Christmas: The Truce of 1914

In the middle of one of the deadliest conflicts this planet has ever seen, World War I, nations from both the Triple Entente and the Central Powers, laid down their weapons. And for a moment the horrors of war stopped to recognize the birth of Christ on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This un-official cease fire was known to the rest of the world as the Truce of 1914.

In the height of the Great War with no near end in sight, the seasons began to bring the cold weather as a message to the allied forces that they would not be home by Christmas. Spirits began to weep as the young soldiers knew they would not see their family this Christmas.

Both sides of the war were ready to kill each other even on this sacred holiday. But with the soldiers, that’s a different story. On different fronts, English, Scottish, French, and German troops called a cease fire themselves. Every front had a different story, but on that marvelous day the fighting stopped, and the soldiers remembered what had happened so long ago on that night.

On the dawn of Christmas Eve, the firing stopped, despite orders from their governments. Private Cunningham, of the 5’Th Scottish Rifles said, in his journal, that later became known as The Scotsman, “On Christmas Eve the firing practically ceased. I think both sides understood we were going to have a day off.” They knew there was going to be peace on this sacred holiday even though higher orders from their governments told them not to end the fighting.

The Germans began to call out to the opposing trench, ‘cigarettes, pudding and merry Christmas’, said Private Cunningham. It showed both sides that peace was needed this day. And among all the dread and hate and blood that comes with war, that people can still act humane in this conflict.

Two brave Allied soldiers came out and walked towards the opposing trench. They were met by Germans; they began to shake hands with the men whom they were trying to kill not too long ago. The opposing forces traded cigarettes and cigars. They drank wine together, and they sang carols as if they were back home with their family and friends. Bruce Brairnsfather wrote, in his book, Bullets and Billets, “There was not an atom of hate that day.” For a single day, the horrors of war dissipated, but for just a moment to remember the birth of a king, and to realize that everyone in this war was human, they were capable of being humane even during some of the bloodiest wars.

With the men they had tried so hard to kill just moments before, they were now sharing drinks and singing carols as if they were lifelong friends separated by countries. Cpl. John Fergusen said, in his personal journal, “Here we were, laughing and chatting to men who only a few hours before we were trying to kill.” For five long months the allied forces had been trying to shut down and kill the German War machine and its monster of an army. But that night was different. They laid down their weapons, and together, acknowledged a truce of peace on Christmas day. Though it wasn’t an official truce, it was something never to be forgotten by any of the soldiers that took part of it. But its lesson has nearly been forgotten.

The night was ending and the men knew that the fighting would resume in the morning. But that would not stop the men from being friends that night. Many of the men got addresses from their new German friends, and though the chances were slim to none, they hoped to see each other again one day after this dreadful war was over.

When the allied troops met their foes face to face, they realized something, that these weren’t the evil men who had murdered thousands. They were just mere, ordinary men whom were following orders just like them. Despite the fact that earlier they were trying to kill each other, they respected each other. Fergusen said, “The Germans opposite us were awfully decent fellows, Saxons, intelligent, respectable-looking men.” Men from both sides had lost friends, and family to this war. That’s how they were both alike, and that’s why they respected each other.

That incredible night would forever mark its name on the history of war. The men that took part of it would never forget it. Brairnsfather said, “But, however, looking back on it all, I wouldn’t have missed that unique and weird Christmas Day for anything.” For just a moment, the horrors of warfare ceased, all because of the birth of a one true king and the love he had.