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December 25, 2006
December 25: General Interest
1914 : The Christmas Truce
Just after midnight on Christmas morning, the majority of German troops engaged in World War I cease firing
their guns and artillery and commence to sing Christmas carols. At certain points along the eastern and western fronts, the soldiers of Russia, France, and Britain even heard brass bands joining the Germans in their joyous singing.
At the first light of dawn, many of the German soldiers emerged from their trenches and approached the Allied lines across no-man's-land, calling out "Merry Christmas" in their enemies' native tongues. At first, the Allied soldiers feared it was a trick, but seeing the Germans unarmed they climbed out of their trenches and shook hands with the enemy soldiers. The men exchanged presents of cigarettes and plum puddings and sang carols and songs. There was even a documented case of soldiers from opposing sides playing a good-natured game of soccer.
The so-called Christmas Truce of 1914 came only five months after the outbreak of war in Europe and was one
of the last examples of the outdated notion of chivalry between enemies in warfare. In 1915, the bloody conflict of World War I erupted in all its technological fury, and the concept of another Christmas Truce became unthinkable.
Posted by Post Scripts at December 25, 2006 04:49 PM
Comments
When the allied generals found out about the fraternization they put a stop to it immediately. Can't have Peace break out after all. Just finished reading an interesting history of WWI. No surprises to speak of. WWI was monstrously stupid and brutal.
I did come to appreciate just how badly the German military treated conquered civilians. They were no better than in WWII. The Nazis did not invent German pig headed cruelty. On the other hand some allied officers (including American)insisted on fighting all the way up to the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Wasting lives that weren't their own.
Note from Jack: I know, I read that too. WWI was exactly as you have characterized it. So much waste, so much stupidity and the German attrocities back then seem to have been lost in time. Thanks for bringing this back to our attention. We lose a lot when we forget history.
Posted by: Ron Acevedo at December 27, 2006 11:56 AM