Les Bombardements que nous venons de subir ont fait surtout des victimes dans les rues.
Je recommande ESSENTIELLEMENT aux habitants de s'abriter dans les caves voutées et de ne pas se fier même à des écarts de tir assez longs pour sortir.
Dunkerquois, nous avons à supporter les risques de la guerre, nous les supportons vaillamment.
Notre ville peut avoir à payer son tribut au vandalisme de nos ennemis comme d'autres villes, NOUS GARDERONS HAUT LES CŒURS.
Les ruines seules seront allemandes, la terre restera française et après la VICTOIRE, nous nous retrouverons PLUS FORTS, PLUS RESOLUS ET PLUS FIERS QUE JAMAIS.
VIVE DUNKERQUE TOUJOURS ET VIVE LA FRANCE. [2]
[2] [Translation]
People of Dunkirk:
The bombardments to which we have been subjected have caused many casualties in the streets.
I most emphatically urge all persons to seek shelter in vaulted cellars, and not to trust even to intervals in the firing long enough to go out.
People of Dunkirk, we have to put up with the hazards of war, and we are doing so courageously.
Our city may have to pay its tribute to the vandalism of our foes, like other cities; we will keep our hearts serene and high.
The ruins alone will be German, the soil will remain French, and after the Victory, we shall meet again, stronger, more determined, and prouder than ever.
Vive Dunkirk forever, and Vive la France!
And the best part of this ringing manifesto, as it seems to me, is that it is all quite true. Dunkirk will live long, and so will France; and after the victory the citizens will find themselves, we cannot doubt, prouder and more resolute than ever.
In the immense burden which France is bearing, the sum of the service of the young Americans has been, of course, quite infinitesimal. As the most generous and sympathetic persons are always quickest to appreciate the intentions of sympathy from others, it is pleasant to know that the French, characteristically, have not been unmindful of even this slight thing. But, it is truly said elsewhere, the real gainers from this relationship have been the Americans. Not only is this true; it seems to me there can be no surprise in it. There can be hardly any of these men who did not set out from home, however unconsciously, for his own good gain; hardly one who did not feel that if he could but touch this memorable making of history with however small a hand, if he could but serve in the littlest this so memorable cause, he would have a possession to go with him all his days. Quorum parva pars fuerunt; and—from the little Latin all schoolboys remember—hæc olim meminisse juvabit. This is theirs; and it is enough. But should any of them covet another reward than what they carry within themselves, I think they have it if this log-book of their Service seems to show that within their powers they have deserved the fine name here bestowed upon them, the Friends of France.
Henry Sydnor Harrison
