--- title: "8 World War I easter eggs in ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’" date: "2026-10-06" modified: "2026-10-06" authors: - name: "Shannon Corbeil" job_title: "Contributor, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/scorbeil.md" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/entertainment/world-war-i-easter-eggs-great-pumpkin-charlie-brown/" categories: - "Entertainment" - "History" - "Movies and TV" - "War History" - "World War I" tags: - "Entertainment" - "Military History" - "Movies" - "World War I" --- # 8 World War I easter eggs in ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ ![world war I easter eggs great pumpkin]() *It's post-traumatic stress, Charlie Brown! (Sony Pictures Entertainment)* 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? **Also Read: [A New York artist painted each of the Red Baron’s 80 aerial kills]()** 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTTDHHkQSFY 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 ![Snoopy World War I flying ace]() *(Sony Pictures Entertainment)* 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 ![Passchendaele World War I sopwith camel]() *A Sopwith Camel biplane with its nose buried in the ground after being forced down in 1917. (Imperial War Museum)* 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 ![red baron kills paintings tom lapadula]() *(Courtesy of Tom La Padula)* 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 ![chalons sur marne World War I easter eggs]() *(Sony Pictures Entertainment)* 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 ![world war I easter eggs charlie brown pont a mousson]() *(Sony Pictures Entertainment)* 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMJMBk9omm0 ### 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! **Don’t Miss the Best of We Are The Mighty** **• [How machine guns on World War I biplanes never hit the propeller]()** **• [Imperial Germany’s turn-of-the-century plan to invade the United States]()** **• [Your battle buddy was originally supposed to check your feet in the trenches]()** ## Author Shannon Corbeil has worked for We Are The Mighty as a digital video producer, writer, and host, as well as a staff writer covering military history, trivia, and valor. Shannon is a fierce veteran advocate, covering the achievements of members of the military community and volunteering in multiple veteran non-profit organizations, including Pin-Ups for Vets and Warriors for Peace Theatre. Her undergraduate degree is in Humanities and Philosophy and her Masters is in Strategic Intelligence. A screenwriter and actor recently seen on SEAL TEAM and THE ROOKIE, Shannon writes about exciting projects in the entertainment industry. She is an alum of the Writers Guild Foundation Veterans Writing Project, a Finalist in the Disney TV Writing Fellowship, an inaugural fellow for the STARZ/VME #TakeTheLead Program, and has performed at the Geffen Playhouse and Kennedy Center as a writer, dancer, singer, and actor. As a U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer, Shannon supported the 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, South Korea, and conducted Cyber Threat Analysis at the National Security Agency. Her work has been seen in Business Insider, Task & Purpose, Military.com, and various other publications. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() ## More - [How machine guns on World War I biplanes never hit the propeller]() - [No one knows who shot down the legendary German pilot known as ‘The Red Baron’]() - [A New York artist painted each of the Red Baron’s 80 aerial kills]() - [The 8 rules for rookie combat pilots in World War I]() - [6 military developments from World War I that made warfare more deadly]() - [How World War I ace Eddie Rickenbacker survived 24 days at sea]() - [The 6 most terrifying weapons of World War I]() - [These crusader knights answered the call to fight World War I]()