THE NEW ZEAL ANDERS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16427, 22 January 1919, Page 8

THE NEW ZEAL ANDERS.

HONOURS AWARDED. (By Cable.—Prew A«oci»t;on.—Copyright ) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, January 17. The D.S.O. has been awarded to Lieutenant D. Kennely, of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, _ and a bar to the Military Cross to Lieutenant A. J. S. Herbert, of the OTago Mounted Rifles. MARCH TO GERMANY. BELGIAN HOSPITALITY. (From the Official War Correspondent.) PRANCE, January 16. The march of the New Zealanders 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 Germany, quickly vanished as tho interesting experiences and possibilities of the journey were gradually unfolded. Tie trek was from Beauvois, by way of Solesmes, Bavao, Mauberge, Than, Charleroi, Namur, Huy, Liege, Papinster. Vcrviers, and ilerbesthal to Cologne. The march was made by easv stages in dull weather, with a good deal of drizzling rain. _ Tho men carried their packs and rifles. In the devastated area railway transport was unavailable, and, in any case, was undesirable, as delayed mines left by tho enemy were still going up. After crossing the Belgian frontier, 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 groat hospitality. Bhe journey up the valleys of the Sambre and the Meuse proved extremely interesting. 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 generous response with funds to alleviate distress resulting from the German invasion. They showered favours upon our men, and unforgettable scenes of welcome occurred at various' halting places along the route. Officers and men were, invited to breakfasts, dinners, and daises, at 1 which these kindly people produced i their best viands and choice wines that . had lain buried in the earth during r the four years of the eneiry occupation. At Charleroi one battalion, on the morning it left, had no one to provide breakfast for, as all and sundry were being entertained by the inhabitants. Throughout the whole trek, which occupied three weeks, the. conduct of the men was all that could be desired. v At Huy two thousand Russian prisoners, left behind by Germans in their hurried retreat, were still being fed in tho town. One noteworthy feature of the journey was the great quantity of material, 6uch as motor lorries ana heavy guns, left behind in the German retreat. In Belgium towns and villages the New Zealanders listened to many sad tales of the German occupation, tales such as would induce them to fight with renewed vigour and determination should the necessity arise. At Verviers, a wool manufacturing centre, the New Zealanders were welcomed by several wool buyers, who had made many trips to Australia aqd New Zealand. Here the enthusiasm reached a high pitch. Crowds lined the streets, men and women stuck miniature Bolgian flags into tho tunics and rifle-barrels of the troops till the column, ablaze with national colours, presented a truly remarkable sight marching between the dense throng of cheering townspeople. Old men and women, overcomo with emotion, shed tears, but they were no longer tears of sadness. In strange contrast to this thrilling scene, the German personnel nearby were engaged in handing over rolling stock to British officers. At Taminal there was an issue of seven thousand pairs of boots' to our men, whose footwear by this time was beginning to show signs of wear. Baths were established at certain stopping places, and from morn till eve thousands of men pissed through them, according to pre-arranged time-tables. Clean underclothing was supplied at ordnance dumps, and supplies at refilling points. Excellent administration marked the trek, and the whole division became a machine moving with clock-iike regularity. On December 14th, the division passed from the Fourth Corps or the Fourth Army, under which it had fought its last battles, to the Seoond Corps, and came once again into General Plumer's Second Army, in which it had fought in Flanders. Up to tlie German frontier the division had to rely for supplies upon its own motor transport. Extra personnel was obtained, and British drivers and New Zealand mechanics did splendid work. The German frontier was reached at Herbesthal, and there the division entrained for Ehrenfeld, on the outskirts of Cologne. Artillery motor ambulances and other motor transport vehicles moved by road. The entraining occupied three days, there being twenty-oue trains, each comprising for-ty-eight vehicles, drawn by German engines, and manned by German en-gine-drivers and stokers. A train left every three hours, the German arrangements being perfect, while the loading of the horses and vehicles was accomplished by the New Zealanders themselves with roarsellous celerity. The train journey occupied about four hours. Billeting parties, accompanied by German interpreters, went on ahead. After detraining at Ehrenfeld, our troops marched through Cologne, crossed the Rhine by the Vohenzollern bridge, and occupied an area of German territory east _of the river, in the region of Mulheim and tho neighbouring villages. To-morrow the Prince of Wales pays a visit of a few days to the division, during which he will be tho guest of General Sir. Andrew H. Russell, who at present is commanding tho corps, j as well as the division.