Drugs for German soldiers

[PPoS]

Did German soldiers get amphetamine (don't know how it spells in english) to stay awake?
I also read something about some "bensedrin" pills (that's the Swedish name for it) was given to panzer crews and other troops to make them stay awake longer during big operations. I think they were given to German troops during the last offensive in Russia.

[Christoph Awender]

Hello!

From the beginning of the war on medical officers were allowed to give out Pervitin to drivers etc.. during long time operations etc..
There were very strict regulations and guidelines how they had to be applied and they were very well aware of the negative effects.

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=10861
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=27899
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=31653
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=19459

\Christoph

[DMaltby]

If I remember correctly the British Paratroopers at Arnhem were given Amphetamines to keep them awake and fighting.

This in my opinion would also have a bonus side affect, apart from the energy amphetamines give the user it also reduces appetite and the will to eat (everything tastes like cardboard on speed), if only short term the supply needs would be less than if all troops were fighting and getting hungry (really handy for Paras).

Dan

[Sbf.Koch]

(everything tastes like cardboard on speed)

[offtopic] Heh, how do you know [/offtopic]

The use of drugs in the army is known, but how often was it really used? How long did such a drug work? and were there specific operations in which drugs were widely issued to soldiers/drivers/commanders?

[Christoph Awender]

They had tablets with 0,003g of Pervitin. Two tablets take the sleepiness for 3-8 hours depending on the individual itself and on the level of exhausting. Two times 2 tablets have about 24 hours effect. The effect duration is shorter when the soldier is extremely tired. A overdose has the contrary effect.

The regulations said that it had to be used for drivers but not if breaks can be expected to get sleep. Just in extreme exceptions the sleep should be prevented longer than 24 hours.

\Christoph

[Supremacy]

Here is a nice article on Spiegel Online..hope its ok to post it here.

http://service.spiegel.de/cache/interna ... 06,00.html

[PPoS]

No one have a clue about the "bensedrin" pills?

[Christoph Awender]

No one have a clue about the "bensedrin" pills?

Benzedrine is from the chemical Amphetamine family and is a brand name from the USA. As I said above the Wehrmacht used Pervitin.

\Christoph

[PPoS]

Ah! Thanks alot for clearing that up!

[Karl234]

In a TV report about "The Battle of Bulge" a veteran said that the "Kampfgruppe Peiper" was looking like full with drugs.

[PPoS]

Hmmm.. Well if the soldiers were taking amphetamine I can understand that. I've seen one of my friends on that stuff so.. They get pretty "speeded" up.

[alan]

In a TV report about "The Battle of Bulge" a veteran said that the "Kampfgruppe Peiper" was looking like full with drugs.

Peiper supposedly stayed awake from December 16th toDecember 25th when he 'crashed' durring the break out. He spent one night (23rd?) talking (another sign of stimulent use) to Major McCowan a US Army prisioner of war. This would have been very hard,if not impossible,to do with out the use of stimulents.

[Christoph Awender]

Peiper supposedly stayed awake from December 16th toDecember 25th when he 'crashed' durring the break out. He spent one night (23rd?) talking (another sign of stimulent use) to Major McCowan a US Army prisioner of war. This would have been very hard,if not impossible,to do with out the use of stimulents.

This is also impossible with stimulants.

[Sbf.Koch]

Peiper at least slept once in Stavelot, as can be read in an eye-witness report from a belgian inhabitant from Stavelot.

[alephh]

Peiper supposedly stayed awake from December 16th toDecember 25th when he 'crashed' durring the break out.

This is also impossible with stimulants.

How so?

There are several records of men staying awake 9 days.

Record I think is something like 11 days.

With little digging...
http://www.sleepnet.com/insomnia5/messages/558.html