Amidst the carnage of WW1, there remained an untold camaraderie between the British and Germans soldiers throughout the war.
Living barely 150 yards from the enemy for months on end meant parts of everyday life had to be shared. Banter and humor could be heard, from a simple Good Morning to notice boards over the parapet "Today is BANK HOLIDAY Tommies. Do not fire - give us a rest," Tacit agreement between the two sides to allow the carrying out of repairs, tend the wounded and deal with supplies was common and despised by the generals.
On Christmas Eve, even under artillery bombardment, gifts were shared. Soldiers would regularly throw English newspapers into the German trenches in return for copies of the Hamburger Fremdenblatt editions.
At the Somme, German officers would cross No Mans Land to have nightly games of bridge with the French.
Those who surrendered were often treated with decency and compassion. It was common for enemy soldiers to bury the dead of their foes, often with full military honours.
The fighter pilots above northern France would often land nearby the enemie's crash site to pay their respects or drop wreaths with messages of condolences.
Those wounded often received treatment from enemy medics that was every bit as good as they could expect at home.
A captured British Stretcher-bearer agreed to work with German medics medicalto help the injured of both sides. His work was recognised to such an extent that he was made an acting sergeant in the German army.
When British forces occupied Cologne following the armistice they were treated as rescuers and a real affinity was seen with the locals. Lifelong friendships were formed and 700 British soldiers married German girls over the following year.
To many, WW1 was considered to be last Gentleman's War. Picture shows Germans helping a French soldier out of the mud. #stayzero