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'XMAS IN THE TRENCHES

LOUD DEEP CHANT OF GUNS NO TRUGE ON THE WESTERN FRONT. t , By Teleffrauh—Press Association—Copyricht London, December 26. Mr. Pliillip-Gibijs, tne war correspondent, says: "The only carol hoard in the trenches is tlio loud, deep chant of tho guns on both sides, the shrill soprano whistling of shells, and the raitle of macliiiie-guns. If Father Christmas ventured into the trenches he would be compelled to lift up his cloak waist-high, and, staggering and slithering in tlio sludge, he might at any moment fall irjto deop, icy pools. The boys were jesting and hanging up their trench-waders for Christmas boxes, but whenever home was mentioned they became sadly thoughtful, contrasting their present life with their former festivities in their own homes. Most of tlieni treated Christmas with humorous irony. Christmassy sentiments were rather out of placo where men were lying with rifles waiting to kill, and only thinking of the presents they wore hoping to give tlio Germans. There could not be a truce this Christmas. The Tommies havo suffered overmuch to forget or forgive. There could not he friendly conversations while tlio dead were lying between the trenches.. •Everywhere it was remarked: "Wo do not intond allowing any monkey tricks; Christmas or 110 Christmas, we have got to got on with the war." Irish 1 soldiers assembled in • a dimlylighted shed, the wind was howling, there were gusts of rain aiid tho rumblo of guns, while" they responded to tlio priest's words'of peace. The'appearance of humility and meekness upon the faces of tho kneeling Tommies made them look like reverent boys in a school chapel. 'Ilie dawn of Christmas was not greeted with angelic songs, but with the continuous splutter and boom of deathdealing machines 011 both sides. Everywhere the cheery toast was: "May wc beat the Germans before another Christmas." THE TOMMIES AT SALONIKA i CELEBRATE THE DAY IN STYLE. (Rec. December 27, 8.5, p.m.) London, December 26. A Salonika, correspondent says he has never seen such a celebration of Christmas. The Allies' camps lost tlioir military atmosphere in music, singing, and football. Tho most amusing event was a hare-backed and reinless mule race, in which the Tommies were seen struggling like turkeys and geese. Every shop was depleted of its stocks of raisins, nuts, -and figs. There were boisterous sing-songs in the evening.- •

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19151228.2.37

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2654, 28 December 1915, Page 5

Word count
Tapeke kupu
389

'XMAS IN THE TRENCHES Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2654, 28 December 1915, Page 5

'XMAS IN THE TRENCHES Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2654, 28 December 1915, Page 5

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