Christmas on the Battle Front

Western Front, December 1914

On December 24th, during World War 1, British and German soldiers were hunkered down in their respective trenches, when suddenly there could be heard the sounds of carol singing from both sides. It was Christmas Eve after all.

This was followed by requests for a ceasefire, and once a truce was called, something more magical happened; soldiers met their ‘enemies’ face to face, laughed, joked, and even exchanged gifts.

While some high-level officers harrumphed at this insubordinate fraternizing with the enemy, others, both German and British, took a more tolerant position.

Christmas Eve was followed by Christmas Day with many recorded games of soccer played between the warring factions. The day after Christmas, in most places, the business of war resumed, but perhaps, not quite business as usual.

Source: www.firstworldwar.com