Beer and combat

Discussions on High Command, strategy and the Armed Forces (Wehrmacht) in general.
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Johannes
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Beer and combat

#1

Post by Johannes » 23 Feb 2003, 18:06

Did the German military in general gave beer to soldiers to increase their combat performance? I knew there were a few officer who gave their men beer and fight..

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Re: Beer and combat

#2

Post by Buck Bradley » 03 Dec 2019, 21:37

I think the Germans gave their men Meth to make them fight better. I believe they gave them beer because Germans drink beer pretty much like some folk drink water...... :thumbsup:


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Re: Beer and combat

#3

Post by TheMarcksPlan » 12 Dec 2019, 10:21

They were all about Schnapps, no?

So basically the Wehrmacht was a bunch of sorority girls out for a lark.

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Re: Beer and combat

#4

Post by Peter89 » 12 Dec 2019, 11:24

TheMarcksPlan wrote:
12 Dec 2019, 10:21
They were all about Schnapps, no?

So basically the Wehrmacht was a bunch of sorority girls out for a lark.

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Re: Beer and combat

#5

Post by Maxschnauzer » 13 Dec 2019, 12:28

Prost!
Bierversorgungswagen-.jpg
Feldkneipe-Russland.jpg
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Maxschnauzer
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Re: Beer and combat

#6

Post by Maxschnauzer » 14 Dec 2019, 07:51

Seriously, speaking from experience the last thing I would want to consume on a long march would be a considerable quantity of a beverage that would make me drowsy and have to pee every couple of Kilometers. Even more seriously consider the effect of alcohol intoxication on hand-eye coordination and it's hypothermic effect in cold temperatures.
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TheMarcksPlan
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Re: Beer and combat

#7

Post by TheMarcksPlan » 14 Dec 2019, 08:34

I doubt it was for the march. More for morale, stress-relief, and cohesion-building. Re the last, there's a somewhat decent academic theory that beer is the reason we accepted the often poor tradeoff of hunter-gatherer lifestyle for agricultural, and that beer enabled the social bonding necessary for forming polities larger than small bands. https://allthatsinteresting.com/history-of-beer

I wonder whether the Germans, who favored cold lager beer as opposed to the British preference for warm and flat piss-flavored ale, brought field kegerators for the men (when they weren't drinking Schnapps and getting White Girl Wasted, that is).
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Re: Beer and combat

#8

Post by Maxschnauzer » 14 Dec 2019, 10:45

I understand that, of course, but I was addressing the original post that beer could possibly enhance combat performance. In my considerable experience for every mean aggressive drunk there is a spaced out or quiet depressed one. In garrison or after the fight, there is nothing like a cold one or two for the reasons you mention. I don't think we disagree at all except maybe or maybe not on our favorite brew. I've traveled the world over and unhesitatingly tip my hat to our German friends for IMHO having the best Braumeisters.
Of course, when it comes to beer I believe in the song that if you're not with the one you love, love the one you're with. Cheers, Prost, Kampai, Salut, Mabauhay, whatever, it's all good!
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Re: Beer and combat

#9

Post by Sid Guttridge » 14 Dec 2019, 13:38

Hi Guys,

In Rhodesia specific intructions were given that beer (and other) bottles were not to be carried in mine and ambush protected vehicles (MAPs).

The local MAPs were effective in resisting the blast of Soviet anti-tank mines. However, Rhodies liked their Lion and Castle lager and were prone to carry crates of them inside on the floor of the vehicles. The blast might not penetrate the armour, but the concussion could shatter the bottles and shards of glass would hurtle round below the seats, shredding legs.

On the other hand at least one early Victoria Cross may have been won while intoxicated. Another winner in Korea, Bill Speakman, became know in the press as the Beer Bottle' VC. However, this was misleading, as the beer was actually used in desperation to cool gun barrels. What it was doing in the front line is an open question!

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Sid.

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Re: Beer and combat

#10

Post by Maxschnauzer » 15 Dec 2019, 00:03

Hi Sid,
Thanks for those interesting historical footnotes. Skol!
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Re: Beer and combat

#11

Post by OpanaPointer » 15 Dec 2019, 00:15

My early military career was carefully planned to be on things that could carry coolers.
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Re: Beer and combat

#12

Post by von thoma » 15 Dec 2019, 01:56

A beer bottle in ' Guadalcanal Diary '
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Re: Beer and combat

#13

Post by OpanaPointer » 15 Dec 2019, 02:54

Singha beer!
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Re: Beer and combat

#14

Post by Maxschnauzer » 15 Dec 2019, 04:36

Ah, the Lion of Thailand, presumably captured from their Japanese "allies".
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Re: Beer and combat

#15

Post by OpanaPointer » 15 Dec 2019, 13:00

Maxschnauzer wrote:
15 Dec 2019, 04:36
Ah, the Lion of Thailand, presumably captured from their Japanese "allies".
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