Saturday November 9th, 1918
Left Landrecies 9:45 arrived 2pm. Billeted in barn – very cold.
Cautious Optimism
Frank isn’t being very forthcoming about his destination today. Presumably he, the Band and the B-Team are following the Battalion. In this case he could well be heading towards Marbaix.
Meanwhile today the Battalion has moved from La Tuilerie to Bas Lieu. Tomorrow they will engage as part of the 199th Brigade in one of the last offensives of the war.
In a similar vein, General Jack records in his diary today: ‘The Brigade is at one hour’s notice to advance if the Germans will not accept that Allied terms.‘ After 51 months of war, the British Army has clearly developed a contingency plan in case the Armistice discussions break down. ¹
Christmans Fund
On a similarly pragmatic note, The Guardian opens its Christmas Fund for the Lancashire and Cheshire men at the front. It notes: ‘The need for this service of kindness is no less now than it has been in any of the four winters which have passed since war began. The guns may be silenced now at any moment but the duty of the soldiers does not end. There will be a weary time of waiting. The deferred hope of home-going, and the anticipations which it raises, will only throw the discomforts of foreign service into a deeper shade of contrast.’
The newspaper will accept money or articles. Of the 56 articles listed as suggestions, nine relate to smoking, with cigarettes, tobacco and pipes featuring heavily. Anti-frostbite grease and insect powder are amongst the most practical yet depressing items listed. Gramophones and records are amongst the more uplifting.²
The Kaiser Abdicates
According to The Guardian today, on Tuesday the Reichstag had debated the future of the Kaiser. At the time, the political parties were split on the issue. The Kaiser, now with the German High Command in Spa in Belgium, has also been adamant that he will not abdicate.
However Ludendorff’s replacement General Groener has now taken stock of the Army’s position. He reported to the German Chancellor that in order ‘to avoid a total military catastrophe, an armistice was required by November 9th [today] and that even November 11th could be too late‘.³
The Kaiser, still refusing to abdicate, is told by Groener: ‘The Army will march home in peace and order under its leaders and commanding generals, but not under the command of Your Majesty for it no longer stands behind Your Majesty.³
Consequently, tomorrow the Kaiser will board his private train and travel to exile in The Netherlands. This will bring to an end over 500 years of Hohenzollern rule in Prussia and Germany. However, the Kaiser in exile will continue to draw a considerable income from his German holdings until his death in 1941. Wilhelm II will successfully resists attempts to be extradited to face war charges of ‘a supreme offence against international morality and the sanctity of treaties‘ and will later delight in the early war victories of Hitler.†
Today, the new Social Democratic Government will declare Germany a republic. It is also considering the terms of the Armistice, which are tantamount to unconditional surrender.
Amazingly well informed, the news of the Kaiser’s journey to exile will be recorded in General Jack’s diary tomorrow. ‘Nevertheless, we are under orders to be ready to march forward forthwith, if necessary.‘¹
The Allies are taking no chances.
9th Battalion War Diary – 9th November 1918 – La Tuilerie
Battalion left for Bas Lieu north of Avesnes. 2Lt PHH Davis died of wounds.
References & Further Reading
¹ ‘General Jack’s Diary, War on the Western Front 1914-1918’ edited by John Terraine, Cassell, 2003, (1964). Entries November 9th & 10th, 1918, P296
² ‘Christmas Fund Opened’, The Guardian, November 9th 1918, page 4
³ ‘The Western Front 1917-1918: The History of World War I: From Vimy Ridge to Amiens and the Armistice’ By Andrew Wiest, Amber Books Ltd. Kindle Location 3406-3423.
† Wilhelm II on Wikipedia
* Kaiser Wilhelm’s train carriage on Wikipedia