ARTICLE I.
The French Government directs a cessation of fighting against the German Reich in France as well as in French possessions, colonies, protectorate territories, mandates as well as on the seas.

It [the French Government] directs the immediate laying down of arms of French units already encircled by German troops.

ARTICLE II.
To safeguard the interests of the German Reich, French State territory north and west of the line drawn on the attached map will be occupied by German troops.

As far as the parts to be occupied still are not in control of German troops, this occupation will be carried out immediately after the conclusion of this treaty.

ARTICLE III.
In the occupied parts of France the German Reich exercises all rights of an occupying power The French Government obligates itself to support with every means the regulations resulting from the exercise of these rights and to carry them out with the aid of French administration.

All French authorities and officials of the occupied territory, therefore, are to be promptly informed by the French Government to comply with the regulations of the German military commanders and to cooperate with them in a correct manner.

It is the intention of the German Government to limit the occupation of the west coast after ending hostilities with England to the extent absolutely necessary.

The French Government is permitted to select the seat of its government in unoccupied territory, or, if it wishes, to move to Paris. In this case, the German Government guarantees the French Government and its central authorities every necessary alleviation so that they will be in a position to conduct the administration of unoccupied territory from Paris.

ARTICLE IV.
French armed forces on land, on the sea, and in the air are to be demobilized and disarmed in a period still to be set. Excepted are only those units which are necessary for maintenance of domestic order. Germany and Italy will fix their strength. The French armed forces in the territory to be occupied by Germany are to be hastily withdrawn into territory not to be occupied and be discharged. These troops, before marching out, shall lay down their weapons and equipment at the places where they are stationed at the time this treaty becomes effective. They are responsible for orderly delivery to German troops.

ARTICLE V.
As a guarantee for the observance of the armistice, the surrender, undamaged, of all those guns, tanks, tank defense weapons, war planes, anti-aircraft artillery, infantry weapons, means of conveyance, and munitions can be demanded from the units of the French armed forces which are standing in battle against Germany and which at the time this agreement goes into force are in territory not to be occupied by Germany.

The German armistice commission will decide the extent of delivery.

ARTICLE VI.
Weapons, munitions, and war apparatus of every kind remaining in the unoccupied portion of France are to be stored and/or secured under German and/or Italian control—so far as not released for the arming allowed to French units.

The German High Command reserves the right to direct all those measures which are necessary to exclude unauthorized use of this material. Building of new war apparatus in unoccupied territory is to be stopped immediately.

ARTICLE VII.
In occupied territory, all the land and coastal fortifications, with weapons, munitions, and apparatus and plants of every kind are to be surrendered undamaged. Plans of these fortifications, as well as plans of those already conquered by German troops, are to be handed over.

Exact plans regarding prepared blastings, land mines, obstructions, time fuses, barriers for fighting, etc., shall be given to the German High Command. These hindrances are to be removed by French forces upon German demand.

ARTICLE VIII.
The French war fleet is to collect in ports to be designated more particularly, and under German and/or Italian control to demobilize and lay up—with the exception of those units released to the French Government for protection of French interests in its colonial empire.

The peacetime stations of ships should control the designation of ports.

The German Government solemnly declares to the French Government that it does not intend to use the French War Fleet which is in harbors under German control for its purposes in war, with the exception of units necessary for the purposes of guarding the coast and sweeping mines.

It further solemnly and expressly declares that it does not intend to bring up any demands respecting the French War Fleet at the conclusion of a peace.

All warships outside France are to be recalled to France with the exception of that portion of the French War Fleet which shall be designated to represent French interests in the colonial empire.

ARTICLE IX.
The French High Command must give the German High Command the exact location of all mines which France has set out, as well as information on the other harbor and coastal obstructions and defense facilities. Insofar as the German High Command may require, French forces must clear away the mines.

ARTICLE X.
The French Government is obligated to forbid any portion of its remaining armed forces to undertake hostilities against Germany in any manner.

French Government also will prevent members of its armed forces from leaving the country and prevent armaments of any sort, including ships, planes, etc., being taken to England or any other place abroad.

The French Government will forbid French citizens to fight against Germany in the service of States with which the German Reich is still at war. French citizens who violate this provision are to be treated by German troops as insurgents.

ARTICLE XI.
French commercial vessels of all sorts, including coastal and harbor vessels which are now in French hands, may not leave port until further notice. Resumption of commercial voyages will require approval of the German and Italian Governments.

French commercial vessels will be recalled by the French Government or, if return is impossible, the French Government will instruct them to enter neutral harbors.

All confiscated German commercial vessels are, on demand, to be returned [to Germany] undamaged.

ARTICLE XII.
Flight by any airplane over French territory shall be prohibited. Every plane making a flight without German approval will be regarded as an enemy by the German Air Force and treated accordingly.

In unoccupied territory, air fields and ground facilities of the air force shall be under German and Italian control.

Demand may be made that such air fields be rendered unusable. The French Government is required to take charge of all foreign airplanes in the unoccupied region to prevent flights. They are to be turned over to the German armed forces.

ARTICLE XIII.
The French Government obligates itself to turn over to German troops in the occupied region all facilities and properties of the French armed forces in undamaged condition.

It [the French Government] also will see to it that harbors, industrial facilities, and docks are preserved in their present condition and damaged in no way.

The same stipulations apply to transportation routes and equipment, especially railways, roads, and canals, and to the whole communications network and equipment, waterways and coastal transportation services.

Additionally, the French Government is required on demand of the German High Command to perform all necessary restoration labor on these facilities.

The French Government will see to it that in the occupied region necessary technical personnel and rolling stock of the railways and other transportation equipment, to a degree normal in peacetime, be retained in service.

ARTICLE XIV.
There is an immediate prohibition of transmission for all wireless stations on French soil. Resumption of wireless connections from the unoccupied portion of France requires a special regulation.

ARTICLE XV.
The French Government obligates itself to convey transit freight between the German Reich and Italy through unoccupied territory to the extent demanded by the German Government.

ARTICLE XVI.
The French Government, in agreement with the responsible German officials, will carry out the return of population into occupied territory.

ARTICLE XVII.
The French Government obligates itself to prevent every transference of economic valuables and provisions from the territory to be occupied by German troops into unoccupied territory or abroad.

These valuables and provisions in occupied territory are to be disposed of only in agreement with the German Government. In that connection, the German Government will consider the necessities of life of the population in unoccupied territory.

ARTICLE XVIII.
The French-Government will bear the costs of maintenance of German occupation troops on French soil.

ARTICLE XIX.
All German war and civil prisoners in French custody, including those under arrest and convicted who were seized and sentenced because of acts in favor of the German Reich, shall be surrendered immediately to German troops.

The French Government is obliged to surrender upon demand all Germans named by the German Government in France as well as in French possessions, colonies, protectorate territories, and mandates.

The French Government binds itself to prevent removal of German war and civil prisoners from France into French possessions or into foreign countries. Regarding prisoners already taken outside of France, as well as sick and wounded German prisoners who cannot be transported, exact lists with the places of residence are to be produced. The German High Command assumes care of sick and wounded German war prisoners.

ARTICLE XX.
French troops in German prison camps will remain prisoners of war until conclusion of a peace.

ARTICLE XXI.
The French Government assumes responsibility for the security of all objects and valuables whose undamaged surrender or holding in readiness for German disposal is demanded in this agreement or whose removal outside the country is forbidden. The French Government is bound to compensate for all destruction, damage or removal contrary to agreement.

ARTICLE XXII.
The Armistice Commission, acting in accordance with the direction of the German High Command, will regulate and supervise the carrying out of the armistice agreement. It is the task of the Armistice Commission further to insure the necessary conformity of this agreement with the Italian-French armistice.

The French Government will send a delegation to the seat of the German Armistice Commission to represent the French wishes and to receive regulations from the German Armistice Commission for executing [the agreement].

ARTICLE XXIII.
This armistice agreement becomes effective as soon as the French Government also has reached an agreement with the Italian Government regarding cessation of hostilities.

Hostilities will be stopped six hours after the moment at which the Italian Government has notified the German Government of conclusion of its agreement. The German Government will notify the French Government of this time by wireless.

ARTICLE XXIV.
This agreement is valid until conclusion of a peace treaty. The German Government may terminate this agreement at any time with immediate effect if the French Government fails to fulfill the obligations it assumes under the agreement.

This armistice agreement, signed in the Forest of Compiиgne, June 22,1940, at 6:50 p.m., German summer time.

HUNTZIGER
KEITEL

APPENDIX
The line mentioned in Article II of the armistice agreement begins in the east on the French-Swiss border at Geneva and runs thence nearly over the villages of Dфle, Paray, Le Monial, and Bourges to approximately twenty kilometers east of Tours. From there it goes at a distance of twenty kilometers east of the Tours-Angoulйme-Liborune railway line and extends through Mont de Marsan and Orthez to the Spanish border.

=======

Source:
United States, Department of State,
Publication No. 6312

Courtesy of: The Avalon Project - http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/avalon.htm

Military armistice signed at Fairfield Camp, Sicily, September 3, 1943
Entered into force September 3, 1943
Supplemented by memorandum of agreement of September 23, 1943, as amended, and by instrument of surrender of September 29, 1943, as amended
Terminated September 15, 1947, upon entry into force of treaty of peace of February 10,1947
61 Stat. 2740
Treaties and Other International Acts Series 1604
FAIRFIELD CAMP
SICILY
September 3,1943

The following conditions of an Armistice are presented by

General Dwight D. Eisenhower,

Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces,

acting by authority of the Governments of the United States and Great Britain and in the interest of the United Nations, and are accepted by

Marshal Pietro Badoglio

Head of the Italian Government

1.
Immediate cessation of all hostile activity by the Italian armed forces.

2.
Italy will use its best endeavors to deny, to the Germans, facilities that might be used against the United Nations.

3.
All prisoners or internees of the United Nations to be immediately turned over to the Allied Commander in Chief, and none of these may now or at any time be evacuated to Germany.

4.
Immediate transfer of the Italian Fleet and Italian aircraft to such points as may be designated by the Allied Commander in Chief, with details of disarmament to be prescribed by him.

5.
Italian merchant shipping may be requisitioned by the Allied Commander in Chief to meet the needs of his military-naval program.

6.
Immediate surrender of Corsica and of all Italian territory, both islands and mainland, to the Allies, for such use as operational bases and other purposes as the Allies may see fit.

7.
Immediate guarantee of the free use by the Allies of all airfields and naval ports in Italian territory, regardless of the rate of evacuation of the Italian territory by the German forces. These ports and fields to be protected by Italian armed forces until this function is taken over by the Allies.

8.
Immediate withdrawal to Italy of Italian armed forces from all participation in the current war from whatever areas in which they may be now engaged.

9.
Guarantee by the Italian Government that if necessary it will employ all its available armed forces to insure prompt and exact compliance with all the provisions of this armistice.

10.
The Commander in Chief of the Allied Forces reserves to himself the right to take any measure which in his opinion may be necessary for the protection of the interests of the Allied Forces for the prosecution of the war, and the Italian Government binds itself to take such administrative or other action as the Commander in Chief may require, and in particular the Commander in Chief will establish Allied Military Government over such parts of Italian territory as he may deem necessary in the military interests of the Allied Nations.

11.
The Commander in Chief of the Allied Forces will have a full right to impose measures of disarmament, demobilization, and demilitarization.

12.
Other conditions of a political, economic and financial nature with which Italy will be bound to comply will be transmitted at a later date.

The conditions of the present Armistice will not be made public without prior approval of the Allied Commander in Chief. The English will be considered the official text.

MARSHAL PIETRO BADOGLIO
Head of Italian Government

By:
GUISEPPE CASTEI.LANO

Brigadier General, attached to The Italian High Command

Present:

Rt. Hon. Harold Macmillan
British Resident Minister, A.F.H.Q.

Robert Murphy
Personal Representative of the
President of the United States

Royer Dick
Commodore, R.N.
Chief of Staff to the C. in C. Med.

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
General, U.S. Army,
Commander in Chief, Allied Forces
By:

WALTER B. SMITH
Major General, U.S. Army,
Chief of Staff

Lowell W. Rooks
Major General, U.S. Army
Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3
A.F.H.Q.

Franco Montanari
Official Italian Interpreter

Brigadier Kenneth Strong
Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3
A.F.H.Q.

AGREEMENT CONCERNING AN ARMISTICE BETWEEN THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS, THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND, AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON ONE HAND AND HUNGARY ON THE OTHER
The Provisional National Government of Hungary, recognizing the fact of the defeat of Hungary in the war against the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and other United Nations, accepts the armistice terms presented by the Governments of the above-mentioned three powers, acting on behalf of all the United Nations which are in a state of war with Hungary.

On the basis of the foregoing the representative of the Allied (Soviet) High Command, Marshal of the Soviet Union K. E. Voroshilov, duly authorized thereto by the Governments of the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, acting on behalf of all the United Nations which are at war with Hungary, on the one hand and the representatives of the Provisional National Government of Hungary, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mister Gyongyosi Janos, Minister of Defense Colonel General Voros Janos and State Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers Mister Balogh Istvan, on the other, holding proper full powers, have signed the following conditions:

1.
(a) Hungary has withdrawn from the war against the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and other United Nations, including Czechoslovakia, has severed all relations with Germany and has declared war on Germany.

(b) The Government of Hungary undertakes to disarm German armed forces in Hungary and to hand them over as prisoners of war.

The Government of Hungary also undertakes to intern nationals of Germany.

(c) The Government of Hungary undertakes to maintain and make available such land, sea and air forces as may be specified for service under the general direction of the Allied (Soviet) High Command. In this connection Hungary will provide not less than eight infantry divisions with corps troops. These forces must not be used on allied territory except with the prior consent of the allied government concerned.

(d) On the conclusion of hostilities against Germany, the Hungarian armed forces must be demobilized and put on a peace footing under the supervision of the Allied Control Commission. (See Annex to Article I.)

2.
Hungary has accepted the obligation to evacuate all Hungarian troops and officials from the territory of Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and Rumania occupied by her within the limits of the frontiers of Hungary existing on December 31, 1937, and also to repeal all legislative and administrative provisions relating to the annexation or incorporation into Hungary of Czechoslovak, Yugoslav and Rumanian territory.

3.
The Government and High Command of Hungary will ensure to the Soviet and other allied forces facilities for free movement on Hungarian territory in any direction if, in the opinion of the Allied (Soviet) High Command, the military situation requires this, the Government and High Command of Hungary giving such movement every possible assistance with their own means of communication and at their own expense on land, on water and in the air. ( See Annex to Article 3 ) .

4.
The Government of Hungary will immediately release all allied prisoners of war and internees. Pending further instructions the Government of Hungary will at its own expense provide all allied prisoners of war and internees, displaced persons and refugees, including nationals of Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia, with adequate food, clothing, medical services, and sanitary and hygienic requirements, and also with means of transportation for the return of any such persons to their own country.

5.
The Government of Hungary will immediately release, regardless of citizenship and nationality, all persons held in confinement in connection with their activities in favor of the United Nations or because of their sympathies with the United Nations' cause or for racial or religious reasons, and will repeal all discriminatory legislation and disabilities arising therefrom.

The Government of Hungary will take all necessary measures to ensure that all displaced persons or refugees within the limits of Hungarian territory, including Jews and stateless persons, are accorded at least the same measure of protection and security as its own nationals.

6.
The Government of Hungary undertakes to return to the Soviet Union, and also to Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia and to the other United Nations, by the dates specified by the Allied Control Commission, and in complete good order, all valuables and materials removed during the war to Hungary from United Nations' territory and belonging to state, public or cooperative organizations, enterprises, institutions or individual citizens, such as factory and works equipment, locomotives, rolling stock, tractors, motor vehicles, historic monuments, museum treasures and any other property.

7.
The Government and High Command of Hungary undertake to hand over as booty into the hands of the Allied (Soviet) High Command all German war material located on Hungarian territory, including vessels of the fleet of Germany.

8.
The Government and High Command of Hungary undertake not to permit, without the authorization of the Allied Control Commission, the export or expropriation of any form of property (including valuables and currency) belonging to Germany or her nationals or to persons resident in German territory or in territories occupied by Germany. They will safeguard such property in the manner specified by the Allied Control Commission.

9.
The Government and High Command of Hungary undertake to hand over to the Allied (Soviet) High Command all vessels belonging or having belonged to the United Nations which are located in Hungarian Danubian ports, no matter at whose disposal these vessels may be, for use during the period of the war against Germany by the Allied (Soviet) High Command in the general interests of the Allies, these vessels subsequently to be returned to their owners.

The Government of Hungary will bear full material responsibility for any damage or destruction of the aforementioned property until the moment of its transfer to the Allied ( Soviet) High Command.

10.
Hungarian merchant vessels, whether in Hungarian or foreign waters, shall be subject to the operational control of the Allied (Soviet) High Command for use in the general interests of the Allies.

11.
The Government of Hungary will make regular payments in Hungarian currency and provide commodities (fuel, foodstuffs, et cetera), facilities and services as may be required by the Allied (Soviet) High Command for the fulfillment of its functions as well as for the needs of missions and representatives of the allied states connected with the Allied Control Commission.

The Government of Hungary will also assure, in case of need, the use and regulation of the work of industrial and transport enterprises, means of communication, power stations, enterprises and installations of public utility, stores of fuel and other material, in accordance with instructions issued during the armistice by the Allied (Soviet) High Command or the Allied Control Commission. (See Annex to Article 11.)

12.
Losses caused to the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia by military operations and by the occupation by Hungary of the territories of these states will be made good by Hungary to the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia, but taking into consideration that Hungary has not only withdrawn from the war against the United Nations but has declared war against Germany, the parties agree that compensation for the indicated losses will be made by Hungary not in full but only in part; namely, to the amount of 300 million American dollars payable over six years in commodities ( machine equipment, river craft, grain, livestock, et cetera ), the sum to be paid to the Soviet Union to amount to 200 million American dollars and the sum to be paid to Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia to amount to 100 million American dollars.

Compensation will be paid by Hungary for loss and damage caused by the war to other allied states and their nationals, the amount of compensation to be fixed at a later date. ( See Annex to Article 12. )

13.
The Government of Hungary undertakes to restore all legal rights and interests of the United Nations and their nationals on Hungarian territory as they existed before the war and also to return their property in complete good order.

14.
Hungary will cooperate in the apprehension and trial, as well as the surrender to the governments concerned, of persons accused of war crimes.

15.
The Government of Hungary undertakes to dissolve immediately all pro-Hitler or other fascist political, military, pare-military and other organizations on Hungarian territory conducting propaganda hostile to the United Nations and not to tolerate the existence of such organizations in future.

16.
The publication, introduction and distribution in Hungary of periodical or non-periodical literature, the presentation of theatrical performances or films, the operation of wireless stations, post, telegraph and telephone services will take place in agreement with the Allied (Soviet) High Command. (See Annex to Article 16. )

17.
Hungarian civil administration will be restored in the whole area of Hungary separated by not less than 50-100 kilometres (depending upon conditions of terrain) from the front line, Hungarian administrative bodies undertaking to carry out, in the interests of the reestablishment of peace and security, instructions and orders of the Allied (Soviet) High Command or Allied Control Commission issued by them for the purpose of securing the execution of these armistice terms.

18.
For the whole period of the armistice there will be established in Hungary an Allied Control Commission which will regulate and supervise the execution of the armistice terms under the chairmanship of the representative of the Allied ( Soviet ) High Command and with the participation of representatives of the United Kingdom and the United States.

During the period between the coming into force of the armistice and the conclusion of hostilities against Germany, the Allied Control Commission will be under the general direction of the Allied (Soviet) High Command. (See Annex to Article 18 ) .

19.
The Vienna Arbitration Award of November 2, 1938 and the Vienna Award of August 30, 1940 are hereby declared to be null and void.

20.
The present terms come into force at the moment of their signing.
Done in Moscow 20 January, 1945, in one copy which will be entrusted to the safekeeping of the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, in the Russian, English and Hungarian languages, the Russian and English texts being authentic.

Certified copies of the present agreement, with annexes, will be transmitted by the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to each of the other governments on whose behalf the present agreement is being signed.

For the Governments of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Kingdom and the United States of America
K. VOROSHILOV

For the Provisional National Government of Hungary
GYONGYOSI JANOS
VOROS JANOS
BALOGH ISTVAN

Annex to Agreement Concerning an Armistice Between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America on one Hand and Hungary on the Other, Signed in Moscow 20 January, 1945.
A. ANNEX TO ARTICLE 1
The Hungarian Military Command shall hand over to the Allied (Soviet) High Command within a period fixed by the latter all the information at its disposal regarding the German armed forces and the plans of the German Military Command for the development of military operations against the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the other United Nations, and also the charts and maps and all operational documents relating to the military operations of the German armed forces.

The measures provided for in Article I of the Agreement regarding the internment of nationals of Germany now in Hungarian territory do not apply to nationals of that country of Jewish origin.

B. ANNEX TO ARTICLE 3
The assistance specified in Article 3 of the Agreement shall be taken to mean that the Government and High Command of Hungary will place at the disposal of the Allied (Soviet) High Command, for use at its discretion during the armistice, in complete good order and with the personnel required for their maintenance, all Hungarian military, air and river fleet installations and buildings, ports, barracks, warehouses, airfields, means of communication and meteorological stations which might be required for military needs.

C. ANNEX TO ARTICLE 11
The Government of Hungary will withdraw and redeem within such time limits and on such terms as the Allied (Soviet) High Command may specify, all holdings in Hungarian territory of currencies issued by the Allied (Soviet) High Command, and will hand over currency so withdrawn free of cost to the allied (Soviet) High Command.

The Government of Hungary will not permit the disposal of external Hungarian assets or the disposal of internal Hungarian assets to foreign governments or foreign nationals without the permission of the Allied (Soviet) High Command or Allied Control Commission.

D. ANNEX TO ARTICLE 12
The precise nomenclature and varieties of commodities to be delivered by Hungary to the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia in accordance with Article 12 of the Agreement and also the more precise periods for making these deliveries each year shall be defined in special agreements between the respective governments. These deliveries will be calculated at 1938 prices with an increase of fifteen percent for industrial equipment and ten percent for other goods.

As the basis of calculation for payment of the indemnity foreseen in Article 12 of the Agreement, the American dollar is to be used at its gold parity on the day of signing of the agreement, i.e. thirty-five dollars to one ounce of gold.

In connection with Article 12 it is understood that the Government of Hungary will immediately make available certain food and other supplies required for relief and rehabilitation of the population of those Czechoslovak and Yugoslav territories which have suffered as a result of Hungarian aggression. The quantities of the products to be delivered will be determined by agreement between the three governments and will be considered as part of the reparation by Hungary for the loss and damages sustained by Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia.

E. ANNEX TO ARTICLE 16
The Government of Hungary will ensure that wireless communication, telegraphic and postal correspondence, and correspondence in cipher and by courier, as well as telephonic communication with foreign countries, of embassies, legations and consulates situated in Hungary will be conducted in the manner laid down by the Allied ( Soviet ) High Command.

F. ANNEX TO ARTICLE 18
Control over the exact execution of the armistice terms will be entrusted to the Allied Control Commission to be established in conformity with Article 18 of the Armistice Agreement.

The Government of Hungary and its organs shall fulfill all instructions of the Allied Control Commission arising out of the armistice agreement.

The Allied Control Commission will set up special organs or sections, entrusting them respectively with the execution of various functions. In addition, the Allied Control Commission may have its officers in various parts of Hungary.

The Allied Control Commission will have its seat in the city of Budapest.

Moscow, 20 January, 1945.

Protocol to the Armistice Agreement with Hungary
In signing the Armistice Agreement with the Government of Hungary, the Allied Governments signatory thereto have agreed as follows:

1. The term "war material" used in Article 7 shall be deemed to include all material or equipment belonging to, used by, or intended for use by the military or pare-military formations of the enemy or members thereof.

2. The use by the Allied (Soviet) High Command of allied vessels handed over by the Government of Hungary in accordance with Article 9 of the Armistice Agreement and the date of their return to their owners will be the subject of discussion and settlement between the Government of the Soviet Union and the Allied Governments concerned.

Done in Moscow in three copies, each in the Russian and English languages, the Russian and English texts being authentic.

January 20, 1945.

By authority of the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
V. DEKANOZOV

For the Government of the United States of America.
W. A. HARRIMAN

For the Government of the United Kingdom.
JOHN BALFOUR

(1) A treaty of peace with Hungary (TIAS 1651, post, vol. 4.) was signed Feb. 10, 1947, and entered into force Sept. 15, 1947.

Source:
Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States of America 1776-1949
Compiled under the direction of Charles I. Bevans LL.B.
Assistant Legal Advisor Department of State
Volume 3 Multilateral 1931-1945
Department of State Publication 8484
Washington, DC : Government Printing Office, 1969

Courtesy of The Avalon Project  at Yale Law School - http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/avalon.htm

The terms of the Bulgarian armistice agreement which has been signed in Moscow follow:

Agreement Between the Governments of United States of America, the United Kingdom, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, on the One Hand, and the Government of Bulgaria, on the Other Hand, Concerning an Armistice
The Government of Bulgaria accepts the armistice terms presented by the Government of the United States of America, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United Kingdom acting on behalf of all the United Nations at war with Bulgaria.

Accordingly the representative of the Supreme Allied Commander in the Mediterranean, Lieutenant General Sir James Gammell, and the representative of the Soviet High Command, Marshal of the Soviet Union, F. I. Tolbukhin, duly authorized thereto by the governments of the United States of America, the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics and the United Kingdom acting on behalf of all the United Nations at war with Bulgaria, on the one hand, and representatives of the Government of Bulgaria, Mr. P. Stainov, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. D. Terpeshev, Minister Without Portfolio, Mr. N. Petkov, Minister Without Portfolio and Mr. P. Stoyanov, Minister of Finance, furnished with due powers, on the other hand, have signed the following terms:

ARTICLE ONE.
(A) Bulgaria having ceased hostilities with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on September 9, and severed relations with Germany on September 6, and with Hungary on on September 26, hostilities has ceased against all the other United Nations.

(B) The Government of Bulgaria undertakes to disarm the German armed forces in Bulgaria and hand them over as prisoners of war. The Government of Bulgaria also undertakes to intern nationals of Germany and her satellites.

(C) The Government of Bulgaria undertakes to maintain and make available such land, sea and air forces as may be specified for service under the general direction of the Allied ( Soviet) High Command. Such forces must not be used on Allied territory except with the prior consent of the All Government concerned.

(D) On the conclusion of hostilities against Germany the Bulgarian armed forces Bust be mobilized and put on a peace footing under: supervision of the Allied Control Commission.

ARTICLE TWO.
Bulgarian armed forces and officials must be withdrawn within the specified time limit from the territory of Greece and Yugoslavia in accordance with the pre-condition accepted by the Government of Bulgaria on October 11; the Bulgarian authorities must immediately take steps to withdraw from Greek and Yugoslav territory Bulgarians who were citizens of Bulgaria on January 1, 1941, and to repeal legislative and administrative provisions relating to the annexation or incorporation in Bulgaria of Greek or Yugoslav territory.

ARTICLE THREE.
The Government of Bulgaria will afford to Soviet and other Allied forces freedom of movement over Bulgarian territory in any direction if, in the opinion of the Allied (Soviet) High Command, the military situation so require the Government of Bulgaria giving to such movements every assistance with its own means of communication, and at its own expense, by land, water and in the air.

ARTICLE FOUR.
The Government of Bulgaria will immediately release all Allied prisoners of war and internees. Pending further instruction the Government of Bulgaria will at its own expense provide all Allied prisoners of war, internees and displaced persons and refugees, including nationals of Greece and Yugoslavia, with adequate food, clothing, medical services and sanitary and hygienic requirements and also with means of transportation for the return of any such persons to their own country.

ARTICLE FIVE.
The Government of Bulgaria will immediately release, regardless of citizenship or nationality, all persons held in confinement in connection with their activities in favor of the United Nations or because of their sympathies with the United Nations cause or for racial or religious reasons, and will repeal all discriminatory legislation and disabilities arising therefrom.

ARTICLE SIX.
The Government of Bulgaria will cooperate in the apprehension and trial of persons accused of war crimes.

ARTICLE SEVEN.
The Government of Bulgaria undertakes to dissolve immediately all pro-Hitler or other Fascist political, military, para-military and other organizations on Bulgarian territory conducting propaganda hostile to the United Nations and not to tolerate the existence of such organizations in the future.

ARTICLE EIGHT.
The publication, introduction and distribution in Bulgaria of periodical, or non-periodical literature, the presentation of theatrical performances or films, the operation of wireless stations, post, telegraph and telephone services will take place in agreement with the Allied (Soviet) High Command.

ARTICLE NINE.
The Government of Bulgaria will restore all property of the United Nations and their nationals, including Greek and Yugoslav property, and will make such reparation for loss and damage caused by the war to the United Nations, including Greece and Yugoslavia, as may be determined later.

ARTICLE TEN.
The Government of Bulgaria will restore all rights and interests of the United Nations and their nationals in Bulgaria.

ARTICLE ELEVEN.
The Government of Bulgaria undertakes to return to the Soviet Union, to Greece and Yugoslavia and to the other United Nations, by the dates specified by the Allied Control Commission and in a good state of preservation, all valuables and materials removed during the war by Germany or Bulgaria from United Nations territory and belonging to state, public or cooperative organizations, enterprises, institutions or individual citizens, such as factory and works equipment, locomotives, rolling-stock, tractors, motor vehicles, historic monuments, museum treasures and any other property.

ARTICLE TWELVE.
The Government of Bulgaria undertakes to hand over as booty to the Allied (Soviet) High Command all war material of Germany and her satellites located on Bulgarian territory, including vessels of the fleets of Germany and her satellites located in Bulgarian waters.

ARTICLE THIRTEEN.
The Government of Bulgaria undertakes not to permit the removal or expropriation of any form of property (including valuables and currency), belonging to Germany or Hungary or to their nationals or to persons resident in their territories or in territories occupied by them, without the permission of the Allied Control Commission. The Government of Bulgaria will safeguard such property in the manner specified by the Allied Control Commission.

ARTICLE FOURTEEN.
The Government of Bulgaria undertakes to hand over to the Allied (Soviet) High Command all vessels belonging to the United Nations which are in Bulgarian ports no matter at whose disposal these vessels may be, for the use of the Allied (Soviet) High Command during the war against Germany or Hungary in the common interest of the Allies, the vessels to be returned subsequently to their owners.

The Government of Bulgaria will bear full material responsibility for any damage to or destruction of the aforesaid property up to the moment of its transfer to the Allied (Soviet) High Command.

ARTICLE FIFTEEN.
The Government of Bulgaria must make regular payments in Bulgarian currency and must supply goods (fuel, foodstuffs, et cetera), facilities and services as may be required by the Allied (Soviet) High Command for the discharge of its functions.

ARTICLE SIXTEEN.
Bulgarian merchant vessels, whether in Bulgarian or foreign waters, shall be subject to the operational control of the Allied (Soviet) High Command for use in the general interest of the Allies.

ARTICLE SEVENTEEN.
The Government of Bulgaria will arrange, in case of need, for the utilization in Bulgarian territory of industrial and transport enterprises, means of communication, power stations, public utility enterprises and installations, stocks of fuels and other materials in accordance with instructions issued during the armistice by the Allied (Soviet) High Command.

ARTICLE EIGHTEEN.
For the whole period of the armistice there will be established in Bulgaria an Allied Control Commission which will regulate and supervise the execution of the armistice terms under the chairmanship of the representative of the Allied (Soviet) High Command and with the participation of representatives of the United States and the United Kingdom. During the period between the coming into force of the armistice and the conclusion of hostilities against Germany, the Allied Control Commission will be under the general direction of the Allied (Soviet) High Command.

ARTICLE NINETEEN.
The present terms will come into force on their signing.

Done at Moscow in quadruplicate, in English, Russian and Bulgarian, the English and Russian texts being authentic.

OCTOBER 28, 1944.

For the Governments of the United States of America, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United Kingdom:

Marshal F. I. TOLBUKHIN, representative the Soviet High Command.

Lieutenant General JAMES GAMMELL, representative of the Supreme Allied Commander for the Mediterranean

For the Government of Bulgaria: P. STAINOV, D. Terpeshev N. PETKOV and P. STOYANOV.

Protocol to the Agreement Concerning an Armistice With Bulgaria
At the time of signing the armistice with the Government of Bulgaria, the Allied Governments signatory thereto have agreed to the following:

One.
In connection with Article IX it is understood that the Bulgarian Government will immediately make available certain foodstuffs for the relief of the population of Greek and Yugoslav territories which have suffered as a result of Bulgarian aggression. The quantity of each product to be delivered will be determined by agreement between the three governments, and will be considered as part of the reparation by Bulgaria for the loss and damage sustained by Greece and Yugoslavia.

Two.
The term "war material" used in Article XII shall be deemed to include all material or equipment belonging to, used by, or intended for use by enemy military or pare-military formations or members thereof.

Three.
The use by the Allied (Soviet) High Command of Allied vessels handed over by the Government of Bulgaria in accordance with Article XIV of the armistice and the date of their return to their owners will be the subject of discussion and settlement between the Allied Governments concerned and the Government of the Soviet Union.

Four.
It is understood that in the application of Article XV the Allied (Soviet) High Command will also arrange for the provision of Bulgaria currency, supplies, services, et cetera, to meet needs of the representatives of the Government of the United Kingdom and the United States Bulgaria.

Done at Moscow in triplicate, in English Russian languages, both English and Russian being authentic.

[NOTE: The foregoing Protocol was signed in on October 28, 1944 on behalf of the three Allied Governments by George F. Kennan, American Charge d'Affair Andrei Ya. Vyshinski, Vice Commissar of Foreign Affairs of the U.S.S.R; Sir Archibald Clark-Kerr, the British Ambassador.]

We received our mail this afternoon after being without it for four or five days. In it were 3 letters from you, those written on Nov 9, 11 & 12 respectively. I need not tell you how pleased I was to hear from you and to know that you are well and fully rejoiced over the termination of the war. You will I know be greatly disappointed the troops will not be starting for home immediately but of course you will understand that such a happy outcome is quite out of the question.

You will please excuse me writing to you on military stationary. I have a good billet, but it is some distance from the mess and I decided to get a letter written before the mail closed. The mess room is steam heated and has electric light. My billet has the latter but is not steam heated.

We had a long march yesterday and did not reach our destination until long after dark. We are now billeted in a coal mining town between Mons & Charleroi and every body has comfortable quarters. The inhabitants have given us a wonderful welcome. Last night they lined the roads for miles and hung out lanterns to light us on our way. We marched through Mons early in the afternoon. I think I told you about my being in Mons the day the armistice came into force (No. 11). The town we are in is one of between seven and eight thousand of a population. The streets are hung with flowers, flags and coloured electric light to celebrate our coming. Nearly everybody insisted upon shaking hands with us when we arrived last night. You will understand that we form part of the vanguard of the army marching for the Rhine. I saw street cars running last night, the first I have seen in operation since I returned from leave. We shall have another days rest here and then march forward once more. I shall try to write again tomorrow.

Your loving husband
Harold W. McGill

This month, numerous senior Israeli politicians including Prime Minister Olmert, extended a hand to the Lebanese government to have direct negotiations on the prospects of a peace settlement; or yet a possible armistice deal.

Among the few remaining issues that is blocking a peace settlement between Lebanon and Israel, namely Hezbollahs reasonable demands for mutual respect among two nations, on occupied Shebaa Farm & Kfar Shouba Hills, which Sarkozy has personally taken the lead in seeing being resolved, by handing it over to the United Nations.

On the 26th of July (four days ago), former president Amine Gemayel spoke on the most viewed Lebanese politcal show of Kalem el Nass, the idea of having the Lebanese government conduct indirect negotiations with Israel through french president Nicolas Sarkozy and Jordanian King Abdullah II.

I'd like to invite my readers (comments enabled), on "your personal thoughts", whether the Lebanese Government ought to have indirect talks with Israel? and, why or why not?

With these signings, Hitler (and all of Germany) believed they had finally thrown off the last vestiges of their First World War defeat and the subsequent Versailles Treaty.  What's more, reciprocity with France had now been achieved.

But again, that was the 22nd.  The Armistice signed on this day was with Italy and, to some degree, it was even more embarrassing.  Italy's participation in the war with France had been absolutely minimal, because it hadn't declared war on France until June 10th, by which time the German army had squashed all major French resistance, had sent the British scrambling back to England, and was basically riding down the roads towards Paris.  Italy sent 30+ divisions into southern France as their "show of force", but most of them were poorly trained and even more poorly equipped, to the point where there weren't enough utensils to feed the troops.  Even worse, the Italian Army progressed all of about 5 miles into France...5 miles.

Italy's entrance into the War wasn't all that dissimiliar to the time you got beat up in high school by the campus bully and, while you were lying there bleeding, some geek with a pocket protector and a grudge against you for getting him kicked out of A/V class walked up and took your wallet.

So the French delegation ventured to Rome and, suffering humiliations galore, signed an Armistice with Italy.

Vershbow said that the United States has been working to secure the other North Korean Phase-2 commitment, a complete and correct declaration of its nuclear materials and programs, which, he pointed out, is four months overdue.

"On April 17, Secretary Rice spelled out the U.S. expectations for Phase 2: 'The outcome we and our partners require is a full account from North Korea of all its nuclear programs, including any uranium and nuclear proliferation activities.'"

He also noted that as soon as North Korea gets past these steps, the next step is to begin discussions on the third and final phase of the denuclearization process.

"In Phase 3, North Korea will be faced with answering the ultimate question of whether or not it is willing to give up its nuclear weapons and its fissile material, and irreversibly abandon its nuclear programs."

Inspiring Headline from Google

Korea Times

'US Ready to Work With N Korea' Korea Times, South Korea - May 1, 2008 By Michael Ha US Ambassador to Seoul Alexander Vershbow said the United States "will meet its commitments" to remove North Korea from its list of state ...

Pour amateur de surréalisme ! 

Tragédie, humour, absurdité et réflexion tout s’entremêle le temps de cet album où la mort, écoeurée par tant de massacres, propose de modifier le cours de l’histoire ! 

Nous sommes à quelques minutes de l’armistice et nous assistons à la mort de la dernière victime de la guerre des tranchées. Simon Virjusse n’en est qu’au début de ses surprises qui vont l’embarquer dans d’étranges stratégies gouvernementales, militaires et métaphysique. 

Si la mort, elle, a fait une erreur, Nicolas Dumontheuil, lui, signe un ouvrage très plaisant et très attachant pour les lecteurs qui accepteront de se laisser dérouter par les caprices du destin ! 

Le Roi cassé, de Nicolas Dumontheuil, Casterman collection « Univers d’auteurs », août 2005, 96 Pages

DEBKAfile: Israel-Palestinian "final-status" talks begin in shadow of Bush benchmark: agreed adjustments to 1949 armistice lines

January 14, 2008, 5:52 PM (GMT+02:00)

Israel's foreign minister TzipiTzipi LivniLivni and former Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Qureia held their first round of talks on "core issues' of the conflict in Jerusalem, Jan. 14, - as was promised PresidentPresident GeorgeGeorge W.W. BushBush during his visit last week.

Prime minister EhudEhud OlmertOlmert set up the sensitive negotiating track, heedless of threats from two coalition partners, IsraelIsrael BeitenuBeitenu and Shas, to walk out if they go ahead.

The core issues are intractable enough to have defeated scores of negotiators and mediators over decades: the status of Jerusalem, the future borders of a Palestinian state and Israel, the presence of Jewish communities on the West Bank, the status of 1948 Palestinian refugees, Israeli security in the face of Palestinian terror and the shared scanty water sources. On mere marginal questions, 22 meetings between Olmert and Palestinian Authority chairman MahmoudMahmoud AbbasAbbas failed to achieve a single point of accord before, during and after the US-promoted Annapolis conference in November.

Last week, the US president last week said his government would "nudge" the Israelis and Palestinians toward substantial negotiations and "tough concessions" for a Palestinian state to rise before he leaves the WhiteWhite HouseHouse at the end of the year. The status quo is unacceptable, he said. Israel "must give up occupation."

Since becoming the first US president to advocate Palestinian statehood, Bush has insisted on certain benchmarks for Israel-Palestinian negotiators. One is his reiteration of the 1949 armistice lines:

He laid out his basic concept on April 14, 2004, during a WhiteWhite HouseHouse visit by Abbas: "While territory is an issue for both parties to decide, I believe that any peace agreement between them will require mutually agreed adjustments to the armistice lines of 1949 to reflect current realities and to ensure that the Palestinian state is viable and contiguous. I believe we need to look to the establishment of a Palestinian state and new international mechanisms, including compensation, to resolve the refugee issue."

At the time, DEBKAfile emphasized the differences between the 1949 lines and the pre-1967 war boundaries - or the line which has come to be known as the GreenGreen LineLine, which demarking the West Bank.

They include several "demilitarized zones" inside Israel left open by a final peace accord. Biblical Jerusalem and the Western Wall, in Jordanian hands for 19 years, would be handed over to the Palestinians, as well as part of the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway - unless they agreed to give them up.

Bush further demands: "A viable two-state solution must ensure contiguity of the West Bank. And a state of scattered territories will not work. There must also be meaningful linkages between the West Bank and Gaza. "This is the position of the United States today. It will be the position of the United States at the time of final-status negotiations."

As has been pointed out, this linkage would cut through and truncate Israel.

On the question of security, Olmert stressed: "There will be no peace until Palestinian terror is stopped everywhere. Gaza must be part of the package. Without Gaza, it will be hard to reach any understanding with the Palestinians.

For the US president, stopping the missile and mortar attacks on Sderot was less important than removing the checkpoints in the Palestinian state-to-be "so that a state can emerge."

When I think of Veterans day I think of my Great Uncle whom I met as a child, he fought in the trenches on the western front. Veterans day originally commemorated the end of hostilities on the western front of the first world war. Eighty Nine years ago the Germans signed the armistice, fighting ceased on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. However older memorials across Europe date the end of the war to June 28th 1919. Many Germans would likely agree, they continued to suffer and starve until the allied blockade was lifted with the treaty of Versailles. Ferdinand Foch the Allied Supreme Commander and American General "Black" Jack Pershing wanted to continue the war. Foch proclaimed that the Versailles Treaty was only a twenty year cease fire, he was only wrong by two months - September 17th 1939 Germany invaded Poland igniting the Second World War.

I honor my great uncle who braved the trenches of the First World War, my Grandfather who fought the Japanese in the South Pacific during the Second World War, my Uncle who fought in Vietnam, my Cousins who fought in the First Gulf War and my Friends who fight there Today.

Qu'en pensez-vous ?

Many newspapers are running an AP story today about the factors of heroism in war. There is a study discussed that described two categories: "eager heroes" and "reluctant heroes". The eager heroes were those who signed up to enter war; the reluctant heroes found themselves there through a draft. One eager hero was Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. who spent much of his leadership time side by side with his troops. He actually volunteered to land in Normandy on D-Day and was the only general to join the troops in the first wave. He is #11 of the 30 heroes of November.

Private John Criddle

died 30th September 1915

aged 35

Battle of Loos

&

Alfred Alexander Criddle

died 22nd September 1918

aged 35

Buried MIKRA BRITISH CEMETERY, KALAMARIA

And to my Nanna's Dad  James Easter who survived the Somme and died from the side effects of Mustard Gas in the 50's

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 the guns of Europe fell silent. After four years of the most bitter and devastating fighting, The Great War was finally over. The Armistice was signed at 5am in a railway carriage in the Forest of Compiegne, France on November 11, 1918. Six hours later, at 11am, the war ended. As if to emphasize the stupidity of war, this came two minutes too late for private George Lawrence Price (Regimental Number: 256265), a Canadian soldier who is traditionally recognized as being the last soldier killed during the First World War. On the 11th of November, Price was part of an advance to take the small village of Havre. After crossing the Canal du Centre in Ville-sur-Haine under German machine gun fire, Price and his patrol moved toward a row of houses intent on pursuing the machine gunner who had harassed their crossing of the canal. The patrol had entered the house they had thought the shooting had come from but found the Germans had exited through the back door as they entered the front. They then pursued into the house next door and again found it empty. George Price was fatally shot in the region of his heart by a German sniper as he stepped out of the house into the street at 10:58 AM November 11th 1918, just two minutes before the armistice ceasefire that ended the war went into effect at 11:00 AM.

40 million people died as a result of WWI. The war caused the disintegration of four empires: the Austro-Hungarian, German, Ottoman and Russian. Germany lost its colonial empire and states such as Czechoslovakia, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Yugoslavia gained independence. The cost of waging the war set the stage for the breakup of the British Empire as well and left France devastated for more than a generation.

As ever though, this great hardship did spawn some fabulous works of art, in this case poetry. Poems that I have remembered ever since school days and that never cease to touch me more than most other poetry or verse ever has. Perhaps because they experienced this madness first hand.

Base Details, by Siegfried "Mad Jack" Sassoon

If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath,
I'd live with scarlet Majors at the Base,
And speed glum heroes up the line to death.
You'd see me with my puffy petulant face,
Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel,
Reading the Roll of Honour.
'Poor young chap,' I'd say-'
I used to know his father well;
Yes, we've lost heavily in this last scrap.'
And when the war is done and youth stone dead,
I'd toddle safely home and die - in bed.

Poems written by Sassoon at the start of the First World War contrast greatly in style to his later work. Driven by anger and frustration at the conduct of the war, Sassoon developed a beautiful style in which to describe the horror and appalling nature of the ongoing conflict. Sassoon continued to stir the emotions and consciences of his countrymen long after the guns fell silent.

In Flanders Fields, by John MacRae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Outside a dressing station near Ypres in 1915, John McCrae, a surgeon in the Canadian Army, wrote of the scenes around him. Dissatisfied, he tore the poem from his notebook and returned to his duties. A fellow officer discovered the poem in the mud and sent a copy to the press. Recited in Remembrance services throughout the world, this is one of the most memorable and moving poems of the Great War. John McCrae died in 1918.

Anthem for Doomed Youth, by Wilfred Owen

What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries for them from prayers or bells,
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs, -
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.

What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes.
The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of silent minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing down of blinds

Perhaps the most famous of the war poets, Wilfred Owen was born in Shropshire in 1893, and began writing poetry as a boy. After teaching English in France for a while he joined the Manchester Regiment and fought at the Somme where he contracted trench fever. While recuperating in Scotland, Owen met Siegfried Sassoon who encouraged his writing (and even helped with the poem above). Owen returned to the fighting and was decorated for his actions, but was tragically killed in the last week of the war.

Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
we shall remember them.

We shall remember them.

http://www.poppy.org.uk/

Here, we buy blue cornflowers from the local ex-servicemen, but November 11 will always be Poppy Day.

We wear them in honour and rememberance of those who didn't come home from the war that was supposed to end all wars.

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

HEARTS players will wear a commemorative strip in honour of the club’s war dead against Aberdeen this Sunday.

The special shirt will bear on its sleeve the names of the seven players who fell during WW1 and will also have an embroidered poppy on its front.

The Gorgie side were the first football club in Britain to enlist for action in November 1914 and were part of the 16^th Royal Scots which became know as "McCrae’s Battalion".

Like George Burley’s side two years ago, the side had won it’s opening eight league fixtures and was tipped to win the league before making the ultimate sacrifice.

At total of seven players - John Allan, James Boyd, Duncan Currie, Ernest Ellis, Thomas Gracie, James Speedie and Harry Wattie - all lost their lives. 

The current day players will all attend the club’s Remembrance Day service at Haymarket on Sunday morning prior to the afternoon’s match with the Dons. A Hearts spokesman said: “The 11th of November is a poignant day for many people around the world and it also holds a special place in the hearts of our own supporters.

“We are hugely appreciative of the sacrifice made by our players, shareholders and fans in the war and we felt that this was one small way we could ensure that their names are remembered.

“At that time in November 1914 many people believed that the team was the best ever to wear maroon having won their first eight league games to take a significant lead at the top of the table.

“There can be little doubt that not only in results but in sheer spirit and worth they were the best.”

McCrae’s Battalion were in the thick of the Battle of the Somme which saw 20,000 troops killed on its first day. In spite of the dreadful losses, the Battalion was credited with achieving the most advanced penetration of the enemy line anywhere on the front that day.

After Sunday’s match, the strips will be washed and framed before being auctioned at various events with all proceeds going to McCrae’s Battalion Trust.  The strip will not be on general sale.