100 years ago tonight an event occured that often is overlooked. Many people are unaware of it all together. The event occurred in Europe on Christmas eve and into Christmas day. Europe had been at war for 5 months. and during that time the fighting had settled into a stalemat along the western front mainly in France and Belgium. As soldiers recieved gifts from home for the holidays a lul in the fighting began to settle in with the cold weather. There had been no official truce declared though calls for such had come in from many places including the Pope. Exactly how it happened and what happened that night and the next day varies from accounbt to account and depending on the location. One of the most famous stroies Brittish Soldiers hear German soldiers singing Christmas carols across the lines and joined in with songs going back and forth. In some areas small chrostmas trees were put up along the edge of the tranch line lit by candles on the German side. Accounts often speak of a german soldier who came into no mans land under a flag of truce followed soon by others on both side. However it happened what followed next was an unofficvial truce along much of the Western front. In some areas the time was taken to burry dead in others soldiers from both sides met in no mans land and exchanged food, gifts and letters from home. Some accounts talk of an impromptu soccer game though who won or even of that occurred is still of some debate, Regardless of the details soldiers on both sides along much of the front met and celebrated Christmas together. Some accounts say when the truce was over many did not wish to continue fighting the enemy they had now seen face to face. The following year orders came down that any such fraternization would be dealt with harshly though some did occur it was not nearly as widespread. The truce of 1914 would never occir on such large terms again and The Great War would continue for another 4 years before it would end. https://youtube/watch?v=QTXhZ4uR6rs
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 19:31:46 +0000
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