Is it true that US and German soldiers stopped fighting for a night?

Question

During Christmas 1944 in the Arnhem region did a battle stop for observance of Christmas? I heard that a few Americans in the trenches overheard singing from the Germans, and then its fuzzy to me: Did they cease fire to enjoy a moment of celebration?
What really happened, and is this really true?

Thank you Jon, I appreciate the correction.
It was WW1.

Theres a movie out there someplace that portrays this event , what was the name of it?

thx Gina...I know theres something of this type of thing in '44, but I didnt know who was involved.

I apoligize to any German or other, I don't want to offend you. Its just this is too cool and it should be brought out that men can do the impossible.

Answer 1

I don't know about 1944, but I know it happened in 1914.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/1209/p25s01-stin.html

Answer 2

yes it happened during world war I some where on the french front. It was German armies and a allied force of french British and American forces. They stopped fighting to observe Christmas eve and Christmas day. Something that both sides agreed on. Since they all had similar beliefs in Christianity. But they didn't expect what happened. yes they broke lines, yes they exchanged gifts, hats cigarettes, wine etc. they played football(soccer) in the fields and when reports of this reached the commanders , both sides sent volleys of artillery into the lines . Neither side cared where the shells landed. they wanted their men to fight. Now fast forward that's why the army no longer uses bulls eyes to shoot at because it de-humanizes the shooter, so they came up with the human silhouette. wanting their men to shoot the enemy rather than at the enemy. so alot of good came from it saying that men settled differences in the middle of war, to unite for a brief time, then unfortunately go back to killing each other possibly killing the very man that gave you a cigarette and shook your hand saying merry Christmas.

Answer 3

Arnhem wasn't really around december but September during which Operation Market Garden was tried and failed.

You may be thinking about stories from the Battle of the Bulge. I seem to remember reading something similar in one of Stephen Ambrose's books. The stories and accounts claim to be true of times where they would sing yule songs (I think it was Silent Night) across the trenches - but typically such things were short lived (it was a war after all), and probably isolated - ie, it may have happened at one part of the front but not universally all over.

it's probably much more believable given that the Allies and the Germans were of common stock and heritage, and so both respected these things via a common culture and religion, something often contrasted when comparing the war in the Pacific.

Answer 4

You would have to do some double checking, but I believe it was WW1, on Christmas day, possibly either at the Somme or Ypres? Officially, they were at war with each other, but I guess that they were all cold, tired and hungry. They must have known it was Christmas. They must have been missing their families. Somehow, and I have no idea how it happened they managed to meet in 'No Mans Land' (the space between each sides trenches!) and played football!!! Unfortunately, the next day they were all back in their trenches trying to kill each other again. I find it really hard to imagine how they would have felt the day after playing football and possibly getting to know individuals, having to start killing them...

Answer 5

I have not heard of this. However it did happen at the Somme during world war I. British and German troops had a cease fire on christmas day and apparently even played football together in no mans land. According to my firends grandfather who was present but now unsurprisingly deceased.

Don't mention the war dude the Germans don't like it. Apparently it was ages ago and we should of forgotten about it by now.... again.

Answer 6

this is not unusual as the Germans are just as christian and in many cases more so , the Germans asked for and got a reprieve from fighting in 1941 & 1942 and the Americans , British Germans and others from western countries all observed christmas, with an agreement , contrary to propaganda in our new's media the Germans were and are very christian , and Hitler ordered that the inscription on every German military belt buckle to say" GOD IS WITH US" written in German of course, also contrary to what our new's media printed , there were more churches built in Germany during the Hitler years than at any other time in history. also had Hitler killed Christians as the new's media claimed the catholic church would have excommunicated him immediately , but, why did it take over 60 years for the last pope with Jewish pressure to excommunicate him? It seems as if money and power will even buy history? after all history is only "'HIS STORY" shortened to history,and the winner always writes history or HIS STORY. there are so many lies told about ww2 how does anyone believe any thing told about it???.
every thing I have said here is ery easy to verify thru google.

Answer 7

You will find that it happened during the first world war when they stopped fighting for Christmas day 1914, played football, exchanged cigarettes etc., and it was the British and German armies.

Answer 8

I believe there is a movie alleging this same incident in WWII, however it was Hollywood taking artistic liberty rather than what actually happened during WWI.

Answer 9

it's true but too bad that didn't stop them from killing jews

Answer 10

It happened between the north and the south in the US civilwar.