Stereotypes, the War Movie, and Hollywood
You can always tell which nationality the United States and the popular media are currently most unhappy with because that nation sends all their villains to star in Hollywood movies during those times; i. e.: Germans in the late 40's and 50's, Asians in the 60's and 70's, Soviets in the 70's and 80's and Middle Easterners in the 90's.
A few examples of war cliches (Thanks to Movie Cliches http://www.moviecliches.com/) Please note, some of the cliches are true to life.
You're very likely to survive any battle in any war, unless you show someone a picture of your sweetheart back home.
Every army platoon has at least one, usually black, member who can play the harmonica.
All G.I.s know how to make a still out of a jeep radiator.
If a soldier tries to look up an old buddy who was transferred to different unit, the buddy will be dead, or will die shortly thereafter.
If a main character dies, his sweetheart back home will have nightmare at that exact same moment.
New replacements always get killed before you can even learn their names.
The hero's weapon is always different from everyone else.
Every unit has a "Scrounge" who can get you anything from an atomic bomb to a date with the general's daughter for a bottle of cheap scotch, or vice-versa.
Elite units (Special Forces, Rangers, Commandos) are always recruited from convicts and other socially degenerate segments of society.
Radio transmission are always improper; i.e. roger, wilco - over and out.
The German Army always uses U. S. Patton Tanks.
Cannons, howitzers, and main tank guns NEVER recoil.
The battle hardened vet will always fall on a grenade for the new guy, rather than picking up the grenade and throwing it away, or jumping out of the fox hole.
Fox holes never have overhead protection, or grenade pits.
Only the "Japs" and the "VC" bother to use booby traps.
German soldier always wear grey uniforms and jack-boots, though these uniforms were pretty much phased out by mid 1943.
SS soldiers always wear there dress black uniform.
Only the Marines fought the war in the Pacific. No Army personnel were involved.
No one will shoot the hero and the battle will even come to a stand still while the hero cries in agony and curse that "it should've been him" when his best friend steps on the land mine/get blown up/ dies charging the machine
Latest Articles