DESCENT OF A GREAT SILENCE ON THE BATTLEFIELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17007, 14 November 1918, Page 5

DESCENT OF A GREAT SILENCE ON THE BATTLEFIELD.

ENEMY FLED FAR BEYOND REACH OF BRITISH TROOPS.

WAR MACHINE OPPOSITE FRENCH HOLDS TO LAST. Times (Received It 6 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 12. Mr H. Perry Robinson writes: A great silence descended at eleven o'clock on Monday morning on an historic scene at Mons, when the "Cease Fire" was Bounded. One greater than ourselves had willed that we should finish the war there. British and Canadian troops were solemnly paraded at the hour named. Civic authorities delivered addresses, military bands played "The Brabanconne" and "God Save the King.'' Following there came a moving scene of mutual congratular tions and rejoicing. There was no precise moment when hostilities ceased, as the Germans had fled so completely that our infantry was not in touch with them. The Germans had been Bilent all the morning. Pathetic memories of the war were the last stories of the people of Mons of horrible German brutality to the residents and British prisoners. The returning villagers kept flocking round our car, cheering, laughing, and crying, and asking, "Is it really true 1" Elsewhere on the British front the tidings of the cessation of hostilities were taken quietly. Bugles sounded and the troops paraded. The British did not attempt fraternisation with the Germans, but the latter me.de some demonstration, throwing away and breaking their Gerald Campbell writes: The uncanny silence on the French front was the most striking feature of the cessation of hostilities, which stopped punctually at eleven o'clock. A thick white mist enshrouded the battlefield when the last German shots were fired into the air. It seemed incredible to stand there amid a strange, dead, silence after four years of war. The troops felt the solemnity of the moment and iust stopped firing. There was no cheering, no excitement, and nothing to do except to be glad. But joy too deep for noisy demonstrations was written on every battle-worn face. Though the armistice had been arranged, the huge war machine worked steadily all day long. Infantry, artiller" 'and engineers coming away from the front, and reliefs going back. It was a wonderful sight and a marvellous memory, and we were Ekd Beach Thomas writes: The enemy remained "Huns" to the end maintaining a semblance of clever retreat, getting away large quantities of guns and munitions, and destroying roads, river banks, brides and house*. The commandants kept up their brutality, RteafioK bullying, and requisitioning, until cars and horses took them awav The soldiers acted differently. A fair number went into hiding, and are now appearing furtively from cellars and dugouts, crying, «K 'ad " On the whole the troops were well picked, the machinegunners Sticking to their posts. The military machine hung together to the last.