Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce

It might not be well known in the US as the US did not involve itself in the Great War as the Brits (and Canadians) did. We were taught this in our history classes in social studies as well as the "Big Donkeys." World War I is given more attention in our history classes here than World War II because of the more important battles (Vimy, Passchendaele, Verdun, Somme) that led to Canada's independence from Britain.

I recall reading a very brief and respectful treatment of this event as a kid (I think I was 14). And while I don't completely recall where I read it, I am pretty sure I read it in a newspaper-ish format. I am also pretty sure that the style of presentation had that semi-comic book look to it with a lone full-color illustration, a comic book-esque caption box explaining the tale via Sans Serif font, and a somewhat hopeful, upbeat tone to it. Part of me is wondering if it was my newspaper's daily (or the Sunday edition's weekly) publication of Ripley's Believe It or Not.

Now that is not my way of dissing the story. I'm simply saying I recall this account from years ago. And I also recall it's not something I found in general media.

The WWI tale of "The Angels of Mons" is also a WWI story which is likewise not too broadly circulated but does pop up from time to time. The story of what happened at Mons, France with the alleged angel aparitions and even alleged angel interventions was for a time used as a recruiting tool of the Theosophical Society. (And accusations of gross exaggeration on the part of the Theosophical Society have been sternly levied at them. )

I can assure you that in Britain, we learn about this in school. In fact, my school performed a play about it in which I played one of the Tommys. There is no 'conspiracy of silence' about it, I can assure you. It's a well-known story over here.

ETA: I'm referring to the Christmas truce. And the football match which took place in No Mans Land

I just checked on Google and there is almost 1.6 million results.

Conspiracy of silence, my arse.

There's a movie: Joyeux Noel.

It's very good. VERY good.

mirandashell said:

I just checked on Google and there is almost 1.6 million results.

Conspiracy of silence, my arse.

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Yeah, this is the first time I've ever heard of any conspiracy of silence...

LOL!

We learned this in school in the US, too.

There's a movie: Joyeux Noel.

It's very good. VERY good.

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Yes, it is.

I first heard about it when I saw this short.

mirandashell said:

I just checked on Google and there is almost 1.6 million results.

Conspiracy of silence, my arse.

Click to expand...

Don't you see, if we haven't, ourselves, heard about something, we assume that it must be because there was a "conspiracy of silence." I've heard of "the Christmas Truce" for most of my life, and I'm an American, not German, French, or English. Maybe I was more attuned to it because my father fought in WWI. Otherwise, I might have decided to pay attention one day, been shocked at the story, and immediately assumed I'd been kept in the dark by a conspiracy of silence, rather than just plain inattention or ignorance.

I heard the story circa 1998 when I heard a live performance of this song (by some local folk musicians - the recording in this video is of course by the writer of the song) - the intro has some interesting details - he met one of the German soldiers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9coPzDx6tA

Not quite related, but no doubt the solders involved would be very happy to see this - I just found this new song about Christmas, from someone on a newer and very different international frontier:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YufsbE4-jmY

I saw it on TV sometime first, a long time ago. I can't remember what I was watching, but it would have been pretty mainstream.

I can't remember if my teachers ever told it. They probably did. We were introduced to Lysistrata by age 15 in history class

I teach my students about it. Only briefly though.

My understanding is that a truce was also attempted in 1915 but was sabotaged by senior officers.

God damn you all, how am I supposed to mong wars if ya'll keep breaking my conspiracies of silence? Stop talking about this! Just. Stop.

Sincerely,
--Them

It doesn't surprise that a lot of kids learn about it. It was a big deal.

But blurb writers do love to make a conspiracy out of something if it means their book will sell. Then again, that is their job, I guess!

From the WayBack Machine, but also available on YouTube"

The Baron made Snoopy fly to the Rhine
And forced him to land behind the enemy lines
Snoopy was certain that this was the end
When the Baron cried out, "Merry Christmas, my friend"

The Baron then offered a holiday toast
And Snoopy, our hero, saluted his host
And then with a roar they were both on their way
Each knowing they'd meet on some other day.

Christmas bells those Christmas bells
Ringing through the land
Bringing peace to all the world
And good will to man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oxzg_iM-T4E

Zoombie said:

Yeah, this is the first time I've ever heard of any conspiracy of silence...

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The event is, quite apparently, far more famous than the conspiracy. Which goes to show you how incompetent these people are at inventing non-existent conspiracies.