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Nine-and-a-half months after D-Day, 30,000 British troops crossed the Rhine as part of the Allied assault on Germany. Two years earlier, work had already started on a guide to assist them in negotiating everyday life in what then was still enemy territory. This extraordinary document was intended to educate soldiers on a range of topics, including German history, the national character, politics, culture, food and drink, currency, and to explain the current situation, including the effect of war on Germany and the German attitudes to the British. It was also intended to condition them to resist the effect of German propaganda by means of a healthy dose of British propaganda. The result is a remarkable booklet, often unintentionally humorous and sometimes crudely stereotypical, it reads by turns like a travel guide (advising on the excellence of German sausages and beer - 'one of the pleasantest in Europe') and a crash course in psychological warfare. It is very much a document of the period, revealing as much about British wartime attitudes towards Germany as it does about British hopes and fears. 'If you have to give orders to German civilians, give them in a firm, military manner. The German civilian is used to it and expects it.' 'The Germans are not good at controlling their feelings. They have a streak of hysteria. You will find that Germans may often fly into a passion if some little thing goes wrong.' 'Don't be too ready to listen to stories told by attractive women. They may be acting under orders.'
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
This is a fascinating glimpse into the attitude of the British government following the defeat of Germany. The advice given to the occupying soldiers is actually more thoughtful than you might assume. Such as how to behave to a people who have been defeated; 'Be smart, be firm, be fair'. This slim volume contains a potted history of Germany, Hitler, and the Nazis. An expostion of the character of the German people, and advice on everything from fraternisation, to what not to drink 'Schnaps - guaranteed to take the skin off one's throat' I cannot recommend it too highly. I also own the Instructions for France. It is equally absorbing.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Intriguing insights into two combatants in World War II
7 Dec 2008
This is another in the Bodleian Library series of wartime pamphlets. 30,000 British troops crossed the Rhine in the assault on Germany.
Work started the pamphlet two years earlier. It was intended as "a guide to assist [you] in negotiating everyday life in what is enemy territory." Topics include German history, the national character, politics, culture, food and drink, currency, and the effect of war on Germany and the German attitudes to the British.
"Don't be too ready to listen to stories told by attractive women. They may be acting under orders."
"The Germans are not good at controlling their feelings. They have a streak of hysteria. You will find that Germans may often fly into a passion if some little thing goes wrong."
"If you have to give orders to German civilians, give them in a firm, military manner. The German civilian is used to it and expects it."
German cuisine, especially sausages and beer, is "one of the pleasantest in Europe".
All in all, this is an interesting insight into how the British propaganda machine saw the Germans and how it prepared its soldier for interacting with them.
Robert C. Ross 2008
PS: You might be interested in other manuals of this type from World War II:
Instructions for American Servicemen in Britain, 1942: Reproduced from the original typescript, War Department, Washington, DC (Instructions for Servicemen)
Instructions for British Servicemen in France, 1944 (Instructions for Servicemen S.)
Instructions for American Servicemen in Australia, 1942 (Instructions for Servicemen)
German Invasion Plans for the British Isles, 1940 B.
Work started the pamphlet two years earlier. It was intended as "a guide to assist [you] in negotiating everyday life in what is enemy territory." Topics include German history, the national character, politics, culture, food and drink, currency, and the effect of war on Germany and the German attitudes to the British.
"Don't be too ready to listen to stories told by attractive women. They may be acting under orders."
"The Germans are not good at controlling their feelings. They have a streak of hysteria. You will find that Germans may often fly into a passion if some little thing goes wrong."
"If you have to give orders to German civilians, give them in a firm, military manner. The German civilian is used to it and expects it."
German cuisine, especially sausages and beer, is "one of the pleasantest in Europe".
All in all, this is an interesting insight into how the British propaganda machine saw the Germans and how it prepared its soldier for interacting with them.
Robert C. Ross 2008
PS: You might be interested in other manuals of this type from World War II:
Instructions for American Servicemen in Britain, 1942: Reproduced from the original typescript, War Department, Washington, DC (Instructions for Servicemen)
Instructions for British Servicemen in France, 1944 (Instructions for Servicemen S.)
Instructions for American Servicemen in Australia, 1942 (Instructions for Servicemen)
German Invasion Plans for the British Isles, 1940 B.
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