It was then that troops in trenches only a few meters apart mutually agreed to call a cease-fire.
It began with sounds of the carol 'Silent Night' wafting over from the German lines to the British soldiers. They then joined in the chorus in English. Next, a small Christmas Tree appeared over the parapet. Then voices began to speak.
"You no shoot. Me no shoot."
Next heads began to appear followed by soldiers cautiously making their way over 'No Man's Land'
In a matter of minutes hundreds of men had gathered, shaking hands, offering small gifts of chocolate and cigarettes and enjoying comradeship.
Then, spontaneously, they all agreed that the war should end and that they should all go home.
It would have happened had not the "Top Brass", a couple of days later, commanded everyone to get back to their respective positions and commence the killing all over again.
So much for the truce of 1914. Nevertheless, for few short days, it proved that 'Peace on Earth, Good will among Men' could be a reality if the 'Caesars and King Herod's of this world were kept out of the story!
Jubilate.
Ian
