{"id":4704,"date":"2023-12-19T09:40:11","date_gmt":"2023-12-19T09:40:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nkfhg.org.uk\/?p=4704"},"modified":"2023-12-19T09:48:27","modified_gmt":"2023-12-19T09:48:27","slug":"15-dec-2023-imperial-war-museums-newsletter-the-real-story-of-the-christmas-truce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nkfhg.org.uk\/?p=4704","title":{"rendered":"15 Dec 2023 Imperial War Museums Newsletter : The real story of the Christmas Truce"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n

From:<\/span><\/b> IWM <enews@iwm.org.uk&gt<\/a>;
Sent:<\/b> 14 December 2023 17:46
To:<\/b> ian.clegg@bleakhousefamilyhistory.co.uk<\/a>
Subject:<\/b> The real story of the Christmas Truce<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p><\/p>\n

\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n

Preheader text<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

View this email in your browser<\/span><\/a> <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
\n\n\n\n
\n

<\/span><\/a><\/o:p><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Museums<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/b>        <\/span><\/b>Exhibitions<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/b>       <\/span> <\/span><\/b>Events<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/b>      <\/span>  <\/span><\/b>Membership<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/b>      <\/span>  <\/span><\/b>Shop<\/span><\/a><\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/o:p><\/p>\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n

<\/span><\/a><\/o:p><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

 \u00a9 IWM (Q 6401)<\/o:p><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/o:p><\/p>\n

\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n

What was the real story behind the First World War Christmas Truce? <\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

The Christmas Truce of 1914 has become a legendary story. So legendary that the event has started to sound farfetched with the passing of time. Did the Christmas Truce really happen? How is it possible that British and German soldiers left their trenches to play football against each other? What is the truth about this moment of peace in a brutal war? <\/p>\n

Late in the day on 24 December 1914, Christmas Eve, the men of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) heard a rather different noise coming from the German side of the trenches. Instead of bullets and screams, music was reaching them! (Continue reading below)<\/span><\/b><\/em><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/o:p><\/p>\n

\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n

 <\/o:p><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
\n\n\n\n
\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
\n\n\n
\n

 <\/o:p><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n
\n

 <\/o:p><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
\n\n\n\n
\n

<\/span><\/a><\/o:p><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n\n
\n

In the Cockpit: Spitfire N3200<\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Gift our In the Cockpit: Spitfire N3200 experience for the Spitfire buff in your life to enjoy a private talk from one of our experts and a chance to sit in the cockpit of our Spitfire Mk1. The gift experience also features a pair of Spitfire socks. <\/p>\n

Order online by 16 December for Christmas. <\/span><\/strong><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Buy Now<\/span><\/a><\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/o:p><\/p>\n

\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

The German soldiers were singing Christmas carols and patriotic songs. They had lanterns and fir trees decorating their trenches. Messages then began to be shouted between the ditches. According to Marmaduke Leslie Walkinton, of the Queen\u2019s Westminster Rifles, a German soldier eventually said: \u2018Tomorrow: you no shoot, we no shoot\u2019. <\/p>\n

The following day, British and German soldiers met in no man\u2019s land. They shook hands, exchanged gifts and took photographs. Some of them played impromptu games of football. To most, it was a surprise to find a football in such a desolated place. The men also buried casualties and repaired dugouts.   <\/p>\n

After Boxing Day, however, meetings in no man\u2019s land dwindled out. <\/p>\n

The truce was not a consensus, and it was not observed everywhere on the Western Front and casualties did occur on Christmas Day. Many officers were unhappy with the ceasefire and worried it would undermine fighting spirit. <\/p>\n

As the First Would War progressed, the High Commands on both sides tried to prevent any unofficial truces happening again. Despite this, there were isolated incidents of soldiers holding brief truces after 1914, and not only at Christmas. <\/p>\n

Sometimes, these truces were tacitly agreed. Short pause in hostilities, known as the \u2018Live and Let Live\u2019 system, allowed the troops to repair their trenches or gather their dead. (Continue reading below)<\/span><\/i><\/strong><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/o:p><\/p>\n

\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n

 <\/o:p><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
\n\n\n\n
\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
\n\n\n
\n

 <\/o:p><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n
\n

 <\/o:p><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
\n\n\n\n
\n

<\/span><\/a><\/o:p><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Flying Season 2024: Duxford Air Shows<\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

From marking D-Day 80 years on to stepping back in time to Summer 1940, provide your loved ones with an unforgettable Duxford Air show experience in 2024.  <\/p>\n

The Summer Air Show: Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 June 2024. <\/p>\n

Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show: Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September 2024. <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Book Now<\/span><\/a><\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/o:p><\/p>\n

\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

British officer John Wedderburn-Maxwell took part in the Christmas Truce and described the event for our podcast, \u2018Voices of the First World War\u2019<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/u><\/strong>:<\/p>\n

\u2018After the war had recommenced, I went up to see the Lincoln colonel. And there I found the second-in-command and the adjutant sitting down to a jolly good Christmas, which they\u2019d sent across and told me to come and join. And we had roast pheasant. It was wonderful the way they could cook in those trenches on charcoal fires.\u2019 <\/p>\n

The truce offers a romantic image of enemies finding common ground, even when surrounded by widespread destruction. A number of incredible photographers, letters, newspaper articles and interviews are part of IWM\u2019s collections, bearing witness to this key moment in European history. <\/p>\n

A truce like The Christmas Truce would never happen again after 1914. Yet, it was such a unique event that it is embedded in the symbolism of the First World War. See more about what really happened in the trenches in 1914 on our YouTube channel here<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/u><\/strong>.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/o:p><\/p>\n

\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n

 <\/o:p><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
\n\n\n\n
\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
\n\n\n
\n

 <\/o:p><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n
\n

 <\/o:p><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
\n\n\n\n
\n

<\/span><\/a><\/o:p><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n\n
\n

IWM Gift Membership<\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Looking for a special gift for loved one? An IWM membership is the perfect present for history lovers and adventure seekers alike! Members enjoy a host of benefits, including free entry to HMS Belfast, Churchill War Rooms and IWM Duxford. 
 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

By gifting an IWM membership, you also help protecting our world-leading collections and historically important sites to generations to come.  <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Buy Now<\/span><\/a><\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/o:p><\/p>\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n

\"IWM<\/span><\/a><\/o:p><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n\n\n\n\n
\n

fb<\/span><\/a><\/o:p><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

insta<\/span><\/a><\/o:p><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

tw<\/span><\/a><\/o:p><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

yt<\/span><\/a><\/o:p><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

You are receiving this email because you opted in to hear from IWM. <\/p>\n

Copyright \u00a9 2019 Imperial War Museums, all rights reserved. <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n
\n\n\n
\n

IWM
Lambeth Road
London, SE1 6HZ
United Kingdom <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Unsubscribe<\/span><\/a>  |  Update preferences<\/span><\/a>  |  Share with a friend<\/span><\/a> <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From: IWM <enews@iwm.org.uk&gt; Sent: 14 December 2023 17:46To: ian.clegg@bleakhousefamilyhistory.co.ukSubject: The real story of the Christmas Truce   Preheader text View this email in your browser Museums        Exhibitions        Events        Membership        Shop    \u00a9 IWM (Q 6401)   What was the real story behind the First World War Christmas Truce?  The Christmas Truce […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4704","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nkfhg.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4704","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nkfhg.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nkfhg.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nkfhg.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nkfhg.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4704"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nkfhg.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4704\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nkfhg.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nkfhg.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nkfhg.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}