629. WWI: The Christmas Truce

The Rest Is History

Goalhanger

History

4.6 • 18.6K Ratings

🗓️ 25 December 2025

⏱️ 56 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Did the Christmas Truce - which saw a number of unofficial ceasefires between the combatants of the First World War, during the Christmas of 1914 - really occur, or was it a myth? What is the real story behind this legendary event? And, did German and British soldiers really play football across no-man's land? Join Dominic and Tom as they delve into the history behind one of the most famous and moving events of the First World War. _______ Hive. Know your power. Visit https://hivehome.com to find out more. _______ Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/restishistory It's risk-free with Nord's 30-day money-back guarantee ✅ _______ Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at therestishistory.com _______ For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to ⁠www.goalhanger.com⁠ _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Video Editor: Jack Meek Social Producer: Harry Balden Assistant Producer: Aaliyah Akude Producer: Tabby Syrett Senior Producer: Theo Young-Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	If you want more from the show, join The Rest Is History Club, and with Christmas coming,
0:04.4	you can also gift a whole year of access to the history lover in your life. Just head to the
0:10.3	restishistory.com and click Gifts. This episode is sponsored by Hive. Britain revolutionised the future with the might of industrial
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1:05.4	Hive brings it all together. Heating, charging and solar, managed from one simple app in a quiet revolution.
1:14.2	In the long history of power, Hive helps you finally know yours.
1:19.6	Head to hivehome.com to find out more. Subject to survey and suitability.
1:26.1	Hive app compatible with selected technology.
1:29.3	Paid for surplus requires SEG tariff.
1:32.3	Dear Mother, I'm writing from the trenches.
1:46.7	It is 11 o'clock in the morning.
1:49.1	Beside me is a coke fire, opposite me a dugout with straw in it.
1:54.1	The ground is sloppy in the actual trench, but frozen elsewhere.
1:58.4	In my mouth is a pipe presented by the Princess Mary. In the pipe is tobacco.
2:04.3	Of course, you say. But wait. In the pipe is German tobacco. Ha ha ha you say, from a prisoner
2:14.1	or found in a captured trench. Oh dear no.
	...

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