LANDING OF INDIAN TROOPS IN FRANCE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 717, 31 October 1914, Page 6

LANDING OF INDIAN TROOPS IN FRANCE.

The Times jpublised te following account of the landing of the Indian troops at Marseilles:— The haze betokening a hot September day had j-at begun to lift from the bay of Marseilles when suddenly an interminable line of Bteamers crept along by the romantic Chateau d'lf. A telescope showed them to be riding high in the water, and awakening Marseilles realised that the long-expected Indian troops had arrived. With a precision and expedition that made every observer marvel, the armada of transports swung into the harbour and moored alongside the appointed quays. As each dark-painted liner glic'ed to hnr mootinogs troops were seen to be packed on deck as close as pit-propa on a Baltic schooner.

The troops, native and English alike, stepped ashore in magnificent condition. Hour after hour scores of steamers discharged their cargo. HapDier fighting men never landed. The Indiana were made to feel at home the moment they wero ashore. French soldiers shook everv brown hand within reach. They examined the accoutrements, and pronounced the uniforms* as practicable as their own. They were most impressed by the curved khukri of the little Ghurkaa, who dramatically detnonatrated its many uses. All the troops were in khaki with only Blight differences in design. The force is an army complete in every detail, ready to take its place in the firing line at an instant's notice. Excitement steadily rose in the city. The Sikhs, Punjabis, Baluchis, and the Ghurkas were cheered to the echo. First came a detachment of the stalwart Sikhs, head and shoulders above the spectators. Immediately the police guarding the route were swept aside, and the ranks were rushed. Men and women shook the laughing soldiers by the hand. Young girls showered flowers upon them and pinned roses to thfcir tunicß and turb,ans. Tricolours were distribuetd with prodigality. Within two minutes every second soldier was proudly flying a flag from his rifle. The Ghurkas' band played the Marseillaise marvellously well upon a weird collection of wind instruments. The crowd acknowledged the compliment by vacating the pavement and allowing the soldiers to walk instead of on the cobbled street. Accordingly, the men of a mountain battery, carried by mules, and officers on their horses, marched along under the awning of cafe terraces. Men and women stood on the chairs and tables waving hats, sticks, and handkerchiefs, shouting "Vivent lcs Angalis" "Vivenc les Indiens." The quick-witted Indians responded with .'•Vive ia France."

Several princes rode magnificent chargers and exhibited every sign of pleasure at the recaption. A company of Sikhs, all six-footers, who were loudly hailed, presuming it to be necessary to respond, slung their rifieß and clapped their hands till they were tired. British officers, walking at the head of their regiments, were picked out for special ovations."