An Officer And A Gentleman.

[stewey]

It's amazing to think that despite the diabolical horrors unleashed by the "Guns Of August" such a civilized incident could occur.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23957605

[tonyav]

Absolutely amazing that, stewey. An old style officer that, a man of his word.

[stewey]

Oops, I see that jd-1984 already posted this in CB.

[tonyav]

I hadn't seen it stewey. No matter anyway.

[stewey]

I find it difficult to believe that the English would allow him to return.

[jno]

no doubt for the same reason he did: if he didn't return no other officer would ever be granted such a favour.

[tonyav]

Yeah, so do I, stewey. I must have been all about 'Word Of Honour' and being an officer and a gentleman first and foremost.

[sandyRoe]

I noticed that a German officer made a similar request and was refused.

[New Judge]

Well you can't trust "The Hun" can you Sandy!? After all, they're not British !!!! A different set of standards entirely !!!!!

[stewey]

New Judge, whilst you are claiming that fact I can clearly visualize you sniffing; slapping your swagger stick against your highly-polished riding boots; dusting away some imaginary lint from your uniform; and twirling the end of your mustache:)

[tonyav]

Don't forget and adjusting his monocle at the same time, stewey.

[stewey]

Good one, tony, and underlining his absolute truism with a mighty "Harrumph":)

[tonyav]

Oh yes stewey, a good '' Harrumph'' is the sign of a true senior officer !.

[stewey]

Anyway, I must now scurry across no-man's land to reach my objective, which tonight is a stein of das bier...Cheers.

[tonyav]

Watch out for snipers then stewey, have one for me when you get there please.

[jake-the-peg]

I notice this happened at the start of the War

This was a period where such conduct was still observed

Fighter pilots waving to each other, games of football in no mans land, Christmas truces.

As the war progressed people got more intrenched - poison gas was used casulties rose and attitudes hardened.

I don't think this would have happened in 1917

[stewey]

A good point, jake. The hostilities were only just over a month old.

[heathfield]

Egad, sir! I would have expected nothing less! What?

[stewey]

In my original post I made reference to "The Guns of August" by Barbara Tuchman. I read this book as a teenager (many, many eons ago), and it really made an impression upon me, obviously. If you are interested in the history of The Great War you should read it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Guns_of_August

[Svejk]

Spiffing. They didn't let a war disrupt the class system.