The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1918-12-18
FORTY THOUSAND
YANKEE TROOPS
GUARD COBLENZ
Civilian Population Get First
Glimpse of U. S. Airplanes
ROYAL PALACE GUARDED
Americans Have Not Entered the Pal
ace--The Building Was Started
in 1873.

Coblenz. Sunday, Dec. 15-Approx-
imately forty thousand American
troops have arrived at Coblenz since
the advance guard reached here
week ago. A large number of these
troops have passed through the city,
while considerable forces will remain
here temporarily.
The people of Coblenz got their
first glimpse OF American airplanes
today. several of the machines lying
over the Rhine toward the bridgehead
boundary and then returning.
The officers and clerks OF the thlrd
army arrived here this morning, fol
lowed by trucks loaded with equip
ment and office supplies. The largest
hotel in Coblenz, overlooking the
Rhine and the two bridges where
most of the troops cross the river, has
been taken over as quarters for thlrd
army officers. The headquarters or
the third army are established in u
government building adjoining the
hotel
BY noon the third army was IN COM
munication with the back areas by
telephone. telegraph and wireless.
During Sunday various detachments
of infantry and artillery passed
through Coblenz on their way to JOIN
the divisions east of the Rhine.
Churchgoers viewed the marching
troops with much interest. Late IN
the afternoon the third division, when
had been along the Rhine south oil
Coblenz. marched through the city
headed by band, each musician
mounted on a gray horse. The third
division crossed the Moselle north OF
COblenz; where it had taken up po
,itjon along the Rhine in support oi
the troops within the bridgehead.
All the larger hotels here have been
taken over by the Americans Tor bil
letting purposes. as well as many oi
the public buildings, which are beng
used as Offices
German officers, who had remained
in the city to turn over war materta
to the Americans, soon compietet
their task and proceeded across th'
Rhine in automobiles flying white
flags TO join the German armies be
yond the bridgehead lines.
The royal palace in Coblenz, know
as one of the former German emper
or's summer palaces, is now unde
guard by American troops. The pal
ace stands on the banks of the Rhine
4 stones throw from the business cen
ter of Coblenz.
The palace is surrounded b,
,.,d .cu4afnc man
articles OF historic interest, in add
ton to silverware and other belong
ings of William |, who once occupies
the building.
Since the arrival of the American
, there have been several attempts I
remove some OF the valuables in IN
palace. Therefore, II was decide
: that the guard should he place
I, around the house as precauto
! against the furniture and other thlng
inside being disturbed.
i The palace was built by Primo
r Clemens Wenzeslau. The buildin
l. was started in the year 177S and wa
n finished eight years later. II was +
modelled in 1S45 During the occup
c ton of Coblenz by the French the pa
l. ace was used as a hospital and late
s the Germans used it as barrack
Il During the present war the pala'
/. was not disturbed by the Germa
army. although at various times NOV
ments were on foot to turn 1t INTO
hospital.
o The royal barracks within the p'
ace gardens is occupied by Americ;
+. troops, but thus far the American
q have not entered the palace itself.