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December 1, 2007 Archive
Hundreds of soldiers wrote home about it, one describing it as “one of the most extraordinary scenes imaginable.” Letters, photographs, and evocative drawings of it appeared in The London Evening News and in magazines such as The Graphic and The Sphere less than a month after it happened. Still, there were those who refused to believe such an odd bit of “latrine rumour.” But the Christmas Truce of 1914 did indeed occur and, although officers participated, it was not sanctioned by high command. It simply happened.
The Stage is Set The German forces followed suit. Along a 27-mile stretch of land along the Flanders plain, the “Tommies” and the “Fritzes” each began digging.
In an echo of home, the Tommies named their trenches – Beggar’s Rest, White Horse Cellars, and Old Kent Road. But the trenches were far from homelike. As Christmas approached the North Sea’s bitter winds began to blow and a seemingly endless icy rain pummeled all men regardless of nationality. Most all military operations came to a standstill as the trenches flooded. It was hardly the makings of a Christmas miracle. In addition, although the war was only five months old by Christmas, thousands of young men on both sides had already perished and each side had vilified the other. The German press spoke of the “pagan French” and of the “soullessness of the British.” In turn, the British press continually hammered home of the "monstrous and unspeakable wickedness” of the Saxons.
But, in the trenches, these men were in close proximity to one another – barely thirty yards apart in places and separated only by No Man’s Land. Tremendous distrust and animosity existed on both sides, but it was impossible not to be curious about one another – especially as each side shared a most immediate enemy - the tormenting and inescapable Flanders mud.
And So It Begins As early as the beginning of December there were isolated instances of fraternization, but perhaps the real beginning of the truce was December 19th. As Lieutenant Geoffrey Heineky of the 2/Queens wrote home: …a most extraordinary thing happened – I should think quite one of the most curious things in the war. Some Germans came out and held up their hands and began to take in some of our wounded and so we ourselves immediately got out of the trenches and began bringing in our wounded also. The Germans then beckoned to us and a lot of us went over and talked to them and they helped us to bury our dead. This lasted the whole morning and I talked to several of them and I must say they seemed extraordinarily fine men… On Christmas Eve the final serendipitous event occurred. The rain stopped. The mud hardened and men no longer had to continually bail muddy water. The normal stench of the trenches – chloride of lime, soaked clothing, gun smoke, and decay - had disappeared. Christmas Eve night arrived with stars and a frost. All became quiet – even the Tommie’s sniper, who usually delivered his 9p.m. “goodnight kiss” had taken the evening off. As darkness fell, candle-lit Christmas trees, lanterns, and torches began appearing on the German parapets. It was a particularly dramatic and moving scene for miserable and homesick soldiers now accustomed to survival in a stark and ugly zone. And then the Germans began to sing with deep emotion – ‘Stille nacht’ – Silent Night. And so it began. Men on each side began exchanging songs and carols. Others held up signs saying Merry Christmas. It wasn’t long before each began calling to the other to leave their trenches and meet in No Man’s Land. One German soldier loudly announced a gift as he threw something. The British dived for cover, but then realized the man had thrown only a boot – filled with chocolate and sausage. Curiosity and the holiday spirit overcame caution and enemies each left their trenches and met with one another in No Man’s Land to talk and shake hands, to exchange token gifts of cigarettes and food and souvenirs such as uniform buttons. Some merely wanted to wish the other a Merry Christmas. As Christmas day dawned, the spirit of Christmas continued to prevail over war, although often cautiously. Christmas greetings were shouted back and forth and more signs, such as the one that said ‘You no fight, we no fight’ now appeared on the German parapet. The trenches emptied as more men now swarmed onto No Man’s Land. It was decided that the first order of business was to bury the dead and joint memorial services were held, with all men baring their heads in prayer. The day, cloudless with a blue sky, then livened as songs were sung, Christmas puddings and cigars shared, photos taken, and addresses and newspapers exchanged. Peace and celebration had temporarily conquered war.
Although this phenomena occurred along over 2/3 of the
British held sector, it was not one which could last. In some
places, as prearranged, The men who participated would forever remember this temporary Christmas Truce. As we look back upon it now, the question becomes: Was the Christmas Truce of 1914 only an absurdity of war or was it an example of the true spirit of men? That I will leave for you to decide my friends. But it is, at the least, a story worth sharing with your family and friends over Christmas dinner or around your Christmas tree.
O Ye who read this truthful rime
To learn more about this extraordinary moment in history,
Christmas Truce by Malcolm
Brown & Shirley Seaton, 1984
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and Belgium forces had successfully halted Germany’s westward push
into France, but the German forces had not retreated. Both sides
held their ground in a stalemate and by mid month the British and
French commanders had ordered their men to entrench.