Now I’m not usually a cynical man but when I began to question many of life’s perceived truths and wisdoms I found the idea of the Football match of Christmas 1914 between the British and German soldiers to be fairly unbelievable. A lovely idea sure but probably a bit far fetched. Turns out I was most definitely wrong. From what I can tell it all started when the Germans started singing carols in German in the run up to Christmas, and placing candles on trees. The British responded by singing the same carols in English back at them. One can’t help but wonder whether there was already a competitive element in this. Calls for a truce were shouted between both forces and small gifts of food and drink were thrown between the opposing trenches. Finally a Silent Night or Stille Nacht that both forces had sung about did happen. The truce did indeed happen completely organically, indeed it was completely against the orders of the British military. Pope Benedict XV had called for a truce which was agreed in part by the Germans but again completely ignored by the British military. Contrary to popular belief it seems that similar truces did actually occur in the remaining years of the war, despite the best efforts to prevent them.

Popular belief would have the Football match taking part in 1914 with the German’s winning 2-1. Up until now I thought this was the best bit of evidence for the match. I couldn’t imagine the British telling a story that involved us losing at Football to the Germans without it actually being true. However some say the match happened the following year on 1915, but it was more of a kick-about with neither side keeping score, but maybe that was just an excuse. Anyway looks as this little Christmas miracle is completely true after all, and maybe I was the only dick head “bah humbugging” it.

Regardless, Happy Christmas, gang.