Sunday October 13^th, 1918

Much better. MO tells me I can get up this afternoon. Funny Sunday. Germany accepts Wilson’s terms – hope war will soon end.

Rumours of Peace – Austro-Hungary & Turkey

The war, from the Allies’ perspective, is progressing well.  The Bulgarians left the war two weeks ago and reports are starting to emerge that Austro-Hungary and the Turkish Empire are keen for peace. Yesterday, The Guardian reported:

‘News reached London yesterday, and has been officially communicated to Reuter’s Agency, that Germany “has been informed that if, in concert with her allies she is unable to come to terms with the Entente Powers, Austria-Hungary and Turkey may be compelled to take separate action”.  Turkey, indeed, we are further informed, has not waited for any such decision, but has already approached the US, with whom, it must be remembered, she is not at war, with a view to making a separate peace. Neither of these events was unexpected, yet they help to show how swiftly things are moving and how desperate is the position into which Germany has now fallen.’¹

Rumours of Peace – Western Front

Today The Observer, in its analysis of the fighting around Cambrai (see yesterday’s post), is cautiously optimistic:

‘The speed of this progress has sharply modified all previous speculation on the larger issue. We explained last Sunday that the enemy was already forced to a strict alternative – retreat or debacle. It seemed likely then that debacle before winter would be avoided. Evidently, on the other hand, the Allies, under Marshal Foch’s direction and with air supremacy to aid them, were so closely and vigilantly in touch with the enemy that his retreat could not be carried out without an extent of loss in men and material amounting to a disaster…..

If the weather holds well a German debacle within the next six or seven weeks is a clear possibility. We must not allow ourselves to count on this stupendous result nor to be disappointed if so much is not achieved. But the world never knew an hour of action more intensely charged with expectation and the sense of fate.’ ²

Dangerous Rumours

However Frank’s comment today that Germany has accepted President Wilson’s terms are erroneous.  In fact, Frank is possibly repeating dangerous German propaganda.   This has caused much consternation to the British High Command, who have taken unprecedented steps to quash the rumour:

‘On October 7,  Sir Douglas Haig issued the following for the information of the army:

‘The attention of officers and men is drawn to the fact that at the present time false rumours are being circulated to the effect that peace is at hand, with the evident object of discouraging the troops and diverting them from the great task they are pursuing of overthrowing their enemies. Sir D. Haig vigorously repudiates these ill-founded rumours and desires to make his troops realize that now more than ever is it indispensable for them to concentrate their energies on the great goal we all hope to reach.

There is no doubt, adds the message, that the army will continue to fight without weakening for the attainment in the near future of a decisive and happy result.’ ³ 

Clearly, Frank should not get his hopes up too high.

9^th Battalion War Diary – 13^th October 1918 – Maurois

Operation Order No 9 issued (Appendix No 5) Battalion moved to Maurois. Church  Services as usual on arrival. Battalion reorganizing. Copy of wire from 66^th Division reads:- ‘QOC and Staff Lof C offer congratulations on successful operations.’ 1 OR wounded.

References & Further Reading

¹ ‘The Crumbling of Austria’, The Guardian newspaper, October 12th, 1918, page 6

² ‘Sweeping the Hindenburg Line’, The Observer newspaper, October 13th, 1918, page 6

³ ‘Sir Douglas Haig and Peace Rumours, The Army’s Task’, The Guardian newspaper, October 12th, 1918, page 7 (Reuter’s report)

* portrait of Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig. Painted at General Headquarters, May 30th 1917 by Sir William Orpen, RA. Image is believed to be public domain, but may be subject to copyright.