Shrecklekeit

**Alexanderofmacedon** · 05-28-2006, 04:41

What do you think about this tactic? What was this tactic? I heard of it, but I don't know anything about it. Could anyone help?

**Louis VI the Fat** · 05-28-2006, 04:53

Do you mean German 'Schrecklichkeit'?

It losely translates as terror, but other than that, I don't know anything about it.

**Alexanderofmacedon** · 05-28-2006, 05:04

Okay, I found out what it was. It was psychological warfare used by germans. An example is "screaming mimi's". Missles that made strange blood curdleing noices!

**Tellos Athenaios** · 05-28-2006, 18:28

Giving it a go for 'Schreklichkeit' at www.google.nl resulted in:

"Professor Ivo Cyprian Pogonowski's WebsiteThis was the German policy of "Schreklichkeit."(intimidating terror) In German terminology it stood for the policy intended to terrorize the population of ..."

It refers to a site about a World War II episode.

But, execept for it's meaning in World War II, still...?

**KrooK** · 05-28-2006, 20:49

Maybe it is connected with Ersatzgruppen?

**King Henry V** · 05-28-2006, 21:18

Originally Posted by Alexanderofmacedon

Okay, I found out what it was. It was psychological warfare used by germans. An example is "screaming mimi's". Missles that made strange blood curdleing noices!

In the second world war, IIRC the Germans would attach sirens to their dive-bombers (Stukas) which would make a terrifying noise as they descended and dropped their bombs befroe ascending again. The same was with the V-1 rockets that ravaged Britain , which would also make a screeching sound when they were flying, but went deadly silent when their engines ceased and the rockets fell to their targets.

**Seamus Fermanagh** · 05-29-2006, 04:39

Schreklichkeit, which may be loosely translated as "frightfulness" was a military tactic long before the Germans stamped their label on it.

The basic concept is to intimidate the target audience by brutal treatment, often with the goal of cowing a civilian population in order to prevent guerilla resistance etc. It differs from terrorism only in that the usual objective is a tactical military goal -- quiet rear areas -- rather than a larger political goal and in that the specific brutal responses are supposed to have been precipitated by someone breaking the rules (though this was often skipped). Many would argue that such a practice is akin to terrorism in all meaningful ways.

German use of the policy predates World War Two. Any look at their treatment of Belgium in WW1 clearly indicates that this policy was condoned and actively employed at that time.

Historical use of this tactic goes back to Sargon if not before.

How useful an approach it is, exactly how effective a tactic, is debatable.

**Tellos Athenaios** · 05-29-2006, 21:57

Then, we are simply talking about psychological warfare. In that case, numerous articles/ books have been published about this, and better still for all Total War fans out there: we're on to Alexander the Great's favourite strategy!

**Alexanderofmacedon** · 05-30-2006, 05:01

Originally Posted by Tellos Athenaios

Then, we are simply talking about psychological warfare. In that case, numerous articles/ books have been published about this, and better still for all Total War fans out there: we're on to Alexander the Great's favourite strategy!

Speaking of psychological warfare, did you know the Chinese would force convicts to run up to enemy lines, take their swords and commit suicide in front of their eyes.