VICTORS OF MESSINES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3198, 24 September 1917, Page 6

VICTORS OF MESSINES

AN INTERESTING PAKADE.

(From Malcolm Boss, Correspondent with the New' Zealand Forces in {he T^lld.)

In the square of an old Flemish town behind the lines, a day tr two ago, was a parade of Imperial troops in connection with the visit of H.K.H. the Duke of Connaught to the corps under which tlio New Zealanders fought in the Battle of Messines. There was a special muster of -the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, of which the Duke is Colonel-in-Chief. In addition, other troops of all arms were represented in the parade. The squaTO was bright with bunting, in which the flag of England, the Tricolour, and the Belgian flag were prominent. From every window of the shops and houses around the square and civilians watched the ceremony. The red capes of British nurses made a splash of colour in the drab back-ground of khaki. Grouped at one side of the square were the trophies from the battleground of Messines—field and machineguns, and other weapons that the Germans had left behind them in their flight. . , The Duke, accompanied by General Plumer, of the Second Amy and General Commanding the Corps, was . received with a royal salute as he reached the saluting base. Then, accompanied by the Army and Corps Commanders and the Divisional Geneiials, he made a close inspection of the troops. The officers on parade with the troops were introduced to him, and each was greeted with a hearty handshake. Above, the patrol of'planes flew up varying altitudes, and looking up we watched their graceful evolutions. Still higher, to invisible hoighbst of 16,000 and 17,000 feet, had climbed the triplanes. The precaution was- necessary, for the parade was within easy reach of the German bombers. Indeed, the inspection was scarcely over when the tvHte puffs of the bursting shells ol our s.ntiaiucraft guns could be seen high* above on the outskirts of tlio* town. But the massed bands played bright music, and the ceremony went on as quietly as if it were being held in an English field beyond the reach of war's alarums. The inspection over, thrco rousing cheers woro given for King George! His Royal Highness then returned to the saluting base, and the .troops marched past in column of route, the New Zealand Rifles leading. Afterwards the Duke met a number \of Brigadiers and staff officers, and the civic authorities of tho town, with whom he chatted for a few minutes before proceeding along tho front lo other scenes. To the New Zealanders tho day was ono of special interest, for "it was Hie first occasion upon which the Bides had seen their Colonel-in-Chief. It was particularly fitting that they should meet thus—on the battlefields of I'Vauce, and at a time when they were fresh from their part in the defeat of tho enemy in the Battle of Messines.