Christmas Truce of WWII
A friend sent this to me:
The "great war" had been raging for nearly five months when Christmastime
rolled around. For the soldiers on the front lines, their homes were deep
trenches cut into the ground, filled with knee-deep sticky mud. Many soldiers
on both sides of the battle lines were covered with it from head to toe.
Soldiers had to keep their heads low, because at all times the enemy snipers
were watching, and would shoot at anything that appeared in their scope. The
closer to Christmas it got, the more sporadic the rifle fire became, as if on both
sides, they were simply ready for a break. On Christmas Eve. 1914 the first
hard freeze settled over the ground, which was welcomed by the soldiers
because at last the mud was solid.
Thoughts of the soldiers turned to their families, tucked away safely in their
beds. The soldiers settled down in their bunks with letters from their loved
ones, pictures, and if they were lucky, gifts. While the cold air blew in around
them, they turned their faces into their coats, and tried to sleep.
In the early morning hours of December 25, a thick mist settled around them.
It was hard to see from one side of "No Man's Land" to the other. Suddenly a
chorus of song broke the silence of the morning, and drifted up from the German
trenches across the way. The startled allies were amazed to discover when
they peeked their heads up to look, that the Germans had erected dozens of
Christmas trees in their trenches, and had even decorated them. They listened
in silence as the Germans sang "Silent Night." Stille nacht, heilige nacht.
When the voices concluded and echoed away, applause rang out from the allies.
The German singing had been lovely. The allies began a song of their own, and on
through the night the soldiers from either side of the battlefield sang together.
When dawn broke, the Germans called out to the allies, "Come over!" The allies
responded, "You first!" and tentatively, officers from either side walked out
over "No Man's Land," to greet each other. A ceasefire was called, and soldiers
from both sides rose out of their trenches to meet these people whom they had
just been trying to kill. Some of the people could communicate with words, but
others who did not know the other side's language made themselves understood
as they gave each other gifts of cigarettes, clothing and food. They shared
photographs of their families, and called each other "friend" for the rest of the
day. They built bonfires which glowed well into the night.
Finally the long dreaded moment had come- time for each side to return to their
trenches. The soldiers said goodbye to their new friends, and sank down into
their muddy holes. With a heavy heart, the firing began again, and the war
continued for four more years.
The "great war" had been raging for nearly five months when Christmastime
rolled around. For the soldiers on the front lines, their homes were deep
trenches cut into the ground, filled with knee-deep sticky mud. Many soldiers
on both sides of the battle lines were covered with it from head to toe.
Soldiers had to keep their heads low, because at all times the enemy snipers
were watching, and would shoot at anything that appeared in their scope. The
closer to Christmas it got, the more sporadic the rifle fire became, as if on both
sides, they were simply ready for a break. On Christmas Eve. 1914 the first
hard freeze settled over the ground, which was welcomed by the soldiers
because at last the mud was solid.
Thoughts of the soldiers turned to their families, tucked away safely in their
beds. The soldiers settled down in their bunks with letters from their loved
ones, pictures, and if they were lucky, gifts. While the cold air blew in around
them, they turned their faces into their coats, and tried to sleep.
In the early morning hours of December 25, a thick mist settled around them.
It was hard to see from one side of "No Man's Land" to the other. Suddenly a
chorus of song broke the silence of the morning, and drifted up from the German
trenches across the way. The startled allies were amazed to discover when
they peeked their heads up to look, that the Germans had erected dozens of
Christmas trees in their trenches, and had even decorated them. They listened
in silence as the Germans sang "Silent Night." Stille nacht, heilige nacht.
When the voices concluded and echoed away, applause rang out from the allies.
The German singing had been lovely. The allies began a song of their own, and on
through the night the soldiers from either side of the battlefield sang together.
When dawn broke, the Germans called out to the allies, "Come over!" The allies
responded, "You first!" and tentatively, officers from either side walked out
over "No Man's Land," to greet each other. A ceasefire was called, and soldiers
from both sides rose out of their trenches to meet these people whom they had
just been trying to kill. Some of the people could communicate with words, but
others who did not know the other side's language made themselves understood
as they gave each other gifts of cigarettes, clothing and food. They shared
photographs of their families, and called each other "friend" for the rest of the
day. They built bonfires which glowed well into the night.
Finally the long dreaded moment had come- time for each side to return to their
trenches. The soldiers said goodbye to their new friends, and sank down into
their muddy holes. With a heavy heart, the firing began again, and the war
continued for four more years.
0
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There is even a song about this. It is called "Christmas in the Trenches". It was was WWI, though, not WWII. 0 -
I never tire of reading this particular piece. The last war fought in the Napoleonic fashion with gentlemen. WWII had it's share of small truces, but nothing like this.
Thanks for posting.[:)]0 -
quote:Originally posted by Hylander50
There is even a song about this. It is called "Christmas in the Trenches". It was was WWI, though, not WWII.
Garth Brooks also did one called Belleau Wood.
Oh, the snowflakes fell in silence
Over Belleau Wood that night
For a Christmas truce had been declared
By both sides of the fight
As we lay there in our trenches
The silence broke in two
By a German soldier singing
A song that we all knew
Though I did not know the language
The song was "Silent Night"
Then I heard my buddy whisper,
"All is calm and all is bright"
Then the fear and doubt surrounded me
'Cause I'd die if I was wrong
But I stood up in my trench
And I began to sing along
Then across the frozen battlefield
Another's voice joined in
Until one by one each man became
A singer of the hymn
Then I thought that I was dreaming
For right there in my sight
Stood the German soldier
'Neath the falling flakes of white
And he raised his hand and smiled at me
As if he seemed to say
Here's hoping we both live
To see us find a better way
Then the devil's clock struck midnight
And the skies lit up again
And the battlefield where heaven stood
Was blown to hell again
But for just one fleeting moment
The answer seemed so clear
Heaven's not beyond the clouds
It's just beyond the fear
No, heaven's not beyond the clouds
It's for us to find it here0 -
Just a myth. Not to burst your bubble. Even though I was not there. Just my opinion. And there's no Santa.[}:)][:D] 0 -
Cool...........[:)][:)]
rider0 -
quote:When dawn broke, the Germans called out to the allies, "Come over!" The allies
responded, "You first!"
[:D][8D][:D][8D][:D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by watrulookinat
Just a myth. Not to burst your bubble. Even though I was not there. Just my opinion. And there's no Santa.[}:)][:D]
Pessimist [:D]
http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/christmastruce.htm0 -
quote:Originally posted by watrulookinat
Just a myth. Not to burst your bubble. Wrong!!!
Even Snopes says it's true.
http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/truce.asp0 -
I stand corrected. Thanks for the link... Dolfan. Seems that was documented in a Soldiers War Diary. 0 -
ive always understood this to be true.
its funny that this post was made, for i just rented a movie called
jouex noel, or merry christmas. it is about this truce, fairly good movie. the downside is it is subtitled. and i dont want to ruin the movie but it shows something that i did not know happened, but it is feasable tho.0 -
So true, in fact, that both sides immediately rotated participating troops out of the lines. The last thing commanders wanted is troops who saw those on the other side as fellow humans... Or worse, friends!
Let's face it, the way to ruin a perfectly good war is for the participants to refuse to kill one another. This goes against the pure logic and beauty of murder and mayhem for the sake of a few politicians.
Not a miracle, really. More the consequence of common men who understood more than their respective leaders. Good men who had had enough on this holiest of nights. Too bad both sides didn't refuse to continue the business of war right then and there.
Patton, twenty-five years later, had the right idea in North Africa. Instead of allowing the carnage to happen, he stated that both he and Rommel should button up in their tanks and do battle on a personal level. Winner take all.
I doubt he was really serious, but it would have been a good idea all the same.0 -
And "Yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus." 0 -
the Germans had erected dozens of Christmas trees in their trenches, and had even decorated them. They listened in silence as the Germans sang "Silent Night." Stille nacht, heilige nachBLAMM
so much for that.0 -
quote:Originally posted by nord
So true, in fact, that both sides immediately rotated participating troops out of the lines. The last thing commanders wanted is troops who saw those on the other side as fellow humans... Or worse, friends!
Let's face it, the way to ruin a perfectly good war is for the participants to refuse to kill one another. This goes against the pure logic and beauty of murder and mayhem for the sake of a few politicians.
yeah, that is what the movie showed at the end, that aspect was never covered in my world history class, however the temporary truce was covered with much fervor from the teacher. Perhaps it was not brought up because that showed the generals and politicians wished the war to continue.0
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