The Christmas Truce & The Football Match

Artists impression from The Illustrated London News of 9 January 1915

One of the most widely-known stories of the first world war is the Christmas truce. The British soldiers hear the Germans singing ‘Silent Night’, they venture out into no-man’s land, exchange gifts and have a game of football. Much of this story appears to be true, though it is important to remember that the front was long, and the truce only took place in certain sections. There is less in the record about games of football, but there is at least a little evidence for this too.

Here is an excellent video / podcast from Dr Iain Adams at the British National Archives, going into a fair amount of detail about the truce.

And here is an episode of Stuff You Missed In History Class on the truce, usual provisos about excessive advertising there.

Um, Merry Christmas everyone! It’s going to be 1920 this Christmas, so it probably couldn’t wait.

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