A BRITISH ARMY IN BERLIN.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 233, 8 December 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

A BRITISH ARMY IN BERLIN.

IF A BRITISH ARMY GETS TO BERLIN DURING THIS WAR, IT WILL NOT BE FOR THE FIRST TIME.

One*, and only once, has a British army been within striking distance of Berlin, and though on that occasion no shots were fired or damage done, yet the knowledge that a- British force was encamped a few miles away threw the city into the wildest confusion. This incident occurred during the early part of the 17th century shortly before the statesmanlike methods of the "Great Elector," Frederick William. had induced the rival provinces of Prussia to be come united and Berlin, until then a small riversile town, Decame a place of considerable importance.

The object of the British invasion was not one of conquest. In spit* el the fact that their presence caused so great a tumult in the Prussian capita!, they had no designs against the city. It is true a number of Berliners lost their lives during the disorders which followed, but it is recorded that no one was molested by the British troops. Tho presence of the British expedition was the result of a promise which James I. had made to his son-in-law, Frederick V.; the Elector Palatine Frederick placed himself at the head of the Protestant Union of Germany, and accepted the Crown of Bohemia in 1619. It was in order to help the newly-elect:>d King against the followers of the Lusatians that the British troops arrived at Berlin on June 30, 1620. James I. had promised Frederick a loan of £200,000 to assist him in his campaign, but when the time, came l.e failed to fulfil this undertaking, and it was owing through the efforts of Sir Andrew Grey that the British force was raised at all. The troops were recruited from all parts of England and Scotland, and many penniless, but ad-venture-loving nobles entered the ranks. Altogether a force of about 5,000 men was raised and according to a letter which Frederick V. wrote to James 1., and which is now preserved in the State Paper Office, the Britisn force constituted one of the finest armies ever seen on the battlefield, Tho letter goes on to say that the men were clad in red and white Hanoverian uniforms, and were well armed and efficient soldiers. Teuton authorities, however, deny that this was the case. According to the many papers on the subject which are preserved in the State Archives at Berlin, the British contingent was composed of nothing hut ill-clad, ill-equipped mercenaries, who looted and ravaged villages through which they passed. But be that as it may the British contingent left England for Prussia early in the spring of 1620, under the command of Sir Andrew Grey. The sufferings of the men while at sea were acute for the accommodation provided was scanty and the ships severely overcrowded. But, in spite of these privations, the troops eventually landed on the coast of Prussia and began their march towards Berlin. Everywhere their presence caused terror amongst the peasants, who offered them all they had in the hope they might be left unmolested. But the most serious incident in the campaign ocurred when the citizens of Berlin learnt that the British were approaching Spandau. The shops were closed and shuttered, ami the houses barricaded. Worst of all. refugees from the surrounding country came pouring into the city. The inhabitants armed themselves with what weapons they could lay hands on n readiness for the British attack, which they expected at any moment, in spite of the protestations of the Prussian Chancellor, who assured them of the peaceful intentions of the invaders. Finally on June 20, 1620, the Bntisn emamped at Tempelhof, a point commanding the western approach to Berlin. The long and arduous march across the swampy country had made disease rampant in their ranks, and it is reported that the sick were conveyed m a hundred wagons. But the presence of the expedition at Tempelhof did not ease the minds of the Berliuers. The gates of the city were hurriedly close 1, and a panic prevailed inside. Barricades were erected f.n ijhose streets whefe it was expected the British would make their first onslaught, and the people commandeered what firearms they could lay hands on. Tli3 Government was completely paralysed, and tlte number of casualties brought about through the arming of the citizens daily increased. On more than one occasion, while the British camp remained at Tempelhof, the alarm of an attack was rais?d m Berlin. At such times the citizens rallied their forces by the aid of drums and any other instruments they possessed in readiness for the expected onslaught. But tho attack never came. The British remained peacefully within their camp, and were not a little perturbed by the hostile reception which they received. After a few days' rest the British lifted their camp from Tempelhof and resumed their march towards Bohemia. In spite of their exhausted condition they appear to have made a gallant addition to the armies of Fred."rick V.. and it was through no lack of courage that their first and only battle —that of Weisserburg, near Prague—ended so disastrously. The stubborn defence of the British at Fort Karlstein will A ways be remembered, but being many times out-numbered they were at last forced to capitulate to the Imperialists. The abdication of Frederick V. — the "Winter King"—brought the campaign of the British, which had been the cause of so much distrust in Prussia, to an end.