The four-year war is finally over. The enemy is defeated.
The last sounds of war belonged to Canadian troops as their last advance led to the capture of Mons.
“Shortly before dawn this morning Canadian troops of the First Army, under Gen. Horne, captured Mons,” Field Marshall Haig reported from British Headquarters.
The French War office also released a statement confirming the defeat of the enemy and the end of the war.
“In the fifty-second month of a war without precedent in history the French army, with the aid of the Allies, has achieved the defeat of the enemy,” it reads.
“Our troops animated by the purest spirit of sacrifice, and giving during four years of uninterrupted fighting a sublime example of endurance and heroism daily, have fulfilled the task confided to them by the Mother Country, meeting at times with indomitable energy the enemy assaults and at other times themselves attacking, thus bringing victory.”
The Germans signed a 25 point agreement.
Some highlighted terms of the armistice are as follows:
(1) Cessation of operations by land and in the air six hours after the signing of the armistice.
(2) Immediate evacuation of invaded countries – Belgium, France, Alsace- Lorraine, Luxemburg – so ordered as to be completed within fourteen days from the signing of the armistice. German troops which have not left the above-mentioned territories within the period fixed will become prisoners of war. Occupation by the Allied and United States forces jointly will keep pace with evacuation in these areas.
(3) Repatriation beginning at once and to be completed within fourteen days of all inhabitants of the countries above mentioned, including hostages and persons under trial or convicted.
(4) In all territory evacuated by the enemy there shall be no evacuation of inhabitants; no damage or harm shall be done to the persons or property of the inhabitants. No destruction or any kind to be committed. Military establishments of all kinds shall be delivered intact, as well as military stores of food, munitions, equipment not removed during the period fixed for evacuation.
Stores of food of all kinds for the civil population, cattle, etc., shall be left in situ. Industrial establishments shall not be impaired in any way, and their personnel shall not be moved. Roads and means of communication of every kind, railroads, waterways, main roads, bridges, telegraphs, telephones, shall be in no manner impaired.
Copyright (c) CW Media Inc.