The Last Voyage of the Lusitania

Based on the video we watched in class and the link in the title above, post on the following:

1. Why did Germany torpedo the Lusitania, a civilian vessel?

2. Why did such a large ship sink so fast?

3. What have you discovered about social class divisions in 1915 (based on the video and the link provided)?

4. What stands out for you, either emotionally or factually, after watching this video? Why?

The Christmas Truce

There's no doubt that it actually happened - the unofficial Christmas Truce of 1914 - but even today many people are not entirely sure of the detail and extent of the remarkable hiatus in the war that took place for a few hours during the fifth month of that first year of conflict.

For the most part the truce was observed by British and German soldiers in the southern part of the Ypres Salient in Belgium.

However it was observed elsewhere on the Western Front and by other combatants, notably by the French and Belgians, although the very fact that the Germans were sited on the territory belonging to France and Belgium inhibited any great displays of seasonal goodwill towards their German opponents.

Started with Trees and Carols
Although there are numerous individual stories telling how the unofficial Christmas was started in various sectors, for the most part it was initiated by German troops situated opposite British forces where a relatively short distance separated the trenches across No Man's Land.

Many German soldiers had, as was their custom on Christmas Eve, begun to erect Christmas trees adorned with lit candles - except they were placed along the trenches of the Western Front.

Initially surprised, and then suspicious, British observers reported the existence of these to higher officers. The word came down that they were not to fire, but were instead to observe closely the actions of the Germans.

Next was heard the singing of carols, in German. The British responded in places with carols of their own. Those German soldiers who understood and could speak English called across greetings to 'Tommy' (the popular name for the British private); similar greetings were shouted over to "Fritz".

In areas German soldiers invited 'Tommy' to step across No Man's Land and to pay a visit to the same German opponents they had been so wrapped up in killing but a few hours earlier.
Edward Hulse, a 25-year old lieutenant in the Scots Guards, wrote in his battalion's war history:

We got into conversation with the Germans who were anxious to arrange an armistice during Xmas. A scout named F. Murker went out and met a German Patrol and was given a glass of whisky and some cigars, and a message was sent back saying that if we didn't fire at them they would not fire at us.

Consequently the guns in that sector were silent that night.

Most remarkable of all, perhaps, is the story of the football match conducted between the English Bedfordshire regiment and German troops (allegedly won 3-2 by the latter). The game was brought to an end when the football was punctured after it struck a tangle of barbed wire.
In many sectors the truce lasted until midnight on Christmas night; yet on others lasted until New Year's Day.

Corporal John Ferguson recounted how the truce was conducted in his sector:

We shook hands, wished each other a Merry Xmas, and were soon conversing as if we had known each other for years. We were in front of their wire entanglements and surrounded by Germans - Fritz and I in the centre talking, and Fritz occasionally translating to his friends what I was saying. We stood inside the circle like street-corner orators.

Soon most of our company ('A' Company), hearing that I and some others had gone out, followed us ... What a sight - little groups of Germans and British extending almost the length of our front!

Out of the darkness we could hear laughter and see lighted matches, a German lighting a Scotchman's cigarette and vice versa, exchanging cigarettes and souvenirs. Where they couldn't talk the language they were making themselves understood by signs, and everyone seemed to be getting on nicely.

Here we were laughing and chatting to men whom only a few hours before we were trying to kill!

Once and Once Only...
Nevertheless, reaction from on high was such that special precautions were taken during the Christmases of 1915, 1916 and 1917, even to the extent of actually stepping up artillery bombardments.

The events of late December 1914 were never again to be repeated.



Questions:
Who started the truce in most cases?
What part of this story is the most surprising or interesting? Why?
Why do you think 1914 was the last time the two sides had a Christmas Truce?