BANTAM ARMY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21980, 26 March 1946, Page 5

BANTAM ARMY

STATE OF LUXEMBURG The tiny, independent State of Luxemburg, tucked away between the borders of France and Germany, is disarming. . , , , When Luxemburg was invaded by Germany in 1940, her army of 200 men fought valiantly for two days, suffering nearly 100 per cent, casualties. After liberation in 1944. Luxemburg raised five battalions. They were armed and trained in France, and equipped with American rifles and guns. In the last stages of the war they fought well, earning the praise of Eisenhower. Early this month this little army was reduced to two battalions, of which one was left on garrison duty 'n Geimany Demobbed Luxemburg soldiers get no gratuity, .iust a second-hand suit and a quart of red wine The post-war population of Luxemburg is seven per cent, less than before the war. so there is no housing shortage. Tenants of war-damaged houses are accommodated in a ducal palace recently converted into flats by German prisoners. Luxemburgians hope their State will again become the centre of international commercial broadcasting now the American Army has given up Luxemburg Radio, which was the most powerful in Europe,