Settling old scores

THE LOGIC of events suggested that the moment for a decisive breakthrough in the West had passed.

The fact was grimly acknowledged by British and French, but absorbed by the Germans only with great reluctance. On 2 December, they tried to cross the Yser on rafts…

Cold turkey

AFTER THE TRUCE, what then? Staff Sergeant Clement Barker wrote on 29 December: “Night came and still no shots. Boxing Day the same and has remained so up to now….We have conversed with the Germans and they all seem to be very much fed up and heaps of them are deserting. Some have given themselves up as…

While Allelulias rang

THE FURIES OF war did not encourage reflection. But this was the week of Christmas, and the tragedy into which the world had descended was lent desperate pathos by the story of the Christ child.

Ruling the Waves

A GOOD WEEK for the Allies, it appeared. Irresolution dominated the Western Front. Intermittently the Germans attacked in ways which, while not exactly random, suggested they were clutching at straws. On 8 December, they launched a long-distance bombardment of Furnes and twice during the following…

No rhyme or reason

A NEW INJUSTICE edged this week into the bigger story of war. In the absence of any great offensive in the west, commanders feared troops would question the reason for being there at all. Morale would languish and little local understandings with the enemy would creep in by stealth. The war…