NOVEMBER 12, 1918
Stand by. Unfix bayonets
The British Army began its first battle of the war at Mons on August 22, 1914, and, by the grace of God, our troops stood in this same spot when the order came to cease fire. That the enemy had made up his mind that the end had come, our troops yesterday had ample evidence. On most of the front they marched and rode almost as they pleased. The news of the armistice was got forward to our far-flung patrols and batteries with great promptitude, and a great silence fell upon the land after 11 o’clock. There can be no harm now in saying that the message had been expected, and there had been ample time to signal the news beyond the points where telegraph and telephone cease. Our scattered troops were told to unfix bayonets and unload magazines and to stand to for further orders. No attempt was to be made to fraternize with the enemy. I believe there was some demonstrativeness on the German side, and I hear of German troops seen trying to break their rifles or throw them away. But, on the whole, the great tidings appear to have been taken pretty quietly. Amongst the troops in rest there was more jubilation. At headquarters close to the line parades had been arranged of all available troops as soon as the news was received, and at 11 o’clock the bugles sounded the “Cease fire” and the bands played the “Marseillaise” and “God Save the King”. Many then broke out into “Tipperary”, which the peasantry seem to imagine is our National Anthem, to judge by the respect with which they hearkened to the strains.
Shortly after 11 o’clock the roads presented an extraordinary scene. Refugees began to stream back in swarms. The Germans are manifestly anxious to show their good faith, for very shortly after the armistice dispatch riders were bringing into Corps Headquarters full details of the positions of all mines, booby traps, and leads, which had been sent over under the white flag by enemy commands.
The day is grey and drizzling, which does not conduce to outdoor demonstrations on the part of people who have suffered much, and many of whom cannot yet tell how many of their dear ones have fallen in the terrible struggle. Silent thankfulness is the prevailing sentiment today in the war area of Northern France.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-11-10/register/downfall-and-deliverance-072vd7v50
NOVEMBER 10, 1918
Downfall and deliverance
Among the many thoughts and feelings with which the wonderful events of the last days fill us all a deep sense of awe must predominate in reflecting minds. The answer of Germany is due within a few hours, and there can no longer be much doubt of its tenor. The “War Lord” has abdicated and has fled to Holland. The Crown Prince has abandoned his claims to succession, and the Government appears to have passed from the hands of Prince Max to those of the Majority Socialist Herr Ebert. Crowns and ducal hats are falling upon all sides; everywhere the dynasts are in flight. Peace and food, a Constituent Assembly, and a democratic Republic are the popular demands. The Kaiser is deserted by the people whose idol he was until disaster overtook him. Never has Europe witnessed a ruin so immense and so sudden. It is but last spring, as the Prime Minister reminded us in his fine speech on Saturday, since the Monarch who has fallen and the State which is in dissolution were a deadly menace to us. Our lines were broken, the Channel ports were threatened, the spearhead was being driven into the heart of France. Only four months ago the enemy were again across the Marne. The leaves have fallen, and they are suing for peace. Germany is alone, beaten in the field by the foes she despised. She put her whole faith in the Realpolitik of the Hohenzollerns, in the policy of mingled cunning, brute force, and grasping ambition, traditional in that House for hundreds of years. It has broken in her hand. It has lured her to ruin.
An immense relief, a joy too solemn and too deep for words, a profound thankfulness to “the only Giver of all victory”, are in our hearts today. A sober pride in our countrymen and countrywomen, exultation in the heroism of our sailors and our soldiers, a heartfelt sorrow and sympathy for those who mourn their dead and wounded, rise in our minds, but above them, in these first hours, the measureless significance of the events we behold weighs us down. “We have never lived in such days,” said the Prime Minister. Mankind has never lived in such days. It has never faced a greater peril. It has never been so suddenly and so completely delivered. It has never been saved in circumstances so dramatic.
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