One-hundred-and-five years ago tonight, the guns were gradually growing quieter on the Western Front. Sometime late in the evening, troops began to sing Christmas carols. It wasn't much of a Christmas, but singing carols reminded them of home at the same time reminding them that they weren't alone. According to legend, the German troops began singing, and the British troops across no-man's-land responded with their own carols. At least for a moment they weren't trying to kill each other or even competing, but rather sharing a common tradition. Today, remembering the "Christmas Truce" has become such a tradition that dozens of books, movies and even a commercial for a grocery store appear round this time of year (Sainsbury 1914 Christmas Ad).
The next morning, Christmas Day, a few brave troops from each side slowly and cautiously made their way out into no-man's-land where they met and agreed to a tacit truce for the holiday. Soon large numbers of troops began to fraternize with the enemy, exchanging small trinkets and souvenirs, chocolate, cigarettes, and cigars. They showed each other photos from home and some even exchanged mail to be forwarded to friends and relatives back home. Among the most notable events of the day was in impromptu soccer match. The exact regiments involved seems to be rather fuzzy, largely on purpose so that the troops involved couldn't be charged with "fraternization," but it clearly involved Saxon troops (see: royalsaxonarmy.co.uk/royalsaxonarmy/ index.php/articles/5-the-christmas-truce-on-the- front-of-xix-armeekorps).
According to the few available accounts of the "football" match, it was initiated by the 9th Royal Saxon Infanterie-Regiment Nr.133, which had visited England before the war and played a match with their English counterparts. While there are no longer any human veterans who were there, there is at least one witness to the events that day, but unfortunately, he isn't talking too much. Here is a luger carried by a member of the 133rd Saxon Infantry Regiment, 9th Company, 8th Weapon. Well, maybe not carried at least during the truce.
The next morning, Christmas Day, a few brave troops from each side slowly and cautiously made their way out into no-man's-land where they met and agreed to a tacit truce for the holiday. Soon large numbers of troops began to fraternize with the enemy, exchanging small trinkets and souvenirs, chocolate, cigarettes, and cigars. They showed each other photos from home and some even exchanged mail to be forwarded to friends and relatives back home. Among the most notable events of the day was in impromptu soccer match. The exact regiments involved seems to be rather fuzzy, largely on purpose so that the troops involved couldn't be charged with "fraternization," but it clearly involved Saxon troops (see: royalsaxonarmy.co.uk/royalsaxonarmy/ index.php/articles/5-the-christmas-truce-on-the- front-of-xix-armeekorps).
According to the few available accounts of the "football" match, it was initiated by the 9th Royal Saxon Infanterie-Regiment Nr.133, which had visited England before the war and played a match with their English counterparts. While there are no longer any human veterans who were there, there is at least one witness to the events that day, but unfortunately, he isn't talking too much. Here is a luger carried by a member of the 133rd Saxon Infantry Regiment, 9th Company, 8th Weapon. Well, maybe not carried at least during the truce.
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