BETWEEN THE LINES
As, at present constituted, no-rnsn’s-land consists of a wide space of country, dotted with deserted farms and hamlets and woods, and stretches of open country. Though this is continually patrolled by both sides, close action is called for only when two opposing forces meet unexpectedly. So far the British forces have suffered no losses whatever. His Majesty was one of the first visitors to the British sector, in which ne went to a vantage point looking over the German linos and into the country beyond. This point was no great distance from the German positions. and his Majesty went even closer to the enemy lines when lie wen I on to inspect posts held by British units. The commanding officer showed his Majesty the first order of the day issued to the British front-line troops:
“You have been chosen to go into action. We shall have the closest touch with our Allies, who have extended the warmest welcomes. A unique honour has been conferred on you. The opportunity is yours to maintain and enhance the glorious traditions inscribed on your colours. Be vigilant, be cool and fire low to the last man, the last round and a bit more. Not only the eyes of your country are upon you but also those of our Allies and the whole Empire. With justice on our side, the watchwords will be:: ‘On ne passe pas' —‘They shall not pass.' and ‘On les aura’—-‘We shall win'.” On the visit his Majesty -was met by a guard formed of British troops who a few hours earlier had been on duty in the front line. The visit to this British sector occupied the whole of Saturday. The Com-mander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces General Gamelin. conducted him on an inspection of one of the largest Maginot forts. When visiting the forward British observation post the King surveyed the German positions for 20 minutes, and though the Allied group was visible to the enemy and within range of their guns, his Majesty did not wear a steel helmet. It was a quiet day. with an occasional boom of distant gunfire.
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 December 1939, Page 7
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355BETWEEN THE LINES Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 December 1939, Page 7
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