During WWII the Germans nicknamed the U.S. Marines “Devil Dogs”… I need the correct spelling of the German translation but found two different spellings online – Teufelhunden or Tueflehunden? I can’t ask my USMC husband… please help!
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It is “teufel hunden” (”Teufel” is German for “devil”.
(Incidentally, it originated in World War One, when the US Marines were fighting in France and Germany, not World War Two.Marines were generally in the Pacific, not in Europe in WW2.)
Teufel Hund – Oooh Rah….~~~~W
More than 1,800 Marines lost their lives at Belleau Wood. This was the greatest loss the Corps had sustained in a single battle at the time, and it was tragically high — but it is estimated that a staggering 8,000 German troops were killed during the battle with another 1,600 taken prisoner. This was a huge victory for the Allies, especially as a morale booster to weary troops who had started to believe the Germans were invincible. The Marines had decisively proven otherwise.
Out-numbered, out-gunned, out-manned, and warned to retreat immediately, the United States Marine Corps defied the odds and managed to smash the superior German forces to pieces. For every fallen American, no less than five enemy troops paid the ultimate price.
Little wonder that from the time of this fierce battle to the present day, Marines are still known by the nickname given them by the awed Germans they vanquished at Belleau Wood: “Teufelhunden,” which means “Hounds from Hell,” or “Devil Dogs.” In honor of the fallen, the area was rechristened “The Wood of the Marine Brigade.”
teufelhunde
teufel hunden