If you can possibly stand another Christmas-related story today, then you might enjoy reading a detailed account of the famous “Christmas Truce” of 1914. It wasn’t formal or widespread, but in isolated areas on the front, men from both sides emerged for their trenches, exchanged meager gifts and even played soccer. (Yes, my European friends, I know it’s “football” – but perhaps we can have a truce of our own?) It’s a bittersweet story: What better reminder of the absurdity of war than enemies briefly united in brotherhood by sport, custom and hospitality? Sadly, the peace wasn’t to last – and in many cases it was squelched from the very beginning by officers eager to continue the war. I can’t read the phrase “return of good old sniping” without my stomach churning…
Of course, not every man on either side was thrilled by the Christmas Truce, and official opposition squelched at least one proposed Anglo-German soccer match.
