A Merry Christmas

**Lallans** · 24th December 10, 09:52 AM

Apropos to the season, a WW1 letter written by a Canadian soldier has been in the news in the past week, apparently showing that there was a frontline truce at Vimy Ridge as late as 1916 (meaning that for them the war had been going on for 2 years), one of those legendary events where the Germans come over and shake hands and trade canned beef for cigarettes and so on. Interesting if it turns out to be authentic- but I was brought up more on the stories where Germans would sing "Stille Nacht" in order to get the other side to stick their heads to hear so the snipers could get them...

**BoldHighlander** · 24th December 10, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by Canuck of NI

Apropos to the season, a WW1 letter written by a Canadian soldier has been in the news in the past week, apparently showing that there was a frontline truce at Vimy Ridge as late as 1916 (meaning that for them the war had been going on for 2 years), one of those legendary events where the Germans come over and shake hands and trade canned beef for cigarettes and so on. Interesting if it turns out to be authentic- but I was brought up more on the stories where Germans would sing "Stille Nacht" in order to get the other side to stick their heads to hear so the snipers could get them...

If you type in the words Christmas Truce in the search feature, you will find numerous threads where we have discussed the actual Christmas Truce of 1914.

The 2005 film Joyeux Noël is loosely based /inspired by this event.

**Downunder Kilt** · 24th December 10, 04:05 PM

A great film Terry and may all troops have a safe and peacefull Christmas.

**Lallans** · 24th December 10, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

If you type in the words Christmas Truce in the search feature, you will find numerous threads where we have discussed the actual Christmas Truce of 1914.

The 2005 film Joyeux Noël is loosely based /inspired by this event.

I think the spontaneous soldier's truce of 1914 is almost beyond dispute; what is considered surprising is that there could have been one two years later in 1916. The Canadian newspaper articles suggest the surprise is because there was considerable... ummmmm... dislike built up after to years of close-in fighting, to which I will add that it appears that the leaders on the Allied side were pretty determined to ensure that the 1914 thing didn't happen again. This would be in line with how the war was conducted by them at least.

Anyway, if only it COULD have been the War to End All Wars as they hoped at the time. Peace to all.

**BoldHighlander** · 25th December 10, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by Canuck of NI

I think the spontaneous soldier's truce of 1914 is almost beyond dispute; what is considered surprising is that there could have been one two years later in 1916. The Canadian newspaper articles suggest the surprise is because there was considerable... ummmmm... dislike built up after to years of close-in fighting, to which I will add that it appears that the leaders on the Allied side were pretty determined to ensure that the 1914 thing didn't happen again. This would be in line with how the war was conducted by them at least.

Anyway, if only it COULD have been the War to End All Wars as they hoped at the time. Peace to all.

I recall reading how similar "truces" were attempted in 1915 & (maybe) even 1916, but the-powers-that-be clamped down pretty hard & quick. Not to mention that by that time (1916) two years of a very grim war had hardened the frontline troops.

At any rate, I agree with your sentiment.

Merry Christmas!