ROBB CENTRE NEWS GEORGE S. ROBB CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF THE GREAT WAR AT PARK UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
American Soldiers embarking at St. Nazaire, 6 December 1918. Source: American Battle Monuments Commission
CHRISTMAS IN A EUROPE AT PEACE
hut and well fed with plenty of the best of food, not out in the cold and wet trenches hungry like so many of us thought we would be only a few months back. And too, that I escaped the wounds and disease so
BY ISABELLA TASSET
many of our boys fell victim to this summer and fall,
While the United States was doing what it could to
beneath the sod on these cruel and bloody battle
address the logistical issues that arose from the
fronts."
not saying anything about the unfortunate sons lying
aftermath of World War I, the soldiers left in Europe that December of 1918 had much to celebrate.
At the same time that December 1918 was a time of celebration for American servicemembers, it was also
In France, people celebrated the armistice for weeks
one of solemn remembrance of those that didn't
afterward by setting off rockets, lighting bonfires, waving
make it to see peace restored. As winter progressed,
flags, dancing and singing both the French National
Americans and Europeans alike began to experience
Anthem and the Star-Spangled Banner. A soldier from Ohio, Charles A. Kline, writing to his parents in mid-
the effects of shell shock in full force. The war had ended, but trauma lingered.
November 1918, remarked, ". . . it seems very funny not to hear the big guns roaring and the almost constant glare of fire. But everybody is sure glad there are no more shells flying. I hope peace is soon signed and we are on our way home." Kline would remain in Europe for the rest of the winter. As the "Peace Christmas" approached, more celebrations
DECEMBER CALENDAR Christmas Truce
were held across Europe, but most Americans were eager to return to their homes: "Father and Sisters, I have much to be very thankful for this Christmas Eve, altho (sic) many miles from home, I am quartered in a cozy little DECEMBER 2020, VOLUME 4
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