THE YPRES TIMES
21
On a Christmas Day the Company was in the line on Passchendaele Ridge. The writer
was in the outpost where the ground fell backwards to the front line on a slight gradient,
and it sloped in a like manner to the enemy line, held by Saxons, thus affording a clear
view all round. The parapet of the post was at ground level and was carefully camou
flaged with cross pieces, petrol tins, old sacking, a waterproof sheet and some snow,
the squad's time being taken up between keeping a close watch and making hot char
with some melted snow and candles. Phew This char tastes funny." And no
wonder. Look, there's a candle in it." Candle Why, that's the bit we couldn't find.")
PHEW THIS CHAR TASTES FUNNY.
Snow lay about thickly and covered with its soft mantle the scenes of carnage. There
was a desultory shelling during the day but it broke off towards the evening and as night
closed in the moon came out slowly to a full brilliance and illumined with its clear, com
passionate beams the tranquil sleep of these fallen legions. It also rounded off the snowy
wastes and here and there, with atouch of crystal, gave unreal beauty to a gruesome shape.
Indeed, but little was needed in the way of detail to impart to this shambles, as by
enchantment, the attractive charm of a Christmas Card.
J. Edwards.
(To be continued.)
