§ The Armistice gradually increased the difficulties of moving troops by rail in France. The distances to be carried became much greater than formerly and the French railways, and especially the Northern system, are now seriously congested. A great deal of damage was done to the lines during the War. Each successive "No Man's Land" involved the destruction of another belt of rail Signals were disorganised and the old peace-time personnel were scattered. Repairs, naturally, could only be sufficient for "field" lines. Trains have to be provided for British, French, and Belgian demobilisation, for refugees to their homes, and to restart former economic conditions in the invaded territories. All this makes the heaviest demands on railway transport. This vast pressure and "reseau," 1410W which has not yet been restored to its former efficiency, has resulted in congestion. Some leave train journeys which formerly took hours, now may take days, owing to this congestion. The French Railway Administration, which aloneis responsible for the working of the system, is making efforts to relieve the situation, but the difficulties to contend with are great.
§ The new conditions were foreseen by the military authorities who immediately set to work to minimise the weariness of the leave and demobilisation journeys and particularly to ensure that the troops should suffer no ill-effects from the journey prolonged beyond the scheduled timing. The first essential was good railway rolling-stock. Coaching stock is scanty, so closed goods trucks, which alone were available in a sufficient quantity, had to be used. Experience, moreover, has since shown that the closed trucks are preferable to other types, because they are more easily heated and are not so susceptible to damage. Each truck for use by personnel was fitted with a stove and arrangements were made forfuel to be placed on the train at both ends of the journey. The stock in use is the standard type of vehicle for all troop movements and has been throughout the period of the War. During the winter this stock has been heated, a great advance on the practice of previous winters. To ensure that the men should not suffer any ill-effects from the cold, they were supplied with blankets.
§ Plenty of hot food is also needed to promote a bodily warmth. Kitchen vans were accordingly designed for attachment to the trains and have been provided with two large ranges, boilers, and a complete set of cooking utensils. Specially trained cooks prepare hot meals as the train proceeds and serve them from dixies at "Haltes." As sufficient trained cooks to staff kitchen vans for all trains are not yet forthcoming, a chain of "Halte Repas" were therefore also instituted, the longer distance trains being accorded priority as regards kitchen vans. At each "Halte Repas" there are cooking, washing, and other installations. The "Halte Repas" are well organised and are under the charge of officers who know what trains stop en route each day, though the late running has added considerably to the difficulty of providing meals at fixed hours. Hot tea and a substantial hot meal is prepared accordingly, and is in readiness when the troops arrive.
§ The comfort of troops travelling by rail under prevailing conditions, especially during the recent extremely cold weather, has never been lost sight of, but in spite of every care, it is not practicable entirely to avoid cases of individual suffering.