An amazing event took place during World War I in December of 1914 in the freezing rain and mud-soaked trenches that flanked the Western Front along the borders of Belgium and France. What began with a row of lighted evergreen trees placed by German soldiers on the parapets of their fortifications culminated in a spontaneous Christmas truce of a magnitude and duration unmatched in the history of warfare. British, French, Belgian, and German troops put down their arms and ventured out into “No Man's Land” to bury their dead, exchange gifts of food, drink, cigars, and souvenirs, share letters and photographs, sing carols, and play soccer. (By Mary Snook-Summit Daily News)
I am always amazed at the story of the "Christmas Truce" no matter who has written about it. It's an inspiring story, in my opinion, matched by no other. Short stories, books, documentary films, movies and even music videos have dipicted this unforgettable event. I was reading yesterday about this and learned there were a couple of German soldiers that had lived through this time of war well past the century mark, 107 and 109. I can only imagine the story they shared in their long life, the memory they had of this time. It tells me that the good of mankind do not wish to go to war. Deep in the hearts of these soldiers was a yearning for peace but more than just a yearning. They brought peace for themselves, if only for a few days.
This is what Christmas is all about. It's peace on earth and good will towards all. It's what we all want. Christmas should be everyday.
The Christmas Truce was an amazing event, spontaneous cease fires up and down the western front that included over 110,000 soldiers. Most of these informal truces were very brief and lasted only a day or two. Many lasted into the new year and in one spot they "enemy" lines managed to keep it going until Easter! It was a small incident in a gigantic and terrible war, but one that showed that "peace on earth, good will to men" could overcome fear, prejudice, and hatred. You can read the words of many of the actual participants in my book TRUCE. Happy Christmas. Jim Murphy
ReplyDeleteThank you Mr. Murphy, for stopping by and a happy Christmas to you and yours. I will keep your book in mind.
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