Christmas at the Front

Poignant scenes of Allied troops enjoying their Yuletide rations at the first Christmas of WWI.

By December 1914 it was clear that the war wouldn't "all be over by Christmas", as many had hoped. British audiences were eager for news from the Front, and newsreels like Topical Budget freely obliged, filming behind the lines during the early months of the conflict. This poignant item shows Allied troops (probably Belgian) enjoying a break from fighting - comforting scenes for viewers back home.