Christmas with the Enemy

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Produced by: 
KBOO
Air date: 
Wed, 12/24/2014 - 9:00am to 10:00am
How some soldiers in WWI laid down their guns and celebrated Christmas with each other
Humanity at its best amidst the brutality of war.

The hundredth anniversary telling of the hectic rush into WWI, and the horrors unleashed. The men thought they'd be home by Christmas to tell of the excitement over a glass by the fireside. German High Command promised a "fresh and cheerful war." But by Christmas a million soldiers lay dead, with no end it sight. In defiance of commanding officers, and at risk of their lives, the soldiers lay down their guns and climbed out of their trenches armed with wine, food and cigarettes, to greet the others, exchange gifts, and agree to a ceasefire.

They ate, they sang, their played together. They brought in the wounded and buried the dead, often with men of both armies working as one.

An audio story by Drew Darling.
 

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