In the chilly September of Verdun, the sun didn't come out the entire day, only casting a few scant rays through the fog as it was about to set, as if to give a little charity to the soldiers stationed on the border, confronting each other.
Suddenly, a shout broke the quiet air: "Hey, Germans, how was your day today?"
It was a young French soldier, leaning against one side of the trench, shouting to the other side to make his voice carry farther.
This was one way frontline soldiers alleviated their boredom. They often talked to the enemy, seeking a bit of excitement amid the daily tension, monotony, and oppression.
Usually, the Germans would respond in broken French:
"It was a good day. I received a letter from my wife and she sent a photo."
"But I received some bad news. My eighteen-year-old child has also enlisted. If you see him, please show mercy."
"Oh, I also received a jug of wine. It's wonderful!"
...
