1944 Easter Ceasefire
On Easter Sunday, April 9, the Americans, fighting in the Garigliano sector, broadcast a Protestant and Catholic service on the Italian Cassino Front during the protracted Battle of Anzio. The forces had agreed to a one-hour truce.[1][2] Yet over the course of the nearly two-hour service, not a single shot fell in the immediate sector[3], though some German artillery barrages were fired elsewhere as the service was coming to a close. The idea of broadcasting to both Allied and German troops originated with the regimental commander and three U.S. chaplains.
Rev. Oscar Reinboth of Seward, NE opened (in German): "As an American chaplain I greet Protestants and Catholics, of the German army. Should not all Christendom be jubilant this day? Should not all people rejoice--now that Christ died and rose again for all men--for Germans and Americans alike? Therefore, I wish you also today, in the name of my soldiers, a happy Easter."[4] (The service was broadcast in both English and German.)
Reinboth's chaplain kit used for the sermon is on display at the National WWII Museum.[5] The regimental commander and Chaplains Hayes and Crowley also spoke.
See also
Christmas truce of World War I
References
- ↑ Beaches of Normandy Tours, https://www.beachesofnormandy.com/articles/Easter_in_World_War_II/?id=9e574cff16
- ↑ Kravat, Oy (Nordic Defense Review), https://nordicdefencereview.com/blood-and-resurrection-when-easter-turns-ugly/
- ↑ Associated Press, https://www.instagram.com/p/C5KGQN5us1g/ (scan uploaded by Chaplains' Museum in Virginia)
- ↑ David Lawrence, “A Nebraska Chaplain on the Cassino Front,” Nebraska History 25 (1944): 111 112, https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/doc_publications_NH1944NebrChaplain.pdf
- ↑ National World War II Museum, “Capt. Oscar Henry Reinboth used this portable altar while serving as a chaplain with the 349th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division. On Easter Sunday, April 9, 1944, Reinboth – who was fluent in German – delivered a sermon on the front lines over a loudspeaker in both German and English. During that time, the fighting ceased, but as soon as the sermon ended, shooting began again," https://travelingadventuresofafarmgirl.com/2018/03/06/the-national-world-war-ii-museum/
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