Hackenknallen
Some plays, books, or films amplify heel clicking to evoke German military stereotypes, even when depicting Allied officers. For instance, a director might have British or American officers click heels to mimic the Prussian style, creating a sense of formality or to blur cultural distinctions for narrative purposes. This is especially common in older Hollywood films or comedies (Hollywood Nazism, e.g. Hogan’s Heroes), where military stereotypes are played for effect. In comedic or satirical films, American or British officers might click heels to mock German rigidity, as seen in some WWII parodies, where the gesture is used to caricature military pomp.
Hackenknallen or Hackenzusammenschlagen (English: heel clicking) is a military and cultural practice historically associated with Prussian and German military traditions. It involves sharply bringing the heels together to produce a distinct clicking sound, typically as a sign of attention, respect, or formal greeting. While most prominently linked to the Prussian military and later German forces, including during the World Wars, it also appeared in civilian contexts and has been exaggerated in popular culture, particularly in Hollywood depictions of National Socialist-era Landser, predominantly officers. The clicking or banging of shoe or boot heels flourished in the Wilhelminian era and became widespread as a “characteristic of the German man of honor.” As an aristocratic greeting one clicked one's heels together and indicated a slight bow.
Leftists and anti-Germans tend to use heel clicks more mockingly as a provocative gesture, imitating military conventions or obedient behavior. Former defense attorney for Red Army Faction terrorist Gudrun Ensslin and later FRG Interior Minister Otto Georg Schily of the Social Democrats clicked his heels when Defense Minister Peter Struck received his certificate of appointment from Federal President of Germany Johannes Rau on 19 July 2002, and made fun of the "party soldier".The provocation by Renault team boss Flavio Briatore on 2 April 2006, in the Melbourne paddock is well known. In front of the pit stop of the German manufacturer Mercedes, the boss of world champion Fernando Alonso suddenly clicked his heels together – and raised his right arm for a few seconds.
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German history
The practice of heel clicking originated in the Prussian military, likely in the 18th century, as part of formal drill protocols. When soldiers assumed the Habachtstellung (position of attention) after the command "Achtung!" (Attention!), their feet were brought together sharply, with heels touching to create an audible click. This sound served as an audible confirmation that the soldier had correctly executed the command, signaling discipline and readiness. An 1873 publication described the German military manner as including "a click of the heels, a salute that is meant to be at once fascinating and haughty," indicating its early association with Prussian militarism.
Some sources state, that the clicking or cracking of heels originated in the 17th century with the armies of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation as a salute on the battlefield (Wahlstatt), as it allowed officers of the various warring parties to show respect to one another without having to let go of their swords, rifles, horse reins or similar.
Heel clicking was not a formal salute but a byproduct of the precise movement to attention. It symbolized military discipline, unity, and obedience, aligning with Prussia’s emphasis on strict hierarchy and order. The sound was considered aesthetically pleasing and reinforced the image of a well-drilled, cohesive unit.
After the founding of the Second German Reich in 1871, Prussian military tradition was cherished very much, and even got imitated in civilian life. Young boys were dressed in cadet uniforms or went to cadet schools, many men, after their military service, would dress occasionally in their regimental colors (if officially allowed to do so, which was considered a honour), go to reserve drills etc.
In the German military, including the Imperial German Army, Reichswehr, and Wehrmacht (with the famous leather hobnailed jackboots with heelplate), heel clicking occurred when soldiers came to attention, often during salutes, reporting to a superior, or formal ceremonies. It was typically performed without a hand salute if the soldier was not wearing a headdress, as European military tradition (including German) reserved hand salutes for when headgear was worn. In such cases, clicking heels served as an alternative gesture of respect. When reporting to a superior in an office, a soldier would execute the "German Greeting" (a quick salute with heel clicking), remove their cap, and repeat the gesture upon dismissal.
Some officers and honor guards enhanced the sound by attaching metal taps to the heels of their boots, creating a sharper, more pronounced click. This was particularly common in ceremonial units or among academy-trained officers, though not universal. The practice was more associated with officers than enlisted men, reflecting a certain elitism or formality.
Hackenknallen transcended military contexts, especially in the German Empire (1871–1918), where Prussian military traditions influenced civilian life. Young men, including those in cadet schools, imitated military customs, and heel clicking became a formal gesture of respect in some social settings. For example, Hungarian men in the early 20th century clicked heels when kissing a lady’s hand, a practice influenced by Austro-Hungarian military culture which in turn had been influenced by Prussian military traditions. In Germany, the phrase "Hacken zusammenschlagen" (banging heels together) became a metaphor for Prussian-style obedience or formality, sometimes used pejoratively to critique blind adherence to authority.
"Jawohl" and Hackenknallen
The phrase "Jawohl" (a formal "Yes, sir!"; civilian "Yes, indeed!") as an affirmative response, but with the implication of being a response to an order, was often accompanied heel clicking in military and civilian contexts, reinforcing a sense of discipline. A 2024 article notes that this combination was seen as emblematic of German cultural heritage, symbolizing respect and allegiance, though its use has declined in modern Germany due to shifting social norms toward informality and egalitarianism.
German Reich (1933–1945)
During the Third Reich, heel clicking continued as a standard drill practice, though it was not explicitly mandated in military regulations. Popular culture, such as films like Stalag 17, exaggerated its use, portraying officers of the Wehrmacht or SS as obsessively clicking heels to emphasize authoritarianism or caricature Prussian stereotypes. In reality, it was a routine part of coming to attention, not a distinct salute, and its prevalence was overstated in propaganda and legacy media.
Post-WWII
After World War II, heel clicking was largely discontinued in the West German Bundeswehr during the 1960s, at latest in the 1970s, due to its association with Prussian militarism and NS-era imagery. The East German National People’s Army (Volksarmee) retained it to some extent, reflecting Soviet-influenced formality. In the modern Bundeswehr, the movement to attention still involves bringing heels together, but it is less pronounced, and any sound is minimal, often a "faint thud" rather than a crisp click, especially with modern military boots. Ceremonial units, like the Wachbataillon, may use specially made boots with steel heels for events like the Großer Zapfenstreich (Grand Tattoo), but this is rare and purely ceremonial.
Today, Hackenknallen is viewed by many, especially from the left, as a relic of a bygone era, often stereotyped in media as a National Socialist-era practice, despite its broader HRE and Prussian origins. Its decline reflects Germany’s move away from militaristic traditions and hierarchical social norms. The term remains a cultural shorthand for excessive formality or authoritarianism. However, patriotic student associations and elite societies have maintained the dandyish custom, even in the 21st century.
Spread of the custom abroad
English and American officers, as depicted in some films, has historical basis, though it was less formalized and culturally significant than in the Prussian/German tradition of Hackenknallen. The practice of sharply bringing heels together when coming to attention was a common feature of military drill in many Western armies, including those of Britain and the United States, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries. However, its execution, prominence, and cultural connotations differed from the German practice. This differed in many armies of South America (especially Argentina, Chile and Paraguay) and even pre-communist Cuba, where the German tradition also became cultural.
- In German tradition, Hackenknallen was a deliberate, often enhanced act (e.g., with metal taps on boots) that produced a sharp, intentional click, symbolizing Prussian discipline. British and American heel clicking was less intentional, a natural outcome of aligning the feet, and lacked the cultural weight of Hackenknallen. German heel clicking was associated with formal military greetings and civilian adaptations, while British and American versions were confined to drill movements and rarely extended to civilian life. In British and American militaries, the practice was not stereotyped or exaggerated as in German portrayals, where it became a caricature of Prussian/Nazi authoritarianism in films. The depiction of English and American officers clicking their heels in films is often accurate but can be exaggerated for dramatic effect, especially in historical or WWII-era movies.
Officers of the Austrian Army, the Imperial Russian Army and others also clicked their heels as a formal gesture, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries. This practice was part of military etiquette, influenced by European traditions from Prussia and Germany, where heel-clicking was a sign of respect or acknowledgment. In the Russian military, it was often performed when saluting, reporting to a superior, or during ceremonial occasions. The gesture involved sharply bringing the heels together, producing a distinct sound, and was seen as a mark of discipline and precision. While more common in formal settings, its use varied depending on the context and the specific regiment's traditions. By the early 20th century, as military customs evolved, the practice became less prevalent but was still associated with the rigid formality of the Imperial Tsarist era. The custom was abolished in connection with the October Revolution and Red Terror.
Britain
In the British Army, the position of attention required soldiers to bring their heels together sharply, often producing an audible sound, especially on hard surfaces. This was part of standard drill manuals dating back to the 18th century, influenced by European military traditions, including Prussian ones, which Britain adopted to ensure discipline and uniformity. The British Army’s drill commands, such as "Attention!" (or historically, "Stand at Ease!"), involved a crisp movement where the feet were aligned, sometimes causing a click or stomp, particularly in formal settings like parades or inspections.
British officers, trained at institutions like Sandhurst, were expected to model exemplary drill. When reporting to a superior or saluting, they would come to attention, which could involve a subtle heel click, especially in pre-WWII eras when boots had harder soles and drill was more rigid. This was not a deliberate gesture like Hackenknallen but a byproduct of precise movement. Ceremonial units, such as the Brigade of Guards, still perform similar movements today, though the sound is less pronounced with modern footwear.
Unlike in Germany, heel clicking in Britain was not a cultural hallmark or symbol of militarism. It was a practical aspect of drill, and any audible click was incidental. British military culture emphasized understated discipline, so exaggerated heel clicking was rare and not fetishized as in Prussian tradition.
British Army drill manuals (e.g., Infantry Training, 1914) describe the position of attention as bringing the heels together, with toes at a 45-degree angle, often producing a sound on hard surfaces. Officers were expected to model this precisely. Military memoirs from WWI and WWII, such as those by British officer Siegfried Sassoon or American General Omar Bradley, mention crisp drill movements, though they rarely highlight heel clicking specifically, suggesting it was unremarkable.
Films like The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) show British officers, such as Colonel Nicholson, maintaining strict discipline, with drill movements that include heel alignment, sometimes producing a faint click. This reflects the British Army’s adherence to tradition, even in captivity. In films like Zulu (1964), depicting the 1879 Battle of Rorke’s Drift, British officers are shown with precise drill movements, including heel alignment, which could produce a click, especially in formal scenes. Sources like IMDb discussions and film studies (e.g., The Hollywood War Machine by Carl Boggs) note that WWII films often use heel clicking to signify military formality across nationalities, sometimes inaccurately applying German stereotypes to Allied forces for dramatic unity.
The modern British Army retains a position of attention that involves bringing heels together, but the sound is minimal with rubber-soled boots. Ceremonial units like the Household Division may produce a faint click during parades, but it’s not emphasized.
United States
The U.S. military, particularly in its early years, drew heavily on European drill manuals, including British and Prussian systems. The Blue Book (German General Friedrich Wilhelm Freiherr von Steuben’s 1779 drill manual for the Continental Army) and later U.S. Army regulations prescribed a position of attention where soldiers aligned their heels, often producing a click or thud when executed sharply. This was especially true in the 19th century and early 20th century, when formal drill was a cornerstone of military training.
American officers, trained at West Point or other academies, performed the same drill movements as enlisted men but with greater emphasis on precision, especially in formal settings like reporting to a superior or during parades. Heel clicking could occur naturally when coming to attention, particularly with leather-soled boots on hard surfaces. However, like the British, Americans did not attach symbolic significance to the sound, and it was not a distinct gesture of respect as in German Hackenknallen.
During the American Civil War and through World War I, U.S. drill retained European influences, and heel clicking was occasionally audible in formal contexts. By World War II, U.S. military drill had become less rigid, and modern combat boots reduced the likelihood of a distinct click. Still, officers in dress uniforms or ceremonial roles might produce a faint sound when snapping to attention.
U.S. Army Field Manual FM 22-5 (1941) similarly prescribes aligning the heels for attention, noting that the movement should be “smartly” executed, which could result in a click with leather boots. The U.S. military’s modern drill (per FM 3-21.5, Drill and Ceremonies) still requires aligning heels for attention, but the focus is on alignment, not sound. Ceremonial units, like the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), may produce a subtle click in dress uniforms, but it’s not a distinct gesture.
Films set in periods like the Napoleonic Wars, World War I, or early World War II (e.g., The Longest Day, Patton, or A Bridge Too Far) may show British or American officers clicking heels when coming to attention, reflecting historical drill practices. In Patton (1970), General Patton’s emphasis on discipline includes scenes where officers snap to attention, sometimes with an audible heel movement, reflecting early 20th-century U.S. Army drill. These portrayals align with historical practices, as officers in both militaries were trained to execute drill crisply, particularly in ceremonial or high-stakes settings. In The Great Escape (1963), American POWs, like Captain Hilts, occasionally snap to attention with a heel movement when interacting with German captors, possibly to show defiance or mimic German formality. Such scenes blend historical accuracy with cinematic flourish.
Conclusion
English and American officers did historically click their heels as part of coming to attention, particularly in formal drill settings, as depicted in some films. This was a standard feature of British and U.S. military drill, influenced by European traditions, but it was less deliberate or symbolic than German Hackenknallen.
