Foes hobnob in trench

This story appeared in The Spokesman-Review, Jan. 3, 1915

BOULOGNE, December 26 – A British soldier relates a remarkable story of how the English and Germans hobnobbed in the same trench a few miles south of Ypres.

There were a handful of Germans and a smaller handful of allied forces. Trenches were but a few yards apart, and in these for more than a week the men of both sides had been bored and inactive. They amused themselves as best they could – exchanging messages, swapping newspapers and tobacco, hurling back and forth greetings and epithets.

Harmony reigns

More days passed and still neither side received orders either to attack or withdraw. Some sort of cooperation seemed necessary. Accordingly, the Germans hoisted a white flag, and, advancing under this, entered the allied trench for a conference. The result was an agreement was reached that it would be more comfortable for all to live in one trench until one side or the other received orders.

The Germans moved over bag and baggage, and for a number of days all went well. Many of the Germans spoke English or French. Under the strange circumstances friendships sprung up. Both factions dreaded the arrival of a messenger.

Frown, growl, fight

One day a messenger came and plans for the renewal of hostilities were hastily made. But the messenger proved only to be a bearer of mail and newspapers for the Germans. All gathered round while a German began to translate the latest dispatch from Berlin. Unhappily for the harmony of the gathering, it referred to Ostend by its German nickname, “Kales”; spoke of bomb droppings on various French towns, of contemplated air raids on Great Britain.

The English frowned, growled; the French grew excited. Both sides had by agreement laid aside their rifles; but both sides still had their fists. Both used them. A free-for-all fight followed and the unique compact came to an end.