On Christmas eve in the trenches in Flanders fields in 1914, suddenly in the still of the
freezing night a young German voice began singing "Stille Nacht-Silent Night" Soon, one by one,
each German voice, joined in harmony. As soon as they were finished there was a reverent pause.
Then from across the trenches a young English soldier sang out loud and clear "God Rest ye merry
Gentlemen" and the other
English soldiers sang in harmony. Then both sides sang "Silent
Night" together in the two different languages. After a considerable pause the lone figure of a
young German walked out between the trenches
into No Man's Land. Then the soldiers on
both sides slowly walked out to join him. They shook hands, hugged and traded chocolates,
cigarettes, photographs, scotch and cognac. The Christmas carols resounded throughout the frozen
fields of Flanders. Soon daylight was upon them and with sad farewells they returned to the
trenches to continue the fighting. A sad but true story.
The Christmas Truce
Submitted by Kevin P.Radcliffe