Tony Hibbert

Sims recalls the mortar platoon's house as, in the early evening, Frost's responsibilities widen.

Brigade Major Tony Hibbert reportedly learns from Lieutenant Colonel David Doby that Brigadier Lathbury is missing.

Hibbert formally asks Frost to take command of all units in the perimeter.

How Lathbury comes to be missing, we follow below.

Dover's C Company follows, then Major Douglas Crawley's B Company.

Behind them comes Major Tony Hibbert with the brigade headquarters column.

It leaves at 1545 hours, once the brigade's radios are unpacked and partly netted in.

The battalion has barely started when a small convoy of German vehicles approaches.

Urquhart has no link to divisional headquarters.

The officers discuss the next move.

Major Tony Hibbert proposes switching the battalion to Root Lion and making for the bridge under cover of darkness.

Lathbury decides against it.