Christmas of 1914 brings events that are astounding in the context of the war. Despite the fact that German, French, British and soldiers of many other nations have been killing each other by every manner imaginable for five months, the spirit of Christmas prevails among many groups of men. Joyous meetings happen between enemies to exchange greetings and goodwill. In many places along the lines of defence, opportunities arise to make contact, exchange body language and words, sometimes cigarettes and sweets as gestures of friendship. These events underscore the plight of the soldiers, who nurture no real hatred for each other, but are overtaken by national movements that carry them into the war in a social upheaval that they do not fully understand. Across the No Man’s Land, they can see that the beasts that have been described in propaganda are people just like them, under orders that they can not refuse without paying for it with their lives. Of the many revolting images of the war, with their depiction of abject destruction and violent death, this one, carried in many newspapers later in January, conveys a message of hope for humanity, as well as of the agony of sensitive human beings having to kill each other for reasons of state. From FCWM "First World War Day by Day" which can be found on the Friends website. The 2005 film "Joyeux Noel”, (UK/FR/BE), is a must see about the December 1914 Truce. "Joyeux Noël", "Frohe Weihnachten", and "Merry Christmas". Picture: The Truce was front-page news in the U.K. Above: In one of the most widely circulated photographs of the Truce, Saxon-German regimental troops shared cigarettes with soldiers of the 5th London Rifle Brigade in Ploegsteert, Belgium, south of Ypres. Pictures from Collectors Weekly https://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/the-christmas-truce-of-1914/ |
