The Christmas Truce, 1914

The Christmas Truce was a a series of unofficial events which occured on the Western Front over the Christmas Period in 1914, the first year of the Great War, World War One.

British and German soldiers took part in many localised meetings including the joint removal & burial of dead soldiers from No Mans land (including duel religious services over their fallen friends), exchanging of gifts (drinks, cigars and souvenirs)and even a football match on Christmas Day (Germany 3 England 2).

This short clip shows a field close to the small village of St Yvon in Belgium, where the British World War One cartoonist Capt Bruce Bairnsfather was located. A small cross, erected in 1999, commemorates the truce held in this area in 1914.

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Category:

Education

Tags:

• christmas
• truce
• world
• war
• one
• belgium
• bairnsfather
• st
• yvon

[camdengreen]

Thank you for showing us this -- the Germans, British and French soldiers celebrated Christmas together and the next day started killing each other again. Very sad.

[UrsiBear1]

A brief oasis of sanity in the midst of madness and slaughter. Why could not the politicians have settled the differences similarly. Was the killing of 15 million soldiers not worth the effort of negotiation for a a peaceful solution?

[trevortrevortsr2]

We went here last christmas - it was freezing with a light dusting of snow - people had left footballs near the cross - it was very moving - later we layed a wreath at the Menning Gate and went on to eat a loverly meal in the town overlooking the rebuilt square and watch young souls skate and celebrate life

[God4Dunoon]

thanks

[dror91]

So this section of the Western Front was turned into a farm?

[UrsiBear1]

An short-lived oasis of sanity amidst the prolonged madness and slaughter. Why couldn't the politicians and business interests have got together like this? Wasthe effort not worth 15 million soldiers' lives?

[2323winston]

In 4 years it will be 100 years from when the Christmas Truce happened. I wonder if any special commemoration will happen at this spot. I have read the book "Silent Night", an account of the events that took place on Christmas Eve 1914 by Stanley Weintraub, excellent book.