'One of them shouted "A Merry Christmas English. We're not shooting
tonight." . . . [then] they stuck up a light. Not to be outdone, so
did we. Then up went another. So, we shoved up another. Soon the
lines looked like an illuminated fete.' Rifleman Leslie Walkington
On Christmas Eve 1914, a group of German soldiers laid down their
arms, lit lanterns and started to sing Christmas carols. The
British troops in nearby trenches responded by singing songs of
their own. The next day, men from both sides met in No Man's Land.
They shook hands, took photos and exchanged food and souvenirs.
Some even played improvised football games, kicking around empty
bully-beef cans and using helmets for goalposts. Both sides also
saw the lull in fighting as a chance to bury the bodies of their
comrades. In some parts of the front, the truce lasted a few hours.
In others, it continued to the New Year. But everywhere, sooner or
later, the fighting resumed. Today, the Christmas Truce is seen as
a poignant symbol of hope in a war that many people regard as
unnecessary and futile. But what was the real story of those
remarkable few days? In this fascinating new book, historian
Anthony Richards has brought together hundreds of first-hand
reminiscences from those who were there - including previously
unpublished German accounts - to cast fresh light on this
extraordinary episode.
General
| Imprint: |
Greenhill Books
|
| Country of origin: |
United Kingdom |
| Release date: |
September 2021 |
| Authors: |
Anthony Richards
• Eva Burke
|
| Introduction by: |
Hew Strachan
|
| Dimensions: |
240 x 159 x 27mm (L x W x T) |
| Format: |
Hardcover
|
| Pages: |
256 |
| ISBN-13: |
978-1-78438-614-6 |
| Categories: |
Books
|
| LSN: |
1-78438-614-6 |
| Barcode: |
9781784386146 |
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