CHAPTER I---SATURDAY, JUNE 1ST

Churchill leaves for London---The fighter escort pilots---Reynaud gives me Weygand's note demanding increased British air support---French air losses---Margerie urges the immediate re-embarkation for France of the British troops from Dunkirk---Reynaud expects an early German attack towards Paris---His information about the panzer divisions---Churchill telephones the news from Dunkirk---A telegram for Reynaud and Weygand---Reynaud's criticism of Gort---I complain of Weygand's attitude---My report to Ismay---A further telegram from Churchill about Dunkirk.

CHAPTER II---SUNDAY, JUNE 2ND

Darlan on Dunkirk---Meeting of the War Committee---Renewed appeal for British support---Reynaud's visit to the front---The Place de la Concorde---General Vuillemin---Rollin pleads for reinforcements against Italy in Africa---Pétain's strictures on Weygand---He tells me of Weygand's attack on Churchill---but supports his demands for British reinforcements---Pétain on the Battle of the Dunes in 1658---Weygand's telegram about Dunkirk---Four-fifths of the B.E.F. safely evacuated.

CHAPTER III---MONDAY, JUNE 3RD

Ismay and Churchill complain of French delays in embarking at Dunkirk---Churchill promises a last effort to bring the French troops away---A scene at the War Committee---Redman and I perfect our liaison arrangements---Count Horodyski---A German air-raid on Paris---Air Commodore Colyer on the behaviour of the French Air Force at Villacoublay---Reynaud's answer to Churchill on Dunkirk---He tells me of his visit to the front---Georges Mandel on the Belgian surrender---His plans to deal with the pro-German politicians---His opinion of Daladier---His contempt for political irresponsibles---Delbos fears for Léon Blum's safety.

CHAPTER IV---TUESDAY, JUNE 4TH

Churchill's wish to announce the numbers evacuated from Dunkirk---The French Naval Attaché reports the British achievement on the last night---The Ambassador delivers Churchill's telegram to Reynaud---Weygand transmits to Reynaud and endorses Vuillemin's demand for twenty British fighter squadrons---The Germans claim 1,200,000 Allied troops lost, and over 3,000 planes---French and British losses at Dunkirk---My report on the air-raid on Paris---General Koeltz's plea to Redman for British help---Kerillis on the Réduit Breton---The improved morale of the French infantry---Ybarnegary---The German Fifth Column ---Jeanneney---Information from Reynaud's Secretariat about French resources and plans---French troops evacuated from Dunkirk not to be used for at least a month---Redman on Vuillemin's demands---Churchill's great speech in the Commons.

CHAPTER V---WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5TH

The German attack begun---The alignment of the French Armies---Weygand's complaint against the British---Churchill's telegram in answer to Reynaud's plea for reinforcements---Weygand and Reynaud disappointed---I read them Churchill's speech to the Commons---Reynaud's reply to Churchill's telegram---Weygand on German intentions---The French War Committee's anxiety about the defence of Le Havre---Reynaud on the consequences if Paris falls---His strictures on Weygand---Churchill's statement on King Leopold---British resentment of Vuillemin's letter---London's reply to Reynaud's telegram of June 2nd---French defensive tactics---General Héring---The French infantry's fine performance---Churchill's irritation at vagueness of French demands---Reynaud reshapes his Ministry---The British reply about Le Havre defences---Refusal of a single Anglo-French Air Command---A sharp message from Churchill to Reynaud---The new French Ministers---De Gaulle appointed Under-Secretary of War---A telephone conversation with my wife---Churchill agrees to my returning to London to report.

CHAPTER VI---THURSDAY, JUNE 6TH.(1)

The composition of the new French Ministry---A request from Darlan---Meeting of the War Committee---Weygand's attack on General Fortune---His outburst against the British---I arrange for him to meet Air Marshal Barratt---His defence of Vuillemin----The Committee renews its appeal for British help---Weygand calms down---My letter to Reynaud---The Ambassador's support---Reynaud's optimism concerning the battle---His decision about the defence of Paris---I call on Pétain---His pessimism---His poor opinion of de Gaulle---He reads me an old speech about Joan of Arc-and shows me a statuette---Afterthoughts on a strange interview.

CHAPTER VII---THURSDAY, JUNE 6TH. (2)

Churchill's telegram on British reinforcements---Reynaud's appreciation---Weygand's comments---His orders to his troops---My wife arrives from Lorraine---A note on General Picard---Italy pleased at Baudouin's appointment to the French Foreign Office---Mandel gives me a message for Churchill---A friend asks for news of her sons---Reynaud's broadcast---An unfortunate car smash---General Colson provides transport for my wife.

CHAPTER VIII---FRIDAY, JUNE 7TH

Reynaud seeks to counter anti-British rumours---Churchill's objections to publicity concerning British forces---His telegram to Reynaud on air reinforcements---The 51st Division---A French civilian does his bit---News of the battle---Moxton and the unexploded bombs---Dautry's achievement---Reynaud gives me a message for Churchill---Apposite quotations from Joffre and Foch---Good-bye to the British Embassy---Flight from Boucq in Churchill's Flamingo---Report to Churchill at Number 10---Sir Edward Bridges---The contrast between London and Paris-Churchill on bad liaison---The Times on General de Gaulle---Dinner with the Churchills---and Nelson---at the Admiralty.

CHAPTER IX---SATURDAY, JUNE 8TH, SUNDAY, JUNE 9TH AND MONDAY, JUNE 10TH

Ronald Cartland, M.P., killed at Cassel---A day in the country---Grave news from France---Renewed appeals from Reynaud---Churchill's reply---De Gaulle in London---Lord Lloyd---Will the French defend Paris?---Attitude of the French Communists---French lack of communications---Ismay on the danger to the 51st Division---Weygand's proclamation to the Armies---Churchill's telegram on British air support---Eden suggests a meeting of the Supreme War Council---The War Room---Churchill on the military situation---He decides to go to France at once---The pretty housemaid and the uniform cross-belt--Difficulty in locating Reynaud---our departure postponed---An evening with the Churchills at the Admiralty---General Dill on the defence of Brittany---Churchill in grim mood.

CHAPTER X---TUESDAY, JUNE 11TH

Corbin discusses Anglo-French friction---Lord Lloyd's impressions of Weygand and Reynaud---Reynaud's message to Roosevelt---Redman and Coleridge find Reynaud---Churchill and his colleagues fly to Briare---The Château du Muguet---The Supreme War Council Meeting---First impression of de Gaulle---Reynaud asks, too late, for cancellation of the combined air and naval attack on Italy---Churchill on the military situation---Weygand's catastrophic report---At Churchill's request, Georges gives his account of the situation---Churchill endeavours to stiffen French resistance---He refuses the last British fighter reserve, but promises maximum air support---Reynaud pleads for squadrons to be based in France---Pétain supports Weygand---Reynaud continues to press for greater air support but Churchill maintains his decision---De Gaulle suggests an amalgamation of French and British armoured units---Weygand hints at a French surrender---Reynaud's anger---Churchill inquires as to the possibility of establishing Atlantic bridgeheads---Reynaud's answer---French irritation at Churchill's suggestions for guerrilla warfare---Churchill emphasises British determination to fight on ---Reynaud deeply moved---Churchill asks about the French Navy---Reynaud says France will carry on the struggle---Weygand on an invasion of Britain---The discussion trails off and the Conference peters out---A night in the Presidential train.

CHAPTER XI---WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12TH. (1)

Breakfast in the train at Briare---Thompson prevented from ministering to Churchill---"Uh ay ma bain ?"---Churchill and the automatic---His wrath at General Vuillemin's behaviour---His instructions to me---Pétain's attitude---Anxieties about the French Fleet---The Conference resumes---Weygand repeats his dismal tale---Air Marshal Barratt reports---Churchill promises to consider additional air support---Eden and Dill on British reinforcements---Reynaud asks for no "unprovoked" attacks on Italy---Churchill's mild complaint of Vuillemin's sabotage---Reynaud apologises---A roving discussion---Crete---Suez---Cyprus---Churchill's questions on the defence of Paris---Weygand's answer---Hope of American help---Churchill's formal request for a meeting between the British and French Governments if the situation deteriorates---The Conference ends---A short discussion between Weygand and Dill---Weygand's hostility---Churchill's last words with Georges and Darlan.

CHAPTER XII---WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12TH. (2)

At the Château du Muguet after Churchill's departure---A long and depressing discussion with Georges---Barratt's disturbing news---I borrow a car---Last talk with Pétain---Unsuccessful efforts to locate the British Embassy---Bad feeling between Weygand and de Gaulle---The telephone at the Château du Muguet---An uncomfortable luncheon party---My French driver---The refugees---The Embassy at the Château du Champchevrier---The Ambassador and his staff.

CHAPTER XIII---THURSDAY, JUNE 13TH. (1)

The Champchevrier family---The Ambassador and I drive to Chissay---The refugees again---Châteaux on the Loire---A memory of Amboise---A tribute to the women of France---Reynaud at Chissay---Madame de Portes as traffic controller---Margerie blows away the cobwebs---Costa de Beauregard---A heroic girl secretary---Enter Ève Curie---De Gaulle's frustration ---His strictures on Weygand---Reynaud's firmness---His account of the Cabinet meeting---Weygand's demand for an armistice---Reynaud's gratifying reaction---His colleagues support him---Campinchi's fine attitude on the French Navy---A missing telegram located---Madame de Portes' hatred---Luncheon with the Ambassador at the Bon Laboureur---Return to Chissay---Churchill expected at Tours.

CHAPTER XIV---THURSDAY, JUNE 13TH. (2)

Churchill and his party at the Préfecture at Tours---The last meeting of the Supreme War Council---The contrast between Tours and Briare---Churchill's attitude---I translate for Reynaud---His account of the Cabinet meeting---Decision to appeal for American help---He asks what would be the British attitude if the French asked for an armistice---Halifax---Beaverbrook---Cadogan---Churchill's reply to Reynaud---He speaks to the French nation---Margerie takes over as interpreter---Reynaud repeats his question---Churchill refuses to consider it and proposes to await Roosevelt's reply---Reynaud agrees---Churchill on the danger to Anglo-French relations---The French trance---Reynaud taken aback by Churchill's determination---His further appeal to Britain---We adjourn to the garden---Beaverbrook's common-sense proposal---Reynaud's talk with Jeanneney and Herriot---We return to the Préfecture---Churchill sums up---Reynaud's renewed firmness---The Conference decides to await Roosevelt's answer---Churchill asks for the captured German pilots---The Conference ends---Churchill sees Jeanneney and Herriot---De Gaulle tells me of Baudouin's misrepresentation of Churchill---I obtain Churchill's denial---The Flamingo flies off.

CHAPTER XV---THURSDAY, JUNE 13TH. (3)

Mandel's account of the French Cabinet meeting that evening---Weygand's outburst---The Cabinet meeting on the 12th---The French Ministers wish to meet Churchill---Their astonishment at his departure without seeing them---and their reproach of Reynaud---The mystery of Reynaud's failure to inform Churchill ---A terrible mistake---Campinchi remains firm about the Fleet---Pétain supports Weygand's demand for an armistice---A Cabinet majority in favour of surrender---The effect of Churchill's absence---Reynaud's ghastly appearance---Mandel on Madame de Portes---The mous and the durs---My renewed admiration of Mandel---I report to the Ambassador---We prepare to move to Bordeaux---The consequences of Reynaud's failure to arrange a meeting between Churchill and the French Ministers---A misleading impression given to the British of the French Cabinet's attitude---Reynaud's diminished authority.

CHAPTER XVI---FRIDAY, JUNE 14TH

The journey to Bordeaux---Refugees block the roads---French Air Force convoys in retreat---Idle troops in the villages---The contrast with the First World War---Clemenceau and the troops in 1918---A sad leave-taking at Niort---Changed attitude of French civilians to a British uniform---Arrival in Bordeaux---Mandel provides us with rooms at the Hotel Montré---The German entry into Paris---Dinner at the Chapon Fin---Mandel's advice to the Ambassador---We decide to send joint dispatches---Churchill's moving message to the French Government---Mackenzie King's telegram---Reynaud's office in the rue Vital Carles---His reaction to Churchill's message---His disappointment at Roosevelt's answer to his message of June 10th---His hopes of continuing the struggle from North Africa---The Ambassador and I report our impression of Reynaud---The defeatists swarm into Bordeaux.

CHAPTER XVII---SATURDAY, JUNE 15TH

Roosevelt's telegram of June 13th---Reynaud's lassitude---Chautemps and the French grandmother---Eve Curie's passionate appeal---I ask about the German pilots---My doubts about Reynaud's intentions to go to North Africa---The scene at the British Consulate---Reynaud's further telegram to Roosevelt ---Our pessimistic conclusion on the French attitude---Attempts to organise transport to England for the refugees---Pleydell---Bouverie's efficiency---Request for a British warship---A small crowd cheers the British---Reynaud tells us of Pétain's determination to demand an armistice---A suggestion to Reynaud---London gives us bad news from Roosevelt---Reynaud's excellent paper opposing an armistice---His discouraging account of his prospects-Fears about the French Fleet---Mandel's views on the attitude of the Cabinet---Laval at the Chapon Fin---My notes on a dreadful day---Fear amongst the refugees---The Germans mine the Gironde---A dispute between Reynaud and Weygand---The Ambassador and I give Reynaud a note about the German pilots---A dreary wait while the French Cabinet deliberates---Reynaud sends for us---His washed-out appearance ---His mistaken version of Churchill's attitude at Tours---Baudouin's duplicity---The French Government request leave of Britain to ask the Germans their conditions for an armistice---Roosevelt's telegram of June 15th---Reynaud asks for a reply by Sunday to the French Government's request---We report on the Cabinet meeting---Reynaud's intention to resign if the British reply is negative---The crucial question of the Fleet---Our discussion with Reynaud---Mandel's account of the Cabinet meeting---I telephone to Churchill---Weygand makes a scene.

CHAPTER XVIII---SUNDAY, JUNE 16TH. (1)

The Ambassador and I compare notes and find no grounds for optimism---Our argument with Reynaud---Madame de Portes again---The Consulate besieged by refugees---Two brave men, Lord Suffolk and M. Labarthe----H.M.S. Berkeley arrives in the Gironde---News of my wife---Churchill's reply to Reynaud: leave given to ask German armistice conditions if the Fleet sails for British harbours---We consult Jeanneney---We deliver the message to Reynaud---His unfavourable reaction---Churchill suggests a meeting with Reynaud---The morning meeting of the French Cabinet---The atmosphere at the Chapon Fin---A second telegram from London about the armistice and the Fleet ---Further argument with Reynaud---interrupted by a telephone call from de Gaulle---The magical effect on Reynaud of the British offer of a Declaration of Union---Madame de Portes in the secretaries' room---Churchill telephones to Reynaud---We withdraw the two telegrams about the Fleet---An agonising wait for the French Cabinet's decision.

CHAPTER XIX---SUNDAY, JUNE 16TH. (2)

The British arrangements for a meeting with Reynaud---We are summoned to hear the French Cabinet's decision---Margerie tells us Reynaud is going to resign---Reynaud on the Cabinet proceedings---We beg him to postpone his resignation---Churchill's account of the cancelled meeting---Mandel's cold rage---We appeal to Jeanneney---The attitude of M. Lebrun---We call again on Reynaud---De Gaulle's urgent appeal---Reynaud tells us that Pétain is forming a Government---and gives us its composition---His relief at giving up office---I dash his hopes of a meeting with Churchill---Farewell to Reynaud---De Gaulle fears Weygand will prevent his carrying on resistance---He asks for sanctuary on a British warship---He joins us at the Hotel Montré---His desire to go to England---I telephone Churchill and obtain leave to bring de Gaulle by plane next day---My last talk with Mandel---The end of a great man---Sir Ronald Campbell's calm courage.

CHAPTER XX---MONDAY, JUNE 17TH

A trying wait for de Gaulle---British officers' picture of the French collapse---De Gaulle and de Courcel arrive at last---A comedy of red herrings---The scene at the airport---De Gaulle and I rehearse our parts---The ordeal of the missing length of string---I haul de Gaulle into the 'plane---The sinking of the Champlain---The British dumps on fire---We refuel at Jersey---De Gaulle's martyrdom begins---Churchill welcomes him at Number 10.

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