1. The German-Russian hunting party
During the winter war 1916-1917 on the eastern front between the Germans and the Russians, a third player had silently entered the battlefield. For while the war effort had failed to secure victory for either side, it did prove devastating for the wild life in the area. This meant the local wolves were going on empty stomachs and were looking for alternative food sources. And so the soldiers on both sides found themselves at the mercy of mother nature as they fell prey to the ferocious animals.
The wolves were reported larger than their normal brethren, and the packs uncountable in numbers. Now, whether these were actual mega-wolves is debatable, but the soldiers must have gotten a real scare to blow up the descriptions. Apparently, the starving wolves held nothing back and refused to relent even when facing firearms and grenades. The moment one pack bit the dust, another one was there to continue terrorizing the men.
After a while, the whole thing got completely out of control. The soldiers became so occupied with the four legged threat that they were unable to act out their orders. Finally the Germans and Russians agreed to an temporary truce in order to deal with the problem. And with both sides working together, progress was eventually made. The result of the hunt was hundreds of dead wolves. Now the soldiers could take a breath of relief and continue the war that really mattered. After all, there is nothing which makes us overcome our differences as a common enemy.
2. At my enemy's mercy
Ever since the Americans had joined in on Allies' side in World War II, they had been putting their enormous industrial complex into good use - especially towards the air force. This was keeping in line with the mostly supportive attitude the Americans would have throughout the war. Suffering few casualties while lending out money made the USA substantially better off after the war than before it had started. As part of this supportive policy, nearly 200 000 fighter and bomber planes were produced, most of which would aid in the bombing of Germany. And among one of those tasked with this mission was Charles Brown, pilot of a B-17 bomber.
So far, Charles Brown had been successful in making sure that tons upon tons of explosives found their targets. However, after a surprise attack in December 1943, all signs were pointing in direction of a sudden end to his notable bombing career. Although they managed to fend off the first wave, half the crew were now wounded, and the plain so damaged that any further defense would surely prove futile. Of course, there was always the chance that they might fly on unnoticed, but finding themselves deep in enemy territory did not help their chances much. And of course, things took a turn for the worse when German pilot Franz Stigler in a single fighter plane turned up to avenge his fallen friends. As Charles saw the fighter approach, he could only accept his fate. But to his amazement, what he saw from his cockpit was not a storm of bullets, but rather his enemy giving a friendly gesture and signaling that they were about to be escorted to safety!
Now, Franz Stigler were in fact from the very beginning on a personal mission to get even with the American air force, which early in the war had wounded and killed his brother. So, seeing a B-17 taste the dirt would surely achieve just that to the German pilot. But as he moved in for the kill he could not help but notice the defenseless state his enemies found themselves in. Remembering the code of honour every German pilot acted by, he concluded that killing the crew would be no better than murder. Instead he decided on faking an escort of a captured plane, when he in reality brought the Americans back to Allied territory. Many years later, the two pilots tracked each other down and became dear friends.
3. A Christmas Miracle
Five months after the outbreak of World War I, a small Christmas miracle took place. On Christmas Eve 1914, the allied forces along the Western Front began hearing strange sounds coming from across the other side of No Man's Land. At first they did not know what to make of it, but as the noise grew louder it became clear that they were in fact hearing German Christmas carols. And then, to the surprise of the their commanding officers, the common English soldier joined in to the tune of "Silent Night, Holy Night". Just hours after having exchanged fire at each other, Germans and English alike were now singing the beginning of what later would be known as The Christmas Truce of 1914.
The next morning anxious heads could be seen popping up from both trenches. No shots were fired, and so the soldiers' spirits grew. They then began to stand up and wave at their enemy, and still no shots were fired. And finally, in an act of part defiance of their superiors and part empathy for their equally suffering enemy, they raised themselves from the trenches and met in the middle of No Man's Land. The proceedings went like you might expect in Christmas time. Handshakes, greetings and exchanges of gifts like chocolate and cigarettes were plenty. The language barrier between the temporary friends did not prove much of a problem, for they found a common tongue in football, matches of which were loosely organized along the front. Even some of the officers came together for a sip of beer!
Opinions on the occurring incident were split along a clear line. It was beyond obvious to all commanders that the fraternising was heavily undermining the war effort. Even though some of the upper-rank folks found time to enjoy themselves, most of them had from the very beginning tried to put an end to the party. Gustav Riebensahm, an officer in the 2nd Westphalian regiment, had soon complained that “the whole affair has become ridiculous and must be stopped”. And as news of the ongoing festivities moved up the ranks, the sentiments resonated with increasing force. 1st Army commander of the allied forces, General Douglas Haig, eventually warned that soldiers caught with the enemy could face the firing squad.
Despite the worries of their commanders, everyone involved knew perfectly well this Christmas sanctuary could not last. Come morning 26th of December, an English captain fired three shots in the air while hoisting a flag which said Merry Christmas. His German counterpart saluted and fired two shots himself, signaling the end of Christmas and the resumption of the slaughter. The effort may have been fruitless in its impact on the war, but the Christmas Truce of 1914 has still gone down in legends as perhaps the greatest act of humanity between those who initially would end each other at first opportunity.