CAPE ARGUS –
1915, January 1 & 2
That
Christmas in the trenches was not all fighting appears from a letter sent home
by a private in the Queen’s Westminsters. The writer says:
“Christmas
in the trenches was the funniest thing I ever struck. Our guns shelled the German
trenches till 4 o’clock on Christmas Eve, and then there was a little rifle
fire till dark, when we started singing carols and songs and chaffing the
enemy. As things were apparently going very well, four of us got on top of a
parapet and struck matches. The enemy cheered, so we all got out and held a
concert and dance in the open. We hailed the enemy, met a few half-way, shook
hands and exchanged cigarettes. They are jolly good sports. We had a football
on Christmas Day, and asked the Germans to send a team, but they declined the
challenge. Anyhow, we had a friendly chat. One of the Germans produced a camera
and photographed a group of twelve Westminsters and twelve Germans. I smoked
German cigars all day and ate German chocolates all night while on guard, so
did not do so badly.”
Fuller details are now available of the truce which prevailed on Christmas
Day between the British and German soldiers on many parts of the British front.
These show that this truce was one of the most impressive events of the war. Soldiers
crossed, met each other and shook hands, sang glees and hymns together and
exchanged cigars, chocolates, etc. Neither side had believed such peace and
goodwill possible. British officers and men declare they never spent a happier
day. German officers were most affable and exchanged tokens.
On Christmas Eve the Germans shouted to the Englishmen, “Sing to us.” The
response was the singing of “Lead, Kindly Light” and “Abide with me.” In fact,
great enthusiasm for the time being prevailed among friend and foe, who even
went to the length of playing games together. It was noteworthy that the trucemakers
appeared to be Saxons, and not Prussians.
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