What does the black Iron Cross mean?

What does the black Iron Cross mean?

The Iron Cross symbolizes the courage of the old Prussian warriors, the great victories of the Bismarck era and the valor of the German soldiers of the First World War. Officially the fascist symbolism was removed from the Iron Cross in 1957.

What does Wehrmacht translate to in English?

The German term “Wehrmacht” stems from the compound word of German: wehren, “to defend” and Macht, “power, force”. It has been used to describe any nation’s armed forces; for example, Britische Wehrmacht meaning “British Armed Forces”.

Why were German soldiers called Jerry’s?

Jerry (n.) World War I British Army slang for “a German; the Germans,” 1919, probably an alteration of German based on the male nickname Jerry, popular form of Jeremy.

Why was a toilet called a Jerry?

I was given to understand that when the petrol or fuel was finished that the troops in the Western Desert used the cans as a convenient urinal. The slang word in England for a Potty or Po which usually was kept in bedrooms for the same purpose at night was commonly called a Jerry.

When was the Volkssturm set up in Germany?

It was not set up by the German Army, the ground component of the combined German Wehrmacht armed forces, but by the Nazi Party on the orders of Adolf Hitler and established on 25 September 1944. It was staffed by conscripting males between the ages of 16 and 60 years, who were not already serving in some military unit.

Who was in charge of the Volkssturm during WWII?

Though nominally under party control, Volkssturm units were placed under Wehrmacht command when engaged in action. Aware that a “people’s army” would not be able to withstand the onslaught of the modern army wielded by the Allies, Hitler issued the following order towards the end of 1944:

What kind of equipment did the Volkssturm have?

Equipment was restricted to “the most necessary items.” As minimum equipment possession of a rucksack or backpack, blanket, field bag, messkit, canteen, cup, knife, fork and spoon was considered essential. All Volkssturm soldiers, regardless of rank, were compelled to provide for their individual uniforms and equipment.

How big is the arm band of the Volkssturm?

The official pattern armband was a printed black/white/red band measuring 7 cm wide. The basic band was with a 1.2 cm wide red border stripe top and bottom, a 3.5 mm wide black stripe, a 2.5 mm wide white stripe on each outer edge of a 3.4 cm wide black center stripe.