True story of the Christmas truce : British and German eyewitness accounts from the first World War / Anthony Richards ; foreword by Hew Strachan ; translated by Eva Burke.
Publisher:
Greenhill Books,
Copyright Date:
2021
Description:
xii, 228 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, maps (black and white) ; 24 cm
8. Legacy. Hew Strachan -- Introduction -- 1. Digging In -- 2. Christmas Approaches -- 3. Christmas Eve in the British Sector -- 4. Christmas Day in the British Sector -- 5. The Christmas Truce Elsewhere -- 6. Boxing Day and Afterwards -- 7. Causes -- 8. Legacy.
Summary:
"'One of them shouted "A Merry Christmas English. We're not shooting tonight." ... [then] they stuck up a light. Not to be outdone, so did we. Then up went another. So, we shoved up another. Soon the lines looked like an illuminated fete.' Rifleman Leslie Walkington. On Christmas Eve 1914, a group of German soldiers laid down their arms, lit lanterns and started to sing Christmas carols. The British troops in nearby trenches responded by singing songs of their own. The next day, men from both sides met in No Man's Land. They shook hands, took photos and exchanged food and souvenirs. Some even played improvised football games, kicking around empty bully-beef cans and using helmets for goalposts. Both sides also saw the lull in fighting as a chance to bury the bodies of their comrades. In some parts of the front, the truce lasted a few hours. In others, it continued to the New Year. But everywhere, sooner or later, the fighting resumed. Today, the Christmas Truce is seen as a poignant symbol of hope in a war that many people regard as unnecessary and futile. But what was the real story of those remarkable few days? In this fascinating new book, historian Anthony Richards has brought together hundreds of first-hand reminiscences from those who were there - including previously unpublished German accounts - to cast fresh light on this extraordinary episode."--Goodreads
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.