TREK TO RHINELAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1919, Page 3

TREK TO RHINELAND.

NEW ZEALAND DIVISIONS’ MARCH.

A MEMORABLE JOURNEY

INTENSE ENTHUSIASM OF BEI GIANS. (From Captain Malcolm Ross, Officii War Correspondent with tho Nei Zealand Forces in the field). - WELLINGTON, Jan. 21. January 16.—The march of tho Nev Zealanders from the scenes of tliel latest triumphs in the war will be mem orable to all who bad the good fortum to take part in it. On the cessation oi hostilities the great majority were na urally anxious to return to roeir own country, but any slight unwillingness (here may have been at the outset on the part of sump to march to quickly vanished as the interesting experiences of the journey gradually unfolded. The trek was from Beauvois

by way of Solesmes, Bavao, Maubenge, Than, Charleroi, Namur, Huy, Liege, Pepinster, Verviers, and Herbestthal 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 not available, and in any case it was j undesirable, as delayed mines left by ' the enpmy were still going up. I After crossing the Belgian frontier the division entered upon ;i land of, bonutful chateaux, tenanted only hy caretakers. The various headquarters f were billeted in these veritable marble: halls. Even the field cashier had .a chateau. and in the village itself the “diggers” were trpated with great hospitality.. The journey up the valleys of the Bambre anj Meuse proved extremely interesting. Tho moment liberated Bejghup' was entered the division was received witii ,

t joyful acclamation, and everywhere un- j bounded enthusiasm and hospitality prevailed!. Many Belgians were aware j * of the Division’s fighting prowess, and ( Now Zonlaiubs generous response with funds to alleviate distress resulting 1 from the German invasion. They showered favours upon our men, and unforgettable scenes of 'welcome oe- 1 curred. At various halting places along ; the route officers and men were invited to breakfasts dinners and dances, at j which these kindly people produced | , thejr best viands and clioico wines that- had jajn buried in the earth dur- 1 ■ ng four years of enemy occupation, At ] Charleroi oiio battalion on Rip morning | it left had no one to provide breakfast for. as all and sundry were being en-| tertained by the inhabitants. Through i J out the whole trek, which occupied j ■ three weeks, the conduct of the men j was all Hint could be desired. At Huy |' 2000 Russian prisoners, left behind by a the Germans in their hurried ret feat, were still being fed in the town. One ’ * noteworthy feature of the journey was j 1 the great quantify of material, such as ; motor lorries and heavy guns, left be-, 11 hind in the German retreat, In Bel- £ gian towns and villages tho New Z e ri=! landers listened to many sad tales of • the German occupation—tales such as ! would induce them to fight with re-, J

nowed vigour and determination should necessity arise. At Verviers, a wool manufacturing centre, the- New Zealanders were welcomed by several wool buyers who had made many .trips to Australia and New Zealand, Here the enthusiasm reached its high pitch. Crowds lined the streets arid men and women stuck miniature Belgian flags into the tunics and rifle barrels of the troops till the column was" ablaze with the national colours. They presented a truly remarkable sight inarching between the dense throngs of cheering townspeople. Old men and women, overcome with emotion, shed tears; but they were no longer tears of sadness. In strange contrast to this thrilling scene, the German personnel

near by were engaged in handing over rolling slock to British officers. •At Tnminal there was nn issue of 7000 pairs of boots to our men whoso 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 (passed through them. According to pro-arranged time tables, clean underclothing was supplied at the ordnance dumps and supply refilling points. Excellent administration marked the trek, and the whole division became a machine, moving with clock-like regularity. t 1 ill. i-l.n liivieiAn nfiecorl

On December 14th the division passed from the Fourth Corps or Fourth Army under which it had fought its last battles to the Second Corps and came once airain into General Fluniei’s Second Army in which it had iought in Flanders.

Up to the German frontier the division had to rely for supplies upon its own motor transport. Extra percoimel was obtained, and British drivers and New Zealand mechanics did splendid work. The German frontier was reached at Borbcstlial, and there the division entrained for 'Ehroulield, on the outskirts of Cologne. Artillery, motor ambulances and other motor transport vehicles moved by the road. The entraining occupied three days, there being 21 trains each day comprising 18 vehicles, drawn by German engines and manned by German engine-drivers and stokers. A train left every three hours the German arrangements being perfect while the loading of horses and vehicles was Accomplished by tlie New Zealanders themselves with marvellous celerity. The train journey occupied about four hours, and billeting parties accompanied by German interpreters went on abend. After detraining at, Elircnllekl, our troops marched through Cologne, crossed the Rhine on the Hoheiizollern bridge :rtid occupied an area of German territory east of the river in the region of Mulheim and the neighbouring villages. To-morrow the Prince of Wales will pay a visit, of a few days to the division, during which ho will lie the guest of General Russell, who at present is commanding the corps as well as the division.