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Description
War's Unexpected Gifts
It was December 1914. The first world war had begun in July as the western front continued at a stalemate. The British and French forces are on one side and German on the other. This stand-off was a waiting game since the battle of Marne, which drew the German forces to the northern French border. Attrition and losses due to huge human casualties caused many like me to be drafted into the conflict. Just before Christmas, I wished my wife and children good-bye as I left for Aisne to aid my countrymen. I would probably never see them again.
Life in the trenches was difficult and demanding. Soldiers waited for days out of enemy fire as artillery thundered in the background. Life was miserable we spent all our time digging in frozen dirt or bartering for items like tobacco, coffee, and alcohol. The injured and departed lay in "No Man's Land" where they rotted without proper burial. All soldiers were ready to hold back the enemy and protect their family and country. Despite so many inconveniences, both sides stayed put and waited for enemy attack. Everyday more died of frostbite and starvation. Some even went insane. We watched our closest friends perish before our very eyes every day.
This continued until Christmas eve. Inspired by the pope, an armistice was signed by the Allies and Axis for a Christmas Truce. Slowly, soldiers from both sides of the field came out of the trenches under the flag of truce. Carols were heard from both sides as soldiers exchanged souvenirs and buttons (a sign of honor). The artillery sounds ended as men from both sides talked and had a merry time. All seeing themselves as human and as equals due to their conditions. Many soldiers on both sides became friends, and some areas made the truce last until New Year's Eve. They played rugby on the frozen ground with men from both sides participating. The German's at Aisne won 2-1 against a British regiment that happen to have a rugby ball. By the end of the truce both sides went back to their trenches with renewed feelings and joy, as well as pity for their enemies.
As the war dragged on, the use of poison gas and huge loss made the enemy seem less human. The two battles of Verdun and Somme saw at least one million dead. Many men from that truce remained friends even after the war had ended. The truce gave humanity hope within a time of bitter cruelty and hatred, during the terrible conflict of World War 1.

Description
War's Unexpected Gifts
It was December 1914. The first world war had begun in July as the western front continued at a stalemate. The British and French forces are on one side and German on the other. This stand-off was a waiting game since the battle of Marne, which drew the German forces to the northern French border. Attrition and losses due to huge human casualties caused many like me to be drafted into the conflict. Just before Christmas, I wished my wife and children good-bye as I left for Aisne to aid my countrymen. I would probably never see them again.
Life in the trenches was difficult and demanding. Soldiers waited for days out of enemy fire as artillery thundered in the background. Life was miserable we spent all our time digging in frozen dirt or bartering for items like tobacco, coffee, and alcohol. The injured and departed lay in "No Man's Land" where they rotted without proper burial. All soldiers were ready to hold back the enemy and protect their family and country. Despite so many inconveniences, both sides stayed put and waited for enemy attack. Everyday more died of frostbite and starvation. Some even went insane. We watched our closest friends perish before our very eyes every day.
This continued until Christmas eve. Inspired by the pope, an armistice was signed by the Allies and Axis for a Christmas Truce. Slowly, soldiers from both sides of the field came out of the trenches under the flag of truce. Carols were heard from both sides as soldiers exchanged souvenirs and buttons (a sign of honor). The artillery sounds ended as men from both sides talked and had a merry time. All seeing themselves as human and as equals due to their conditions. Many soldiers on both sides became friends, and some areas made the truce last until New Year's Eve. They played rugby on the frozen ground with men from both sides participating. The German's at Aisne won 2-1 against a British regiment that happen to have a rugby ball. By the end of the truce both sides went back to their trenches with renewed feelings and joy, as well as pity for their enemies.
As the war dragged on, the use of poison gas and huge loss made the enemy seem less human. The two battles of Verdun and Somme saw at least one million dead. Many men from that truce remained friends even after the war had ended. The truce gave humanity hope within a time of bitter cruelty and hatred, during the terrible conflict of World War 1.