Unseen photographs show how football united WW1 troops

A series of largely unseen photographs visualise the impact football had on the morale of troops from Allied forces during the First World War.

The images from the archives of the Imperial War Museum, which were discovered as part of a project by the Open University, show the sharing of a common pastime by troops of different nationalities between 1914 and 1918.

The release of the photographs comes at a time of commemorations for the 100 year anniversary of the first Christmas Truce football match in 1914.

The game is believed to have taken place on Christmas day between German and British soldiers on the frontlines of the war in Neuve Chapelle, Northern France.

1917. A British general is about to kick off a friendly football match between the British and Italian troops on the Italian Front. © IWM (Q 26566)

A newly discovered letter written by General Walter Congreve to his wife on Christmas day, 1914 describes the remarkable events of that day and an impromptu football match between rival troops.

1918. The football is crossed into the box as British Army troops play in the final of the Fanshawe Cup with hundreds of spectating soldiers watching on in the Trission sunshine. © IWM (Q 26362)

Congreve wrote how one of his captains bravely entered No-Man’s land to agree to a truce requested by German soldiers.

“There I found an extraordinary state of affairs – this a.m. a German shouted out that they wanted a day’s truce & would one come out if he did; so very cautiously one of our men lifted himself above the parapet & saw a German doing the same,” wrote Congreve.

1918. Final of the 48th Divisional Fanshawe Cup. The 1/7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment versus 1/7th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Two players tackle for the ball as soldiers scramble to get a view on the Italian Front, Trissino, Italy. © IWM (Q 26358)

He went on: “Both got out then more & finally all day long in that particular place they have been walking about together all day giving each other cigars & singing songs. Officers as well as men were out & the German Colonel himself was talking to one of our Captains.”

The general also recounted how he decided not to take up the invitation of meeting the German troops himself, fearing they would try to kill him due to his rank.

The playing of football matches on Christmas day by opposing troops is a matter of dispute by some historians as little record exists of the games.

However, Congreve’s letter provides further evidence that they may have indeed taken place.

Research by the Open University shows that football was often used as a distraction for nervous troops on both sides of the divide and also as an enticement to get reluctant young men to join the forces.

The story of the Christmas Truce has recently been immortalised by Sainsbury’s 2014 Christmas ad which has over 15 million views on Youtube.

1916. A handmade football net is setup by soldiers for an inter-company match on the Balkan Front on Christmas Day. © IWM (Q 32613)

1918. Huge crowds of soldiers line the football pitch to watch the Fanshawe Cup Final in Trissino, Italy. © IWM (Q 26353)

1918. The British 7th Division organise a football match on the Italian front, watched by crowds of Allied troops and Italian civilians. © IWM (Q 26669)

1915. The British Army 26th Divisional Ammunition Train get involved in a football match on Christmas Day in Greece. © IWM (Q 31576)

1917. An impromptu game of football kicks off between British and Italian troops, as others take some time out to rest on the hills and watch on. © IWM (Q 26884)

1916. British Navy officers watch on as Warship Company play a football match in Stavros, Greece. © IWM (Q 32536)

All images originally appeared on the Open University website.