Merciless Marches and Martial Law: Canada's Commitment to the Occupation of the Rhineland by Christopher James Hyland B.A., University of British Columbia, 1999 B.Ed., University of British Columbia, 2000 A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in the Graduate Academic Unit of History Supervisor: Marc Milner, PhD, History Examining Board: Steve Turner, PhD, History, Chair Peter C. Kent, PhD, History Alan Sears, PhD, Education This thesis is accepted by the Dean of Graduate Studies University of New Brunswick November, 2007 © Christopher James Hyland, 2007 Library and Archives Bibliothgque et 1*1 Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de I'gdition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre r6f6rence ISBN: 978-0-494-63693-0 Our file Notre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-63693-0 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library and permettant a la Bibliothgque et Archives Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par telecommunication ou par I'lnternet, preter, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des theses partout dans le loan, distribute and sell theses monde, a des fins commerciales ou autres, sur worldwide, for commercial or non- support microforme, papier, electronique et/ou commercial purposes, in microform, autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. 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Canada Dedication This thesis is dedicated to all the men and women who have fought and are continuing to fight for Canada. I owe you all a debt of gratitude that can never be fully repaid. I hope this thesis, in some small way, adds to the ever-growing narrative of Canada's military past and helps tell your story. ii Abstract In the aftermath of the First World War, the Canadian Corps was involved in an epic march to the Rhineland to engage in garrison duties in the Cologne bridgehead, as part of the British Army. Yet, a narrative of the Canadian Corps' experience in the Rhineland is largely absent from the literature concerning the occupation of German territory. A comprehensive account and analysis of the corps' activities, from November 1918 to January 1919, is not present in the Canadian martial and diplomatic texts concerning the First World War. To date, historians have left several questions unanswered concerning the Dominion's first experience occupying the home territory of a European enemy. Using a comprehensive search of existing literature, Chapter 1 outlines the genesis of Canadian involvement in the occupation of the Rhineland. Based on new archival research, Chapter 2 reveals the initial plans and preparations during the week prior to the advance to Germany. Chapters 3 and 4 chronicle the Canadian Corps' experiences during the march to the Rhineland and the impacts of a difficult logistical situation. Defence schemes, duties and methods to maintain discipline are the subject of Chapter 5 while soldier-civilian interactions and the misbehaviour on both sides are described in Chapter 6. Finally, the Canadian Corps' relief from the bridgehead and return to Belgium are accounted for in Chapter 7. Throughout the period of Canadian Corps involvement in the occupation, three themes—demobilization, logistics and image—underpin the Canadian soldiers' experiences and largely explain the manner in which many events unfolded. iii Acknowledgements Over the years, a number of people have helped and supported me while I have pursued my academic career. Dr. Milner, thank you for taking the time to review and critique my work. Your high standards and expectations have made me a better historian. Dr. Turner, thank you for all the wonderful talks. The coffee and conversation were greatly appreciated. Thanks to all the students in the Milton F. Gregg Centre. You were a great resource and friendly support network when times were difficult. I thank you too Mark Savoie. Without you, this whole enterprise would not have been possible. To Joe, Lynn, Jon and Lisa I say thanks as well as your insights and understanding were most appreciated. Yet, of all people, I would like to thank my family the most. Your loving support has sustained me throughout. Mom, I could not have done it without you! iv Table of Contents Dedication ii Abstract iii Acknowledgements iv Table of Contents v List of Maps vi List of Plates vii List of Abbreviations viii Introduction 1 Chapter 1. Origins of the Occupation and Canada's Part Therein 18 Chapter 2. Concentration, Preparation and Initial Plans 35 Chapter 3. A Logistical Nightmare: The March across Belgium 49 Chapter 4. Marching in Germany: From the Frontier to the Rhine 64 Chapter 5. Keeping Busy: The Canadian Corps Occupies Cologne and Bonn 77 Chapter 6. Canadian Soldier, German Civilian, British Governor 99 Chapter 7. Relief at Last: The Corps Returns to Belgium 109 Conclusion: Demobilization, Logistics and the Corps' Reputation 116 Bibliography 123 Appendix 1. March Tables - Plans versus Realities 132 Curriculum Vitae v List of Maps Map 1. Advances made by the Canadian Corps - From 11 October 1918 to 1 November 1918 28 Map 2. Stages of Advance to the Rhine 40 Map 3. Line of March to the Rhine River 50 Map 4. British Occupied Area of the Rhineland, December 1918 71 Map 5. Cologne Bridgehead Defences, December 1918 79 Map 6. British Army Areas, December 1918 Ill vi List of Plates Plate 1. Canadians Marching through Mons 37 Plate 2. Canadian pacifies a Belgian Baby 43 Plate 3. General Home Inspecting the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade 46 Plate 4. The Last Town in Belgium 56 Plate 5. Canadian Troops Enter Germany 63 Plate 6. The Canadian Corps Crosses the Rhine 75 Plate 7. Officers and Ranks of the 195th Siege Battery below Bonn Bridge 83 Plate 8. Officers of the 2nd Canadian Division under Bonn Bridge 88 vii List of Abbreviations AA - Assistant Adjutant AWOL - Absent Without Leave CEF - Canadian Expeditionary Force CIB - Canadian Infantry Brigade C-in-C - Commander in Chief CMGC - Canadian Machine Gun Corps CMMGB - Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade CO - Commanding Officer GHQ - General Headquarters GOC - General Officer Commanding HQ - Headquarters NCO - Non-Commissioned Officer QMG - Quarter Master General RAF - Royal Air Force YMCA - Young Men's Christian Association Introduction And so ended the last day of the Great War. One has been feeling one's way through the dark for four and a half years and now one has come out into the sunlight - and behold!! one is blind, one cannot see the sun. But the blindness will pass in time. But we shall be exiles for a few months yet, I'm afraid. William Fraser, Diary, 11 November 19181 On 11 November 1918, the Great War ended after four and a half years of struggle. The Allied powers were victorious and celebrations rang out in towns and cities across the world.2 The fighting was over; Germany had asked for terms and the soldiers would soon return home. But, for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), and many other Allied soldiers, their work did not end on 11 November 1918. In fact, the Canadian Corps was about to embark on one of the more intriguing periods in its history. Instead of demobilizing and returning home, the corps began preparations for a march into Germany as part of the Army of Occupation. Half of the Canadian Corps trekked for twenty-eight days across Belgium and Germany to take up garrison duties around Cologne and Bonn. This occupation of hostile territory was a first for the Dominion as never before had Canada's civilian soldiers been asked to garrison the home territory of a European enemy. It was also conducted during a period of great tension, and social chaos in Germany, with thousands of recently demobilized German troops milling around, and under the cloud of looming negotiations in Paris that would decide Germany's fate. This brief period of Canadian participation in the occupation forces was very much a military operation conducted in an atmosphere of apprehended war. In short, for the Canadian Corps, there 1 David Fraser, ed., In Good Company: The First World War Letters and Diaries of the Hon. William Fraser (London: Michael Russell, 1990) diary - 11 November 1918, 333. 2 The Americans are included in all references to the Allies, even though they are not technically part of the Entente Cordiale of 1907. 1 remained much to do after 11 November 1918. No one in the spring of 1918 would have predicted a German collapse before the end of the year, and so plans for an occupation force came late and were made in haste.