Between the frequent raids, we dug mini defences out of the sand, piling it high on the east-facing side. These bulwarks allowed us to take cover, but they did not protect against direct hits. However, they were better than nothing, and when the fifth raid started, many of us hid behind our work and prayed. From the air, those left exposed made clearer targets, whereas those in cover could only be seen once the German pilots turned and passed in the opposite direction. By then, we had taken positions on the other side of our little sand walls. We played this game throughout the raid. I’m not sure if we took any fewer casualties, but we had to try something.
After the fifth raid, Sid pointed towards Dunkirk’s main port and grinned.
“They’re here!” he exclaimed.
I looked up to see three naval vessels drawing into the harbour. Huge British destroyers.
“We’re being evacuated,” he told me. “Going back to Blighty, lad!”
“But there are only three ships,” I replied. “How can they take us all?”
“They’re just the first,” Sid told me. “The Navy will send more, I’m sure of it. Come on – let’s get closer!”
I turned to see my company emerging from buildings along the main road and shook my head.
“I cannot,” I replied. “I must stay with my own corps.”
Sid shrugged.
“Do you think they’ll miss you?” he asked. “In this chaos?”
“But I have a duty,” I said. “Hukum Hai.”
“Hokum bleedin’ what’um?” he replied.
I repeated our motto and explained what it meant.
“Fair enough, lad,” he told me. “But I doubt you’ll be moving off anytime soon. There are tens of thousands of troops between us and those ships.”
I shook my head.
“I’ll be here,” I told him. “If you come back.”
Sid gave me his mischievous grin once again.
“Who knows mate?” he replied, before setting off. “Maybe I’ll see you in London?”
Half an hour passed before the German planes returned. Although we took cover again, this time they ignored us and flew by. I watched them approach the port and my heart sank. They were aiming for the naval vessels. Several Stukas banked left and right, ready to flank the ships, as two larger Heinkels positioned themselves to fly directly overhead.
Suddenly, Allied troops began to appear on the coastal road, rolling huge 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns into position. They turned skywards and began to fire at the German planes. Even from a distance, the sound was deafening. Thud after thud, with the first salvo missing their targets completely. Then, a second wave, and this time, they found a target. One of the Stukas banked sharply before beginning to nosedive. Smoke poured from its tail, as it crashed into the sea and exploded.
“Take that!” yelled someone behind me.
The men started to whoop and cheer, but it was too soon to celebrate, as the German planes struck. Mini explosions lit up one of the destroyers, and then a larger blast rocked the ship’s stern. On land, another bomb landed next to an oil tank and the whole thing was blown into the air. I watched in horror as a second direct hit took out some nearby trucks and an ambulance, and then the Stukas began to strafe the area. They swooped in low as our gunners tried and failed to hit them. The Stukas found their range and let loose.
“NO!”
The destroyer began to tip backwards and hundreds of men waiting to board were forced to jump into the sea. Overhead, another swarm of German planes raced to engage. Only this time, as they passed overhead, they sprayed us with bullets too. The soldier nearest to me pitched forwards and fell dead to the sand. Another fell close by, and then another. I dived to the floor, praying that I might survive.
“Messerschmitts!” shouted someone else. “Coming in low!”
Beside me, a rifleman raised his Lee Enfield and began to take pot shots at the incoming fighters. Suddenly, another fifty or so men joined in. It seemed I was the only one without a weapon. I thought about crawling away but could not bring myself to leave the fight. Instead, I rolled over to a fallen comrade and took the gun still in his hands. I had never fired a Lee Enfield before but had learned to shoot in basic training. I lay back and mimicked the nearest Tommy, and soon I was taking pot shots too.
“Aim higher!” the man next to me shouted.
I did as he asked, but it made little difference. The fighters were too far away to sustain any lasting damage from our .303 cartridges. Nonetheless, we continued until the immediate danger had passed. Over by the port, however, the attack continued.
“ALL ARMED PERSONNEL TO PORT!” a senior officer ordered. “DEFEND THE PORT!”
The soldiers around me began to rush towards the chaos, but I stayed put and dropped my rifle. As a member of the service corps, I had not been given a weapon, and was not allowed to use one without permission. It made little sense in our situation, with guns lying all about us and an armed enemy to fight. I longed to join in but thought better of it. I had already broken the rules by firing at the Messerschmitts. As ridiculous as it seemed in war, if Sergeant Buckingham caught me with a weapon, I’d be in serious trouble.
I ran towards the road instead, eager to get off the beach. And when I turned to survey the scene, I saw thousands of soldiers caught in the water around the docks, and thousands more pressing towards it. Allied troops were packed onto the beaches and surrounding area, for as far as the eye could see. And above them, the German onslaught continued, with more planes joining the attack until there were twenty-five in all.
I decided to seek out my company but could not see them anywhere. There were too many people, all moving in opposing directions, with no one sure of what to do next. I got caught in the flow, pushed this way and that, and tried to not to stumble and get trampled underfoot. Suddenly Mush grabbed my arm and hauled me aside, and I gasped for air.
“What are you doing?” he shouted. “Have you lost your mind?”
“I got caught up,” I explained. “After I helped with the defences.”
Mush clapped me around the ear.
“I told you to leave them to it,” he said. “What use are we without weapons? Just stay out of trouble, Fazal. This is their war, brother. Let them fight it.”
“No!” I said. “I will defend myself and my comrades.”
“If they wanted us to fight,” said Mush, “they would have armed us! Instead, we stand around like goats awaiting a pack of wolves.”
I searched the area for more of my company but did not see anyone.
“Where’s everyone else?” I asked.
“Taking cover,” said Mush. “Just like we should be doing.”
He grabbed my arm and dragged me away, as behind us another huge blast rocked the docks.