Wehrmacht commands and drill
Die bersetzung der Kommandos der Deutschen Wehrmacht.
(The German army
translation).
By Tom, aka "Sani"
This is a
basic guide to speaking German in and around the battlefield. As I have heard
many Re-enactors think that being able to speak the language brings a more realistic
feel to acting out a German role. This manual will also include the "how to" on
German drill, allot of the German drill has been taken from Marsh Wises's American website,
however this manual includes some of the important bits he missed out. This publication
is being shared by my good-self free of charge and is designed solely as an aid
to groups wanting to better themselves. This article is not to be edited and
redistributed.
To get an idea of how some of the stuff is spoken, I have included a zipped file full of commands, which can be downloaded here.
Sektion eins (section one)
Getting to know and understand your basics "yes sir":
Verstanden = Understood (it is impolite to say it on parade but satisfactory when in combat)
Ich werde mein Bestes tun= I will try my best.
Jawohl, Herr........ = Yes sir (replace ............ with the title of person e.g. Leutnant/Feldwebel)
(Klar) Verstanden / Jawohl= clear or understood (can be said as in I understand. DEFINITELY NOT clear as in area clear)
Ich habe den Auftrag... (say what you have to do)= I will comply/adapt
Getting to know manover commands.
Zielwechsel nach links /rechts!= change soldiers direction of fire.
Linker Flgel vor / Attack left flank
Rechter Flgel vor/ Attack right flank
Angriff rechte Flanke/
Links /Rechts umgehen = go around him.
Maschinengewehr vor! = move the machinegun forwards.
Maschinengewehr (better = MG) Stellungswechsel nach ...(links / rechts)!= move the machinegun there (don't forget to point where)
Kette bilden= Line formation
Reihe bilden= Wide formation
Sammeln= Point formation
Abstnde vergrssern / Auflockern= Scatter
Feuerschutz!=
covering fire!
Gib mir Feuerschutz!= You cover me!
Entschuldigung, aber sie haben ihr Handgranate vegessen= Excuse me but I think you forgot your grenade. (only as a joke in exercises, not in a real battle!)
Wacht auf! / Alarm = watch out!
(Hand-)Granate! =Grenade!
Vorsicht! / Achtung = warning
Rennt um euer Leben! Er hat eine Panzerfaust!= Run for your lives! He has a bazooka!
Kopf runter, du Idiot! better = Volle Deckung!= Keep your head down idiot!
Auf! Auf! Auf! = Out! Out! Out!
Los, Los, Los!= Go Go Go!
Zurck /Rckzug!= Get away! As in to run away.
Steh auf = get up (to several people)
Hinlegen = lay down
Laufschritt = run
(Vorwrts) Marsch = march (better given as hand signal)
Melder zu mir! = dispatcher / call-taker
(Gebiet) Stellung feindfrei / gesichert= area secure.
Wir strmen mit Handgranaten und Maschinenpistolen= storm them with hand grenades and machine pistols.
Wir brauchen Panzeruntersttzung, jetzt!= we need tank support now!
Wir brauchen Luftuntersttzung!= We need air support
Achtung! Fliegeralarm= warning fighter alarm! (As in the aircraft, good one for tankies and vehicle owners)
Wir brauchen Artillerie-feuer, auf dieser Position!= We need artillery fire on this position.
Zurck!= Retreat!
Nicht schieen, wir ergeben uns= Dont shoot, we give up!
Ich bin verwundet= I am wounded
Gefangennehmen!= get him!
Insults
These are obsenities you mite shout to your fellow enemy on the battlfield.
Schwein= Pig
Verflucht / Verdammt nochmal!= (No it doesnt mean F*** you) curse you!
Verdammter Amerikaner= damn Americans (change with: Brite or Ivan or Russe)
Erschiessen!= Shoot him!
Individual Drill and the Manual of Arms
Einzelausbildung ohne Gewehr, Gewehrgriffe
German "Kommandos" are comprising of two parts: the announcement and the execution with a little pause between them. This makes clear what is meant by the command (first part) and when it should be carried out (second part).
Individual Drill - Einzelausbildung
The following commands would be the basic commands a recruit would have to master before training in groups or with weapons. Much more of this will be covered elsewhere in this manual.
Raustreten! Everybody out! This was used to get recruits out of the classroom or barracks.
(1. Zug/Kompanie/Abteilung) ... Stillgestanden! Heels together, toes pointed out at not quite a right angle. Shoulders squared. Arms are thrown slightly forward, with the hands flat, with the middle finger resting against the trouser seam. Eyes forward.
Links... um! Left face.
Rechts... um! Right face.
Abteilung, kehrt! About face. In the German Army, this is done by turning to the LEFT--repeat: to the LEFT.
Rhrt Euch! Left foot slightly forward, body at rest. Talking is still forbidden.
Hinlegen!/ Stellung! Lie down.
Auf!......Get up.
Laufen / gehen / halt......Run / walk / stop.
Other Exercises: There were also a number of physical training exercises which were common to the German trainees. One was called the Kniebeugen (k'-nee-boy-gen), or knee bends. This exercise was the German version of our push-ups, and was used in much the same manner. The Kniebeugen was usually done with a rifle in the following manner: from a standing position, the rifle is grasped in both hands and held horizontally in front of the chest. On the first count, the rifle is pushed away from the body as the knees are bent until the soldier is squatting on his haunches and the rifle is held at arm's length. On the second count, the soldier rises up and pulls in the rifle. This completes one Kniebeugen.
The Germans were also fond of doing exercises wearing their gasmasks--climbing ropes, going on forced marches with loaded packs, and bayonet drill, all wearing the stuffy gasmasks. What this accomplished physically for the trainee is beyond us.
Gewehr . ab! (Order arms)--This is done from shoulder arms in 4 counts, and again,
the body must stay absolutely rigid. 1) The left arm extends and lets the rifle
slide down the chest. 2) The right hand comes across the chest and grabs the
piece near the upper barrel band. 3) The rifle is swung down across the body
and the butt is landed on the ground. The trigger guard will be facing away
from the soldier. 4) The rifle is twisted so that the trigger guard is facing
forward and the butt is slid in towards the right foot. We are now back to
Grundstellung.
There is also another maneuver, Present arms, which was generally not taught to recruits later in the war. If needed, we will practice it from time-to-time.
The maneuver starts from "Das Gewehr ber. "Achtung!.Prsentiert das...Gewehr! 1) At the command: Achtung The rifle is twisted in the left hand until the trigger guard is facing to the left. The right hand simultaneously grabs the rifle at the grip. 2) At the command: Prsentiert das...Gewehr! The rifle is swung forward and down until the upper barrel band is level with the right eye--simultaneously bringing the right foot back a half step. The left hand grasps the rifle near the rear sight.
1. Das Gewehr...ber! From present arms, we always go back to das Gewehr ber. It is done in 2 counts: The rifle is lifted by the right hand and replaced on the left shoulder. The left hand supports the buttplate.
2. The left hand is returned to the position of attention.
Closed Order Formations and Marching
Geschlossene Ordnung und Marsch
There were two elementary close formations: The Reihe (rye-eh), and the Linie (leen-yeh). The Reihe was a line with the men facing front-to-back, and the Linie was a line with the soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder. The interval when in Reihe was called Abstand and was 80cm [put in inches or arm lengths], and when in Linie it was called Zwischenraum and unless otherwise ordered was with the elbows just touching on each man. In each formation the end man on the right (or front) was called the Flgelman (in open order called the Anschluman); the lines always formed on him.
Some things to remember when in formation:
1. Always fall-in at attention (Angetreten) unless instructed otherwise.
2. If you have a weapon, fall-in at Grundstellung (order arms).
3. When called to attention--"Stillgestanden," or "Stich" (shteek) click
your heels together.
4. Always fall-in with a Feldmtze on your head unless you are ordered to wear your Stahlhelm.
5. The first and generally the last formations of the day will usually require Dienstanzug only and no combat gear, unless otherwise ordered by the ranking man.
6. When placed at Rhrt Euch (rest) while in formation, remain in the formation and don't wander off to talk to a friend. If you must leave the formation, ask your squad leader first. Something else about Rhrt Euch, it is literally a rest position, not a position to "BS" in. Soldiers should not talk in ranks unless given permission first.
The
standard German closed order marching formation was in 3 files, with the squad
leader leading each file. In other words, three squads in Reihe formation
marching side-by-side made up the Zug Marschordnung. The Gruppe itself
can also be put into Marschordnung, with the group leader and the MG team
in the front rank, group leader on the right end, and the assistant group
leader on the left end of the rear rank.
The command to dress the ranks (to the right) is Nach rechts...Richt Euch! Everyone except the Fluegelman turns his head to the right and dresses the ranks. Heads remained turned until Augen gerade...aus! is commanded.
The normal command for eyes right is Augen...rechts! The head should be turned smartly. The command for eyes front is Augen gerade...aus! For eyes left, the command is slightly different. The command is Die Augen...links!--the reason for this difference is so that the men would be prepped to look in the proper direction before the command is given. When you hear Augen... you know you will be looking to the right--ALWAYS. Conversely, when you hear Die Augen... you know you will be looking to the left--ALWAYS.
The German command for forwards-march, is .. Marsch! This may be prefixed with a particular command such as Ohne Tritt (route step), Im Gleichschritt (march step), or Im Laufschritt (double time). The standard German marching cadence was 114 steps per minute.
The German command for right (or left) turn was Rechts (Links) schwenkt...Marsch! The leading man or rank commences the turn on the Marsch command. The formation has to turn ( a maximum 180) until the command Gerade is given. The turn for the formation ends with the word Aus when the last soldier has fulfilled the turn.
Preset command: static.
Step 1: Raustreten!
Step 2: In Marschordnung antreten! / In Linie antreten! / In Reihe antreten!
Step 3: Achtung! or Stillgestanden!
Step 4: Nach rechts! Richt Euch!
Step 5: Augen gerade...aus!
Step 6:Rhrt Euch!
Preset command: moving from static.
Step 1: Im Gleichschritt! Marsch!
Step 2: Links schwenkt ..Marsch - Gerade ... aus!
Step 3: Rechts schwenkt ..Marsch- Gerade ... aus!
Step 4: Abteilung . halt! (Taken on the left foot, check.check, stop)
Step 5: Links um! (One, turn on left foot.pause, right foot forward to heel.)
Preset rifle drill.
Step 1: Grundstellung!
Step 2: Das Gewehr...ber!
Step 3: Gewehr ab!
Step 4: Gewehr umhngen!
Step 5: Wegtreten
To get an idea of how some of the stuff is spoken, I have included a zipped file full of commands, which can be downloaded here.
 |
| Wir brauchen Artillerie-feuer, auf dieser Position! |
To get an idea of how some of the stuff is spoken, I have included a zipped file full of commands, which can be downloaded here.
Sektion eins (section one)
Getting to know and understand your basics "yes sir":
Verstanden = Understood (it is impolite to say it on parade but satisfactory when in combat)
Ich werde mein Bestes tun= I will try my best.
Jawohl, Herr........ = Yes sir (replace ............ with the title of person e.g. Leutnant/Feldwebel)
(Klar) Verstanden / Jawohl= clear or understood (can be said as in I understand. DEFINITELY NOT clear as in area clear)
Ich habe den Auftrag... (say what you have to do)= I will comply/adapt
Getting to know manover commands.
Zielwechsel nach links /rechts!= change soldiers direction of fire.
Linker Flgel vor / Attack left flank
Rechter Flgel vor/ Attack right flank
Angriff rechte Flanke/
Links /Rechts umgehen = go around him.
Maschinengewehr vor! = move the machinegun forwards.
Maschinengewehr (better = MG) Stellungswechsel nach ...(links / rechts)!= move the machinegun there (don't forget to point where)
Kette bilden= Line formation
Reihe bilden= Wide formation
Sammeln= Point formation
Abstnde vergrssern / Auflockern= Scatter
Sektion
zwei (section 2)
In the
heat of battle, your "give me cover" basics.
|
| Volle Deckung, du Idiot! |
Gib mir Feuerschutz!= You cover me!
Entschuldigung, aber sie haben ihr Handgranate vegessen= Excuse me but I think you forgot your grenade. (only as a joke in exercises, not in a real battle!)
Wacht auf! / Alarm = watch out!
(Hand-)Granate! =Grenade!
Vorsicht! / Achtung = warning
Rennt um euer Leben! Er hat eine Panzerfaust!= Run for your lives! He has a bazooka!
Kopf runter, du Idiot! better = Volle Deckung!= Keep your head down idiot!
Auf! Auf! Auf! = Out! Out! Out!
Los, Los, Los!= Go Go Go!
Zurck /Rckzug!= Get away! As in to run away.
Steh auf = get up (to several people)
Hinlegen = lay down
Laufschritt = run
(Vorwrts) Marsch = march (better given as hand signal)
Melder zu mir! = dispatcher / call-taker
(Gebiet) Stellung feindfrei / gesichert= area secure.
Wir strmen mit Handgranaten und Maschinenpistolen= storm them with hand grenades and machine pistols.
Wir brauchen Panzeruntersttzung, jetzt!= we need tank support now!
Wir brauchen Luftuntersttzung!= We need air support
Achtung! Fliegeralarm= warning fighter alarm! (As in the aircraft, good one for tankies and vehicle owners)
Wir brauchen Artillerie-feuer, auf dieser Position!= We need artillery fire on this position.
Zurck!= Retreat!
Nicht schieen, wir ergeben uns= Dont shoot, we give up!
Ich bin verwundet= I am wounded
Gefangennehmen!= get him!
Insults
These are obsenities you mite shout to your fellow enemy on the battlfield.
Schwein= Pig
Verflucht / Verdammt nochmal!= (No it doesnt mean F*** you) curse you!
Verdammter Amerikaner= damn Americans (change with: Brite or Ivan or Russe)
Erschiessen!= Shoot him!
Individual Drill and the Manual of Arms
Einzelausbildung ohne Gewehr, Gewehrgriffe
German "Kommandos" are comprising of two parts: the announcement and the execution with a little pause between them. This makes clear what is meant by the command (first part) and when it should be carried out (second part).
Individual Drill - Einzelausbildung
The following commands would be the basic commands a recruit would have to master before training in groups or with weapons. Much more of this will be covered elsewhere in this manual.
Raustreten! Everybody out! This was used to get recruits out of the classroom or barracks.
(1. Zug/Kompanie/Abteilung) ... Stillgestanden! Heels together, toes pointed out at not quite a right angle. Shoulders squared. Arms are thrown slightly forward, with the hands flat, with the middle finger resting against the trouser seam. Eyes forward.
Links... um! Left face.
Rechts... um! Right face.
Abteilung, kehrt! About face. In the German Army, this is done by turning to the LEFT--repeat: to the LEFT.
Rhrt Euch! Left foot slightly forward, body at rest. Talking is still forbidden.
Hinlegen!/ Stellung! Lie down.
Auf!......Get up.
Laufen / gehen / halt......Run / walk / stop.
Other Exercises: There were also a number of physical training exercises which were common to the German trainees. One was called the Kniebeugen (k'-nee-boy-gen), or knee bends. This exercise was the German version of our push-ups, and was used in much the same manner. The Kniebeugen was usually done with a rifle in the following manner: from a standing position, the rifle is grasped in both hands and held horizontally in front of the chest. On the first count, the rifle is pushed away from the body as the knees are bent until the soldier is squatting on his haunches and the rifle is held at arm's length. On the second count, the soldier rises up and pulls in the rifle. This completes one Kniebeugen.
The Germans were also fond of doing exercises wearing their gasmasks--climbing ropes, going on forced marches with loaded packs, and bayonet drill, all wearing the stuffy gasmasks. What this accomplished physically for the trainee is beyond us.
Manual of
Arms
Griffe
The basic
sequence of movements begins with...
Grundstellung (Order arms)--The weapon's butt is rested on the ground alongside the
soldier's right foot, trigger guard facing forward. The rifle is grasped in the
right hand near the upper barrel band. The left hand and arm remains in the
position of attention.
Das Gewehr...ber! (Shoulder arms)--This is done in five counts, and only the hands and
arms must move; the body stays absolutely rigid. 1) The rifle is swung up in
the right hand. The left hand grabs the piece just under the right hand. 2) The
right hand now moves down and grasps the top of the rifle's action. 3) The
rifle is placed on the left shoulder with the right hand, while the left hand
reaches down and supports the buttplate. 4) A one count pause. 5) The right arm
is returned to the position of attention. The rifle is supported so that it is
almost vertical.
|
| Wir haben ein problem! |
There is also another maneuver, Present arms, which was generally not taught to recruits later in the war. If needed, we will practice it from time-to-time.
The maneuver starts from "Das Gewehr ber. "Achtung!.Prsentiert das...Gewehr! 1) At the command: Achtung The rifle is twisted in the left hand until the trigger guard is facing to the left. The right hand simultaneously grabs the rifle at the grip. 2) At the command: Prsentiert das...Gewehr! The rifle is swung forward and down until the upper barrel band is level with the right eye--simultaneously bringing the right foot back a half step. The left hand grasps the rifle near the rear sight.
1. Das Gewehr...ber! From present arms, we always go back to das Gewehr ber. It is done in 2 counts: The rifle is lifted by the right hand and replaced on the left shoulder. The left hand supports the buttplate.
2. The left hand is returned to the position of attention.
Closed Order Formations and Marching
Geschlossene Ordnung und Marsch
There were two elementary close formations: The Reihe (rye-eh), and the Linie (leen-yeh). The Reihe was a line with the men facing front-to-back, and the Linie was a line with the soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder. The interval when in Reihe was called Abstand and was 80cm [put in inches or arm lengths], and when in Linie it was called Zwischenraum and unless otherwise ordered was with the elbows just touching on each man. In each formation the end man on the right (or front) was called the Flgelman (in open order called the Anschluman); the lines always formed on him.
Some things to remember when in formation:
1. Always fall-in at attention (Angetreten) unless instructed otherwise.
2. If you have a weapon, fall-in at Grundstellung (order arms).
3. When called to attention--"Stillgestanden," or "
4. Always fall-in with a Feldmtze on your head unless you are ordered to wear your Stahlhelm.
5. The first and generally the last formations of the day will usually require Dienstanzug only and no combat gear, unless otherwise ordered by the ranking man.
6. When placed at Rhrt Euch (rest) while in formation, remain in the formation and don't wander off to talk to a friend. If you must leave the formation, ask your squad leader first. Something else about Rhrt Euch, it is literally a rest position, not a position to "BS" in. Soldiers should not talk in ranks unless given permission first.
|
| Marschordnung |
The command to dress the ranks (to the right) is Nach rechts...Richt Euch! Everyone except the Fluegelman turns his head to the right and dresses the ranks. Heads remained turned until Augen gerade...aus! is commanded.
The normal command for eyes right is Augen...rechts! The head should be turned smartly. The command for eyes front is Augen gerade...aus! For eyes left, the command is slightly different. The command is Die Augen...links!--the reason for this difference is so that the men would be prepped to look in the proper direction before the command is given. When you hear Augen... you know you will be looking to the right--ALWAYS. Conversely, when you hear Die Augen... you know you will be looking to the left--ALWAYS.
The German command for forwards-march, is .. Marsch! This may be prefixed with a particular command such as Ohne Tritt (route step), Im Gleichschritt (march step), or Im Laufschritt (double time). The standard German marching cadence was 114 steps per minute.
The German command for right (or left) turn was Rechts (Links) schwenkt...Marsch! The leading man or rank commences the turn on the Marsch command. The formation has to turn ( a maximum 180) until the command Gerade is given. The turn for the formation ends with the word Aus when the last soldier has fulfilled the turn.
 |
 |
 |
| Stilgestanden | Das Gewehr Über! | Gewehr ab! |
 |
 |
| Gewehr umhängen! | Seitengewehr pflanzt auf! |
Preset command: static.
Step 1: Raustreten!
Step 2: In Marschordnung antreten! / In Linie antreten! / In Reihe antreten!
Step 3: Achtung! or Stillgestanden!
Step 4: Nach rechts! Richt Euch!
Step 5: Augen gerade...aus!
Step 6:Rhrt Euch!
Preset command: moving from static.
Step 1: Im Gleichschritt! Marsch!
Step 2: Links schwenkt ..Marsch - Gerade ... aus!
Step 3: Rechts schwenkt ..Marsch- Gerade ... aus!
Step 4: Abteilung . halt! (Taken on the left foot, check.check, stop)
Step 5: Links um! (One, turn on left foot.pause, right foot forward to heel.)
Preset rifle drill.
Step 1: Grundstellung!
Step 2: Das Gewehr...ber!
Step 3: Gewehr ab!
Step 4: Gewehr umhngen!
Step 5: Wegtreten
To get an idea of how some of the stuff is spoken, I have included a zipped file full of commands, which can be downloaded here.