Many people know that the Christmas Truce happened in 1914 (The football match between the German soldiers and the British soldiers on Christmas Day 1914), but many other things happened around this festive time in the trenches.
Some WW1 Soldiers
The Germans began by placing candles on their trenches and on Christmas trees, then continued the celebration by singing Christmas carols. The English responded by singing carols of their own. The two sides continued by shouting Christmas greetings to each other. Soon thereafter, there were excursions across the ‘No Man’s Land’, where small gifts were exchanged, such as food, tobacco and alcohol, and souvenirs such as buttons and hats.
BUT…
Some WW1 Soldiers
General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien, commander of the British II Corps, was irate when he heard what was happening, and issued strict orders forbidding friendly communication with the opposing German troops.
By Charlotte Evans
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