14. Canned Corned Beef and Grenades
Unlike soldiers of other nationalities, Canada’s WWI soldiers had no chill, and seemed eager to spill as much German blood as possible. For example, occasional acts of kindness between enemies were not unknown in the trenches, and some peaceful exchanges and trade took place across no man’s land. On one occasion, Canadian soldiers tossed canned corned beef into the trenches of starving Germans. The hungry Germans were accustomed to fraternization with soldiers from other nations. They were lulled into believing that the troops across no man’s land from them were generous chaps, and grew accustomed to scrambling to snatch food cans tossed into their trenches. When the Germans shouted “More! Give us more!” the Canadians tossed grenades, knowing that their famished foes, expecting food, would rush towards them.
