Essex Regiment - Saar Plebiscite (1935)

Saar Plebiscite (1935)

As part of the Treaty of Versailles, the Saarland province, on the border of France and Germany, was put under French control. In 1935, by the terms of the treaty, the people of the Saarland were to determine whether to remain as part of France, or to become German. The British government sent 13th Brigade as a supervisory force to the Saarland, which comprised 1st Battalion, the Essex Regiment, 1st Battalion, the East Lancashire Regiment, and 16th/5th Lancers. The result of the plebiscite was 90.3% voting to join Germany (then under Nazi government).