THE YPRES TIMES
21
He did not do so but asked the English-speaking German to pass on our appre
ciation and welcome. He quickly responded by standing on the steps of the Stone
of Remembrance and addressing his comrades, and finally, called for two minutes
silent homage to our dead. Standing close to me a burly Teuton wept.
What a wonderful sight; surely around us field grey and khaki, though unseen,
stood Hand in hand.
Walking back to the gates our friend who had called for the silence said,
Your cemeteries are very beautiful; they are lovely and much nicer than ours."
What a tribute to the Britisher's reverence for dead comrades.
Once again we stood on one of Flanders' roads of memory and sorrow,
the hands of one-time enemies met in a firm grip, a grip which meant the beginning
of an understanding friendship, a grip which expressed sincere regret for the
mistakes and misunderstanding which a few years back had sent two mighty
AT BROODSEINDE GERMAN CEMETERY.
empires flying at each other's throats. Here on this very soil had we striven to
kill each other. In Tyne Cot lay 12.000 of our dead, evidence of the titanic struggle.
Hard by the erstwhile fields of death lay tilled and smiling in the early summer
sunshine, O, God! for the sake of millions of dead, let us keep this peace,
let us strive for understanding, that way lies peace."
Now, may I make a suggestion to Ypres' Leaguers, on which I should
welcome observations. Could we not do our bit for peace by arranging at Easter,
Whitsuntide, or August, a meeting between our members and this German
ex-service organization to take place in the Salient.
We could mix freely together for a pro-gramme of tours, with, say, a commem
oration ceremony at the Menin Gate and possibly one at Broodseinde German
Cemetery. It would give a wonderful opportunity for the exchange of experiences
and impressions from both sides of No Man's Land, but best of all it would help
the cause of peace and for that a million Britishers gave their lives.
F. J. Lineton,
6th (Pals.) K.S.L.I. 20th Light Division.
