Feature Letter of August 24th, 2025
Curtis, William Howard
Dear Sister,
It's quiet here just at present so I'll write a few lines. We are in the front line again, just to the left of the First Battalion. The trenches are only forty yards from the Germans. Yesterday both sides got quite friendly for a few hours. They talked to each other and then suggested going out between the trenches and exchanging souvenirs. One of our men yelled over and said if the Germans would come half way we would go out and meet them. A sergeant and two privates accepted the challenge and climbed over the parapet. Then three of our men went out to meet them. They shook hands and exchanged cigarettes and small gifts. It was like declaring peace for a little while. The officers on both sides soon changed things and ordered their men back into the trenches. Neither side fired a shot and all returned safely.
There wasn't any sign of Peace last night. News of the big Naval Success and the success against the Turks raised our spirits high. We lined our trench and gave forth with three vigorous cheers. This alarmed the Germans, who thought we were about to attack them. When a sergeant who spoke German shouted out the news of our allied wins there was a big lull. They stopped singing and later there was loud talking as they discussed the news. Last night fresh troops were sent in and to-day there isn't a sign of friendship between us. There will likely be another big bust-up before long.
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