Famous Christmas photo from world war one

**Jan** · 12-04-2012, 09:11 PM

I´m here to learn and I have to say I keep learning a lot

Cheers Jan

**NickM** · 12-04-2012, 09:20 PM

Thanks Paul E and HPL2008 for the clarification. By "caps" do you mean Schirmutzen or something similar?
While I knew Pickelhauben were used, I didn't think they were widespread across the forces.

**Paul D** · 12-04-2012, 09:33 PM

If you search through this section of the forum you'll find numeros examples of WW1 German and British Headgear !!

**Paul D** · 12-04-2012, 09:34 PM

by HPL2008

...Or, in case of the German troops, spiked helmets (Pickelhauben).
(Which, of course, offered no ballistic protection to speak of.)

How could i forget the Pickelhaube !!

**Jerry B** · 12-04-2012, 09:38 PM

Where did you get the picture as it does look to be a recreation of the time and not a period picture IMHO as was suggested by Kris. Certainly post 1916 if an original because of the helmets as Paul mentioned. I think the French were the first to introduce steel helmets.

**Thanatos** · 12-04-2012, 10:01 PM

Spot on Jerry,
The French M15 Adrian was the first "true" modern combat helmet.
Issued early in 1915 I believe.
Cheers
Dave

**davesap250** · 12-04-2012, 10:07 PM

I think it is a original picture for the following reasons. I think the two Germans have possibly been captured and this is just a lull in the battle. The British soldier at the front has his bayonet fixed and is equiped in his fighting order and by the looks of it watching over the prisoners. The sand bag this soldier is carrying is probably full of spare ammunition or grenades. Sandbags were used for everything and are still used today to carry ammo.
The Tommies stood to the left their kit can be seen in the foreground. The two German soldiers are without their rifles etc.
Just my two pence worth.

**harryamb2** · 12-04-2012, 10:10 PM

I wonder if the germans are pow's,the brit 2nd man on the left looks familiar from other ww1 pics.

**ObKrieger** · 12-05-2012, 12:02 PM

It looks like it was well-photoshopped, to me.

**StefanM** · 12-05-2012, 12:38 PM

IMHO it seems odd that all six men look pretty pin sharp with no motion blur across the depth of field suggesting high shutter speed and fast film speed of more modern camera's? After all this was supposedly in the "field" and not a staged shot or in a studio...or was it

Is it a famous image?

This photo of football match has motion blur. On a recent BBC Antiques Roadshow programme a guy produced a family letter sent home shortly after the soldier's witnessing the Christmas truce football match... very interesting to hear of a first-hand account.