Even though the history of Christmas is a wondrous time for most people that is full of joy and good cheer, there are also times in history that both men and women have suffered. It was nearly 100 years ago in which the First World War began where millions of people’s lives where taken not only soldiers but also the innocent too. The cold and harsh Western Front was an ice field at Christmas time when many soldiers died not from the fighting but from the negative temperatures and the extreme conditions. There were not only the battles on the field but also the battles within themselves to fight of the cold and hunger as well as the constant thoughts of their loved ones back home. Even though the history books tell us that there was a temporary cease fire during the Christmas days, this was only true in certain ares of the war while in others battles raged on and still men fought to defend and to attack each other.
Divisions of the United Kingdoms Army where visited by members of the Royal Family during the beginning of December and later in the month these divisions were relieved by other divisions so that they could return from the front lines and rest. It was not until December 31 that the front line divisions were relieved again meaning that their time during Christmas was spent in a dirty, smelly and muddy trench with their enemy only hundreds of feet away. Even with the so called cease fire, their Christmas day would have been spent in fear and very little thoughts would have been on Christmas cheer or Christmas traditions.
Not so far away in the other trenches, the German soldiers were lighting candles and singing their traditional Christmas songs while the English and other UK soldiers where standing at their posts up to their thighs in mud. Some German soldiers even braved a potential bullet by entering no mans land in hope of exchanging gifts such as cigarettes for the legendary British Bully Beef. One German soldier was meet by a company commander. The British commander followed the German soldier back to the German lines where he meet up with the German offices in charge. Christmas cheer was exchanged and the cease fire was upheld in these parts of the trenches until after boxing day.
So today, at Christmas time we should remember that no everybody has Christmas cheer and somewhere in the world there are people who have little to be thankful for. It is also a good time to remember the fallen soldiers from both sides of the war who gave their lives in honor for their country.
Divisions of the United Kingdoms Army where visited by members of the Royal Family during the beginning of December and later in the month these divisions were relieved by other divisions so that they could return from the front lines and rest. It was not until December 31 that the front line divisions were relieved again meaning that their time during Christmas was spent in a dirty, smelly and muddy trench with their enemy only hundreds of feet away. Even with the so called cease fire, their Christmas day would have been spent in fear and very little thoughts would have been on Christmas cheer or Christmas traditions.
Not so far away in the other trenches, the German soldiers were lighting candles and singing their traditional Christmas songs while the English and other UK soldiers where standing at their posts up to their thighs in mud. Some German soldiers even braved a potential bullet by entering no mans land in hope of exchanging gifts such as cigarettes for the legendary British Bully Beef. One German soldier was meet by a company commander. The British commander followed the German soldier back to the German lines where he meet up with the German offices in charge. Christmas cheer was exchanged and the cease fire was upheld in these parts of the trenches until after boxing day.
So today, at Christmas time we should remember that no everybody has Christmas cheer and somewhere in the world there are people who have little to be thankful for. It is also a good time to remember the fallen soldiers from both sides of the war who gave their lives in honor for their country.
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