We have a single idea of what a soldier wears in a combat zone, especially for German troops during World War Two. The Afrika Korps had supply problems and a soldier might end wearing nothing but shorts, a t-shirt and a hat for his whole tour, because he lost all his uniforms when they were destroyed on a ship or in storage. This happens to soldiers in all wars, who sometimes have to dig up whatever they can to cover themselves, if it’s not replaced.
It’s always startling to see American troops in the middle east today, and see how much they resemble SS summer troops.
Webmaster Lt. sparky identifies Dobermann’s little white pills (Americans, who knew their chocolate “John Wayne Bars” were meant to cure constipation, handed them to German prisoners. Did any Germans ever hand an American Panzerschocolade?):
The “Flyer’s Chocolate”
One of the earliest uses of methamphetamine occurred during World War II. The German military dispensed Pervitin which was methamphetamine. It was freely administered to both tank crews and aircraft personnel. Chocolate was often dosed with methamphetamine and was known as Fliegerschokolade or “flyer’s chocolate”. Panzerschokolade or “tanker’s chocolate” was given to tank crews.
Hitler and Crystal Meth?
For last three years of Hitler’s life, 1942 – 1945, Adolf Hitler received daily IV injections of methamphetamine by his doctor, Theodor Morell. This was done as treatment for depression and fatigue. Historians have speculated that this was done to treat Parkinson’s disease. However, it is unsure as to whether Hitler had Parkinson’s or if the Parkinson like symptoms (pill rolling finger movements, ataxia or unsteady gait) were due to abuse of methamphetamines.
And we thought we had problems with run-away post-soviet uranium.
There’s the story by Johannes “Macky” Steinhoff about him being sleepy on a sortie over Italy and chowing down 2-3 buttons of them thar Fliegershockolade. The squadron sawbones made him lay down for the rest of the day.
Makes me wonder if all that speed contributed to the mass amount of heart issues the Alte Hasen seem to have had in their later years. (though there’s always exceptions. Adolf Dickfeld just died a month ago or so at 99…)
That guy must have some tough genes in his background.