The winter rains of 1914 flooded the trenches in the Flanders area, turning them into mud holes and watery pits. Soldiers were soaking wet and caked with mud from head to toe. Many of the rifles would not fire, and the men became more demoralized as they lay on the ground only getting stiffer and colder while eating the same rations day after day.
British and German trenches faced each other only a few hundred feet apart with the "No Man's Land" buffer between them. A stalemate reigned as the soldiers dodged small arms fire and attacks, and kept their heads down to avoid sniper fire. Yet at the same time, they watched out for surprise enemy raids.
The close proximity of the enemy meant that each side could hear the troops talking across the buffer. Occasionally they shouted at each other and traded a few goods, and there was a limited communication. They smelled breakfast cooking each morning and certainly faced the same dismal weather conditions.
As time dragged on, the soldiers became curious about each other and a kind of mutual respect developed. However they stayed low and out of sight, for the most part, because men were shot from time to time by sniper fire.
On December 7, 1914, Pope Benedict XV suggested a temporary halt in war activities for the holiday--a Christmas truce. Germany agreed but the British refused or simply ignored his request.
However the families sent presents to their British and German soldiers. The English soldiers received chocolate, pudding, tobacco and other goodies. The Germans dressed up their trenches with Christmas trees and candles. From a distance, the British could see the dim and flickering lights but could not quite make out what was going on. Their commanders ordered them not to fire. They were to wait and see what happened.
Soon they heard the Germans caroling and celebrating Christmas. Occasionally a German soldier shouted, "A happy Christmas to you, Englishmen!"
The Brits reciprocated those sentiments and joined in singing carols. When they sang "The First Noel," the Germans came back with "O Tannenbaum." They joined together in "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" and other Christmas carols.
Christmas Day dawned, a beautiful day with clear blue skies. Spirits were uplifted. Cautiously, the troops negotiated a cease-fire and exchanged small gifts such as cigars, chocolates, rum and whiskey as they emerged from the trenches and fox holes to meet in the no man's land buffer between the trenches.
Since neither side was anxious to resume the fighting, the truce lasted several days. The troops met face to face, shared family pictures, and just talked. There was even a pick-up soccer game when a member of the Bedfordshire Regiment produced a ball. The Germans and the Brits played until the ball got tangled in barbed wire and deflated.
The British commanding officers were not at all pleased with the development. They wanted to get the war going again before the Germans and the English became too friendly and refused to fight. When they threatened to court-marshal the soldiers for fraternizing with the enemy and treason, the war was back on once more. There were no more truces during the following war years.
Remembering the Truce
The Christmas Truce really did happen in Flanders during WWI, and the memory inspired at least one popular song.
The Royal Guardsmen were a band who recorded several songs inspired by Snoopy, the Beagle, in Charles Shultz's "Peanuts" comic strip in 19967-68. The 1914 Christmas Truce was the inspiration for "Snoopy's Christmas." Snoopy is a fighter pilot in his doggie daydreams and confronts the Red Baron on several occasions. One of those happens on Christmas Eve, 1914. The Red Baron forces Snoopy's plane down behind enemy lines where the following exchange between the two enemies ensues:
"The Baron made Snoopy fly to the Rhine
And forced him to land behind the enemy lines
Snoopy was certain that this was the end
When the Baron cried out, 'Merry Christmas, my friend!'
"The Baron then offered a holiday toast
And Snoopy, our hero, saluted his host
And then with a roar, they were both on their way
Each knowing they'd meet on some other day."
The chorus is a resounding appeal to those at war to strive for peace. It is appropriate in any war.
"Christmas bells, those Christmas bells
Ring out from the land
Asking peace of all the world
And good will to man."
Source:
A World Undone: The Story of the Great War, 1914 to 1918 by G.J. Meyer; Delacorte Press; 2007
Diane Evans - I am a retired civil engineer as well as a member of Sisters in Crime and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
Join the Conversation