A still night; crescent moon; the faintest breeze. br Some wit might say, 'Peaceful, innit, Tommy? ' br Two hours before the usual time for attack. br I wonder what they've got up their sleeve for today. br A bit too quiet right now, I'd say br br Careful how you breathe or talk br this chilly night, out there in the open trench; br frozen breath will draw the sniper's rifle sight br br The sharp nose of some human terrier br passing over the familiar smells - br cordite, rifle oil, linseed for the wooden butt, the stench of death, br yesterday's corpses half submerged - br may detect, just over there, the unmistakeable smell br of fierce French 'Caporal' cigarettes; br there in front, strong German 'Zeppelins'; br round here, cheap Woodbines linger in the air br br hardly a human difference br worth fighting over.