It was with a peculiar sensation of entering the unknown that we crossed the frontier into Germany, wrote 'E. G.,' a Lutonian among the first British troops to enter enemy territory after the armistice, in the January 14th, 1919, edition of the Beds & Herts Tuesday Telegraph.

“After four weary years we had reached our goal. It was hard to believe that we were entering the land which numerous mouth-pieces of the German people had more or less violently declared should never be violated until their last drop of blood had been shed.

“A British general stood on the frontier line, under the shadow of the Union Jack, the regimental colours were unfurled, and bands played the travel-stained troops across into the Fatherland.

“After a few miles march the first village was reached, and many curious eyes were cast at the houses and inhabitants. Our predominating thought was how we were going to be treated by the German people. During our march through liberated Belgium everybody had been overwhelmingly kind, but now we expected a change. At any rate we gave the people of that first village a rousing victory song and marched on.

“Our first night's stay in Germany was full of surprises. The billets were in a small country town, and the people were surprisingly friendly to us. They raised no difficulties over sleeping accommodation – in fact, they did everything possible to make us comfortable.

“The same conditions prevailed during the entire length of our march to the Rhine, and when our final destination was reached the inhabitants, under the instructions of the burgomaster, gave us the best of billets.

“However, this is doubtless a part of Germany's 'Peace Offensive'.The people try and impress on us that they never desired the war, and particularly that they did not wish it against England. They are loud in their denunciation of the military casts, especially the Crown Price, but many of them hold a peculiar love for the Kaiser.

“Still, they can all be as friendly and kind to us as they like, but they will never eradicate from our memory the horrors of the terrible struggle for which they were primarily responsible. The average Tommy is much too cute to be taken in by this 'after-war propaganda,' and is still unshaken in his desire for complete restitution and reparation by Germany. And he will see that it is done, too!

“Most of us are at present 'between the sheets,' ie in civilian beds, in Germany, and our stay in the land of the enemy is not as irksome as we imagined it would be.

“It is a good job we are not dependent on the country for rations. Undoubtedly, the people in the large towns have been seriously affected by our blockade. At present there is very little meat, but plenty of vegetables, especially potatoes and beetroot. In fact, the average meal for a German family consists of coffee made from burnt grain, black bread and potatoes. Only the better-class people can obtain meat.

“The country districts have not felt the food shortage to any great extent, but through the whole of Germany it is impossible to buy clothes or leather articles, except at exorbitant prices. Nevertheless, some remarkable paper substitutes have been invented for many articles and have proved fairy serviceable.

“To enumerate the cost and shortage of various articles would require too much space, but the position of the country can easily be imagined when one realises that for more than three years Germany has had nothing but food and articles produced by themselves.

“Turning to the political outlook, even the best informed are uncertain as to the future. Everything is quiet in the Rhineland – that portion of Germany occupied by the Allies – but only meagre reports can be obtained as to what is happening in Berlin.

“Rhineland is desirous of separating from the rest of Germany and forming a republic, but, as this portion of the country is the wealthiest, strong opposition is being met.”