What happened next was described by British Gunner Herbert Smith of the 5th battery, Royal Field Artillery, in a letter he wrote at the time.
On Christmas Eve there was a lull in the fighting, no firing going on at all after 6 P.M. The Germans had a Christmas tree in the trenches, and Chinese lanterns all along the top of the parapet. Eventually the Germans started shouting, “Come over, I want to speak to you.” Our chaps hardly knew how to take this, but one of the “nuts” belonging to the regiment got out of the trench and started to walk towards the German lines. One of the Germans met him about half-way across, and they shook hands and became quite friendly. In due time the “nut” came back and told all the others about it. So more of them took it in turns to go and visit the Germans. The officer commanding would not allow more than three men at a time.
I went out myself on Christmas Day and exchanged some cigarettes for cigars, and this game has been going on from Christmas Eve till midnight on Boxing Day [the day after Christmas] without a single round being fired. The German I met had been a waiter in London and could use our language a little. He says that they didn’t want to fight and I think he was telling the truth as we are not getting half so many bullets as usual. I know this statement will take a bit of believing but it is absolutely correct. Fancy a German shaking your flapper as though he were trying to smash your fingers, and then a few days later trying to plug you.
Source:
Stephens, John Richard. “Alternative Views.” Weird History 101: Tales of Intrigue, Mayhem, and Outrageous Behavior. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2006. 69. Print.
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