What really happened in the Christmas Truce of the First World War?

The Christmas Truce of 1914 has become a legendary story. The romantic image of enemies shaking hands in the middle of no man’s land, or playing football against each other, reoccurs again and again in popular culture, from films and songs to adverts. But how much of it is true? What do we really know about this moment of peace in a brutal war? The photographs, letters and interviews in IWM’s collection tell the real story of the Christmas Truce. In this video, Head of Documents and Sound Anthony Richards explains how the truce came about, its impact on the course of the First World War and why it never happened again after 1914.

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British and German troops meeting in No-Man's Land during the unofficial truce. (British troops from the Northumberland Hussars, 7th Division, Bridoux-Rouge Banc Sector). Burying those killed in the attack of 18 December.
© Harold Robson/IWM (Q 50720)
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British Monitor "Severn" endeavouring to tow the Whaler "Rattler" which went aground near Wasin Island 24th February 1916.
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