The Armistice

[Pete O]

Hello all,

One thing I haven't read a great deal about is what happened directly after the armistice at 11am on November 11th, 1918. Were their random guns or machine guns fired? Surely along the whole front watches amongst officers would have differed in time by a few minutes. Can anybody recall stories of casualties after 11am?

[Pete O]

Hello all,

One thing I haven't read a great deal about is what happened directly after the armistice at 11am on November 11th, 1918. Were their random guns or machine guns fired? Surely along the whole front watches amongst officers would have differed in time by a few minutes. Can anybody recall stories of casualties after 11am?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Anybody???

[Borden Battery]

I am not aware of any significant violations of the conditions of the Armistice on either side after 11 am on 11 November 1918 - at least not in the Canadian sector.

Here is a sampling of information regarding the moment ...

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On 10 November a wireless broadcast from the Eiffel Tower in Paris gave the first definite warning of the end of hostilities and the following morning First (British) Army wireless confirmed the news. Canadian Corps wireless then passed the following message to all stations on the morning of 11 November:

G 121

Hostilities will cease at 1100K on 11th November

Troops will stand fast on the line reached at

that hour which will be reported to Corps

HQ aaa

Defensive precautions will be maintained

There will be no intercourse of any description

with the enemy

Further instructions follow

Divns GOCRA CCHA CMGC CE

Repeated all concerned

Acknowledge

Can. Corps 0605K

http://www.canadahistory.com/newpage211.htm

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Foch received the German Armistice Commission on November 8 in a carriage of his special train on a siding in the Forest of Compiègne. The German plenipotentiaries were headed by a civilian, Matthias Erzberger, a Reichstag deputy who had been prominent in the peace negotiations between Germany and Russia. The German General Staff had withdrawn its representative at the last moment in order to demonstrate its dissociation from responsibility for accepting the severe Armistice terms. Foch was attended by his Chief of Staff, General Maxime Weygand, and by the British representative, Admiral Sir Rosslyn Wemyss. Uncompromisingly Weygand read the Allied conditions, startling the German delegation with their strictness. Given 72 hours to accept, the Germans made some ineffectual attempts to lessen the severity of the terms, but gained only a few minor concessions of detail. At 5:00 o'clock on the morning of the 11th the delegates affixed their signatures. Six hours later all hostilities ceased.

Source: Official History of the Canadian Army in the First World War - Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1914-1919,

P 547

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Excerpts from the War Diary of the 1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade which was charged with the responsibility of maintaining contact with the enemy during the last 4 weeks of the war.

Fri., Nov 8, 1918 VALENCIENNCES, FRANCE

1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade – E10A 40, Sheet 51 A

Cleaning of Billets and equipment. Battery Inspection.

LIEUT. W. LITTLE granted leave 8-11-18 to 22-11-18.

The following officers have been awarded the MILITARY CROSS

CAPT. F. F. WORTHINGTON M.M., LIEUT. J. E. TUDHOPE, LIEUT W. E. FRAME.

The following O.R. has been awarded the DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL. 739135 CPL. E. E. McGILL.

Appendix I

--- signed , Lt.-Col. W.K. Walker, Commanding 1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Sat, Nov 9, 1918 VALENCIENNCES, FRANCE

1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade – E10A 40, Sheet 51 A

Commanding Officer’s inspection – Drill with arms –

Remainder of the morning was spent in Physical Training and close order drill. Afternoon devoted to Sports.

46 O.R. taken on strength from CANADIAN MACHINE GUN CORPS REENFORCEMENT DEPOT.

--- signed , Lt.-Col. W.K. Walker, Commanding 1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Sun, Nov 10, 1918 VALENCIENNCES, FRANCE

1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade – E10A 40, Sheet 51 A

Church parade 0900 hours followed by Muster Parade and Kit Inspection. LIEUT. W. H. SMITH reports from CANADIAN MACHINE GUN CORPS REENFORCEMENT DEPOT. CAPT. F. F. WORTHINGTON M.C. M.M. and 3 O.R. left to attend machine gun course at G.H.Q.S.A. SCHOOL CAMIERS. Two Armoured Cars under LIEUT. W. H. SMITH reported to 2nd C.M.M.G. BDE. at FRAMERIES.

--- signed , Lt.-Col. W.K. Walker, Commanding 1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Mon., Nov 11, 1918 VALENCIENNCES, FRANCE

1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade – E10A 40, Sheet 51 A

Brigade Parade 0930 hours – Battle Order – Gun Crews paraded with full Gun Equipment. This parade was followed by Physical Training and close order Drill. Hostilities ceased at 1100 hours. This order was communicated to the parade by the Commanding Officer at 1050 hours. Battery Parades in the afternoon. The Armoured Cars attached to the 2nd C.M.M.G. BDE. went forward from FRAMERIES at dawn but received orders to cease fire before they engaged the enemy. They remained in support until withdrawn on the 13-11-18.

--- signed , Lt.-Col. W.K. Walker, Commanding 1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Tue., Nov 12, 1918 VALENCIENNCES, FRANCE

1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade – E10A 40, Sheet 51 A

The Commanding Officer inspected the Batteries at 0930 hours, Headquarters personel at 1030 hours and Battery Billets at 1100 hours. 1400 hours Battery Parade. 1430 hours Commanding Officer’s inspection of M.T. SECTION and Brigade Vehicles. LIEUT. J. M. PEEBLES and 10 O.R. returned from CANADIAN CORPS MACHINE GUN SCHOOL.

Warning order to move to the RHINE - Appendix III

--- signed , Lt.-Col. W.K. Walker, Commanding 1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

[Bob Coulson]

Remember reading in the history of the Yorkshires that the general feeling was disbelief, was it really all over. Men didn't appear to have celebrated just sat and reflected in the first instance.

Bob.