BEHIND GERMAN LINES

Waikato Independent, Volume XIX, Issue 1891, 14 April 1917, Page 3

BEHIND GERMAN LINES

STORY OF LOST MORAL. lu the ordinary way one does not attach, too much, credence to the talk of German prisoners, and still less to that ol: deserters (says Reuter’s special correspondent), but the soldier whose opinions I am about to quote is a man of good station and high intelligence, and, therefore, capable of ' observing and learning what is going on. He is a Wurtemberger, and had been in the lino about three months when he was captured in a recent enterprise. He stated that on all hands he had heard the greatest disappointment expressed at the refusal of the Allies to discuss peace, since the belief is held by the majority of his comrades that Germany, from sheer necessity, is prepared to carry concession to whatever lengths might be necessary to ensure the success of a conference. He reiterates that he believes this view would be found to prevail through the German army, where anything like enthusiasm for the war refuses to be any longer stirred by flamboyant heroics from All-Highest quarters. He voluntarily admitted that our artillery so heavily outclassed that of his own side, more particularly in the Somme area, as to render life intolerable. He said that his own company was much below its proper strength, and that he believed this state of things was general. As ■ a result the men were kept unduly long without re- : lief, and too much was asked of them in the way of work. He himself had been kept digging for seven hours a day before falling into our hands. The moral of the German troops, he admitted, was depressed. Knowledge of the privation which exists at home this Wurtemberger declares to be one of the most demoralising influences now at work in the enemy trenches. The shortage of food is now being felt in the war areas, and reduced rations do not contribute to mitigate the rigours of the bitter weather. Sickness is rife, no fewer than sixty men of his own company being in hospital when he was captured. He spoke very bitterly about the Prussians, who, he said, were responsible for prolonging the war. So; strong was this feeling, he added, that it was not safe to put a Wurtemberger or a Bavarian into a Prussian battalion. His own belief was that the limits of endurance would soon be reached when the spring offensive develops. The doctrine of fighting on to the bitter end, he said cynically, was most demonstratively held by those who never did, and never would, do any fighting at all.