Gott Mit Uns
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gott Mit Uns (meaning God With Us) was a motto of the Prussian emperor; it was later used by German armies in World War I. During the Christmas Truce of 1914 German soldiers put up a sign with the motto. British troops responded with a sign reading 'We got mittens too'.[1]
During Hitler's reign, the traditional crest was replaced by the Nazi swastika and eagle, however the religious inscription remained unaltered. It is thought that part of the reason the Nazi government retained this motto was an attempt on the part of Hitler to retain the support of Christians, who comprised the overwhelming majority of German citizens.[1]
During World War II, Heer soldiers wore this slogan on their belt buckles, as opposed to members of the Waffen SS, who wore the motto Meine Ehre heißt Treue (my honor is loyalty).
Used as war cry in the Thirty Years' War. One of three official mottoes by Gustavus Adolphus (Gustav II Adolf in Swedish). This of course predates any use by a Prussian King, Elector or German Emperor, but the expression is probably used by others as well. Note the Battle cry wikipedia page reference to Nobiscum Deus (Latin, "God with us"), used by Romans and East-Romans as a battle cry.
[edit] External links
- Gott Mit Uns Time Magazine archive article
- The Strange but True Story Of Ernest Hemingway's Nazi Belt Buckle
[edit] References
- ^ Arthur, Max (3 Oct 2002). Forgotton Voices of the Great War: A History of WWI in the Words of the Men and Women Who Were There. Ebury Press. ISBN 978-0091882099.
