I found this story when searching the net and I thought I would share it with you guys. When World War I erupted in 1914 launching the first great European war of the 20th century, soldiers on both sides were assured they would be home by Christmas to celebrate victory. That prediction proved to be false. The men on the fronts did not get home for Christmas as the war dragged on for four years. During that time 8.5 million men were killed, with hundreds of thousands more injured. The "war to end all wars" took a horrific human toll and transformed Europe. However, on Christmas Eve in December 1914 one of the most unusual events in military history took place on the Western front. On the night of Dec. 24 the weather abruptly became cold, freezing the water and slush of the trenches in which the men bunkered. On the German side, soldiers began lighting candles. British sentries reported to commanding officers there seemed to be small lights raised on poles or bayonets. Although these lanterns clearly illuminated German troops, making them vulnerable to being shot, the British held their fire. Even more amazing, British officers saw through their binoculars that some enemy troops were holding Christmas trees over their heads with lighted candles in their branches. The message was clear: Germans, who celebrated Christmas on the eve of Dec. 24, were extending holiday greetings to their enemies. Within moments of that sighting, the British began hearing a few German soldiers singing a Christmas carol. It was soon picked up all along the German line as other soldiers joined in harmonizing. The words heard were these: "Stille nacht, heilige nacht." British troops immediately recognized the melody as "Silent Night" quickly neutralized all hostilities on both sides. One by one, British and German soldiers began laying down their weapons to venture into no-man's-land, a small patch of bombed-out earth between the two sides. So many soldiers on both sides ventured out that superior officers were prevented from objecting. There was an undeclared truce and peace had broken out. Frank Richards was an eyewitness of this unofficial truce. In his wartime diary he wrote: "We stuck up a board with 'Merry Christmas' on it. The enemy stuck up a similar one. Two of our men threw off their equipment and jumped on the parapet with their hands above their heads as two of the Germans did the same, our two going to meet them. "They shook hands and then we all got out of the trench and so did the Germans," Richards said. Richards also explained that some German soldiers spoke perfect English with one saying how fed up he was with the war and how he would be glad when it was all over. His British counterpart agreed. That night, former enemy soldiers sat around a common campfire. They exchanged small gifts from their meager belongings - chocolate bars, buttons, badges and small tins of processed beef. Men who only hours earlier had been shooting to kill were now sharing Christmas festivities and showing each other family snapshots. The truce ended just as it had begun, by mutual agreement. Captain C.I. Stockwell of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers recalled how, after a truly "Silent Night," he fired three shots into the air at 8:30 a.m. December 26 and then stepped up onto the trench bank. A German officer who had exchanged gifts with Captain Stockwell the previous night also appeared on a trench bank. They bowed, saluted and climbed back into their trenches. A few minutes later, Captain Stockwell heard the German officer fire two shots into the air. The war was on again.
As I understand it, allthough the war was officially back on, both sides managed to avoid any bloodshed through boxing day as well. In fact, they spent the whole of boxing day firing into the air just to keep up the pretence of fighting. It wasn't until a sniper, described as being a law unto themselves, shot a soldier crossing no mans land a day or two later after the troops on both sides had become so relaxed about crossing over. In fact, the troops were finding excuses to cross over in order to keep up the newfound friendship. All this done under the noses of certain commanders who were getting apopleptic with shock. One such man on the British side (sorry can't remember his name) who had a reputation for shooting men for the smallest of 'crimes', when he heard about his troops fraternising with the enemy went out with his gun ready. But upon finding it was all of his men, not just one or two, and his best men at that, he realised he couldnt very well shoot them all, and agreed on a truce providing the men stayed in their own trenches. I think the most famous symbol of that temporary truce was the football match. But actually there were several football matches played along the trenches, some with Christmas puddings where there was no football and one where Germany typically won 3-1 While all this was going on, another British officer ended up having Christmas dinner with several Germans who shared the booty they had 'liberated' from the French. After the dinner the Brit admitted his dilemma about having to probably make good his actions of 'fraternisation' by bombing the German position. The Germans of course could have simply taken him prisoner, but instead it was agreed that when they all returned to their units they would do what had to be done with no hard feelings. The cease-fire was of course discussed at length by the Brit high command (I assume on the German side too) as well as being in all the papers. Eventually one high commanding officer lost his job over the event. To have made such a friendship and formed such respect amidst this war was one amazing thing, but to then have no choice but to go back and continue killing men who were now friends, because there was no other choice, is positively mind blowing. It would never happen today.
Nice post Ezri! Monday, December 20, 2004 at 6:00 PM EST they are showing something about this on the History Channel. It is called The Christmas Truce. I can't wait to see it!
The program was basicly just like the story except they gave a brief history of WWI leading up to that Christmas. Also, they said that the next year both sides were given strict orders not to do anything like what happened the year before or they will be charged with treason.
Ahh, I though it didn't happen again because the war had gone on for some time by then and they all became pretty battle-hardened and all that. Still, it's hardly likely the commanders would have allowed it to happen again and pre empted any likelyhood. Cheers for letting us know and I hope you enjoyed the programm. Well, you know what I mean.
