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I read the news today oh, boy

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Running Bear

Running Bear Report 29 Oct 2009 10:20

A soldier's diaries from the trenches of World War I have revealed how British and German troops called unofficial ceasefires - to poke fun at one another.
The two sides would hold a temporary truce as they traded friendly insults across No Man's Land before returning to battle in France.

Sapper John French describes one 'rather curious' incident when a British soldier stood above the parapet to shout, 'Come on over Fritz', in a thick German accent. A German then called back, in a plum English voice, 'No blooming fear'. I do hope they publish these

Running Bear

Running Bear Report 29 Oct 2009 10:22

On April 16, 1915, Sapper John French wrote: 'One of our chaps got killed by a sniper. He was on the point of being relieved when he forgot himself - put his head above the parapet.'

April, 24, 1915: 'Lovely clear morning. Working in the wet last night. Water come down my back like a shower bath. Stiff fighting all night.'

May 23, 1915: 'There are scores of men lying dead. These grenades are murderous things. Found watercress growing in a stream - went alright with bread and cheese.'

June 21, 1915: 'Had a mouse in a cage so we could be warned in time if gas got very bad. We got gas to make us sick - mouse still alive and kicking.'

Carole

Carole Report 29 Oct 2009 11:11

There is a book called Sapper Martin. A WW1 soldier, a regular not officer. On my Xmas list.

What is the book you talk about, sounds interesting.x

Researching:

Running Bear

Running Bear Report 29 Oct 2009 11:34

Hi Carol, its all in the newspaper this morning, also found it when googled "John French" diaries lost for over 90 years found in his sisters house after she died, he won the MM & the MC.

AuntySherlock

AuntySherlock Report 30 Oct 2009 02:28

Beatles, A Day in the Life..........

I read the news today oh boy
About a lucky man who made the grade
And though the news was rather sad
Well I just had to laugh
I saw the photograph
He blew his mind out in a car
He didn't notice that the lights had changed
A crowd of people stood and stared
They'd seen his face before
Nobody was really sure
If he was from the House of Lords.

I saw a film today oh boy
The English Army had just won the war
A crowd of people turned away
but I just had to look
Having read the book
I'd love to turn you on........................................