Klaus (Christmas Truce)

Klaus was a Landser with the 16th Bavarian Infantry Reserve Regiment during the Great War. In the early morning hours of Christmas Day, 1914, Klaus made the most of the truce between German and British forces by getting drunk on beer. As he wandered through Messines, he came across Gefreiter Adolf Hitler as he painted a picture of a monastery. When Klaus told Hitler he should drink as much beer as he could, as no one knew when they'd get more, Hitler firmly but politely told Klaus he didn't want any. Klaus proclaimed Hitler a "queer duck", although he also assured Hitler he thought he was brave. He then suggested Hitler eat something. As Hitler had eaten prunes and hardtack, he truthfully told Klaus he'd already eaten. With a shrug, Klaus stumbled off.