Letters Shed New Light on World War I’s Christmas Truce

mapuc · 06-03-13, 08:16 PM

A very interesting read

http://www.history.com/news/letters-...hristmas-truce

Markus

Oberon · 06-03-13, 08:39 PM

Hard to believe that it will soon be a hundred years since the outbreak of the Great War.

I always feel quite emotional whenever I think of the Christmas truce, that without any real co-ordination other than the fact that it was Christmas that whole groups of enemies would just down arms and meet each other over the battlefield.

The Generals were furious and threatened dire retaliation on any soldier caught fraternising with the enemy, yet I think if they had been in those trenches, with those men, going through the hell and mud, they would have been just as glad to have one days break from the war as those men were.

There's a film, French made I think, called 'Joyeux Noel' which is set around the time of the truce, I've only seen clips of it on youtube but it looked very well made.

Cybermat47 · 06-03-13, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

Hard to believe that it will soon be a hundred years since the outbreak of the Great War.

Yeah... ancient history!

WWI was also the first war in which Australia fought. Something to be proud of, but also depressed by.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

I always feel quite emotional whenever I think of the Christmas truce, that without any real co-ordination other than the fact that it was Christmas that whole groups of enemies would just down arms and meet each other over the battlefield.

Christmas is the time of forgiveness. It's a good thing that they postponed the war, and not Christmas

Agiel7 · 06-03-13, 11:20 PM

I remember reading similar stories throughout the war between the sides on the quieter fronts. For instance, in one section with Germans on one side and French on the other, one German soldier frequently crossed No-Man's-Land to have lunch with the French soldiers, as their chow was usually better. In another instance, the sense of camaraderie between some Brits and Germans was such that the German brass eventually sent a battery of 25 lbers to instill "fighting spirit" into the men. However, the German grunts sent the Brits a message warning them of the development, and told them that they would blow a whistle to signal the Brits to take cover.

Crécy · 06-04-13, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

There's a film, French made I think, called 'Joyeux Noel' which is set around the time of the truce, I've only seen clips of it on youtube but it looked very well made.

It's excellent. Could even go as far as saying that it's one of my favourite war movies.

06-03-13, 08:16 PM	#1
mapuc CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Denmark Posts: 20,537 Downloads: 37 Uploads: 0	Letters Shed New Light on World War I’s Christmas Truce A very interesting read http://www.history.com/news/letters-...hristmas-truce Markus

06-03-13, 08:39 PM	#2
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Hard to believe that it will soon be a hundred years since the outbreak of the Great War. I always feel quite emotional whenever I think of the Christmas truce, that without any real co-ordination other than the fact that it was Christmas that whole groups of enemies would just down arms and meet each other over the battlefield. The Generals were furious and threatened dire retaliation on any soldier caught fraternising with the enemy, yet I think if they had been in those trenches, with those men, going through the hell and mud, they would have been just as glad to have one days break from the war as those men were. There's a film, French made I think, called 'Joyeux Noel' which is set around the time of the truce, I've only seen clips of it on youtube but it looked very well made.

06-03-13, 11:20 PM	#4
Agiel7 Gunner Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 97 Downloads: 16 Uploads: 0	I remember reading similar stories throughout the war between the sides on the quieter fronts. For instance, in one section with Germans on one side and French on the other, one German soldier frequently crossed No-Man's-Land to have lunch with the French soldiers, as their chow was usually better. In another instance, the sense of camaraderie between some Brits and Germans was such that the German brass eventually sent a battery of 25 lbers to instill "fighting spirit" into the men. However, the German grunts sent the Brits a message warning them of the development, and told them that they would blow a whistle to signal the Brits to take cover.