An interesting word for me has always been Späh(-panzer or -truppen). Clearly, a Spähpanzer is an armoured reconnaissance vehicle, so Spähtruppen are reconnaissance troops. But then what is an Aufklärungspanzer, or what are Aufklärungstruppen?

Furthermore, please add Balkenkreuz, as it has nothing to do with the Balkan region.

Aufklären also means "To inform someone about something/to explain". (like in "Informing Mrs. Smith about Mr. Smith real job" - "Mrs. Smith über den Job von Mr. Smith aufklären"

Just a curious question, but does the various areas of Germany have different accents as we have here in Yankee land?

Hi Bill,

Great work! My high school German pronunciations have needed a refresher.

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Just a curious question, but does the various areas of Germany have different accents as we have here in Yankee land?

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That's what I remember. There is "high" German and "low" German dialects, too. Don't ask me the difference, it's been 30 years...

When I was in Germany last year I apologized for my pitiful prattle to a guest speaker from the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn. She graciously told me that German is difficult for Germans to learn. Very kind of her.

Well, Abteilung is certainly NOT pronounced Ob-tie-loong, but Ap-tie-loong.

Zimmerit doesn't start with a hard Z, but is just Zimmer (like the walking aid) and than just it...

BergePanther: Ber-Gu-Pan-Tur

Das is pronounced simple das, not dos...

A w is not pronounced like a V by Germans at all, that's just Hollywood talking.

Panzer: Pahn-Sir

Kampfgruppe: Kam (as in Kam-ikaze) p-ph group-u

Kraft as in the popular musicgroup Kraft-werk.

KwK is short for KampfwagenKanone

Grün is pronounced Grun like the un in union, but without the y sound at the start

PaK is just PaK, not POK... And should NOT be all caps, is Panzerabwehr Kanone. Panzerabwehr is one word. Like on the FlaK, Flugzeugabwehr Kanone.

Topfblende translates to Pot mantlet, where did you get oven lid?

Some additional words:

Ausf. stands for Ausführung, which means mark. It sounds like Ous (Out with an S) Fuur (Für Elise) roong.

Ketten, tracks. Cat-tun

StuPa - SturmPanzer Stoorm Pan-Sir

...I learned a lot by listening to sound-files and repeating the pronunciation like an idiot (preferably when I'm alone).

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...I learned a lot by listening to sound-files and repeating the pronunciation like an idiot (preferably when I'm alone).

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Thanks, Giovanni, the goal here is to move the ball forward a little.

I have overheard master modelers butcher the pronunciation of common German military terms. My goal is not to make them fluent in a second language, but sound a little less... um, silly?

Thanks for starting this primer, Bill. It's promoting a constructive discussion on the subject.

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Thanks for starting this primer, Bill. It's promoting a constructive discussion on the subject.

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You're welcome. It's also usually good for a few laughs.