What Did the Germans Call the British Soldiers in WW2?

Discover why Germans called British soldiers 'Tommys' during WW2 and learn about the origin of this historic military nickname.

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During WW2, the Germans commonly referred to the British as 'Tommys', a nickname that originated in World War I but continued into World War II. This term was often used in a generic sense for British soldiers, demonstrating the longstanding tradition of nicknaming opponents in military conflicts.

FAQs & Answers

  1. Why were British soldiers called 'Tommys' by the Germans? British soldiers were called 'Tommys' by the Germans during WW2, a nickname originating from World War I that became a common informal term for British infantrymen.
  2. Did the nickname 'Tommy' have any specific meaning? The nickname 'Tommy' was derived from 'Tommy Atkins,' a generic name used by the British Army for soldiers, and became synonymous with British troops.
  3. Were there other nicknames used for soldiers in World War II? Yes, many armies used nicknames for enemy soldiers during WW2, such as the Germans calling American soldiers 'GIs' and the British referring to Germans as 'Krauts'.

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