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Question about the helmets and uniforms on board the Graf Spee (Salem)

posted 10 years ago by fountaincap
3 replies | jump to latest

My dad and I were talking about this film and I noticed that the German crew of the Graf Spee in the film are wearing U.S. Navy helmets. My dad mentioned that this was because of concerns by the real life U.S. Navy about displaying the swastika or other National Socialist symbols on board a U.S. ship and this is confirmed by Wikipedia.

Understandable, though confusing, because you see the correct period German helmets being used elsewhere in the film. However, it does seem strange that they'd go to those lengths to refuse use of the German helmets, yet permit other German uniforms to be worn on board the Salem, let alone the entire idea of casting the Salem itself to play the part of a German warship. And I'm pretty sure the uniforms displayed the swastika about as prominently, if not more so, than the helmets. Anyone have any other insight about this strange requirement during the filming? Is it just a result of sailors being superstitious?

[–] Steve Crook 10 years ago

Not the sailors, sailors have always liked dressing up

It was the US authorities who banned the use of the swastika on the fore-deck and the use of WWII German helmets

The Royal Navy had no such compunctions

Steve

[–] fountaincap 9 years ago

Hmm, the swastika, I understand, because it's symbolic. But the helmet thing is weird. I also wish that, to make the Salem more convincing as a German ship, they had temporarly painted over the number on her bow.

[–] benth04 8 years ago

US stupidity? Or kind of inattention by the producers?
The USN agree to let a US cruiser play the part of Graf Spee in a film, but the would not allow the crew to look genuine by using German helmets?
Them not allowing swastikas to be shown? Look at the German uniforms. The badge on every uniform would inevitably show several swastikas, as German uniforms would after 1934 when General Blomberg gave in to Adolf Hitler.
The Salem:
The Graf Spee changed 'her hat and dress to become another girl' (Langsdorf to Dove). So she had a USN Pennant Number (USS Salems original number!) on her bow - not painted over - just to spread confusion. 'Five minutes with 28 knots brings me out of range' (Langsdorf to Dove again). Or five minutes of confusion will bring Graf Spee very close to a Merchantman. The Pennant Number was part of the film, not the real world. Probably it would have been too difficult to paint it over so it could not be seen at all (the mid-fifties is generations before computer animation!). So instead the producers made it one of 'her many dresses and hats'