MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!

Jim McDougall · 25th December 2009, 01:01 AM

On the evening of December 24,1914 in the freezing darkness of the trenches on the western front, it was noted by British observers that many of the Germans were lighting candles in lanterns. Although this clearly illuminated the enemy soldiers, the British refused to open fire ...it was Christmas.
Then even more remarkable, a British officer saw that the Germans were holding up small Christmas trees with lit candles......incredibly they were wishing thier enemies a Merry Christmas!!!

Within moments some of the German troops began caroling, and the chorus deepened as the voices up and down the trenches boomed with "Silent Night" in German, 'Stille Nacht, Heilage Nacht' !!
On both sides, boards were held up wishing the other side Merry Christmas.

One by one, soldiers threw down arms and jumped over the parapets on both sides, and joined each other in the bombed out no mans land, in mutual peace. There were common campfires lit, and the men all shared a single goal, the celebration of Christmas Eve.

Somehow it was agreed that no firing would take place until these celebrations had ended, and while this event certainly has many varying versions of the story, the fact remains that it did happen.
On the morning of December 26th, warning shots were fired in the air by both sides....the British officer and German officer who had exchanged gifts and greetings looked toward each other, respectfully bowed, and returned to their positions....and the tragedy resumed.

In that short time from that miraculous evening, humanity prevailed, and as I sit here on this Christmas eve, I think of our soldiers far away, and of all soldiers of all nations, and all faiths in all holiday celebrations........and wish with all my heart,for peace on earth, and goodwill to all, as on this night, and ever in hope that it may be so always......someday.

Anandalal N. · 25th December 2009, 07:22 AM

Dear Jim and Friends all over the world,

Here's wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year all the way from Sri Lanka.

Jim that is a lovely bit of "humanity" that you have set out.

Thanks.

Regards.

kahnjar1 · 25th December 2009, 08:29 AM

It is now Christmas night here. Suffering from too much good cheer! To those yet to suffer, have a great day.
A MERRY XMAS TO ALL.
Stuart

katana · 26th December 2009, 01:37 AM

Hi Jim,
well put .....an event to truly illustrate that even in the 'hell' that was the trenches in WW1 .Men can rise up from their differences and extend an open hand of humanity. It was mainly the 'rank and file' soldiers that instigated this...the high ranking officers found this deplorable and believed it would 'soften' the troops and wanted hostilities to re-commence immediately. Easy for these officers ....miles away in their safe quarters....soften the troops

?? It would take brave individuals to climb out of the trenches, with only their 'faith' in their enemy's humanity not to shot, as they became 'easy' targets walking in no-mans land.

I only have admiration for the men of both sides whom were involved in the cease fire.

Regards David

Dmitry · 26th December 2009, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

On the evening of December 24,1914 in the freezing darkness of the trenches on the western front, it was noted by British observers that many of the Germans were lighting candles in lanterns. Although this clearly illuminated the enemy soldiers, the British refused to open fire ...it was Christmas.
Then even more remarkable, a British officer saw that the Germans were holding up small Christmas trees with lit candles......incredibly they were wishing thier enemies a Merry Christmas!!!

Within moments some of the German troops began caroling, and the chorus deepened as the voices up and down the trenches boomed with "Silent Night" in German, 'Stille Nacht, Heilage Nacht' !!
On both sides, boards were held up wishing the other side Merry Christmas.

One by one, soldiers threw down arms and jumped over the parapets on both sides, and joined each other in the bombed out no mans land, in mutual peace. There were common campfires lit, and the men all shared a single goal, the celebration of Christmas Eve.

Somehow it was agreed that no firing would take place until these celebrations had ended, and while this event certainly has many varying versions of the story, the fact remains that it did happen.
On the morning of December 26th, warning shots were fired in the air by both sides....the British officer and German officer who had exchanged gifts and greetings looked toward each other, respectfully bowed, and returned to their positions....and the tragedy resumed.

In that short time from that miraculous evening, humanity prevailed, and as I sit here on this Christmas eve, I think of our soldiers far away, and of all soldiers of all nations, and all faiths in all holiday celebrations........and wish with all my heart,for peace on earth, and goodwill to all, as on this night, and ever in hope that it may be so always......someday.

In my opinion, this episode was yet another sign of the hypocrisy of man. The next day they were gutting one another, and the next day, and for the next 4 years. Millions died, and for what?!

I wish you all a wonderful, HEALTHY Christmas, and a fruitful New Year.

Jim McDougall · 26th December 2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmitry

In my opinion, this episode was yet another sign of the hypocrisy of man. The next day they were gutting one another, and the next day, and for the next 4 years. Millions died, and for what?!

I wish you all a wonderful, HEALTHY Christmas, and a fruitful New Year.

Actually my recounting this event was to emphasize a quality in the men, that of brotherhood. Much of the horror of war is that the common soldier must fulfill his obligation to duty, even unto the tragedy of mortal combat.
The hypocrisy is given to those who perpetuate war, not to those who by duty, must carry it out. There is a distinct difference, and my reference was to honor those who serve.

All best wishes again to all for a wonderful new year!!!

As always,
Jim

Dmitry · 26th December 2009, 11:36 PM

I reiterate my Christmas wished to all here! May we never meet on the field of battle!

katana · 27th December 2009, 12:49 AM

Hi Dimetry
I quote you from the e-mail received from the forum (with your post)....which has now disappeared from the forum website. I only do this because you brought up an interesting point....

"Well, Jim, what happened to the quality of those men, the brotherhood, in all the Christmases following 1914? No similar occurrences on a significant scale came about........"

Dimetry the reason was that this never occurred again "on a significant scale" was because the Generals had decided that from then on continual Artillary bombardment of enemy trenches (Christmas Eve onwards) would prevent communication between the opposing lines of trenches...and thus further unofficial ceasefires. They were not always successful....unofficial truces occured between

".........British and German troops stationed along the Western Front during Christmas 1914 and, to a lesser extent, in 1915. In 1915 there was a similar Christmas truce between German and French troops, and during Easter 1916 a truce also existed on the Eastern Front.........."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_truce

Regards David

Jim McDougall · 27th December 2009, 01:54 AM

Actually the reason I brought this up was simply to show that even in the atmosphere of war, there can be moments of humanity. It seems that the point spoke for itself..it wasn't a revelation...simply a Christmas miracle.
There will always be those who do not see things the same.
It wasn't intended to provoke a debate, just wanted to say something special on Christmas Eve.
Thank you David, Anandalal and Stu for the kind input and Dmitry for the holiday wishes.
I would say that about wraps it up for this topic.

25th December 2009, 01:01 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE! On the evening of December 24,1914 in the freezing darkness of the trenches on the western front, it was noted by British observers that many of the Germans were lighting candles in lanterns. Although this clearly illuminated the enemy soldiers, the British refused to open fire ...it was Christmas. Then even more remarkable, a British officer saw that the Germans were holding up small Christmas trees with lit candles......incredibly they were wishing thier enemies a Merry Christmas!!! Within moments some of the German troops began caroling, and the chorus deepened as the voices up and down the trenches boomed with "Silent Night" in German, 'Stille Nacht, Heilage Nacht' !! On both sides, boards were held up wishing the other side Merry Christmas. One by one, soldiers threw down arms and jumped over the parapets on both sides, and joined each other in the bombed out no mans land, in mutual peace. There were common campfires lit, and the men all shared a single goal, the celebration of Christmas Eve. Somehow it was agreed that no firing would take place until these celebrations had ended, and while this event certainly has many varying versions of the story, the fact remains that it did happen. On the morning of December 26th, warning shots were fired in the air by both sides....the British officer and German officer who had exchanged gifts and greetings looked toward each other, respectfully bowed, and returned to their positions....and the tragedy resumed. In that short time from that miraculous evening, humanity prevailed, and as I sit here on this Christmas eve, I think of our soldiers far away, and of all soldiers of all nations, and all faiths in all holiday celebrations........and wish with all my heart,for peace on earth, and goodwill to all, as on this night, and ever in hope that it may be so always......someday.

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25th December 2009, 07:22 AM	#2
Anandalal N. Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 84	Dear Jim and Friends all over the world, Here's wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year all the way from Sri Lanka. Jim that is a lovely bit of "humanity" that you have set out. Thanks. Regards.

25th December 2009, 08:29 AM	#3
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,786	It is now Christmas night here. Suffering from too much good cheer! To those yet to suffer, have a great day. A MERRY XMAS TO ALL. Stuart

26th December 2009, 01:37 AM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Jim, well put .....an event to truly illustrate that even in the 'hell' that was the trenches in WW1 .Men can rise up from their differences and extend an open hand of humanity. It was mainly the 'rank and file' soldiers that instigated this...the high ranking officers found this deplorable and believed it would 'soften' the troops and wanted hostilities to re-commence immediately. Easy for these officers ....miles away in their safe quarters....soften the troops ?? It would take brave individuals to climb out of the trenches, with only their 'faith' in their enemy's humanity not to shot, as they became 'easy' targets walking in no-mans land. I only have admiration for the men of both sides whom were involved in the cease fire. Regards David

26th December 2009, 11:36 PM	#7
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	I reiterate my Christmas wished to all here! May we never meet on the field of battle!

27th December 2009, 12:49 AM	#8
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Dimetry I quote you from the e-mail received from the forum (with your post)....which has now disappeared from the forum website. I only do this because you brought up an interesting point.... "Well, Jim, what happened to the quality of those men, the brotherhood, in all the Christmases following 1914? No similar occurrences on a significant scale came about........" Dimetry the reason was that this never occurred again "on a significant scale" was because the Generals had decided that from then on continual Artillary bombardment of enemy trenches (Christmas Eve onwards) would prevent communication between the opposing lines of trenches...and thus further unofficial ceasefires. They were not always successful....unofficial truces occured between ".........British and German troops stationed along the Western Front during Christmas 1914 and, to a lesser extent, in 1915. In 1915 there was a similar Christmas truce between German and French troops, and during Easter 1916 a truce also existed on the Eastern Front.........." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_truce Regards David

27th December 2009, 01:54 AM	#9
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Actually the reason I brought this up was simply to show that even in the atmosphere of war, there can be moments of humanity. It seems that the point spoke for itself..it wasn't a revelation...simply a Christmas miracle. There will always be those who do not see things the same. It wasn't intended to provoke a debate, just wanted to say something special on Christmas Eve. Thank you David, Anandalal and Stu for the kind input and Dmitry for the holiday wishes. I would say that about wraps it up for this topic.