Suddenly in the still of the freezing night on Christmas Eve in the trenches in Flanders fields in 1914, a young German voice began singing, “Stille Nacht [Silent Night].”

Soon, one by one, each German voice joined in harmony.  As soon as they were finished there was a reverent pause.

Then from across the trenches a young English soldier sang out loud and clear, “God Rest ye merry Gentlemen” and the other English soldiers sang in harmony. Then both sides sang “Silent Night” together in the two different languages.

After a considerable pause the lone figure of a young German walked out between the trenches into No Man’s Land. 

Then the soldiers on both sides slowly walked out to join him. They shook hands, hugged and traded chocolates, cigarettes, photographs, scotch and cognac. The Christmas carols resounded throughout the frozen fields of Flanders. Soon daylight was upon them and with sad farewells they returned to the trenches to continue the fighting.

Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My friend
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