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The Christmas truce was a series of widespread unofficial ceasefires that took place along the Western Front around Christmas of 1914, during the First World War. Through the week leading up to Christmas, parties of German and British soldiers began to exchange seasonal greetings and songs between their trenches; on occasion, the tension was reduced to the point that individuals would walk across to talk to their opposite numbers bearing gifts. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, many soldiers from both sides – as well as, to a lesser degree, from French units – independently ventured into "No man's land", where they mingled, exchanging food and souvenirs. As well as joint burial ceremonies, several meetings ended in carol-singing. Troops from both sides had also been so friendly as to play games of football with one another.[1]
The truce is seen as a symbolic moment of peace and humanity amidst one of the most violent events of modern history. It was not ubiquitous, however; in some regions of the front, fighting continued throughout the day, whilst in others, little more than an arrangement to recover bodies was made. The following year, a few units again arranged ceasefires with their opponents over Christmas, but to nothing like the widespread extent seen in 1914; this was, in part, due to strongly worded orders from the high commands of both sides prohibiting such fraternisation.
Originally posted by ripcontrol
reply to post by OldCorp
I growled as loud as I could....
good thread...
Originally posted by TriggerFish
reply to post by OldCorp
Name me one war of the last century that wasn't set up by Big Banks
and I will give you the praise you desire.
Till then your just tools of the establishment.edit on 30-5-2011 by TriggerFish because: (no reason given)
Originally posted by Advantage
My danged links arent wanting to work! Sorry, you have to click them.
Remember this the next time you criticize these men and women
For my Marines : my beloved husband, my father, my grandfather, my father in law, and my 2 brother in laws... and the many friends who are truly brothers and sisters that my husband and I have lost. We had a BBQ today with his buddies and their families today.... this was one of the songs we played. Neighbors who we didnt know came over and brought them beer and clapped for them, thanked them. I dont care who likes it or not. One day you may be thankful these devil dogs are here for you. Haters gonna hate Old Corps.. UNTIL they need them. What I saw today was so wonderful NO internet toughtalker can take this smile off of my face
Originally posted by Golithion
I thought I would put on a little perspective this hit me like a ton of bricks when I watched the Lee vs Grant special on the history channel, Gettysburg: 51,000 casualties in four days of fighting that is roughly 12,750 men a day, 531 men an hour. Shiloh: 24,000 were casualties in one day of fighting, is roughly 1000 men an hour either dead or dying. It puts things in perspective of how that first Memorial day in South Carolina in 1865 really must have felt like. Imagine that this is an estimate made in the documentary, that in today's estimates meaning if it happened today over 6 million people would be dead. That just sent shivers up my spin and I know many people don't care about history but do yourself a favor just once if you are an American make a trip to Arlington cemetery, the former home of Robert E Lee is still there in fact, and take a little time to take in the silence. On that first memorial day there were more than all the casualties in Revolutionary war, war of 1812 and the Mexican American war combined. It is stunning to imagine and I don't know if it will be as spine chilling to you as it was to me but I thought I would add my comments. Thought I would add this line from Robert E Lee to finish this statement off, " What a cruel thing war is... to fill our hearts with hatred instead of love for our neighbors." here's one more for you" The friend in my adversity I shall always cherish most. I can better trust those who helped to relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with me the sunshine of my prosperity." that's from Ulysses S Grant.
Read more: www.brainyquote.com...
Read more: www.brainyquote.com...
“It is painful enough to discover with what unconcern they speak of war and threaten it. I have seen enough of it to make me look upon it as the sum of all evils.” - Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson