The Kaiser inspection
Anyone else find it funny how the soldiers have to follow the Kaiser as he walks past them, and then snap their heads back to the front as he goes by? Especially when a few of them were out of synch lol
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MovieChat Forums > All Quiet on the Western Front (1979) Discussion > The Kaiser inspection
Though this is an old post, hopefully this will reach the original poster.
Adults will not find this funny. Or at least soldiers or those that have served will know about it.
When soldiers are marching, they look towards the VIP. In most armies, the command is "eyes... RIGHT" and to recover from that, it is "Eyes... FRONT." It is considered a type of salute. As the group of soldiers are 6 feet from where the governor, general reviewing the parade, Kaiser, or President, the command "Eyes..." is given. When they reach the person, "RIGHT" or "LEFT" is ordered. As they pass, all columns are looking to right or left. Except the one closest to that person. This column then guides the entire formation. Otherwise all the soldiers move to the left or right. All the armies do this.
In the German army, at least under both the Kaiser and Hitler if these two were reviewing troops, as they start walking down the line of soldiers, all are looking towards the leader and as the leader reaches them, they snap their eyes to the front. It is not funny. I do not know if the current German Army does it. I am sure other armies do it as well.