CHRISTMAS TRUCE:

24^th December 1914

Dear mother:

Months have passed since the last time I have seen you. How much I would like to be there with you, mostly today, 24th of December. Everything has changed, the unimaginable has occurred.

It is night, here in the trenches is really cold. However, the shooting has ceased. For the first time there is silence. Not even a whisper is heard and it seems that the fear doesn't run through my body; I feel no desire to kill. Nevertheless, deaths increase everyday as the sadness and disillusion among the soldiers.

You will be as amazed as I am after having been complicit of the events of this evening. Trenches have been abandoned, both our German side and the enemy, to celebrate all together Christmas Eve. It all started when hoping to enjoy Christmas; we decided to sing carols to which the British joined. We have exchanged cigarettes, whisky and food. And, although it seems strange, we have also taken some photos. It has been a long time since I have seen my partners joking and smiling. Weapons are out of combat, now the only blows that you receive are falls while playing football. I don’t know what will happen from now on, I just hope this truce to continue for a while, fighting has no sense.

Give regards to all, tell them I love them and wish them merry Christmas. Luckily in some months I will be back.