Diary of Alexander Sutherland Mackay, 8 November - 30 November 1918

[*8/11/18.}
to }
10/11/18} *]
Still living the quiet life
at Brancourt. The air is
simply alive with Peace rumours
of all description, the latest official
however states Fritz has until 10 am
tomorrow to decide. We also had
read out of parade the news of the
German naval revolution. Nothwithstanding
the majority of excitement
xxxxxxx is the result of rumours, I’ll
be very much surprised if we
have to fire another shot. The
last two days have been perfect
weather, we had a frost this
morning but thank goodness the
rain has departed. Another rumour this
morning gives out that the 3^rd Divisional
Artillery are to the represent the 4^th
 

36 2
Army after Peace is declared & be
garrisoned at some German town. God
knows where all these tales emanate
from. I’m looking forward to our trip,
our names have gone in, & we are just
waiting to see if they will grant it or not.
We had to send in descriptions of ourselves
& also specimens of our fingerprints.
They wanted photos but we had none
available. These items are necessary for
the passports, one country to another.
l’d like to be in Paris when peace
is declared, they are excitable people
& will absolutely go into hysterics.
We have about 60 prisoners cleaning
our gins & horselines at present, its
not a bad stunt.
 

11/10/18 Just got official word that
hostilities cease at 11 am today. Here
wer are situated in a deserted
village & can't even buy a bottle of
soda water to celebrate the joyful
news. We are about 12 hours behind
Aussie time so it would be about
11 pm tonight out there. However
I suppose nobody would be in
bed yet all waiting to hear
the fateful decision. We have
about 100 prisoners working with
us today & they appear as joyful
as we are at the news. They were
quite satisfied when they heard that
Bill had abdicated that the end
had arrived. Cheers are floating
around the camp. just as well
 

4
we are not near an inhabited
city they would run amuck
with joy
12/11/18. We can hardly realize
yet that hostilities have ceased
we are simply doing the routine
business, away from all excitement.
Strong rumours circulating that
we are to be taken to Germany
to garrison some town. Not too
eager for it, a quick trip to
Aussie would satisfy my appetite.
Saw a paper today & no doubt
things are in an awful state in
Fritzland. Big & little Willie
both departed. I hope the
revolutions don't postpone Peace
negotiations. We are all waiting
 

4 5
anxiously to hear the Armistice
conditions but undoubtedly they
will be severe & block all danger
of hostilities being resumed.
13/14 Novr No reliable news as to our
future movements yet to hand. The Our
Infantry has been brought up from
Amiens & passed through here yesterday,
they had no idea where they were
going to. We have had beautiful
weather since the guns closed up,
no rain, nice warm days & frosts
early mornings. It’s a relief of a
night, using uncovered lights, no
necessity to get down below ground for
fear of bombs. Otherwise its still
almost impossible to realize the War
is over. Although only an armistice
 

5 6
has been signed, peace is a forgone
conclusion. From what we hear
Germany would sign now if allowed
to, before the Armistice conditions
are fulfilled. No reply yet re
our applications for leave to Italy.
I suppose it will be a week or
so yet before the verdict comes to
hand. The Fritz prisoners are still
working for us, our men are getting
a good spin four half holidays a week.
They are getting back already to
the peacetime soldier stunts viz saluting
& Kiwi parades. However thats miles
ahead of dodging 5.9 shells.
15/20 Nov. Glorious weather, we had our
first glimpse of snow this Winter, a couple
of days ago. The fall was very slight barely
 

7
sufficient to cover the ground. We
have now received definite news

that the 1^st, 2^nd, 4^th & 5^th Aussie
Divisions are going forward on to
German soil, whilst our Divy - the
3^rd, remains to represent the
A.I.F. in France. I believe we
are to pull back to the other side
of Amiens & may leave here in a
few days time. I sincerely hope we
entrain there, don't fancy the roads
if it turns cold. Some of the old
Civilian Froggies are wending their
way back here. A few of the old
dames are making the pace a welter
round with barrows every day, collecting
chairs tables mattresses looking glasses
practically anything of use they can
 

8
wheel away. They believe in
getting in early & evidently intend
well furnishing their homes before
the legitimate owners come back.
Of course none of these places have
their original furniture now, the

troops always believe in making

themselves as comfortable as possible
& after reserving a room soon
furnish it from their houses in
the village. Having a rotten
time with boils this week, they
are nearly right now, but I'm
working against time as our leave
may come through any day. Ronnie
wrote on the 7^th inst saying
he was leaving for Scotland next
day.
 

9
2/30 Nov. Still at Brancourt
having an easy time. Rumours
state we are always near a shift
but no moves have yet come off.
Beautiful weather continues, but
still I think all hands are getting
sick of this deserted village. We
seldom see papers & are therefore
ignorant of the doings going on.
Hear the German ships were handed
over satisfactorily, but beyond that
have no news. It would appear they
are undecided what to do with
the Aussies, some of the other
Divisions passed through to go forward
as occupying troops but they have
since been stopped. They are now
pushing an Education scheme
 

10.
for all its worth. That certainly
tends to make one think we are
here for some considerable time.
However the military are responsible
for very peculiar notions at times, you
never really know what their object is.
They are gradually lifting the cen
censorship regulations & now any soldier
may possess a camera. No word of
our leave yet, it looks as if all leave
has been cancelled for the time
being. If I do get to Paris & have
sufficient Francs left, Ill get a
camera. An aeroplane trying to pick
up “Cambrai” came a cropper in the
village this week. The plane was
burnt but the airmen escaped with
injuries. This Influenza & Pneumonia
 

11
is still playing havoc in France
& Blighty. Goodness know if Fritzy
is responsible. A circular this week
from H.Q. states several little boxes
containing deadly infectious disease
germs have been found after his
evacuation. All units are warned to
report immediately any others xxxx found

Berlin however, has been suffering xxxx severely
so it makes one to doubtful re Fritzy
being the originator.

 

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