When Soldiiers Say No to War

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

by Camillo Mac Bica, Truthout | Op-Ed

This year we mark the 100th anniversary of the Christmas Truce. A unique event in the annals of war, when soldiers of World War I, the "war to end all wars," enduring the horrors of trench warfare along the infamous 600-mile Western Front, made a conscious decision to stop the insanity, put down their weapons and said no to war.

Amazingly, some say miraculously, despite the knowledge that fraternization with the enemy was regarded by military leaders as treason, a crime punishable by summary execution, many soldiers, recognizing the humanity of the other and their shared sacrifice, cautiously and hesitantly emerged from their opposing trenches to meet and exchange holiday greetings and souvenirs with those who just hours before had been their enemies.

In a letter to his family, Rifleman, C.H. Brazier, Queens Westministers of Bishops Stortford, described the encounter.

"You will no doubt be surprised to hear that we spent our Christmas in the trenches after all and that Christmas Day was a very happy one. On Christmas eve, the Germans entrenched opposite us began calling out to us "cigarettes," "pudding," "a happy Christmas," and "English – means good," so two of our fellows climbed over the parapet of the trench and went toward the German trenches. Halfway they were met by four Germans, who said they would not shoot on Christmas Day, if we did not. They gave our fellows cigars and a bottle of wine and were given a cake and cigarettes. When they came back, I went out with some more of our fellows, and we were met by about 30 Germans, who seemed to be very nice fellows. I got one of them to write his name and address on a postcard as a souvenir. All through the night we sang carols to them and they sang to us and one played "God Save the King" on a mouth organ."" (Published in The Hertfordshire Mercury, Saturday January 9, 1915). . . .

http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/28154-when-soldiers-say-no-to-war

[Dont call me Shirley]

1. Beautiful story. Just say NO to war, permanently. Merry Christmas.

[Kalidurga]

2. Once I wondered out loud what would happen if soldiers refused to kill each other

I had the thought before, but not out loud. When I did actually put the thought into words the professor of my history class said it happened before and she told me about this story, it was the first I had heard of it. I wish it had turned into a popular pastime for soldiers the not fighting thing.

[bemildred]

3. Military leaders think about it a good deal.

They consider it a problem, a terrible problem. It is quite common for force and threats to be used to prevent it.

[Kalidurga]

6. I think it's getting harder for our military leaders at least, I don't know about other countries

It seems it is much harder to recruit people to join the military. I can hardly blame people for not wanting to join into a military that it seems the sole purpose of is to protect the investments of our bankers. And statistically a lot more young people are out of shape and basic training is a grueling process. If this keeps up we might have to do that thing where we stop having bases all over the world and actually only respond to real and credible threats.

[bemildred]

9. It's one reason we have an all volunteer Army now.

And have become fond of mercenaries, despite the extra expense.

[Kalidurga]

10. Far fewer people want to volunteer now.

I think this is a good trend. If enough people stop volunteering we might end up with a situation where they will have to cut back on how many bases we staff worldwide. If this results in the closing of a few hundred bases that would be a great thing. Let corporations and other countries fund their own security. We spend far too much on the MIC, it's literally robbing poor children and the elderly of food to pay for it.

[Diclotican]

5. Kalidurga

Kalidurga

The not fighting thing was indeed on many peoples mind even under World War One - but the experience of war - and maybe also the better training under World War two - and the propaganda on each side who told gruesome histories about how evil the enemy was - made it almost impossible for soldiers to stand up and say - No war! - The generals learned a lot about the total lack of discipline on its soldiers part, when they stooped shooting - and was talking to the enemy - rather than shooting at them all the time - it scared them to se that for a few days the soldiers just was humans - who talked to the other side - maybe even got friends on the other side - and we all know it is harder to shoot at people you know - than to some you have no connection to... That's how it is sadly enough

In the beginning of World War One - few had the training needed to be soldiers - most of them had maybe 3-4 weeks of training in mandatory barracks before been send to the front - and most of them - on both sides had a rather romantic view about how war was - like under Napoleon -as it had not been a major war in Europe since the Danish-German war of 1865 or German-France war of 1870s - since then it had been peace at the continent - and a whole generation of people had grown up under the agues of peace - the whole World War One was a terrible misunderstanding really - where all parts in the conflict had miscalculated horrible the consequences of their alliance parters - and when the fire was first light - after the killing of the arch duchy of Austria-Hungary in Sarajevo in 1914 - no one was able to step back and think about it - but rushed to the scene - and the war was a reality...

And until the end of the war - soldiers on both sides was just jumped into he war - they had been told how it was - but experienced a whole different world in the trenches of warfare....

Diclotican

[Kalidurga]

7. I don't know much at all about WW1, my great grandfather was in it

He had to have a double amputation. So, I feel like I should know more. But, I have a real mental blocking problem where this war is concerned quite frankly. My great grandfather was a life loving man well into his old age. He got kicked out of a nursing home because he was too active even in his wheelchair he would not stop speeding down the hallways in it and he would not stop flirting with the nurses. He smoked a pipe and sometimes he would let me pretend smoke and he would always give me a ride if I just asked. I still miss him and I am old now. Anyway, I start to read about the horrors of war and having known my grandfather I know those horrors are real life and I can't really get passed that. My grandfather was in WW2, he came back relatively intact. But, he wouldn't talk about what he experienced except to say it was the most horrible thing he ever had to be part of. But, since my grandfather came back I don't have near the same problem trying to read about WW2, yet it is still difficult for me I feel that connection through my grandfathers and it horrifies me to know what they likely went through and my grandfather's amputated legs were a stark reminder that war is hell.

[Diclotican]

4. Mr_Jefferson_24

Mr_Jefferson_24

And the fact - that both sides did that - stopped the war for a few days - scared the generals on both sides - who had no understand how soldiers who had been figthing suddenly could turn around - and be friendly with the enemies for a while... in fact the generals on both sides was furious about what they was seeing as a troublesome strait in their soldiers - and as a result of this - many of them who had been active in organization football matches and so one between the two fronts - was arrested - and convicted - and put in prison for many years to came - mostly because they feared what they could do next - stop the war for the summer maybe? - or maybe just walk home all tighter - and let the generals in their uniforms loosing the war they believed to be like in the old days when Napoleon was the great enemy?

The next year - was more gruesome than ever - and by the next christmas day - no one would even think about stooping the war for a few days - the hatred for the other side had grown to fast, to large to it to ever do it the same way - many things had happened in the trenches in a years time - 1915 was a brutal time in World War One - and the years following should se horrible things in the trenches of flanders - and other places where trench warfare was the only option between the two enemies.. The Chrisms of 1914 was just a kind memory for most people by 1915 - not to say 1916 or 1917 who saw some of the worst war actions in the whole of the war - and also was challenging for the home front - because of the lack of equipment and men to farm the land - in the City's it was rather hard time with many hungry and poor people who suddenly acted out in their own way - in some states the 1917 should be the end game for many governments - revolutions and even undoing of royal houses - in others it should soldier one for a year - when it all come crashing down because of the total lack of understanding how hard it had been for the people at the front - and for the people who was back home...

World war One was a war who for generations should stand out - but was totally overshadowed by World War Two - who was even more gruesome - and where the hatred for "the other" was even more intense than in World War One.. But for the ones who survived the horrible war actions in World War One - the experience stuck with them for the rest of their natural life....

Diclotican