DIVISION INFORMATION BULLETIN
2ND DIVISION Nov. 24, 1918.
Interrogation of the Mayor of LAROCHETTE
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The Mayor of LAROCHETTE, in an interview with the Commanding General of the 2nd
Division, gave the following explanation that tends to clear up the conflicting reports
that have been received regarding the morale and discipline of the German army since the
signing of the Armistice. The Mayor is quite a prominent citizen of Luxembourg,
intelligent and extremely pro-Allied in his sentiments and French in his culture. He
explained that for several days after the Armistice, all railroad trains returning from
the front were packed with German soldiers, who had quit their commands and were
returning home. All passenger and freight trains were loaded with them, and in some
cases, they had taken entire possession of the train and were directing its movement.
The stations, and particularly the ones in Luxembourg, were the scenes of much disorder.
Officers had no control over the men, those who were on the trains or at the stations
were disrespectfully treated. While he had heard of cases of assaults made upon
officers, he had no knowledge of specific cases. He had, however, knowledge that
officers had been compelled to remove their insignia of rank and were openly disobeyed
by their solders. Pillaging the military stores was common. He estimated that there
passed through Luxembourg 100,000 of the enemy in this demoralized condition. When the
general retreat began, the troops that marched through on the roads were not at all
disorganized but on the contrary, showed very good discipline and were well under
control of their officers.
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