First Division troops of the Canadian Corps cross the German frontier at Poteau, Belgium, on Wednesday, 4 December, 1918. Note, as per the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, the border here was moved 30 kms to the east in 1920, where it remains today. Also, it is important to note the Armistice, of 11 November 1918, was only a cease-fire.
Crossing the German Frontier
The Great War did not end on 11 November 1918. In several areas, fierce fighting continued. Some units on both sides had not heard the news. The final battle casualties (all German) of the Great War, come only days before the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, on 28 June 1919. The naming of CEFRG reflects this fact. The Canadian Expeditionary Force Research Group (1914 – 1919).
On This Day
Crossing the German frontier on the way to crossing the Rhine, Wednesday, 4 December, 1918, and occupying Germany, was an important day for Canadians in the Great War. Germany never fought on their soil in the Western Front. Therefore, the Canadian Corps entering Germany is a significant date in Canadian Military History.
Selection of Troops
Each country had to choose select troops for the march. Initially, the entire Canadian Corps was chosen. This plan is scuttled before the march begins on 17 November 1918. Only the British Second Army, including the 1st Cavalry Division are to enter Germany. The Canadian Corps fought under the British Second Army. The American Army would be on the right, and the French Six Army would be on the left (later altered to be the Belgian Army).
The Canadian and II Corps (Lieut.-Generals Sir A. Currie and Sir Claud Jacob) would carry out the occupation. Thus, in the occupation of the Rhineland the Dominions were represented by the Canadian Corps, by the New Zealand Division, the 13th Australian Light Horse, the 50th South African Heavy Battery, and by the 1st Royal Newfoundland Regiment. Not required were labour units, trench mortar batteries, tunneling companies, railway troops, signal detachments, salvage and veterinary units.
5th Canadian Divisional Artillery
Sir Arthur Currie selected the 1st and 2nd Canadian Divisions, along with select units of the Corps Troops. This included the 5th Canadian Divisional Artillery, Cyclists, and the Cavalry. The cyclists and Cavalry were at the head of the columns. Left behind, were the 3rd and 4th Canadian Divisions. This meant they would be the first to demobilize and return to Canada. However, this is something which did not sit well with the remainder of the Canadian Corps. Ironically, it will be the first troops to leave for Canada that instigate the demobilization riots.
My grandfather, A/Bbdr Richard Francis Walshe was in the 61st Field Battery, 5th Canadian Divisional Artillery. Though the 5th CDA had only entered the war in August 1917, the 1st and 2nd Canadian Divisions had served for four years. Currie granted the 5th CDA the honour to take part in the March to the Rhine, and the Allied Occupation of Germany. This was based on Currie’s magnificent appraisal of their performance during their tour, most significantly, during Canada’s Last Hundred Days of the Great War.
Logistics
The difficult march could not be undertaken by the entire Canadian Corps. Firstly, the British Second Army, along with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, was just north of the Canadians. Secondly, to the south, was the US Army. The allies march along a broad front. Finally, the Belgians, and the French were there, along with No.4 Squadron, AFC, and the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station. Canada is represented prominently. We have the honour of occupying the bridgeheads at Cologne, and Bonn.
The first division to return to Canada was the 3rd, followed by the 4th Division. As mentioned, this news was not well received by the remainder of the Canadian Corps. They had just begun their March to the Rhine, and upon hearing this news, for some, the honour of occupying Germany was not appreciated.
Incidents
During the march, several incidents cause disruption in the food chain. Twice, the march has to pause because food for the men, and horses does not arrive, due to accidents on the rail head. Some troops march on an empty stomach, others came close to mutiny.
I followed the path of Currie, the 1st Canadian Division, and my Grandfather in April 2017. Sometimes, literally walking in their footsteps. I also crossed the path of the 61st Field Battery, in May 2015.
Villers Abbey
On 1 May 2015, I stood over the remnants of the barn at The Abbaye de Villers. The abbaye was inspiration for writer Victor Hugo in Les Misérables, he had visited here three times. At 07h00 on 27 November 1918, the 61st Field Battery left the famous barn of the abbaye, following Reveille. It was dark and wet. Only minutes out of Villers-la-Ville, they could smell there was a fire. The barn was in flames. The cook of the 61st Battery, had failed to properly extinguish their morning fire.
Later, they learned an investigation determined the cause of the fire was spontaneous combustion. They were off the hook. But, they also knew it was not spontaneous combustion which caused the barn of The Abbaye de Villers to burn to the ground.
61st Field Battery
The 61st Battery was attached to the 16th (Canadian Scottish) Battalion for much of the march. They were usually three days behind the lead troops. They crossed at Poteau, on 7 December 1918. Moving so many troops, and artillery through these narrow corridors, meant the columns were almost a week long. This also meant not everyone would be able to cross the Rhine on 13 December 1918.
Billets
Marechal Foch’s orders of 15 November 1918 had instructed the commanders to take possession of towns they entered, and billet the troops outside the town. Sir Arthur Currie felt this order should only apply in Belgium, and instructed his men otherwise. In the towns and villages, the men occupied the homes at night, allowing the inhabitants to sleep on the floor, if they so chose. Still, many men had to sleep in the open. Finally, sometimes the paths up to the villages were too steep for the horses, and men slept with the horses in pastures.
Returning in April 2018, the path of the Second Canadian Division, and the Royal Newfoundland Regiment (in reverse) were explored. The countryside is at times breath-taking, and always very scenic. There are many beautiful cow and horse pastures, and it made me pause to think every time I saw a horse.
The Canadian troops returned to Belgium following their participation in the Allied Occupation of Germany. Very few officers, like Lt-Gen. Currie brought their horses back to Canada. Thousands of horses were left in Belgium, and France. Was I looking at the offspring of my Grandfather’s horse?
Indifference
The Canadian Corps has already entered a region, particularly among the farming families, that is indifferent to their presence. For centuries, these farmers have resented interference from the landlords, realms or state, especially in the form of taxation. In these regions, the outcome of the Great War meant little to them, as did the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71). Indifference though, changes as soon as they enter Germany. However, Sir Arthur Currie has issued a clear order to the his troops.
While traveling through Germany to the Rhine, the Corps must present a fierce and battle-ready appearance. Any attempt by the locale populace to seek favour must be rejected, for it is born of false intent. Mistreatment of stragglers (the German Army is supposed to be a week ahead of them), and the populace is forbidden.
Crimes like theft of army property, possession of explosive material, or the destruction of roads and infrastructure with such material, causing harm to a soldier or Officer, will be dealt with by Military law. The German Army had employed a scorched-earth policy during it’s retreat up until Armistice Day. That too, would not be tolerated.
Second Canadian Division
The Second Canadian Division crossed the border midway between Beho and Maldingen, Wednesday, 4 December, 1918. Only 9 kilometers south of the 1st Canadian Division at Poteau. Coordinating the movement of these two Divisons, along with select elements of the Corps Troops, was a logistical feat. Roads through the Ardennes were sometimes no more than tractor paths.
Firstly, the terrain was hilly. Then, the distance to cover, is 250 kilometres to the bridgeheads of Cologne, and Bonn for the two divisions, respectively. Later, this feat would be examined by the next German Army, in planning for the attack on the Western Front, in the Second World War. It had been done. However, the French Army would be caught by surprise in 1940. Because, they did not think it could be done again by a more mechanized army.
The 31st Battalion (Alberta) are given the honour of being the first to cross the frontier in the 2nd Canadian Division.
Vielsalm
Vielsalm was the last town in Belgium for the 1st Canadian Division. The 2nd Division was poised in Rogery, and Bovingy, to the south. Canadians were used to being greeted as those who had returned freedom to the populace, since well before 11 November 1918. Up until this time, every town they enter is celebrating the end of the Great War. They are greeted as heroes. Many women hoping for an opportunity for a kiss, or embrace, where they could snip off a button from the uniform of their Liberators. However, these kinds of receptions are to end after today.
Sir Arthur Currie Commander of the Canadian Corps, on his way to the Hotel-de-Ville, in Vielsalm, Wednesday, 4 December, 1918. The same location below, 3 April 2017.
Hotel-de-Ville, Vielsalm
Sir Arthur Currie was given a formal reception at the Hotel-de-Ville, in Vielsalm. Currie is seen receiving a gift from a little girl on the doorstep.
I was greeted by the assistant of the current Mayor of Vielsalm, on Monday, 3 April 2017. I explained what had happened on this date, and left physical copies of the photos, and war diaries. The story, and photos were forwarded to the local historian, but so far, no interest has been returned.
The Canadians came and went within a week in this area. The people still remember this was the area of the Battle of the Bulge, in the Second World War. However, they have no idea their town has a connection, though a brief one, to Canadians and the Great War. This area of Belgium does not Remember the Great War, unlike their compatriots in Flanders.
I was amazed the Hotel-de-Ville was altered so little in the past 100 years. The rail, the concrete steps, and the door are original. After leaving the Mayor of Vielsalm, Currie’s procession went through the hamlets of Ville-du-Bois, and Petit-Thier, before arriving at the frontier in Poteau.
Poteau
Driver and assistant of Lieutenant William Rider-Rider, the Official Canadian War Photographer were more mobile, and arrived before Currie and his staff. Though some of the children are identified as being German, this is unlikely, as the nearest German Town, Recht, is two miles away. Besides, the German populace has been instructed to remain indoors, they are not allowed to travel between towns.
The striped pole marks the location of the border on the north side of the road. Later, the pole was tossed somewhere beyond the tree-line. Today, the electrical pole below, is in the exact location of the former border marker. The structure, though original, has been altered considerably. It may have been damaged during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944.
These photos, and the many photos Rider-Rider took at the Rhine on 13 December 1918, reveal these are the two significant moments in Canadian History during the March to the Rhine. Firstly, the crossing of the German frontier, and secondly, the crossing of the Rhine.
Canadian Military History
Lt.-Gen. Arthur William Currie (Canadian Corps Commander), and Lt.-Gen. Archibald Cameron Macdonell (1st Division Commander) have just entered Germany at 12h00, Wednesday, 4 December, 1918. They are followed by an escort of the Canadian Light Horse, and soon, the 3rd Canadian Infantry Battalion.
Moments later, Sir Arthur Currie dismounts, and takes up his position, exactly 150 feet inside Germany. He delivers his salute to the troops he so proudly commands. With fixed bayonets, the 3rd Battalion follows with the Band playing “The Maple Leaf”. Then, the Band broke into “O, Canada”, followed by “There’s a Long, Long, Trail”, and “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.”
Battle of the Bulge
The location behind the background structure was used as a Second World War Museum for decades. American’s researching the Battle of the Bulge of 1944 used to come here. Note the sapling above, is perhaps the 100-year-old tree below. Could the fir tree on the left also be as old? Look closely. What betrays the location of this photo, is the facade facing the road of the home in the foreground.
I spoke with the occupants. They too, like the people of Vielsalm, had no idea about the Great War and the Canadian Corps.
3rd Battalion (Toronto Regiment)
After Lieutenant William Rider-Rider takes the photo of Lt.-Gen. Currie crossing the frontier with his staff, and the Canadian Light Horse, Currie waited only a moment for the 3rd Battalion to arrive. The Battalion had just stopped to eat before crossing the border, and was awaiting word that Currie was ready for this significant moment in Canadian History. A moment that has never really been acknowledged. Lieutenant William Rider-Rider will capture only one photo between Poteau, and Bonn, on 12 December 1918 near Kall.
The 3rd Battalion enjoyed the honour of being the first Canadian Troops to enter German territory. It happened by chance. The Divisional Commander, in his own car, had caught up to the 3rd Battalion, who had already passed through Vielsalm. He asked the battalion to halt, and wait for the Corps Commander. The battalion then began to eat their lunch, only 200 yards from the border.
12h00, Wednesday, 4 December, 1918
At 11h45, Wednesday, 4 December, 1918, the Corps Commanders rode by on his horse as the men were eating. The men stood and gave “three cheers for General Currie.” The General returned the salute, and gave them all a very pleasant smile. At 11h50, General Macdonnel informed the troops they would make the Official entry of the Canadian Corps into Germany. It was a very inspiring incident, wrote the 3rd Battalion adjutant. At 12h00, the Battalion moved off.
Note the other striped-pole, marking the border on the south side of the road, in MIKAN No. 3405922 above.
Crossing the Rhine
On 13 December 1918, the 1st Canadian Division crossed the Rhine river at Cologne. Sir Arthur Currie chose to be with the 1st Canadian Division when they had crossed the German frontier nine days earlier. However, on this historic occasion, Currie chose to be with the 2nd Canadian Division as they crossed the Rhine at Bonn. Currie and his staff, escorted by the Canadian Light Horse cross the Rhine at 09h00. Major-General Sir Henry Burstall, with his staff at the head of the column, passes Currie on the east end of the bridge at 09h30.
General Herbert Plumer, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief the British Army of the Rhine, received the 1st Canadian Division at Cologne. The column took four hours to pass, giving Plumer time to finish the reception at another bridge in Cologne. General Claude Jacob replaced Plumer on the dais. British War Photographer Lieutenant John Warwick Brooke captured this image at Bonn. It rained heavily throughout the day at Bonn and Cologne.
End of the March to the Rhine
The 61st Field Battery were one of the Corps units selected to cross the Rhine at Cologne. Driver George Vincent Hawksworth Clayton and Gunner James Steele Hughes won prizes for having the 1st, and 2nd best limber teams prior to crossing. My grandfather, A./Bbdr. Richard F. Walshe crossed the Rhine at 10h15, just behind Driver Clayton, and Gunner Hughes, on 13 December 1918.
The March to the Rhine concluded on 13 December 1918 for the lead troops. Officially, the Allied Occupation of Germany had begun. It would not end until ten years later, 12 December 1928, when the last troops left the Rhineland. Note, Canadian participation in the occupation lasted for only a couple of months.
On This Day will continue on Friday, 13 December 1918, with the crossing of the Rhine by the Canadian Corps.
Comments
One response to “Wednesday, 4 December 1918, in the Great War”
[…] their participation in the March to the Rhine and Allied Occupation of Germany, the Battalion spent time in Malonne, a suburb of Namur, Belgium. […]