A UNIQUE EVENT IN THE HISTORY OF MODERN WARFARE

A CHRISTMAS TRUCE ON THE WESTERN FRONT

The Western Front in France & Belgium (JFK+50) On December 25, 1914 thousands of soldiers on both sides of No Man's Land* "climbed out of the trenches...sang Christmas carols, and exchanged food, gifts and souvenirs."

Jon Wiener of The Nation describes it as "a unique event in the history of modern warfare."  

It began with German troops putting candles on their trenches and singing carols.  The British soldiers responded by singing carols and then from both sides came shouts of Christmas greetings.  Soon a soccer match was being played in No Man's Land.

Unfortunately, the truce lasted only a couple of days and the world war would continue four more years.

*No Man's Land was the unoccupied area between the opposing trenches along the Western Front during WWI.  It was a scene of death as soldiers crossed it to attack opposing trenches.

SOURCE

"The Day the Troops Refused to Fight:  December 25, 1914",  by Jon Wiener, The Nation, December 23, 2014.  www.thenation.com/

         

The Christmas Truce
by A.C. Michael
The Illustrated London News
January 9, 1915

ALLIES NEED TREMENDOUS ASSISTANCE BY THE U.S.

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U.S. OFFICERS SAY GERMAN LINE VIRTUALLY IMPREGNABLE 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) One hundred years ago today, July 24, 1917, nine military officers who accompanied General John J. Pershing on a tour of the Western Front* returned here to Washington "prepared to submit a report" that would reveal their astonishment at conditions along the battle line.

It was the view of the officers that the German line "is virtually impregnable" without "tremendous assistance by the United States."

The report would also indicate that the officers saw no evidence that Germany was "about to be broken because of internal dissension, or shortage of foods."

*The Western Front was the primary theater of WWI.  It stretched through Belgium, Northeastern France, Alsace-Lorraine & Western Germany.  It was the site of the Battle of the Marne, the Battle of Verdun & the Battle of Somme.

SOURCE

"Allies Cannot Crush Foe, U.S. Officers Report", The Chicago Daily Tribune, July 25, 1917.

Map of the Western Front (1914)

World War I

The History Department

United States Military Academy

AMERICANS ASSIGNED POSITION ON FRONT LINE

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PERSHING'S ARMY TO HOLD 5 MILE WIDE POSITION ON WESTERN FRONT

St. Quentin, France (JFK+50) One hundred years ago today, June 22, 1917, it was learned that General John J. Pershing's American army would occupy "a position south of St. Quentin* between the French and British armies."

This position had been recommended by the French war mission to the United States.  Two reasons given for the selection of this position were the need for an independent command and for an independent source of supply.

The Americans would have their own transportation and lines of communication to its bases.  The American base was expected to be located about 50 miles south of St. Quentin.

The American line initially would be 5 miles wide but would be expanded over several months to 10 to 15 miles.  5000 men would be positioned along every mile of trench.

General Pershing would have supreme command of his troops but would consult with the French.

*Saint-Quentin is a commune in northern France which was named after the saint who is said to have been martyred there in the 3rd century.  The city was founded by the Romans during the Augustean period.  

During WWI, SQ was overrun by the Germans & endured a harsh occupation. It lay in the heart of the war zone & suffered destruction of 80% of its buildings.

SOURCE

"Gen. Pershing To Hold Center of Long Battle Line, Sector Near St. Quentin Picked for Troops from America", The Chicago Daily Tribune, June 23, 1917.

Ruins of St. Quentin

October 14, 1918

Photo by Lt. Edwin O. Harrs

United States Army

GERMANS LOSE FIVE TOWNS

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GERMANS IN RETREAT ON WESTERN FRONT

British Headquarters in France (JFK+50) 100 years ago today, February 25, 1917, the German army conducted the "greatest retirement" of the fighting on the Western Front in two years.

The Chicago Daily Tribune reported on February 26, 1917 that the British army had taken five French towns.  They included Pys, Serre, Miraumont, Petit Miraumont and Butte de Warlencourt.

The Tribune said that it was estimated that the German retreat extended to a depth as far as three miles as British patrols harassed them.  The newspaper also speculated that there was the distinct possibility that the British would be able to force the evacuation of Bapaume* described as "the key to the German position since the beginning of the Battle of the Somme**."

*Bapaume, a farming & light industrial town, is located in northern France.  It was one of the strategic objectives of the Allies in 1916.  The city was occupied by Germans on Sept 26, 1914, by the British on March 17, 1917, & by the Germans once more on March 24, 1918.

**After the loss of a considerable amount of ground to the British 5th Army in Feb 1917, the German armies on the Somme were ordered to withdraw to reserve lines closer to Bapaume.

SOURCE

"Germans Lose Five Towns, Somme Lines Break Before British Drive," The Chicago Daily Tribune, February 26, 1917, www.archives.chicagotribune.com/

Germans Leave Bapaume

August/September 1918

German Federal Archives Photo

A Young German Sommekampfer

German Federal Archives Photo (1916)

THERE CAN BE NO PEACE WITHOUT COMPLETE VICTORY

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FIELD MARSHALL HAIG ASSESSES WAR SITUATION IN EUROPE

Paris, France (JFK+50) One hundred years ago today, February 15, 1917, the Daily Telegraph published an interview with Field Marshall Douglas Haig* conducted at the Western Front here in France.

The Field Marshall said...

"We still have much to do (but) we (are making) a great effort to ensure that the army behind shall be equal in power to that in front.  We (have) reached (maximum) output in the production of munitions.  We (need more) guns and railroads.  We should never have too many guns."

He continued...

"We are furnishing material of all sorts to our friends...Russia, Italy and Romania.  The Western Front is, and still will remain, the principle front of operations."

In assessing the progress of the war effort, the Field Marshall said...

"If Germany...cannot be entirely beaten this year, we shall not hesitate to carry on the war...there can be no peace without complete victory."

*Sir Douglas Haig (1861-1928) served as commander of the British Expeditionary Force fighting on the Western Front in France during World War I.  He was commander at the Battle of the Somme, the Third Battle of Ypres, and the Hundred Days offensive.

DH was born in Edinburgh & attended Clifton College & Brasenose College, 1880-1883.  He graduated from Royal Military College & was commissioned as a Lt. in the 7th Hussars 1885.

SOURCE

"Sir Douglas Haig on the Coming Struggle," February 15, 1917, The Daily Telegraph, www.telegraph.co.uk/

Field Marshall Douglas Haig

by Sir William Orpen

May 1917

IWM (Art.IWM ART  324)

www.commons.wikimedia.org/