CHRISTMAS AT THE FRONT

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 79, 27 December 1939, Page 7

CHRISTMAS AT THE FRONT

Enemy Patrol Raids

NATURE ENFORCES A PARTIAL TRUCE

Celebrations In White Mist

By Telegraph.—Press Assu. —Copyright. LONDON. December 25.

Today's first French war communique stated: “Christmas morning—nothing to report.” A later communique stated that enemy patrols were repulsed east of the Moselle River. The German communique reported a quiet day. It is announced in Berlin that Herr Hitler spent Christmas Day visiting the troops on the Western Front.

The raids by the German patrols dashed hopes of a Christmas truce similar to that in 1914 and kept the sentries and gun-manners unwaveringly vigilant, but fog and frost stopped all except essential movement and immobilized the air forces.

The war zone is blanketed in white mist. The roads are coated witli ice, and trees are ghostly in their white mantles.

Their Majesties’ Christmas cards were delivered to each serviceman as he enjoyed a near-to-normal Christmas dinner.

Many members of the Royal, Air Force donned ‘beards to play Santa Claus at French children’s parties, at which the children in one village sang, “We’ll Haug Our Washing on the Siegfried Line” in French.

Miss Gracie Fields, who has temporarily returned from her convalescence in Capri, delighted Air Force units in a series of concerts. She declared, “Let’s hope all this nonsense will be over next Christmas.” British and French troops exchanged gifts and joined in Mass and other religious services.

“A very cheerful day” was the description given by Daveutry to the manner in which the British Expeditionary Force spent Christmas Day at the front. The radio supplied the bulk of the entertainment.

Miss Gracie Fields received a tremendous welcome from rhe R.A.F., and at the conclusion of her performance she asked her hearers to join her in Christmas carols. She then sang “Ave Maria.” The most moving scene at the end of the day was in the practically deserted frontier town of Strasbourg, where the church, which had been deconsecrated, came to life again, a young French priest, who is now a lieutenant in the army, saying Mass in the presence of hundreds of soldiers.