DIVISION INFORMATION BULLETIN
2ND DIVISION Nov. 29, 1918.
Interrogation of a German Officer
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2nd Lieut. GOBELTZ, 5th Battery, 25th Battalion, 20th Regt. ALTONA
HAMBURG FOOT ARTILLERY. He was found in civilian clothes
at a farm house about 2 kilometers northwest of ARNSDORF at
10 o'clock A.M. Nov. 28th. His story is as follows:
He was discharged on a Danish Frontier on November 20th because of the fact, that he
was a Lorrainer and travelled by rail most of the way, going by way of TREVES.
He arrived at his present location in uniform 3 days ago. The people with whom he is
staying are relatives. His home is at PHARONVILLE, Lorrain. One of his
parents is French and the other Luxembourg. The most of his relatives are French. He
went to a German school and has always been pro-German. He is sorry he has been
discharged from the Army because he thinks it will be difficult to make a living, as
previous to the war he had no business or technical training and he does not think the
French will take him into the Army. His sympathies are with Germany. During the
revolution which began at Keil on November 8th and lasted through November 9th and 10th,
German officers were killed in great numbers, including several Generals. At this time
he was stationed at Hamburg in command of a 280 mm. battery. The cause of the outbreak
was an order stating that the entire German Fleet was to be made ready for an attack on
the British and American Fleet. He was ordered to turn over his guns for mounting on
the battle ships. When the insurrection started 2,000 men were put under arrest. The
disorder spread rapidly however, and the revolutionists soon had control. His own
battery was loyal to him but upon going to a neighboring town 1 kilometer away he was
seized by the revolutionists, his insignia torn off and he was kept a prisoner for 24
hours, when he succeeded in getting word back to his own men and was released through
their efforts. Since November 11th conditions throughout the country have improved
steadily. The German government at present is in control of a committee of 5 Radicals.
There is no possibility of the return to a Monarchy. The Kaiser is very unpopular, not
only among the soldiers, but among officers. The railroads throughout Germany are now
being operated in good order. This officer has in his possession papers which appear to
be his discharge. These are dated November 20th and state he is discharged because of
his being a Lorrainer. The order bears signatures of the remaining 2 Battalion officers
and is countersigned by the Soldatenrat of SYLL.
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