The German Soldier smell - Page 3

kfz · 25-02-2008, 09:52 AM

Iveread this a few times. Heard it partly put down to the large amount of leather used in German uniforms, dont know if its true or not?

arneken · 25-02-2008, 01:49 PM

Reading this whole topic I can read leather coming back pretty allot. I have got a leather jacket wich I wear everyday when I ride my bicylce from and too school. soaked a few days ago and terrible smell the day after. leather could be the answer on the other hand I quees everybody stinks after being on the line for a long time. maybe you guys got used to your and your mates smell but the smell of a german was a new one and perhaps thats why I'd smeel rather strange.

But these are just speculations.

marcus69x · 25-02-2008, 02:07 PM

Just thought I'd add, what an excellent account by Sapper yesterday. Absolutely amazing. You just don't get that in books.

sapper · 25-02-2008, 02:59 PM

Thanks for that Marcus.....
No lads. NOT leather. That smell would be instantly recognised by a great many folk..
Let me describe it again. A pungent heavyish scented smell. sickly scented. You have to get close to the enemy to get that smell, and it is potentially deadly, for it warns of the proximity of someone intent on killing you! Not nice!
It stuck in the memory of a nineteen year old young warrior. I can honestly smell it today, some 64 years later.

The puzzle has baffled many service men. To date without a satisfactory answer.
sapper

Owen · 21-03-2008, 12:19 AM

From Rome '44 by Raleigh Trevelyan page 309.
Recorded by a Guards Officer,

Quote:

"And the sour smell of captured Jerry trenches, the same as in Tunisia and the Desert. Was it something to do with their tobacco, or the food they ate?"

No answer I know, just another first hand description.

25-02-2008, 01:49 PM	#22 (permalink)
arneken Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: wevelgem (belgium) (flanders) Posts: 44	Reading this whole topic I can read leather coming back pretty allot. I have got a leather jacket wich I wear everyday when I ride my bicylce from and too school. soaked a few days ago and terrible smell the day after. leather could be the answer on the other hand I quees everybody stinks after being on the line for a long time. maybe you guys got used to your and your mates smell but the smell of a german was a new one and perhaps thats why I'd smeel rather strange. But these are just speculations. __________________ Run, live to fly, fly to live, Aces high Aces high - Iron Maiden. How long on this longest day 'Till we finally make it through The Longest Day -Iron Maiden. What no Belgium flag holding - emicon? Last edited by arneken; 25-02-2008 at 01:50 PM. Reason: Some spelling mistakes

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25-02-2008, 09:52 AM	#21 (permalink)
kfz Very Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 1,057	Iveread this a few times. Heard it partly put down to the large amount of leather used in German uniforms, dont know if its true or not?

25-02-2008, 02:07 PM	#23 (permalink)
marcus69x I love WW2 meah!!! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Middlesbrough, UK Posts: 1,346	Just thought I'd add, what an excellent account by Sapper yesterday. Absolutely amazing. You just don't get that in books.

25-02-2008, 02:59 PM	#24 (permalink)
sapper WW2 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,429	Thanks for that Marcus..... No lads. NOT leather. That smell would be instantly recognised by a great many folk.. Let me describe it again. A pungent heavyish scented smell. sickly scented. You have to get close to the enemy to get that smell, and it is potentially deadly, for it warns of the proximity of someone intent on killing you! Not nice! It stuck in the memory of a nineteen year old young warrior. I can honestly smell it today, some 64 years later. The puzzle has baffled many service men. To date without a satisfactory answer. sapper

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