A Christmas Truce of 1914, World War 1 For Sharing, For Peace
Peace at the war front on Christmas day during World War I. A real story. An inspiration. Christmas is for sharing!
The truce occurred five months after hostilities had begun. Lulls occurred in the fighting as armies ran out of men and munitions and commanders reconsidered their strategies following the stalemate of the Race to the sea and the indecisive result of the First battle of Ypres. In the week of December 25th leading French, German and British soldiers crossed trenches to exchange seasonal greetings and talk. In some areas, men from both sides ventured into no man 's land on Cristmas Eve and Christmas Day to mingle and exchange food and souvenirs. There were joint burial ceremonies and prisoner swaps, while several meetings ended in carolling. Men played soccer games, creating one of the most memorable images of the truce.
Soldiers from both sides (the British and the Germans) exchange cheerful conversation (an artist's impression from The Illustrated London News of 9 January 1915: "British and German Soldiers Arm-in-Arm Exchanging Headgear: A Christmas Truce between Opposing Trenches").
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