They called us kraut, heini, hun...

Reverie · 02-19-14, 07:17 PM

When my Zentralle expounded during a recent depth charging, I was disturbed...no, alarmed by the patriotic vitriol my seasoned crew spat at the offending egglayer...

"Swine."
"Tommy."
"Bra and panty boys."

Certainly, there must be SOMETHING more reciprical to the unjustified venom they are pouring upon us?

Transmitting from a Canoe in the North Sea
(after four torpedoes mysteriously malfunctioned!)

Reverie

GJO · 02-23-14, 04:43 AM

We have forgotten many of those names now but during the Second World War, as in the First, German Combatants mostly referred to the Brits as 'Tommies' and their British counterparts called the Germans 'The Bosch' or 'Jerries'. The former being the usual choice of officers and the latter in more general use with other ranks. I believe that the modern usage of derogatory expletives was far less common among the well disciplined sailors and soldiers of that era - on both sides.

One of Churchill's famous techniques that caused great irritation in the German homeland was his frequent and deliberate mis-pronunciation of German names and words. Whereas German propaganda broadcasts to Britain were very careful in emulate the received pronunciation of the BBC.

TG626 · 02-23-14, 10:01 AM

I grew up watching Hogan's Heros. The English called them Jerries, while the Americans called them Krauts.

GJO · 02-25-14, 05:40 AM

We also have to remember that although there was always an element of dignified respect between opposing naval personel, the submarine service was generally despised by traditional navy types.

OldWulf85 · 02-25-14, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TG626

I grew up watching Hogan's Heros. The English called them Jerries, while the Americans called them Krauts.

I seh nix-I hör nix-I weis nix. -Sgt. Schultz

02-19-14, 07:17 PM	#1
Reverie Planesman Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 195 Downloads: 51 Uploads: 0	They called us kraut, heini, hun... When my Zentralle expounded during a recent depth charging, I was disturbed...no, alarmed by the patriotic vitriol my seasoned crew spat at the offending egglayer... "Swine." "Tommy." "Bra and panty boys." Certainly, there must be SOMETHING more reciprical to the unjustified venom they are pouring upon us? Transmitting from a Canoe in the North Sea (after four torpedoes mysteriously malfunctioned!) Reverie

02-23-14, 10:01 AM	#3
TG626 Lieutenant Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: USS Seal - Somewhere in the Pacific Posts: 268 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 3	I grew up watching Hogan's Heros. The English called them Jerries, while the Americans called them Krauts. __________________ T. E. Thompson, LTCDR Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Seal (formerly S-40 (SS-145))

02-23-14, 04:43 AM	#2
GJO Planesman Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: On the Oxford Canal in England Posts: 195 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	We have forgotten many of those names now but during the Second World War, as in the First, German Combatants mostly referred to the Brits as 'Tommies' and their British counterparts called the Germans 'The Bosch' or 'Jerries'. The former being the usual choice of officers and the latter in more general use with other ranks. I believe that the modern usage of derogatory expletives was far less common among the well disciplined sailors and soldiers of that era - on both sides. One of Churchill's famous techniques that caused great irritation in the German homeland was his frequent and deliberate mis-pronunciation of German names and words. Whereas German propaganda broadcasts to Britain were very careful in emulate the received pronunciation of the BBC.

02-25-14, 05:40 AM	#4
GJO Planesman Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: On the Oxford Canal in England Posts: 195 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	We also have to remember that although there was always an element of dignified respect between opposing naval personel, the submarine service was generally despised by traditional navy types.