The March To Germany

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 303, 23 December 1939, Page 8 (Supplement)

The March To Germany

Entry Twenty-one Years Ago

13/2810, 3rd Battery, N.Z.F.A., writes recalling that it was on December 20, 1918, that the New Zealand Division crossed into Germany. Having read in "The Page" two weeks ago the Routine Order of General Johnston, thanking the Division for its services, he "got the urge to look up a few records, papers and photographs" and came on the following order issued by General Rawlinson, in command of the 4th Army Corps. It was dated November 1 1 and was received by the writer at Quiery on November 21. Many Diggers will remember the Order. Here it is:— Fourth Army, No. G.S. 125. TO ALL RANKS OF THE FOURTH ARMY. The Fourth Army has been ordered to form part of the Army i»f Occupation on the RHINE in accordance with the terms of the Armistice. The march to the RHINE will shortly commence, and, although carried out with the usual military precautions, will be undertaken generally as a peace march. The British Army through over four years of almost continuous and bitter fighting has proved that it has lost none of that fighting spirit and dogged determination which has characterized British Armies in the past, and has won a place in history of which every soldier of the British Empire has just reason to be proud. It has maintained the highest standard of discipline both in advance and retreat. It has proved that British discipline, based on mutual confidence between officers and men, can stand the hard test of war far better than Prussian discipline based on fear of'punishment. is not all. The British Army has during the last four years on foreign soil, by its behaviour in billets, by its courtesy to women, by ever ready help to the old and weak, and by its kindness to children, earned a reputation in France that no army serving in a foreign land torn by the horrors of war has evsr gained before. Till you reach the frontier of Germany you will be marching through a country that has suffered grievously from the depredations and exactions of a brutal enemy. Do all that lies in your power by courtesy and consideration to mitigate the hardships • of therie poor people who will welcome you as deliverers and as friends. I would further ask you when you cross the German frontier to show the world that British soldiers, unlike those of Germany, da not wage war against women and children and against the old and weak. The Allied Governments have guaranteed that private property will be respected by the Army of Occupation, and I rely on you to sec that this engagement is carried out in the spirit as well as in the letter. In conclusion I ask you one and all, men from all parts of the British Empire, to ensure that the fair name of the British jwmy, enhanced by your exertions in long years of trial and hardship, shall be fully maintained during the less exacting months that lie before you. I ask you to show the world that, as in war, so in peace, British discipline is the highest form of discipline, based on loyalty to our King, respect for authority, care for the well-being of subordinates, courtesy and consideration for non-combatants, and a true soldierly bearing in carrying out whatever duty we may be called i upon to perform. jj (Oia} . X " H.Q., FOURTH ARMY, 11 th 1018* Commanding Fourth Army.