Christmas in War

Author: Urs Graf
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: On December 24, 1914, during Christmas, the warring British and German armies agreed to a one-day truce. Amidst the smoke-filled battlefield, a temporary peace emerged. The opposing sides emerged from their trenches, exchanging greetings in song, even holding a football match. After the match ended, war resumed. Based on this story, film companies from multiple European countries jointly invested in the production of the classic masterpiece In the Mood for Love. Regardless of nationality, belief, or the nature of the war, world peace is the desire of people, and war is an endless story of failure. There is a story that is almost unbelievable, telling of a successful, albeit brief, peace during World War I. On Christmas Day in 1914, soldiers from the warring nations laid down their weapons and celebrated Christmas together in the no-man's-land on the front lines. Over the past few weeks, the unburied dead in the no-man's-land were buried together by the opposing sides in a prayer for "rest in peace." The battlefield became a place to exchange cigarettes, pipes, raisin puddings, cigars, rum, beer, and wine. They shared their desires, showed family photos, and even played football. Above the trenches, Christmas trees were erected, and candles were lit on the barbed wire. Enemies who were once foes sang Christmas carols, wished each other a Merry Christmas, and hoped for lasting peace. They were heroes who dared to pursue peace on their own, simply wanting to return home alive. Soon, they would have to follow their superiors' orders and resume shooting at each other, continuing the war for several more years, during which millions would lose their lives. As a result, the stories of these peacebuilders were quickly forgotten. However, photographs from that time have been preserved.