In Conjunction with Mr. Rauer

Presents

The Western Front

Association United States Branch

Christmas

In the

Trenches1914

With the entire world at war,

the soldiers, their nations

and their families at home

still found ways to celebrate

the most joyous holiday of

the year. Christmas 1914

First Christmas - 1914

Bitterness & Anger Had Not Set in Yet

The Soldiers of Each Side

Decorated Their Trenches

On Christmas Eve the Men Sang Carols

And were Overheard by Their Opponents

The Soldiers Signaled Each Other and

Promised Not to Fight the Next Day.

In the Morning They Met in No-Man’s-Land

This was the Famous Christmas Truce of 1914

July 2014

German Officer in a

British Trench

Two German Officers

with a British Officer

Commanders Never Allowed a Repeat of the Truce

But the Troops Always Celebrated Christmas

Christmas Parties were

held At the Front

And Where Men Were Out of Action

French Prisoners of War - German Patients

Presents Were Opened

Official Commemorations

Were Held in Rear Areas

Some Lucky Soldiers Were Permitted

Christmas Leave

Most Men Could Only Dream of

Christmas with Their Families

Christmas Cards Were Still Exchanged,

But the War Remained Inescapable

By Christmas 1918

The Victors Happy, the Defeated Glum