Such was the description given by the ship's crew of most of the first batch of German prisoners of war and civilian internees who reached Canada early in July. Their guard, about 250 British officers and men, heaved a sigh of relief on reaching Quebec, for they had had only about two nights' sleep out of seven. The younger Germans, especially the airmen, had shown themselves particularly true to the Nazi ideal, having behaved throughout the voyage in a truculent, arrogant manner, insulting their guards, whose tolerance and courtesy were strained to the uttermost. On landing, most of them tore their gas masks into shreds, to prevent them being returned to England. But there were few complaints of the behavior of the older officers, and none at all of that of the merchant seamen who, embarrassed and shamed by the manners of their compatriots, thanked the British officers and crew on behalf of the German marine for the kindness and consideration received. July 1940