German equivalent?
 

Hi guys

It's a bit late in the day, but I don't actually know the German equivalent of the expression FRIENDLY FIRE!!

Someone must know?

Cheers
Brian

Re: German equivalent?
 

Hi Brian,

as far as I know there is no direct translation - at least during my time in the German Federal Army there wasn't any ...
Perhaps "Beschuss durch eigene Truppe" (or something like that) fits?

Best regards
Ralph

Re: German equivalent?
 

You see "eig, Flak" sometimes = eigene Flak = our own Flak

Re: German equivalent?
 

Thanks Ralph and Nick

OK. Then what would be literal translation of 'Blue on Blue'? Bau auf Blau?

And what would Blue on Blue be in Russian? Red on Red?!!

Cheers
Brian

Re: German equivalent?
 

Hi Brian,
semi-literally "blau GEGEN blau".
On Soviet maps the enemy was marked blue and own forces red, but I don't know wether there was a specific term for engaging own forces.
Has anybody information on the coloring of friend and foe on russian tactical maps?

But in most cases I think it would rather be "Oh s...t!" or (if no one gets hurt): Ooops! More technically but still not seriously one can always call it a "very bad mistake".

Still more serious: Sometimes in an entry in german loss list the cause is listed as e.g. "durch eigene Schiffsflak" or "durch italienische Flak". The term "eigene" might be a good clue in those cases.
But this term is sometimes also used if an aircraft is destroyed on the ground by own forces during a retreat.

Best regards
Ralph

Re: German equivalent?
 

Knowing the death-fixated cobblers the Nazis usually put out, it was probably "Er starb den Heldentod" (he died a hero's death)!

Re: German equivalent?
 

I read this question before the first answer was given. But even as a German, it is difficult to answer for me.

I checked several primary sources. There is no such fixed wording as in english. There are terms used like "Feuer eigener Artillerie", "Angriff eigener Schlachtflieger" or similar. At least, as Nick already pointed out, the word "eigene" is used in most cases.