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Monday, November 11 I was sleeping on the bale of hay in my loft when a messenger came looking for me around two or three, or maybe four in the morning. As soon as my name was called out, I felt a chill like I think a prisoner would feel, but I responded. I was not the only one to wake up. Several other soldiers—possibly all—stood up without thinking. The messenger told me to report to the command post and not to take my gear because they needed me immediately. I got there quickly but was not feeling well since I had left suddenly from my warm sleeping area to the very cold outdoors with frost on the ground. I had hardly wrapped myself up in warm clothing and was shivering from the cold. Before entering the post, I was shaking uncontrollably and tried to calm down to avoid giving the impression that I was gripped with fear. Regarding fear, I can assure you I did not even think about it. I was as ready as the best to face everything. I quickly completed my assignment. The assignment and other information I secured allowed me to learn of the new orders to suspend the offensive scheduled for this morning at six. The orders called for continuing the artillery fire with the same intensity until eleven in the morning, when hostilities would be suspended for thirty-five days. The Germans were granted the truce so that they would enter into negotiations for the conditions for peace. Those of us who heard the orders began to breathe easier, while the rest of the soldiers continued to agonize in desperation. The day seemed like all others because the artillery duel appeared to be continuing with even greater intensity. The horrid smell of gas was so strong that breathing became difficult. Messengers delivered the good news all over the front. This really calmed us down, although it did not do away with the danger we were facing. Armistice Day 284 285 Armistice Day We followed the same routine. The soldiers were in a pensive mood and they would occasionally ask in a hesitating manner, “What do you think, could it be true?” I could only answer, “We will see.” We continued with our responsibilities. Seconds before the memorable eleventh hour, the enemy fired a powerful heavy-caliber projectile, which fell on soldiers who were talking and laughing, probably entertaining sweet hopes. The explosion took all six of them without leaving a trace. They belonged to a machine gun company. May they rest in peace! The German bugle announced that it was eleven. They were very close. The Germans were sure the hostilities had ended and we did not know. They were jumping out of their small trenches and shouting loudly with excitement . Genuine joy! They were throwing down their rifles and heading toward their homeland “with the swift pace of running geese.” Some were singing; all of them were making a racket. The noise gradually died down, the muttering of men of war receded until nothing was heard but the low hum of soldiers talking with each other as they leaned on their backpacks or lay down on the ground. We realized how close we were to dying when we saw so many Germans jumping out in front of us. We would not be talking of the offensive if it had been carried out. We concluded the day holding the line and the ground that we had taken by force of arms. That afternoon we observed the burial of the soldier who was killed alongside the French woman. It was sad. We hope this funeral will be the last. Two men took him on a stretcher to the outskirts of town. We were quiet as the body passed by. We had no reason to make a fuss, there are many more. We praise men like him by saying they wear the laurels of victory . The body was tossed into an ordinary grave, wrapped in a blanket and tagged. They placed a small white wooden cross by his grave. Otherwise, the site could not be located. This could easily happen. This is the gravesite of the many! Unlucky friend, you were not able to see the triumph you helped us secure! The rest of us have witnessed this victory. Others have not seen it, but will still benefit from the sacrifice of the fallen heroes in France! Tuesday, November 12 Last night was...

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