8 World War I easter eggs in ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’
It’s officially spooky season once more and that means it’s time to watch your annual Halloween favorites, whether that means “Hocus Pocus” or “The Hills Have Eyes.” There is, however, one film that has a little something for everyone: “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”
The 1966 classic is nostalgic, family-friendly, Halloween-themed, and even has a nice, hearty dose of combat-related PTSD—what could be scarier?
If you’re wondering why a 25-minute children’s cartoon devoted 20% of its run-time to Snoopy’s imaginary fight against Germany’s Red Baron, wherein Snoopy was shot down behind enemy lines and had to run for his life and was then plagued with PTSD… well… so was I.
Turns out, “Peanuts” creator Charles M. Schulz was a World War II veteran. Drafted into the Army in 1943, Schulz served in the 20th Armored Division. In 1944, he was promoted to sergeant as the leader of a light machine gun squad and went to Europe in February of 1945, where he remained until after Germany surrendered in April of that year.
He lived the rest of his life with respect to the veterans who sacrificed so much during that war and those that followed.
“I think any sensible person with a grasp of history would have to admit that D-Day was the most important day of our century,” Schulz said in 1999. “Without D-Day it’s possible that Europe could have remained for another 25 or 50 years in darkness. I’m glad I wasn’t there, and yet my admiration for the people who were knows no bounds.”
His comics commemorated Veterans Day multiple times, D-Day, and, of course, Snoopy and his nemesis, the Red Baron. And then, in the Halloween special of 1966, Snoopy’s World War I Flying Ace came to the silver screen in a live action sequence that is super effing dark. The tie-in is that it was Snoopy’s Halloween costume that year, but still, it’s a wild ride.
It makes sense to those whooo knew him, however. Schulz’s official biography describes the artist’s humor as “at times observational, wry, sarcastic, nostalgic, bittersweet, silly, and melancholy, with occasional flights of fancy and suspension of reality thrown in from time to time.” Snoopy’s great Halloween battle encompasses all of these at once.
Let’s break down all the World War I easter eggs.
1. World War I Flying Ace
While two pilots fired pistols at one another mid-air during the Mexican Revolution in 1913 (neither pilot got hit), the first confirmed air-to-air combat victory involving machine gun fire took place during World War I. Shortly thereafter, the term “ace” emerged to refer to an aviator who shot down five or more enemy aircraft.
The term was coined when one of the first high scoring pilots, Alophe Pègoud was called “l’as” by French newspapers. The term meant “ace” and the name stuck. This means Snoopy has shot down at least five enemy aircraft, and may be the only “Peanuts” character with a confirmed kill.
2. The Sopwith Camel
Snoopy’s World War I Flying Ace transformed his classic red doghouse into a Sopwith Camel for his battles against the Red Baron. His aircraft of choice was the Sopwith Camel, one of the most significant aircraft of the war, which downed 1,294 enemy aircraft during World War I—more than any other Allied fighter.
Its name came from the cowling over the two Vickers machine guns, which created its distinctive “hump.”
3. The Red Baron
No ace is more famous than “the Ace of Aces,” German pilot Manfred von Richtofen, who is recorded to have 80 aerial victories during World War I (not including Snoopy).
Von Richtofen wrote in his autobiography that he ordered a silver cup with the date and type of plane for each of his aerial wins (the cups are considered to this day lost to history). By 1917, he was considered a German hero and was flying his distinctive red Fokker Dr.I triplane for which he got his nickname.
An unknown Allied pilot fatally shot the Red Baron down in 1918.
4. “Contact!”
When Snoopy climbs into his Sopwith Camel, he shouts, “Contact!” as narrated by Charlie Brown. This is because many World War I aircraft required ground crew to get the engine primed, pumped, and running. Once the priming sequence was finished, the crew would yell over to the pilot, “Contact!” and he’d give a verbal confirmation right back.
5. Châlons-sur-Marne
In 1921, the French town of Châlons-sur-Marne was where American Sgt. Edward Younger selected the body of the first “Unknown Soldier” to be honored among the approximately 77,000 U.S. service members killed on the Western Front of World War I. The city was strategically critical during the war for logistical, medical, and command purposes behind the Western Front. Our downed pilot has a long way to go.
6. Pont-à-Mousson
As Snoopy continued his way across German-occupied France, he next arrived at a sign for Pont-à-Mousson, situated along the Moselle River. This was a critical and heavily contested frontline town which sat on the border of French- and German-held territory due to its proximity to the Moselle Crossing.
Pont-à-Mousson served as a starting anchor for the St. Mihiel Offensive in Sept. 1918.
7. La Moselle
The Moselle River and the town of Moselle, France, are both known for their long military histories. The river itself flows through France, Luxembourg, and Germany before it joins the Rhine at Koblenz. Multiple battles were fought in the area, including the Battle of Lorraine, the battle of Grand Couronné, and the Battle of Saint-Mihiel.
Snoopy crosses the river in the dead of night, evading a nearby battle before taking refuge in an abandoned home… which happened to be where the Peanuts Gang were having their Halloween party.
8. Schroeder’s Music
At the party, Schroeder plays music for our intrepid Ace, including “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary,” “There’s a Long, Long Trail,” “Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag,” and “Roses of Picardy.” These are actual World War I songs. “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary” was used as a marching song during the war. Snoopy marches joyfully and proudly as this anthem plays.
“There’s a Long, Long Trail” was a popular song from the time period. Here, Snoopy grows a bit more solemn, and for good reason; check out these lyrics and try not to imagine your fallen comrades:
“Nights are growing very lonely, Days are very long; I’m a-growing weary only List’ning for your song. Old remembrances are thronging Thro’ my memory Till it seems the world is full of dreams Just to call you back to me.”
“Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag” was another World War I marching song. Snoopy rallies, marching once more, but then Schroeder just had to kill the vibes. “Roses of Picardy” was named for central Picardy, a region of France where troops fought the first Battle of the Somme. Soldiers sang it in the Western Front—including at Flanders Field.
It’s okay to cry, Snoopy. You’re experiencing what was then understood as “shell shock”—the physical and psychological trauma suffered by soldiers exposed to heavy artillery bombardment, but which we now know is PTSD, a very serious medical condition that can occur after a traumatic event like military combat.
Know that we are here for you, Snoopy. You’re not alone and we thank you for your courageous military service.
Happy Halloween!
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