CHAPTER I---AUGUST 1ST-23RD, 1939

Luncheon with the Churchills at Chartwell---A visit to France---Reactions of French gens du monde towards war---I introduce Churchill to Georges---Churchill's views on French plan of defence---His concern at vulnerability of defences about Montmédy---The contradiction in the French strategic conception---Attitude of King of the Belgians---Possibility of a German attack through Switzerland---Visit to the Maginot Line---Meeting with Gamelin---Georges' concern at lack of depth of Maginot defences---Backwardness in tank construction---The Rhine at Strasbourg---The genesis of "Operation Royal Marine"---August 17th---Return to Paris---A visit to friends in south-west France---Atmosphere of apprehension---News of the German-Soviet pact---No dream villages for me---Dash back to London for emergency session of Parliament.

CHAPTER II---AUGUST 24TH-SEPTEMBER 2ND, 1939

The emergency session of the House of Commons, August 24th ---Members' scepticism as to firmness of French Government and Chamberlain---German invasion of Poland---Session of the House on September 1st---Members' determination we must now stand and fight---September 2nd---A day of suspense---Meeting of the Eden Group---Bad news of French attitude---Roland de Margerie---I warn him of dangers to France of vacillation---Churchill's anger---His increasing influence---Chamberlain's statement in the House---Leo Amery---"Speak for England"---Greenwood makes the speech of his career---A further statement by Chamberlain---Dismay of Members.

CHAPTER III---SEPTEMBER 3RD-10TH, 1939

September 3rd---Meeting of the Eden Group---Summons to the French Embassy---De Margerie explains reasons for French delay in declaring war---The first air-raid sirens---Chamberlain announces we are at war with Germany---Lloyd George speaks for the nation---The House during the alert---Churchill becomes First Lord---Personal frustration---The Army has no use for "dug-outs" or Members of Parliament---Anxieties about liaison arrangements and lack of air support for Poland---Count Raczinski---An intervention in the House prevented by Kingsley Wood.

CHAPTER IV---SEPTEMBER 11TH-OCTOBER 31ST, 1939

The first meeting of the Supreme War Council---Gort's position---His loyalty to the French Command---The subordination of the B.E.F.---Chamberlain reports to the House and unintentionally misleads it---The limited scope of the French action---Keitel's evidence at Nuremberg---September 20th, the House hears of Russia's invasion of Poland---The London school children in the country---Carlisle takes things calmly---Activities in parliament---A delegation of the Anglo-French Parliamentary Committee goes to France---The Magìnot Line again---Boredom of the French troops---Good relations between officers and men---Luncheon with Reynaud---Daladier---Franchet d'Esperey---A meeting in the French Chamber---Plea for an Anglo-French declaration of no separate peace---Taittinger---Herriot---Jeanneney---Giraudoux---A broadcast to France.

CHAPTER V---NOVEMBER 1ST, 1939

Visit to Georges at La Ferté-sous-Jouarre---Difficulties due to the division of functions between Georges and Gamelin---Georges explains his plans---An after-luncheon talk at Georges' H.Q.---A visit to Gamelin at Vincennes---De Kerillïs on spies, Communists and the Right---Georges Mandel.

CHAPTER VI---NOVEMBER 2ND, 1939, TO END JANUARY, 1940

Churchill in Paris---Campinchi---Darlan---Churchill's optimism---Luncheon with Giraudoux---He talks of French morale---Dautry---Greetings from a blind French ex-Air Force officer---Return to London---A contrast in atmosphere-Renewed efforts for a joint Anglo-French declaration---The B.B.C. does not want "anti-German" broadcasters---Chamberlain's speech to Conservative M.P.s---December---Problems of the phony war---January---French Deputies pay us a visit---January 19th---German invasion plan captured---Genuine or false?---Broadcasting to France---German propaganda.

CHAPTER VII---FEBRUARY, 1940

Return to France on a mission for Churchill---My wife's ambulance---"Royal Marine"---A lecture at the Théâtre Marigny ---Georges' admiration for Churchill---Daladier and "Royal Marine"---No improvement in relations between Georges and Gamelin---A tedious luncheon party at Vincennes---Gamelin on the command of the B.E.F.---A visit to the front---General de la Laurencie---A drive through the British zone-St. Omer--- General Fagalde---The Fourth Corps front line---Fagalde after the war---Paris again---Reynaud's drastic decree laws--- Reynaud as Minister of Finance---His poster campaign---"We shall win because we are the strongest"---He tells me of Colonel de Gaulle---Deficiencies in aircraft production---The war in Finland---The importance of Swedish iron ore to Germany---An adventure in a rat run---De Kerillis on the defeatists in high places---"It is necessary to drain the abscess"---Louis Gillet---A visit to General Réquin and to my wife's ambulance---Report to Churchill---He talks to boys refused admission to Navy---His anger at Naval snobbery.

CHAPTER VIII---MARCH, 1940

Talks with Churchill---The morale of the French Army---The decision to send two British divisions to Finland---Misgivings about the Chamberlain Government---Churchill's loyalty to the Prime Minister---March 12th, Finland capitulates---Reactions in France---Reynaud succeeds Daladier as Prime Minister---His difficulties with the Chamber---Two rival Egerias---Madame de Portes' influence on appointments---Palewski---March 27th---Reynaud in London---The Supreme War Council executes the undertaking to sign no separate peace---Reynaud and the French military leaders press for mining of Norwegian waters---British Ministers prefer "Royal Marine"---Reynaud makes conditions.

CHAPTER IX-APRIL 4TH-9TH, 1940

A dash to Paris with Churchill---' Royal Marine" rejected by the French Cabinet---Churchill's letter to Daladier: No "Royal Marine", no mining of Norwegian waters---Daladier's hostile attitude to Reynaud---He refuses to dine at the British Embassy ---I arrange for Georges to lunch with Churchill---Churchill on "Royal Marine"---"We are going to miss the bus"---Georges tells us several classes of the French Army are to be sent home---Poor morale of the older men---Churchill's pleasure in Georges' company---and troubles with Daladier---French insistence of "Wilfred"---"Royal Marine" postponed---Mrs. Churchill gives me good advice---War liaison through diplomatic channels---Need for a Supreme War Council Secretariat---Chamberlain's Government under fire---April 8th, the German invasion of Norway---Jan Masaryk---April 9th, the Supreme War Council Meeting in London.

CHAPTER X-APRIL 11 TH---MAY 7TH, 1940

Churchill's statement to the House on Norway---A meeting of the Salisbury Committee---Churchill's impossible new task---The Norwegian fiasco---Disquieting news from France---The Supreme War Council on April 27th---Reynaud's illness---Chamberlain's report to the House on May 2nd---Its reception by Members. My friends come to a decision---The Prime Minister's failure---Fears that Churchill's loyalty will prevent his taking over---French Communist anti-war activities---A Communist pamphlet---May 5th, the Norwegian Government flees to England---Keyes' criticism of the campaign---Amery on the conduct of the war---May 6th, another new function for Churchill---An inept conception---Growing dissatisfaction with the Government---Press criticism---The back-benchers' revolt--- An angry House on May 7th---The debate---A sensational speech by Keyes---Amery smashes the Government---Oliver Stanley--Arnold Wilson's swan song---We feel the old gang must go---A National Government essential---But what of Churchill?

CHAPTER XI---MAY 8TH, 1940

The House of Commons debate on Norway---The opposition's attitude to Churchill---An impressive speech by Lloyd George----Chamberlain's error---Heart-searchings amongst Conservatives ---Stafford Cripps' attack---Duff Cooper at his finest---Churchill winds up---The Division---Chamberlain in defeat---Rumour in the lobbies---Brendan Bracken intervenes.

CHAPTER XII---MAY 9TH-13TH, 1940

The debate continues---Richard Law sums up for the dissidents---May 10th, Germany invades Belgium and Holland---Churchill becomes Prime Minister---Cabinet crisis in France---The Dutch Government comes to London---The German advance---British suspects to be rounded up---May 11th-12th-13th, the military situation---The new Prime Minister inspires the House----The rape of Holland.

CHAPTER XIII---MAY 13TH-19TH, 1940

Anxious days---The House adjourns until May 21st---A great tank battle in Belgium---Defeat of Corap's Army---The divebomber terror---May 11th---Sedan evacuated---Collapse of the French Ninth Army---My wife telephones from Lorraine---May 16th---How the Germans captured Eben-Emael---Dinner with Léon Blum---Reynaud addresses the Chamber---Morale of Huntziger's Army---And Corap's---Giraud captured by the Germans---May 17th---Churchill returns from Paris---The German advance through the Sedan gap----The French Foreign Office burns its archives---May 17th-An optimistic communiqué---"Where are the reserves?"---May 18th, Gamelin's order of the day---A French Territorial Guard instituted---The German attack in the "pocket"---May 19th---French counter-attacks---Reynaud becomes Minister of Defence at last---Pétain joins the Government---Mandel takes over the interior---Weygand Commander-in-Chief---Reynaud broadcast---Hitler announces war will end by August 15th.

CHAPTER XIV---MAY 20TH-22ND, 1940

A broadcast to France---The Germans at Laon---May 21st, the House reassembles---Reynaud's speech to the Senate---Brendan Bracken gives me a summons from Churchill---May 22nd, appointment at the Admiralty---Churchill gives me a liaison mission.

CHAPTER XV---THURSDAY, MAY 23RD, 1940

Ismay on the French disaster---Weygand's plan of attack---The Guards land at Boulogne---Blanchard succeeds Billotte---No news of Gort's plans---The French press for air support---Liaison breaks down---Ismay's Paris staff---My instructions---The Foreign Office and the Ambassador---Portrait of Pug---The paralysis of the French Command.

CHAPTER XVI---FRIDAY, MAY 24TH, 1940

The Prime Minister in the map-room---Gort's character---Churchill looks on the bright side---But is concerned about French lack of command---Reynaud telegraphs to complain that British have evacuated Arras, and removed heavy material from Havre---Ismay continues my briefing---My apprehensions about Weygand's attitude to my appointment relieved by Churchill---He explains Gort's orders---Evacuation by sea the only alternative to Weygand's plan-His reply to. Reynaud---Final briefing from Churchill---British determination to fight on to the end---Two "Most Secret" telegrams---A sombre outlook for my mission.

CHAPTER XVII---SATURDAY, MAY 25TH, 1940. (1)

Flight to France---First contact with the Ambassador---Sir Ronald Campbell's personality---Malise Graham---A friendly welcome from Reynaud---He complains of Gort's withdrawal---I deplore recriminations---Reynaud's cordiality and courage---I tell him of Churchill's belief in him---Further discussion about Gort's plans---My first meeting with the French War Committee ---Memories of an historic room---Pétain's greeting---And Weygand's---Darlan---Baudouin---The Committee in session---I defend Gort---Weygand apologises---His confidence in Blanchard ---Reynaud's telephone rings---A curious conversation---Commandant Fauvelle---"I believe in a very early capitulation"---Weygand's pessimism---But he says he will fight on---First doubts of Weygand---French and British attitudes towards the sea contrasted---Weygand's doubts concerning the attack from the south---Fauvelle confirms that the B.E.F. has had no orders from Blanchard---Weygand dictates a telegram to Churchill---Churchill's suggestions for stopping the German armour---Pétain's abstraction.

CHAPTER XVIII---SATURDAY, MAY 25TH, 1940. (2)

More defeatism from Fauvelle---My first despatch to London---Colonel Redman---Report to the Ambassador---Diplomacy and military liaison---Relations between Pétain and Weygand---More doubts of Weygand---Reynaud's handicaps---My office in the Embassy---Lord Bertie---The puzzle of the French defeat---Callers at the Ritz---Mandel gives me a telephone---And an interview---His analysis of French morale---His opinions of his ministerial colleagues---Churchill's telegram to Reynaud about Gort's position---A telephone conversation with my wife---Maurice Petherick---What really happened at Arras---I try to assess the military situation.

CHAPTER XIX---SUNDAY, MAY 26TH, 1940. (1)

Reynaud's unexpected journey to London---I seek an explanation from Campinchi---The essential object of my mission to proclaim British determination---Wax pellets and wooden gags the answer to the dive-bomber?--- Dautry--- General Colson---The demobilisation of the older classes--- Colson on French losses---He suggests action in the north---Ismay tells me the attempt to break through has been abandoned.

CHAPTER XX---SUNDAY, MAY 26TH, 1940. (2)

An interview with Marshal Pétain---His pessimism---Major Archdale---A refreshing contrast to Fauvelle---His account of the situation of the Northern Armies---I take him to see Pétain---Visit from a political gossip---Churchill's telegram to Reynaud on Italy.

CHAPTER XXI---MONDAY, MAY 27TH, 1940

Vain efforts to re-create my old mission---Baudouin's attitude of appeasement---Rumours of Pétain's defeatism---Weygand blames Gort for the disaster to the Northern Armies---Talk of the French Government leaving Paris---Anxiety in London for the B.E.F.---Archdale's negative impression of Georges---A letter from the Prime Minister---I convey it to Reynaud---Our discussion on the Italian question and on the conflicting figures of French losses and German strength---Reynaud on threat to Paris---I press for large-scale laying of minefields---General Koeltz's mission---Need for anti-tank columns---And organised popular resistance to the Germans---Reynaud complains of lack of British air support---His doubts concerning King Leopold---He hints that a future French Government may treat with the Germans---The British attitude of no surrender-Duff Cooper's broadcast---A useful talk---Margerie's depression---I report to Churchill---How a French village received the Germans---A summons from Reynaud---King Leopold's surrender---Reynaud's indignation---Weygand's instructions to the French Liaison Officer to King Leopold and to Blanchard---Churchill's telegram to Gort---I ask about the Dunkirk bridgehead---Churchill's pleasure at the French reaction to the Belgian defection.

CHAPTER XXII---TUESDAY, MAY 28TH, 1940

Reynaud's broadcast on King Leopold---He consults the Ambassador and me about an appeal to Roosevelt---Likelihood of unfavourable reactions in England---He urges an offer to Italy---Churchill opposes any appeasement of Mussolini---Dautry plans minefields and anti-tank columns---He asks for a Supreme War Council meeting on rearmament---Malise Graham and I compare notes on the military situation---Talk of a moral collapse of the French people---I pray for a new Joan of Arc---My report to Ismay---Another talk with Reynaud---His surprise at British attitude to Leopold---He questions me about British criticism of France---I point out danger of blaming British for the defeat---Calm French attitude to Belgian surrender---Reynaud's relief at respite for Paris---Speculation on German intentions---Possibility of an invasion of Britain?---Georges Mandel on the Belgian problem and the French defeatists---He tells me of Vuillemin's complaints of inadequate British air support---The B.E.F.'s fighting retreat---Blanchard's meeting with Pownall---Why the French reached Dunkirk so late.

CHAPTER XXIII---WEDNESDAY, MAY 29TH, 1940

My work takes shape---The Military Attaché finds me a secretary---Colonel Redman's trinity---Margerie is more cheerful ---Charles-Roux on an appeal to Roosevelt---His views on Munich---And on folly of appeasing Italy---Margerie stresses French criticism of Duff Cooper's broadcast on King Leopold and Keyes' interview---Dautry on French lack of armaments----His tireless efforts to fill the need---His information on the defeatists---Reynaud's concern about the French divisions in the north---He produces a new criticism by Weygand of the B.E.F.---I complain of Weygand's attitude to Gort---Reynaud's anxiety about British reinforcements and air support---His difficulties---His intention of calling up the young classes---He is firm about Mussolini---Strength of French defences against Italy---French aircraft losses---Indiscipline amongst German pilots---A heartening telegram from Churchill---His doubts of Margerie---An evening with St. Exupéry---"Le Petit Prince".

CHAPTER XXIV---THURSDAY, MAY 30TH, 1940

An early morning call on Reynaud---Churchill's telegram on the beginning of the Dunkirk evacuation---His plans to reconstitute the B.E.F.---Reynaud's dissatisfaction---He complains again about Churchill's attitude to Leopold---A lesson from Foch---His conversation with the Ambassador---His intention to fight on in Brittany if the Somme line does not hold---No arms or uniforms for the young classes---The meeting of the French War Committee---Weygand's report---His appeal for immediate return to France of British troops evacuated from Dunkirk---I point out uselessness of this---Weygand repeats there can be no organised resistance if the Germans cross the Somme---Reynaud and Weygand renew the appeal for British support---The German attack on Huntziger's Army---Weygand fears an attack through Basle---An intervention by Darlan---Weygand takes up the question of British air support---His assurances that British forces will be allotted their own sector of the front---Vain efforts to understand French lack of reserves---Dautry makes progress---Campinchi kept in the dark by Darlan---Reynaud relaxes---Campinchi tells me of Daladier's pressure on Reynaud to approach Italy---A telegram from the War Office about the British forces remaining in France---Air Commodore Colyer on the French Air Force---His report to the Ambassador---A British Officer's account of German brutalities and poor French morale---The mystery of the French Army---Daladier's efforts to get an offer of Gibraltar and Malta to Mussolini---Reynaud stands firm---A watered-down note---A dinner at Vincennes.

CHAPTER XXV---FRIDAY, MAY 31ST, 1940

Churchill comes to Paris---Late arrival at Villacoublay--Luncheon at the Embassy---The Supreme War Council meets to discuss Narvik, Dunkirk and Italy---Agreement on evacuation of Narvik---The progress of the Dunkirk evacuation---British loss of equipment---The achievement of the R.A.F.---Reynaud on German superiority---His plea for R.A.F. support on the Somme---Churchill explains British plans to build up B.E.F.--Reynaud's plans to call up two young classes---Churchill explains the limitations of what the R.A.F. can do---Troops from the Empire for France---A draft telegram to Admiral Abrial---Churchill insists Britain will provide the rear-guard at Dunkirk---Dill's objections to Abrial's commanding the evacuation---The Council discusses Italy---Churchill proposes British Ministers should meet their French colleagues---Agreement on occupation of Crete and Milos---Tangier---"Fini l'Agenda"---A magnificent oration by Churchill moves his hearers---The text of the telegram to Abrial---A conversation with Pétain after the Conference---A drive with Attlee---Churchill tries to stimulate French resistance---Carlisle learns what has become of its Member.

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