The Christmas Truce of 1914
by Ann Godette
One chilly night on Christmas Eve of 1914 during the first World War,
German troops near Ypres, Belgium put decorations in their trenches. The Christmas
truce is the unofficial cessation of aggression between the German and British Troops
on Christmas Eve of 1914. The Germans began by placing candles on trees. Then they
began to sing ” Stille Nacht” (Silent Night), and the British troops responded in
kind with the song in English.
The singing from both sides of “No Man’s Land” grew
louder. They yelled Christmas greetings to one another. This was followed by the
Germans and British stepping across “No Man’s Land” to exchange gifts. The gifts
were cigarettes, chocolate, jam, and whiskey. The artillery fell silent after being
at war so ferociously for so long. The deaths suffered by the English were almost
1 million. German deaths were almost double with 2.5 million. It was a silence both
the Germans and British needed, especially that Christmas Eve night. These were brave
men. Formerly enemies, but brought together by Christmas halfway around the world.
They were allowed to retrieve the fallen soldiers. They had a proper burial and soldiers
from both sides attended it. The 23 Psalm was read : The Lord is my shepherd. I shall
not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still
waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for his
name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil. The dead were mourned. This was a rare opportunity for all to take
what they had been given that night.
The Christmas truce spread across the other lines
of the military. Football land soccer matches were played that night. The truce lasted
throughout Christmas night and in some places up until New Year’s Day.
One soldier
from the British Expeditionary Force wrote a letter about that night. He told his
story in this letter he penned.
This letter sums up the Christmas Truce of 1914 between
the Germans and the British forces. Kind greetings, Christmas songs, games and delicious
food were shared by enemies. “Peace on Earth Goodwill toward Men” was true that night.
We all have a lesson to learn about peace on earth. These letters cans be enjoyed
for a lifetime by us all.
Ann Godette is a freelance writer living in Hampton, Virginia. Her published articles cover a myriad of subjects from pieces on high fashion design to the place for women in technology today.
My Dear Mater,
This will be the most memorable Christmas I’ve ever spent or likely
to spend: since about tea time yesterday I don’t think there’s been a shot fired
on either side up to now. Last night turned a very clear frost moonlight night, so
soon after dusk we had some decent fires going and had a few carols and songs. The
Germans commenced by placing lights all along the edge of their trenches and coming
over to us - wishing us a Happy Christmas etc. They also gave us a few songs etc.
so we had quite a social party. Several of them can speak English very well so we
had a few conversations. Some of our chaps went to over to their lines. I think they’ve
all come back bar one from ‘E’ Co. They no doubt kept him as a souvenir. In spite
of our fires etc. it was terribly cold and a job to sleep between look out duties,
which are two hours in every six.
First thing this morning it was very foggy. So we
stood to arms a little longer than usual. A few of us that were lucky could go to
Holy Communion early this morning. It was celebrated in a ruined farm about 500 yds
behind us. I unfortunately couldn’t go. There must be something in the spirit of
Christmas as to day we are all on top of our trenches running about. Whereas other
days we have to keep our heads well down. We had breakfast about 8.0 which went down
alright especially some cocoa we made. We also had some of the post this morning.
I had a parcel from B. G’s Lace Dept containing a sweater, smokes, under clothes
etc. We also had a card from the Queen, which I am sending back to you to look after
please. After breakfast we had a game of football at the back of our trenches ! We’ve
had a few Germans over to see us this morning. They also sent a party over to bury
a sniper we shot in the week. He was about a 100 yds from our trench. A few of our
fellows went out and helped to bury him.
About 10.30 we had a short church parade
the morning service etc. held in the trench. How we did sing. ‘O come all ye faithful.
And While shepherds watched their flocks by night’ were the hymns we had. At present
we are cooking our Christmas Dinner! so will finish this letter later.
Dinner is over
! and well we enjoyed it. Our dinner party started off with fried bacon and dip-bread:
followed by hot Xmas Pudding. I had a mascot in my piece. Next item on the menu was
muscatels and almonds, oranges, bananas, chocolate etc followed by cocoa and smokes.
You can guess we thought of the dinners at home. Just before dinner I had the pleasure
of shaking hands with several Germans: a party of them came 1/2way over to us so
several of us went out to them. I exchanged one of my balaclava for a hat. I’ve also
got a button off one of their tunics. We also exchanged smokes etc. and had a decent
chat. They say they won’t fire tomorrow if we don’t so I suppose we shall get a bit
of a holiday - perhaps. After exchanging autographs and them wishing us a Happy New
Year we departed and came back and had our dinner.
We can hardly believe that we’ve
been firing at them for the last week or two - it all seems so strange. At present
its freezing hard and everything is covered with ice.
There are plenty of huge shell
holes in front of our trenches, also pieces of shrapnel to be found. I never expected
to shake hands with Germans between the firing lines on Christmas Day and I don’t
suppose you thought of us doing so. So after a fashion we’ve enjoyed our Christmas.
Hoping you spend a happy time also George Boy as well. How we thought of England
during the day. Kind regards to all the neighbors.
With
much love from Boy.
