JACK AND FRITZ

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 286, 29 August 1931, Page 23

JACK AND FRITZ

Arm-in-Arm at Kiel

Bfltlifti and German sailors, their arms affectionately linked, marched through the streets of Kiel after the arrival of the former on the first visit of a Britiafe naval detachment since the outbreak of war in 1914. There was scarcely a British sailor ■without a German friend. Together they marched Into the beer-halls and cabarets, where special English programmes with topical English jokes were the order of the night. ‘ The English sailors created a very favourable impression by their behaviour, no untoward incidents occurring during the night: Those who did not amusement in the beer-halls and cabarets ihornged the sea-front with German companions, watching the ships paying their searchlights over land and water. .< , Rather Shy. Though the German girls have been looking forward to the British visit for some time, moat of them have go far found Jack a retiring sort of fellow. The German*, sailors and civilians, had prepared to welcome the visitors with open arms, a handshake for,all to forget memories of the days when they were foes., But. the British sailors were unexpectedly shy and diffident as they came ashore and wended their way through the streets of the German port The two visiting units, the cruisers Norfolk and Dorsetshire, dropped anchor in Kiel Harbour in bright sun-

shine. .The entire population of Riel streamed to the shore to admire the vessels and get a glimpse of what was happening on board them. Salutes Fired. When abreast of the Kiel lighthouse the Dorsetshire fired a salute of 21 guns, while the German flag was flown. The battery at Friedrichsort replied with a salute and hoisted the British flag. Then, as she passed the German warships lying In the harbour the Dorsetshire fired a salute of 15 guns, which was replied to with a salute of 13 guns for Rear-Admiral Asffiley-Rushton. Simultaneously the ships’ bands struck up the British and German National Anthems, while the crews were lined up in all the warships. Sea Comradeship. German sailors, eager to display the universal comradeship of the sea, offered themselves as guides, those not knowing English making themselves understood by gestures. Shop windows were alive with signs of “English Spoken Here,” and “English Money Taken—Pounds, Shillings, Hnd Ponce . ft The British sailors were good customets for local trade, but not for souvenirs. It was the bookshop trade that did a roaring business, for our men wanted maps of 'Kiel and German dictionaries more than anything else.