MARCHING TO GERMANY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 18, 23 January 1919, Page 5

MARCHING TO GERMANY

HEW ZEALANDERS’ EXPERIENCES EH ROUTE BELGIANS’ ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME t SAD TALES OF THE GERMAN OCOTJPA TION. (Special from the 'Official War €drrespoijdent.) January 16. The march of New Zea-anders from the scenes of their latest triumphs in the war will be memorable to all who had the good fortune to take_ part in it. On the cessation of - hostilities the great majority were naturally anxious to return to their own country, but any slight unwillingness there may have -been at the outset on the part of some to march to Of armainy quickly vanished as the interesting experiences and possibilities of tho journey gradually unfolded. The trek was from Beau\q(s by way of Solesmes, Namur, Huy, Liege, Pepinster, Venders, and' Herbesthal to Cologne. ; The march was made by easy stages in dull weather, with a good deal of drizzling rain. The men carried their packs and rifles. In the devastated area railway transport was unavailable,' and in any case was undesirable, as the delayed mines left by the enemy still 1 going up. After crossing jfche Belgian front-er the division entered upon a land of beautiful chateaux, tenanted/ only by caretakers. Various headquarters were billeted in these, veritable marble halls. Even the field - cashier had a chateau, while in the village itself the “Diggers were treated with great hospitality. The journey up the valleys of the Sombre and the Meuse proved extremely interesting.

IN LIBERATED BELGIUM. The moment liberated Belgium was entered the division was received with joyful acclamation, and everywhere unbounded enthusiasm and hospitality prevailed. Many 'Belgians were aware of the division’s fighting prowess and New Zealand’s generous response with funds to alleviate the distress resulting from the German invasion. They showered favours upon our men ,and unforgettable scenes of welcome occurred at various haltingplaces along the route. Officers and’ men were invited to breakfast, dinners, and dances, -at which these kindly people produced their best viands and choice wines that had lain buried in the earth dur-ing-four years of enemy occupation. At Charleroi one battalion on the morning it. left had no one to provide break fast for, as, all and sundiy were e "‘ (ertained by the inhabitants. Throughout the whole trek, which occupied 3 weeks, the conduct of Die men was all that could be desired'.

GREAT QUANTITIES OF MATERIAL LEFT BY THE GERMANS.

At Huy two thousand Russian prisoners left behind by th? Ge.viuins in their hurried retreat were still being fed in the town, 'One noteworthy feature of the journey was the great quantity of material, such as moton lorries and heavy guns, left behind. m the German retreat. In the Be.fcian towns and villages < the New Zealanders listened to many sad talcs of the German occupation^—ladies {such as would induce them to fight with renewed vigour and determination should the necessity arise.

■ vAI REMARKABLE SIGHT. At Venders, a wool-manufacturing centre, the Now Zealanders were welcomed by several wool buyers, who bad made many trips to Australia and New Zealand. ’ Here the enthusiasm reached a high pitch. Crowd's lined the streets. Men and women stuck miniature Belman flags into the tunics and rifle barrels of the troops till the column was ablaze with the national co-Ours, and presented a truly remarkable sight marching between the dense throng ot cheering townspeople. Old men and women, ovrecome with emotion, shed tears of sadness. In strange contrast / to this thrilling scene, the German personnel near by were engaged m handing over rolling stock to Bntish officer* TREK EXCELLENTLY ARRANGED At Taminal there was an issue ot seven thousand pairs of boots to our men, whose footwear by this t'voe beginning to show signs of wear. Ba ; hs were established at certain «opp*g places and from morn ti.l ib-y sends of men passed throurii them according to (pre-arranged: time tables. Clean wassappUedat ordnance dumps and) ly uoints Excellent aomu:s,..nion map cd the trek, and the t whole division became a machine moving with clocklike regularity. DIVISION RE-ENTERS GENERAL fltjmer’s second army.

K)n December 14 the division passed from (the Fourth Iporps on. Fourth Army, under which it had fought its last battles, to the Sm>nd Coy, “J* came ohee again into General Plumers Second Army, m which it had fought in Handers. . .. . tju to -the German frontier the division had to rely for supplies upon its own motor transport. Extra personnel was obtained, the drivers and ? New Zealani mechanics did sp.endid work. AT THE GERMAN FRONTIER. The German frontier was reached at Herbesthal, and there the division entrained for Ehrenfeld, on the outskirts of Gfolodne, Artillery, motor ambulancieß,’ and other motor transport vehicles moved by the road. The _entraining Occupied three nays, -tsere remg 2.1 'trains, each comprising 48 vehicles, drawn by German engines manned by German enginedrivers and stokers, A , train left eveiy three hours, the German arrangements being perfect, whil the loading of the hors®: and vehicles was' accomplished by New Zealanders themselves with jnarVollpus celenty. The train, journeys occupied about to u J hours. Billeting parlies, accompanied by German interpreters/ wept m ahead ' CROSSING THE RHINE. After detraining at Ehrenfeld, our troops marched through Cologne, crossed'the Rhine by one Hohepzolleru bridge, and occupied an area of German territory east of th eriver in the region of. Muihpim and the neighbouring yiJlagec.- To-morrow the Prince of Wa.es wiU’tcome.to pay a visit olja.tow daya to tW during which ..be wiihp the guest of Geher'al Russell, who at present is commanding the corps* as well ■as .tbp'divisipn, . .. ; ;* i ~,.. .. V. ...