Very moving. Best accounts I've yet seen of the astonishing Christmas truce. Shows the inhuman waste and stupidity f the war, when all the British and German soldiers wanted was to be friends.
@@adriantostevin5776 Because the higher-ups were anxious to put an end to what was called 'fraternisation', because the soldiers themselves were a) patriotic and b) subject to military discipline. Desertion was an offence punishable by death.
Of course this is a priceless film. We were taught of this story at school over fifty years ago, and seeing this on Christmas Day morning brings back memories of that from teachers who some of them were alive at the time! We had a wonderful History teacher, who always taught without notes, but gave us reading to do in our own time before the next lesson. We were covering British History from the times of Alfred the Great though to Richard III. But sometimes we would have a lesson that went completely in a different direction. The Truce being one and Warsaw being another. We came into the room for our lesson and Miss Griff had written over the whole blackboard, WARSAW Saw war. That kicked off a short history of that city from the Invasion through to the uprising and the Soviets sitting on their hands in Praga while the Germans destroyed what almost everything that was left of a once beautiful city. Thanks for stirring such memories, still alive after fifty years. Best wishes from George
Thanks George for those shared memories. I posted above, to add, my History teacher was Peter Shilston who is still alive, was on Mastermind in 1982 & has a Blogspot with more pearls of wisdom.
Blackadder: "Both sides advanced further during one Christmas p*ss-up than they managed in the next two and a half years of war!" Baldrick: "Remember the football match?" Blackadder: "Remember it?! How could I forget it?! I was never offside; I could not BELIEVE that decision!"
A crying shame how few views this priceless clip has garnered. It's no wonder we repeat the same stupid mistakes and myopia over a century later; no one wants to learn from the past anymore!
I woke to the news of Russian attacks on Ukraine today, Christmas Day, thought about a school history lesson on a WW1 Christmas Day football game in 1914 and here it is! Will we ever learn to Love and not fight?
I think the majority of us have learned those lessons. The trouble is there will always be bad eggs in the world.. and some of those bad eggs are in positions of power. It is certainly tiresome, though
@@vikingfitz9088I'm not sure your attitude contributes to the comment thread, of course this person's comment contributes, it's nostalgic for them, why not try to be nice and thoughtful instead of abrupt and rude?!
He was an infantryman in the 1st Company during the First Battle of Ypres (October 1914). Hitler became a dispatch runner after the battle, so may not have been at the front during Xmas 1914.
At Christmas 1914, Hitler was in Wijtschate (Belgium), only about 14 kilometres away from Frelinghien (France), where Johannes Niemann's company was based. The football match in Frelinghien is said to have been the first, but not the only one during the truce.
Most of the people getting murdered today in wars around the world were not even born when this was recorded. Anyway glad I have no kids. They won't have to suffer and die ever. Sorry for everyone else though. Slap your parents for bringing you into this temporary hell of an existence I say. And a Happy Easter to all! Cheerio!
Invaluable piece of history spoken by the brave men who were actually there. All have long since passed now
A valuable resource for future generations. War still serves those in power and with the money. No ordinary people want to fight each other.
56 years between 1968 and 2024. A longer period than between 1914 and 1968.
So what?
@@rafflesxyz4800It's an exemplar of how fast time passes; your response is one of rudeness..
@@petesmitt / Oh it's an exemplar thank goodness for that.
@@rafflesxyz4800you're a silly billy
Very moving. Best accounts I've yet seen of the astonishing Christmas truce. Shows the inhuman waste and stupidity f the war, when all the British and German soldiers wanted was to be friends.
So straight after the Christmas Truce why didn’t they all simply refuse to fight, and go home? That’s got to be the most disturbing part of the story.
@@adriantostevin5776 Because the higher-ups were anxious to put an end to what was called 'fraternisation', because the soldiers themselves were a) patriotic and b) subject to military discipline. Desertion was an offence punishable by death.
Fascinating to hear this story from those who took part.
There's a few films on TH-cam of survivors of the American Civil war .
They all mention it was not about slavery , but Taxes going to Washington.
Of course this is a priceless film. We were taught of this story at school over fifty years ago, and seeing this on Christmas Day morning brings back memories of that from teachers who some of them were alive at the time!
We had a wonderful History teacher, who always taught without notes, but gave us reading to do in our own time before the next lesson.
We were covering British History from the times of Alfred the Great though to Richard III. But sometimes we would have a lesson that went completely in a different direction. The Truce being one and Warsaw being another. We came into the room for our lesson and Miss Griff had written over the whole blackboard,
WARSAW
Saw war.
That kicked off a short history of that city from the Invasion through to the uprising and the Soviets sitting on their hands in Praga while the Germans destroyed what almost everything that was left of a once beautiful city.
Thanks for stirring such memories, still alive after fifty years.
Best wishes from George
Thanks George for those shared memories. I posted above, to add, my History teacher was Peter Shilston who is still alive, was on Mastermind in 1982 & has a Blogspot with more pearls of wisdom.
Amazing. This is real history.
Wow thankyou very much for sharing piece of history x
Blackadder: "Both sides advanced further during one Christmas p*ss-up than they managed in the next two and a half years of war!"
Baldrick:
"Remember the football match?"
Blackadder:
"Remember it?! How could I forget it?! I was never offside; I could not BELIEVE that decision!"
Another who takes his history from a TV comedy show.
@@anthonyeaton5153 Zero history in that comment; it was just comedic..
Spike Milligan, a British comedian, is famous for the joke: "Is there anything worn under the kilt? No, it's all in perfect working order."
Classic play on words..
A crying shame how few views this priceless clip has garnered. It's no wonder we repeat the same stupid mistakes and myopia over a century later; no one wants to learn from the past anymore!
We are all different but the same we are people human beings. God Bless the World. Peace on Earth to All.
Amen!
My Father served in the Worcestershire Regiment and 44th reconnaissance regiment during WW2
My father died last March. There, I dragged my father into a comment too. Do I get a cookie?
@@MrSvenovitch No, but I'm sure you are popular at social outings..
I woke to the news of Russian attacks on Ukraine today, Christmas Day, thought about a school history lesson on a WW1 Christmas Day football game in 1914 and here it is! Will we ever learn to Love and not fight?
I think the majority of us have learned those lessons. The trouble is there will always be bad eggs in the world.. and some of those bad eggs are in positions of power. It is certainly tiresome, though
Russian what you 🇬🇧🤡
Would you believe that American politicians and businessmen are delighted to facilitate war?
@@robinofilfracombe712 Russian what...you 🇬🇧🤡🤦
@@robertjarman4261
👏👍
Thank you for sharing this.
No more bankers wars we are all brothers of the same ancestral stock.
they were the generation that witnessed 2 world wars, birth of aviation, and landing on the moon.
The tragic futility of war...
I was one month old when this video was filmed.
I’m not sure that comment adds to the content of this video!
@@vikingfitz9088
Bah humbug
@@vikingfitz9088 It doesn't, but it's human nature to think of oneself in this way.
@@vikingfitz9088I'm not sure your attitude contributes to the comment thread, of course this person's comment contributes, it's nostalgic for them, why not try to be nice and thoughtful instead of abrupt and rude?!
This was fascinating. Who the hell is downvoting this video though?
That first gentleman they interviewed, I had no idea Frank Pickle from Vicar of Dibley fought in the War!
"The Germans won the game" - something inevitable almost
Why has this got so many downvotes?!
I would never fight for our crooked and corrupt leaders.
Who says you have a choice?
If there's another world war then like the op said we won't have a choice
Where was Adolf during this special event?
He was an infantryman in the 1st Company during the First Battle of Ypres (October 1914). Hitler became a dispatch runner after the battle, so may not have been at the front during Xmas 1914.
At Christmas 1914, Hitler was in Wijtschate (Belgium), only about 14 kilometres away from Frelinghien (France), where Johannes Niemann's company was based. The football match in Frelinghien is said to have been the first, but not the only one during the truce.
If only these brave hero's could witness what their beloved countries turned into 🤨
I agree with you. But I think, some would be saddened that there are still pointless wars going on even today.
turned into what?
Another othwerwise good document spoiled by an ideologue
elaborate..
Cash cow for the super-wealthy? 🤷♂️
Remember what the Tal Mud says about Jesus and Mary.
Most of the people getting murdered today in wars around the world were not even born when this was recorded. Anyway glad I have no kids. They won't have to suffer and die ever. Sorry for everyone else though. Slap your parents for bringing you into this temporary hell of an existence I say. And a Happy Easter to all! Cheerio!
Hmmm, what an interesting comment…
@@scholarscourt271 It's a very sad and selfish comment, IMHO. To each their own, I guess...
@@Neverforget71324 Seems to be unhappy and pathetic..
We are all different but the same we are people human beings. God Bless the World. Peace on Earth to All.