The Eve of the soldiers had come at last, and was hardly the time or a place to feel grateful for that
It is impossible, especially for someone who lived it, to convey in words the horror of war. Blood and death lurking at every dead-end roads that make up the confrontation between men who were not born to kill their fellows. However, in the darkness, the light is more crisp and bright. One of the most appalling chapters in the history of humanity as was the First World War led to one of the most beautiful episodes that have never been told about the man, and a football saw that beautiful passage. Known as the 'Christmas Truce', British, French and German weapons pose decided to celebrate Christmas this December 24, 1914.
Occurred in the western sector of the front, south of the Belgian city of Ypres located on the Franco-Belgian border. Known as the "trench warfare", the German lines faced the Allies, French-and British-in fortifications dug into the soil became narrow hell where hunger and cold were as deadly as the weapons wielded the soldiers. From both sides there was a territory, with 50 feet away, known as No Man's Land, where men unnatural landscape and vegetation fell had been extinguished by the fighting, covered by mud, snow and the bodies of dead soldiers in combat.
Christmas was coming, that there was a manual for officers who had warned his troops about the intention to attack the enemy. Then, by express order of the Kaiser had sent Christmas trees to the German lines in order to encourage the soldiers, but also as a symbol of cultural superiority, as the origin of the Christmas Tree is attributed to the Teutonic country. That night, the inert and gloomy battlefield prostrate before a hopeful light of full moon. Would not be alone in the company, as the lights from the trees, placed over the trenches, would illuminate the Germanic line to the surprise of British and French.
Prepared for the worst to see the lights, his astonishment reached new heights when, in the middle of the silence of that cold December night, began to hear the Germans singing Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht (Silent Night, Holy Night). At the end of the music, cheered and applauded British soldiers Germanic initiative, and sang in response The first Noel, the angel did say, to conclude by singing O Come All Ye Faithful Adeste Fideles the British and the Germans. After those minutes in which music acts as a bridge to the fraternization began to be heard shouting, no violence as they used to hear, but a merry Christmas that some voices wanted the other side.
The soldiers of both lines, tucked behind the shelter of caution and suspicion, began to leave the trenches and stroll through No Man's Land. Despite fears that housed the shadows moving through the land buried in snow, the desire to separate the soldier and recover the man overcame the fear and mistrust. Soon, people who previously were killing each other based on an ideology that believed superior to his condition, were found on those lands uncultivated talking like old friends who reunite, exchanging souvenirs, the nearest address, chocolate, alcohol or snuff. They celebrated Christmas.
The next day the truce continued and resulted in the most surprising chapter. A Scottish soldier appeared with a soccer ball, probably present there as a means of distraction and escape from harsh reality, and quickly concluded British and Germans making their party hats goals. The mud frozen hard ground gave conducive to the game despite the ball often went too far, as those games in which children are we going outside the fence the ball momentarily interrupting the meeting. It is said that the game was conceived with the largest rival gentleman and instead extended his hand when he fell to the ground. The game ended when one of the commanders became aware of the fact and ordered its conclusion. The result, count, was 3-2 for the Germans. Gary Lineker already say decades later: "Football is a sport invented by the British and the Germans always win."
German Lt. Johannes Niemann and recounts what happened in one of his letters: "A Scottish soldier appeared carrying a soccer ball and in a few minutes, we had game. The Scots 'did' his goal with some funny hats, while we did the same. It was not easy to play on frozen ground, but that we are not discouraged. Kept rigorously the rules of the game, even though the party only lasted an hour and we had no referee. Many passes were long and the ball was constantly away. However, these amateur footballers despite being tired, played with much enthusiasm. We Germans, we discover with surprise how the Scots played with her skirts, and with nothing underneath. He even did a joke every time a blizzard blew across the field and revealed its hidden parts of their 'enemies of yesterday'. However, an hour later, when our chief officer heard what was happening, he sent off the match. A little later we returned to our trenches and fraternization ended. The game ended with a score of three goals for us and two against. Fritz scored twice and Tommy one. "
Football, young at that time, and by extension the sport had been present at one of the most beautiful episodes in the history not only as a witness, but also as a participant. On that day, soldiers took photos and exchanged hats and buttons as a sign of courtesy. It also has even heard the song of a bird decided to fly it at times longer No Man's Land. Life had returned to that territory dominated by death. The officials also agreed to work together to undertake a less grateful task, which was to bury the fallen and to honor their comrades.
The truce lasted a few days, to 26 in some areas and up to 29 in others. It is even said to have continued the armistice, the war might have come to an end, but the superiors, those who made war on offices and not on the battlefield, they were outraged to learn of the Christmas Truce considering an unforgivable lack of discipline. Letters were destroyed, data were censored and burned pictures with the intention of never transcended, but such a fact, able to restore faith in human beings even in the most dire circumstances, was now forever etched in history thanks to testimony and letters and photographs that survived, and never forget.
Joyeux Noël | 2005 French film based on the 'Christmas Truce', nominated for an Oscar for best foreign language film
Pipes of Peace | Video of Paul McCartney based on the 'Christmas Truce'
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