bridges, port facilities, not the expected beginning for a man who a communications and other infrastructure few years later was to be important to the Allies once they landed. decorated by three nations and "Eisenhower reckoned the French lauded as a war hero and Resistance was the equivalent value of 10 freedom fighter," said David divisions in his order of battle," Kippax Harrison, a family friend of said. But the organization needed to Cammaerts whose carry out such complicated covert website documents SOE operations wouldn't be developed operations in France. overnight. It would take time and "However, the death of his patience - and the work itself would brother in the RAF be incredibly dangerous for both for changed his views. He felt French resistance members and SOE Nazism had to be operatives. defeated." Soon after, It's difficult to comprehend today Cammaerts' old friend Rée what French resistance fighters faced contacted him. Rée had long during World War II. France was an been convinced that the SOE occupied nation. What's more, the Vichy was where Cammaerts belonged. Pieter Cammaerts government of France had capitulated to the He helped Cammaerts make Germans - in other words, Vichy was on the contact with the organization, which he joined. same side as the Nazis. Gestapo goons, The view today of the SOE is often highly Abwehr intelligence agents and German radio romanticized - easy to do when you remember intercept spies, were everywhere. So were the that the organization help lay the groundwork police forces of the Vichy government. A for modern covert operations. But during World Frenchman could - and many did - sell out an War II, the SOE was of vital importance in a Allied agent to the Gestapo for a cash reward. very down-to-earth way, according to Steven Although members of the SOE received rank Kippax, moderator of the SOE Discussion in the British armed forces, chances were slim Group and a historian who has studied the that they would be treated as POWs if they fell organization for more than 20 years. into German hands. If you were captured, you were tortured - Hitler ordered that no Allied Among other things, the Allies counted on agent be executed until he or she broke under the SOE's network of resistance fighters to torture and revealed valuable information. For assist the D-Day invasion, considered an men, beatings and near-drownings were a inevitable step toward the destruction of Nazi popular form of torture used by the Gestapo. Germany. Kippax said that the SOE worked For women, it was the same - and they often together with the American Office of suffered repeated sexual assault by Strategic Services - the their captors. Yet, men and rough equivalent of the women - the SOE was very British covert force - egalitarian - joined the under the Allies' organization knowing fully Special Forces what danger they faced Headquarters. In beyond dying in combat. turn, SFHQ worked Although Cammaerts' with planners that instructors expressed reported to Supreme reservations about his Allied Commander Gen. leadership abilities during Dwight Eisenhower training, in 1943 the SOE while planning This Nazi photograph from July 1944 appears to show French assigned him to Section resistance operations pro-Axis militia fighters with Resistance prisoners. F. Soon, he received a before, during and commission as a captain in the British Army after D-Day. Under the codename Operation and slipped into France by airplane. There he RNA Torbay Newsletter Page -9

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began working with the Carte network, a regarded as being far too precious." loosely organized resistance group spread out Despite Cammaerts' obvious heroism, he across southern France. But something was always gave credit to the French for not only wrong, and the instincts that kept Cammaerts protecting his life but generously caring for alive during his time in France kicked in. The him, other SOE agents and the resistance Abwehr and infiltrated the Carte. In fact, a man fighters. He particularly admired the resilience sent by the French leader of the Carte network of French farm women. "He could arrive late at to meet with Cammaerts turned out to be an a farm house and would be guaranteed to be Abwehr agent. "A sixth sense alerted Francis given a hearty meal, a clean bed and even to a lack of security in the group and he left for soap, a real luxury at the time," Harrison said. the safety of Cannes on the Riviera just before "The wife would knowingly be not only risking the arrests took place," Harrison said. From her own life, but that of her whole family while that point onward, Cammaerts not only worked he was only risking his own." Cammaerts' to organize a new network called Jockey. He discretion, patience and loyalty paid off. The practiced what became near-legendary caution Jockey network would eventually stretch from when it came to personal security. Cammaerts the Mediterranean north to and across to never slept twice in the same place. the Swiss and Italian borders, comprised of Resistance members did not contact thousands of resistance fighters. However, Cammaerts - he initiated all contacts. They even Cammaerts' luck eventually ran out. In also left messages in so-called "dead letter August 1944, Axis-allied French police boxes" for later collection. In addition, he had a arrested him at a checkpoint along with two superb SOE radio operator named Auguste other SOE agents. They overheard their Floiras who sent and received a record captors say they would shoot the agents within number of messages between Cammaerts three days. Fortunately, Christine Granville, his while he was in the field and the SOE SOE courier and a remarkable agent herself, headquarters in . But what probably bravely rescued the agents. She arranged for saved his life time and time again during his 15 the RAF to parachute a huge ransom for the months in enemy territory was the sincere men - and the money and some fast talking affection and fierce loyalty that he felt toward convinced Cammaerts' captors to release him the French men and women he helped and his colleagues. Soon after, Allied forces organize. "The main reasons for Francis' landed on the Riviera coast in Operation Anvil, success were his humanitarian principles and and his network helped American forces his understanding of human nature," Harrison liberate many towns during the push north. said. "He was a charismatic figure, and Promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, through trust and respect for his resistance Cammaerts helped deploy resistance fighters helpers he built a sense of mutual admiration whose efforts resulted in the success of and brotherhood." Harrison said he witnessed Operation Anvil taking place in weeks rather the affection that the French held for than months as originally anticipated by Allied Cammaerts even decades after the war planners. For his efforts in southern France, ended. In 1996, he accompanied Cammaerts the Free French government awarded him the to a ceremony in Légion d'honneur and the France honouring the Croix de Guerre. He also death of resistance received the American fighters massacred by Medal of Freedom from the the Germans. "He was United States. His post-war greeted by the locals pursuits returned him to like a film star," education. He worked as a Harrison said. "Francis teacher, college professor told me that he could and head of professional easily have been organizations for educators betrayed for money, - work that Cammaerts but nobody ever did it. Cammaerts, left, and family friend David Harrison at preferred to be Having got to know him the French Resistance memorial at Vassieux, France, remembered for rather than myself, I can 1996. Photo courtesy of David Harrison his wartime exploits. In understand that he was 1989, he retired to a small farm in southern RNA Torbay Newsletter Page -10

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France in the area where he worked as a secret agent during the war, determined to live A guy turns to his wife in bed and whispers, a quiet life but still remembered as le grand "Did you know it's National Orgasm Day?" diable Anglais - the tall English devil. "Oh, what a pity," she said, "Right in the middle of National Headache Week." SHOT AT DAWN. was censor for his own and his company’s mail, Submitted by Bob Styants Engineroom Association and had no idea until the night before his death that he had done anything to deserve more than a d dd d d d d d reprimand or at most cancellation of his commission. Edwin, Leopold, Arthur, Dyett. Sub/Lt. RNVR, Nelson Battalion, Royal Naval Brigade, was shot at He had written his mother for a diary and other nd dawn, 5th, January, 1917. items for future use on 2 . January. When war broke out in 1914 he was a junior officer An eye witness described his last hours thus: in West India Mail Steamers. On hearing his sentence at 10 p.m. 4th. January, Not a strong youth: subject to nervous attacks and medical staff suggested he take drugs or stimulants: fainting fits for which he was frequently medically but he replied “he had been an abstainer all his life treated; volunteered for his country in the navy and and would not now break his resolve” and as he had was granted a commission Sub/Lt. RNVR 25th. nothing to fear for any offence he had committed June 1915. he wished to keep his mind clear. The interview board in London, asked if he would Shortly before the moment of his death he wrote to accept a permanent commission in the Royal his mother and signed it without a tremor. Marines: sent for training at Crystal Palace, he was On hearing of his sentence, the 63rd R.N. Division asked if he wished land or sea service and replied wired headquarters demanding a reprieve; but no “sea only”. All his previous training having been reply was forthcoming before his execution. that of a sailor: however, he was sent to Blandford The eye witness stated that Dyett was an inspiration Camp where he made several requests to transfer to to those present. sea service on account of his previous training. However, he was drafted to the Eastern Two other officers present collapsed and had to be Mediterranean and sailed in HMT ‘Olympic’ 16th. medically treated. February, 1916. Dyett addressed the firing party and said “he had The Commandant Brigadier General R.M. at nothing to fear and did not blame them; saying they Blandford reported on 15th. December that Dyett were only obeying orders” Don’t muddle it boys, was a particular smart and alert young officer; and Shoot straight!” he had been chosen to lead practise attacks for He was shot at 7.30 a.m. 5th January, 1917. cinema films to be shown around the country for On the 19th. January an enquiry at RNVR Royal Navy Brigade recruiting purposes. Headquarters, London showed they knew nothing Having served considerable time in the Eastern of his death; which had taken place fourteen days Mediterranean he was transferred to Northern before by order; and that he was still on active France with the 63rd. Royal Naval Brigade, and it is service in France. reported that he spent several periods in hospital The Admiralty also gave a similar reply. with nervous disability and his feet. The only information his parents received was a However, he wrote cheerful letters home and was letter 22nd. January; a lapse of seventeen days after of loyal courage: but wished to join up with the the event. fleet and made further applications for sea service whilst in France, which met with no response. Although, an epoch of the times; today, it seems a th very tragic case in any circumstances that being late On 18 . December his parents received a letter leading his men “over the top” because of from him to say he had been under close arrest th exhaustion and shell shock; he was accused of since 13 . November (for having failed to be at a cowardice by a brother officer he had fallen out certain spot at a certain time) with! Later he gave his father details that had led up to Continued on page 13 the trouble he was in: throughout his arrest. Dyett RNA Torbay Newsletter Page -11

Volume 5 Issue 4 September 2016

Royal Navy Submariner awarded USN Dolphins A Royal Navy submariner recently received Commander Perez said: US Navy Submarine Service “dolphins”, “After a fast-paced, demanding year of intense making him just the second UK officer to operations, Lieutenant Main has earned his qualify on a US Navy submarine. gold US dolphins. Lieutenant Matt Main has already earned his "He is fully qualified to stand Officer of the Royal Navy dolphins – the Deck on USS New Mexico and will do unique badge which so repeatedly over the next signifies a qualified year as he assumes an even submariner – but on larger role in the day-to-day June 10 he was operations of the ship. presented with the US equivalent after a gruelling 27 month training and “When an officer earns his dolphins in the US qualification process. Navy, it signifies that they have demonstrated, through performance Matt, a Marine Engineer as the Officer of the Deck, a (Submarines) in the thorough understanding of all Royal Navy, was aspects of submarine presented with the operations.” US dolphins by Commander Lieutenant Main was George Perez, presented his dolphins Commanding during a ceremony Officer of the USS alongside HM Naval New Mexico, after Base Clyde. Witnessing his success as part of events were the crew of USS the US-UK Personnel New Mexico as well as Royal Exchange Programme. Navy colleagues. Fully integrated into the crew of USS Matt is the second Royal Navy officer to earn New Mexico, Matt is currently the Damage US Navy submarine dolphins, with the first, Control Assistant and will become the Lieutenant Commander Ralph Coffey, Assistant Engineer in due course before receiving his after serving with USS returning to the Royal Navy. Providence from 2010-12. US Navy submarine officers must qualify both forward and aft to earn their dolphins and so, for Matt, learning to drive the submarine both surfaced and submerged has been a unique experience. “It is a real privilege to serve on this fine submarine with such a professional, motivated crew “said Matt. “It has been a tough process, but getting my US Navy dolphins is one of the highlights of my career and I have enjoyed every minute of it. "The welcome I received when I reported on board a year ago was incredibly warm and I am proud to call these men my brothers.” RNA Torbay Newsletter Page -12

Volume 5 Issue 4 September 2016

Continued from page 10 him; is there no miscarriage of justice in not Apparently this Subaltern and a Petty Officer of making an allowance for physical exertion whom Dyett had a poor opinion, gave evidence and nerves? against him in court. He suspected the P.O. have (14) Who is responsible? Who was President of shielding himself at Gallipoli behind another. the Court Martial? (15) If a deserter: why buried by a party of his On the evening after Dyett’s execution; half a comrades in consecrated ground in Le dozen of his brother officers went in search of the Crotoy churchyard? officer who’s evidence led to Dyett’s death: but he had gone on leave! (16) Who is the Brigadier General who having received a report from Dyett’s only enemy Some questions that should have been raised! placed him under arrest? th (1) If arrested 13 . November, why wasn’t (17) Who was the N.C.O. the lad assisted to Sub/Lt. Dyett tried by Courts Martial before safety the night of 13th, November? st the 31 . December: or is it true he was tried (18) Was he called upon to give evidence? more than once and put back for lack of (19) Why was a deaf ear turned to his repeated evidence? requests for service in the navy; for which he (2) If quality of an offence deserving death; why had volunteered? was he appointed censor and acted as such; (20) Why was no answer given (in time) to the not only for himself but for hundreds of rd th 63 . RN Division demand for a reprieve? others up until 4 . January, 1917. (21) Will searching enquiries be made with a (3) As he reported himself at Brigade th view to publicly clearing the lad’s name? headquarters at daybreak 14 . November; (22) Was this not a case for another chance at how could he possibly be a deserter; and if least? not a deserter for what reason was he shot? His crime was neither treachery or desertion; or (4) Who constituted the Courts Martial? Seeing anything obviously tending to the advantage of the that he was a Naval Officer, why was there enemy or losses among our own troops. no naval officer in the court? There were two He should have been accused of nothing more than Senior Naval Officers local at Abbeyville. wandering (5) Why was not the father; himself a naval

officer of senior rank and on active service,

informed of his son’s plight? A highway patrol officer was patrolling late at night off the main highway. (6) What steps were taken to put up a defence; At nearly midnight, he sees a couple in a car, in and who defended him? lovers' lane, with the interior light brightly glowing. (7) Who was his one and only enemy from whom the startling report emanated? What He carefully approaches the car to get a closer look. was that report? Was there any confirmation He sees a young man behind the wheel, reading a of the junior officer’s evidence? computer magazine. He immediately notices a young (8) Why were G.H.Q. RNVR and the Admiralty woman in the rear seat, filing her fingernails. th ignorant on 19 . January of his untimely Puzzled by this surprising situation, the trooper walks end? to the car and gently taps on the driver's window. (9) How is it possible for a naval officer to be The young man lowers his window. "Uh, yes Officer?" tried by Courts Martial; sentenced to death The trooper asks "What are you doing?" The young and executed, without the knowledge of the man says "Well, Officer, I'm reading a magazine Admiralty? "Pointing towards the young woman in the back seat, (10) Why weren’t the next of kin informed within the trooper asks: "And what is she doing?" The young a reasonable time? man shrugs: "Sir, I believe she's filing her fingernails." (11) With what object was his kit returned to his Now, the trooper is totally confused: A young couple, parents marked ‘killed’? alone, in a car, at night in a lover's lane and nothing (12) If all was honest and above board, why were inappropriate is happening!" The trooper asks all the officers sworn to secrecy? "What's your age, young man?" The young man says (13) Seeing that this young man; a mere boy, was "I'm 22, sir." The trooper asks "And how old is she?" in action from 5 a.m. 13th, November until The young man looks at his watch and replies: "She'll dark; leading his men; and seeing all his be 18 in 11 minutes" brother officers shot down save one beside RNA Torbay Newsletter Page -13

Volume 5 Issue 4 September 2016

Do giant whales ever ram or collide with Has a viry ‘appy Chrissstmas shipmates! submarines or ships in the ocean? Hic! So, a sea story here: I once shooed away a Humpback Whale. I was a junior officer on an attack submarine and we were putting along underwater in the Atlantic Ocean (near The Bahamas, I believe). I was officer of the deck on the morning watch, and about 45 mins after taking the conn a whale sidled up next to us. For the next hour she blasted us with whale conversation. It was loud enough that you could actually hear it through the hull array, so I know it was close. That much ensonification(sic) of the water made our boat essentially blind. We changed course a few times to shake her off but she just loved her I’m nit as drink as you thunk I wus! giant warm new friend. I didn't feel like we were in danger of getting collided with. I finally got on the trusty underwater telephone (a sonar transducer which allows you to speak to other subs close by) and yelled, "SHOOO!" a couple of times. That spooked her, and away she went. True or false? You decide.

I wish you all and your families a very Happy Christmas and Prosperous and Healthy 2017

RNA Torbay Newsletter Page -14