15. Live-and-Let-Live Informal Truces in the Trenches
Of all their WWI enemies, German soldiers were most wary of Canadians, whom they referred to as “unpredictable savages“. Troops from other nations, at least absent active offensives in progress, often adopted a live-and-let-live attitude towards their foes across no man’s land. As the conflict dragged on, seemingly without end, and casualties mounted, war weary frontline soldiers often implemented informal truces and unspoken codes with equally war weary soldiers in opposite trenches. In some sectors, it was accepted that both sides would keep local attacks and raids to a minimum. Sometimes, it was seen as good manners for soldiers who knew their artillery was about to start a barrage to fire warning shots, so their foes could take shelter. Such little things kept casualties down and made life in the trenches just a bit more bearable. Not so Canadian soldierss, who, as kids today might say, “had no chill!“
