that the trenches on the East Coast
are constructed on the latest pattern as developed in the war, with
deep passage-ways, roofed sections, traverses, and zigzags to avoid an
enfilading fire from the flank. They are, indeed, to judge by the
photograph, remarkably similar to those constructed at the front in France
and Flanders. Even if occasion should not arise to use them against
the enemy, the labour of making them has not by any means been in
vain.--[_Photo. by Newspaper Illustrations._]

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THE ILLUSTRATED WAR NEWS, DEC. 30, 1914--[Part 21]--33

[Illustration: CHRISTMAS WITH THE GERMAN ARMY, ACCORDING TO A GERMAN
PAPER; THE ARRIVAL FROM HOME OF GIFTS FOR THE TROOPS.]

Full early, the popular German illustrated papers gave pictures of
Christmas on the field of battle, and it was very evident that our enemies
anticipated a joyous day or two: this, probably, thanks to the idea that
at Christmas-time all the Armies might call something of a halt, although
it was understood they were not in the least likely to do so officially.
It was also anticipated that the conditions of the Christmas spent by the
Germans at the front would, like those experienced by our own men
and those of the Allied Armies, be ameliorated by the reception and
distribution of gifts from home. For a considerable while Germany's
women-folk, especially, collected gifts for fathers and brothers at the
front; and it is certain that their efforts were much appreciated.

__________________________________________________________________________
34--THE ILLUSTRATED WAR NEWS, DEC. 30, 1914.--[Part 21]

[Illustration: UNDERGROUND, WITH GRAMOPHONE, WHITE TABLE-COVER, AND
FLOWERS: FRENCH SOLDIERS IN A "HOME-LIKE" BOMB-PROOF TRENCH.]

Our photograph reproduces a snapshot, by a French artillery officer, in
the trenches to the east of the Aisne. It shows how some of the French are
making the best of things, regardless of weather and the enemy. They
hollowed out the trench at one point (describes the officer), and roofed
it over with planks and earth, forming a bomb-proof. A seat was cut at the
sides and a table got from a village near. A roll of sheet-iron found in
the village was made a chimney for a fire with a cosy chimney-corner
beside it. With some w