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It was a dismal and dark grey day. That which had not frozen had turned to slush. Even the rolling snow laden clouds were grey. The acrid stench of death and dying filled the air along with the pungent smell of cordite and body waste. 2
The lads, sixteen and seventeen year olds, lay huddled together in the trenches. Covering themselves as best they could with what-ever they could. Those of them that had greatcoats did their best to share them with their comrades.3
The boots they wore had long ago stopped resisting the endless wet and the feet of the lads were turning blue with cold and the lack of circulation. Their puttee wrapped legs were blocks of ice and misery was the order of the day as the cold forever crept upwards.4
I call them lads, for by the time they reached twenty-one, they were old men. Vacant eyes stared heavenward and babe-like voices prayed and called for momma to ease the pain from a lost arm or leg.5
The barrage of artillery fire from the enemy was continuous as was the grey snow that fell. Mud and slush peppered the air and rained down upon them.6
Suddenly there was an unearthly silence. The gunfire had stopped but the grey snow kept falling.7
The lads looked at one another in disbelief. 8
Was that music they were hearing?9
Silent night, Holy night ...10
Men were singing but with a German accent.11
It was Christmas Day and the enemy had ceased their bombardment and the Germans were singing Christmas carols.12
Meanwhile, at the Allied Army HQ the Generals donned their dress uniforms and polished riding boots. It was time for Christmas dinner. Roast pork, roast lamb with all the trimmings, turkey and cranberry sauce and the best of wines. Plumpudding, trifle and cream. A banquet fit for royalty.13
The lads in the trenches opened their tins of bullybeef and water canteens or smoked a precious squid of a dry cigarette.14
Yeah ... Merry Bloody Christmas!15
Sammy16
Christmas 200517
Author notes
Thank you all my friends and fellow writers who have read and commented on this story. The inspiration came in the middle of the night and I can only assume from a sub-concious dream. Subsequently this was written in 15-20 minutes.
I abhor the way in which the command conducted themselves and lauded themselves with lavish living at the expense of mere boys.
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
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Excellent
Great Job Sammy as anyone who visits my page will know the deep respect I hold these young men in.I have read much upon the First World War an all you say is true.It seem that Christmas Cease fire was the last remnants of a strange Chivalry that still prevailed even in such times.No doubt without the intervention of the leaders back home and the officers in the field the war may even have ended early. once the front line troops got to know each other.
Sadly we will never know.But it was such a wonderful thing to happen at Christmas.
A great piece as i have already said the very best of luck in this contest -
WOW! You have painted an all-too-accurate picture here! In so many ways all wars are the same!
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Sad but true. However, you don't mention that the English soldiers joined in to sing those carols along with the Germans. They also crossed over to the German lines or met each other in the center and traded things and hugged each other and sang carols together for the whole night. They even played games together (or so I've been told). It would seem that not all of them had feet in such a bad condition. It was a useless and totally senseless war, and solved nothing except to set things up for the next war. (Remarkably like the U.S. war in Iraq, I suspect). Anyway, you are correct, it was criminal for those officers to do what they did while the poor boys in the trenches had little or nothing for Xmas.
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Very true. The last survivor of the Christmas truce died a few eeeks ago, aged 109. And nothing changes except that I wonder how many Iraqis will pop out of their ruined houses and sing "Silent Night" to the occupying forces? I think a blind Iraqi beggar man would be able to count them on his stump.
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very well written
Very interesting story. I think it is horrible how the high ranking officers feasted while the boys were suffering in the trenches. Very thought evoking write.
etherealforu
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You did well to bring this one home and deep into my heart. I remember my father's stories WWII. He was 18 years old.
Anyway, my heart cried as I read your story. And I pray for their ultimate honor and glory in Heaven. Para: "No greater man is he, who lays down his life for his fellow man."
~Mary O -
Its right we should remeber Sammy thanks for this timely piece because of there suffering we will have a good christmas well done
Paul -
Wow you use great description in this it makes me see everything as if I was actually standing there...That is a great feat to master but you have done it well great story one that looks like it could possibly continue should you so wish it
love the title that is what drew me in well you know if this were a poem instead of a story it would be the perfect poem about war...that is needed in a contest.
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Excellent Piece of Work
The young age of these boys in the war belies belief! so many had their lives cut short because of doing what they could for their country. The conditions they had to endure were terrible, the weather conditions along with a lack of food, the fear of the unknown must have been almost more than a body could bear. Yet at a time of year when there should be sharing and a giving of thought to others, as you rightly say here, those in authority had a bounty fit for a king, whereas, the lads putting their lives on the line had to make do with meager rations! Where is the justice in that.. not much merriment for the lads, thats for sure.
You have given us a reminder and insight into what these young soldiers had to put up with and go through Sammy, how incredible that there can be a truce for one day, then in the early hours of the next morning, the barrage begins once again, more likely it would be more intense... it would be so very difficult for these ones and also for their family members, knowing the difficult and dangerous situation these soldiers were in.
An excellent storywrite
Well done
~Katie~ 
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Always remember!
My Dear FG,
The wealth of love that lies within your heart brings tears to the eyes. Yes you weave dreams, but each stitch is held fast by rememberences. A marker upon the soul. God bless you my dear, dear FG. You bring life back to time long ago and with such eloquence.
fp ~;~ -
So very true, my heart is angered but proud at the same time, angry that these men had to sacrifice themselves for us, but proud that they did. It touches my heart particularly since I've been researching my great uncle's war records, just visited the Memorial of Australia 2 weeks ago, found his name on the roll of honour (he was killed in action, but died somewhere in Turkey, grave unknown) I can't describe the feeling as I placed a poppy next to his name, finally I could do something physical, to show he had not been fogotten, to me none of them will ever be. Your write is magical, vivid and scary. But so many of us take for granted what we have and don't stop to think how we got it. Wonderful job, yet again.
Much love anf light
Karen -
This is a very sad thing to think of, it is true and it is happening agian.... truly sad.
This is very well written and a wonderful reminder of what we must be thankful for and what we must keep in our hearts and prayers this year. My Dad just was in Iraq and came home safe, he got lucky, heres to the over 2,000 we have already lost and to there families.
Thank you for sharing this and thank you for the reminder of the season!!!!
KIKI -
You know Sammy, they gave so much that we may have what we have today and for that i am eternally grateful. I can't begin to comprehend what it must have been like for the lads,to fully understand i would have had to walk a mile in their shoes, Arn't we the lucky ones. A truly excellent piece and a wonderful reminder of the sacrifice made by so many.God bless dear friend....love mal XX
Edited on Dec 19, 3:14 p.m. because ''. -
Wongerful write, nice pic
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Well done, that was well written. Putting the picture in was such a good idea, made it seem more real.
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Wonderful write my friend, a true picture of the suffering that occured between 1914/1918 in the trenches...Well done, excellent
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The picture helped me visualize this a little more... annd ohh you did a wonderful discription of how fortunate we are.. blah blah blah.. you know ... okay well good i guess ...
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wow this is moving, a great job... i think that this was extremely deep and insightful to the suffering and pain that those men endure... people forget at christmas that they are not the ONLY people in the whole entire world... Also it is a reminder that there is always hope!!
I loved this, and it has helped me to remember those who are in pain this Christmas! Thankyou There was some brilliant imagery and description.
Lots of Love, Hugs and Kisses, and God Bless You All
Lily x x x x x x
Edited on Dec 19, 12:51 because ''. -
heart wrenching
And the snow was spotted red,
laying underneath was their dead.
As silence grew for miles around,
falling snow was the only sound.
Memories of their Christmas past to keep a warmth within the heart.
A longing pain to be at home with loved ones far apart.~~~~
Wonderful Sammy, a reminder that this season isn't only a time for giving, but remembering too. Least we forget, history will surely repeat itself.
~Michelle~
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heartfelt
Vivid and heartwrenching. Good work on such a dreary topic. War and death amidst Christmas. Sadly it is again that way. This year many will suffer,bless them. -
A bleak story on how christmas for some people isn't all tinsel and christmas pudding. Even these days there are people on the street who like the "lads" in the trenches are not going to enjoy christmas. A thoughtful story and well written. Peace <3
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I'll drink to this. Now where's the beer?
We had another look at this event in Old Poetry. You might want to take a look yourself. Maybe you've a soul mate. Or was that you?
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