ACROSS THE RHINE.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 January 1919, Page 7

ACROSS THE RHINE.

- 1 dominion troops. - "iIARCH THROUGH BELGIUM ' • THREE WEEKS OCCUPIED. .. ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOMES. January 16. The march of the New Zealanders irom the scenes of their latest triumphs in the war will be memorable to all who took part in it. On the defection of hostilities the great majority were naturally anxious to return to their own country, but any alight unwillingness there may have been at the outset on the part of some to march to Germany quickly vanished as the interesting experiences and possibilities of the journey gradually unfolded. The route was from Beauvais by way of Solesmes, Maubeuge, Thann, Charleroi, Namur, Huy, Liege, Pepinster, Verviers, and Herbesthal, to Cologne. The inarch was made by easy stages in dull weather with much drizzling rain. The men carried their packs and rifles. In the devastated area railway transport was not available, and in any case it was undesirable, as delayed iniues left 'by the enemy were still exploding?. After crossing the Belgian frontier the division entered upon a land of beautiful chateaux tenanted, only by caretakers. The various headquarters were billeted in these veritable marble halls. Even the field cashier had a chateau, while in the village itself the men were treated with great hospitality. The journey up the valleys of the Sambre and Meuse proved extremely interesting.

BELGIAN HOSPITALITY. ! Tho moment liberated Belgium was entered the division was received with .joyful acclamation, and everywhere unbounded enthusiasm and hospitality Many Belgians were aware of tjn* division's fighting prowess, and New Zealand's generous response with funds to alleviate the distress resulting from the Germai invasion. They showered favors upon our men, and unforgettable scenes of welcome occurred at the various halting places along the route. Officers and men were invited to break fasts, dinners and dances, at which these kindly people produced their bests viands and choice wines that had lain buried in the earth during four years of enemy occupation. At Cha-rl-'eroi 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 march, which occupied three weeks, the conduct of the men was all that could be desired. Two thousand Russian prisoners, left behind by the Germans in their hurried retreat, were still being fed in the town of Huy. One noteworthy feature of the journey was the grout quantity of material, such as motor-lorries and heavy guns, left behind in the German retreat. In the Belgian towns and villages the New Zcalanders listened to many sad tales such as would induce them to fight with renewed vigor and determination should necessity arise.

STRIKING CONTRAST At Vcrviera, a wool manufacturing centre, the New Zealanders were welcomed by several wool buyers who had made many trips to Australia and New Zealand. Here enthusiasm reached a high pitch Crowds lined the streets, and men and women stuck minature Belgian fl&gs into the tunics and rifle barrels of the troops, till the column, ablaze with the national colors, presented a truly remarkable sight, marching between tho dense throng 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 stock to British officers. There was an issue at lomines of 7000 pairs of boots to our men, whose footwear by this time was beginning to show signs of wear. Baihs were established at certain stopping places, and from morning till evening thousands of men passed through them according to prear.anged timetables. Clean underclothing was supplied at the ordnance dumps and supply refilling points. Excellent administration marked the advance, and the whole division became a machine, moving with clock-like regularity Up to the German frontier the division had to rely for supplies upon its own motor transports. Extra personnel was obtained, and British drivers and New Zealand mechanics did splendid •work GERMAN FRONTIER REACHED.

The German frontier was readied at Herbesthal, and there the division entrained for Ehren field, on the outskirts of Cologne, Tho artillery, motor ambulances, and other motor transport vehicles moved by road. The entraining occupied three days, there being 21 trains, each comprising 18 vehicles drawn by German engines and manned by German cnginedrivers and stokers. A train left vexy three hours, the German arrangements being perfect, while the loading of horses and vehicles Was accomplished by the New Zealanders themselves with marvellous celerity. The train journeys occupied about four hours, billeting parties, accompanied by German interpreters, went in ahead. After detraining at Khrenfield our troops marched through Cologne, crossed tho Rhine over the Holienzollern Bridge, and occupied an area of German territory east of the river in the region of Mulheim and the neighboring villages. To-morrow the Prince- of Wales will pay a visit of a few days to the division, during v.'oich he will be the guest of General Sir Andrew. Tlussell, who at I present is commanding the corps as well l«8 the divisiop- ■