A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.
Played against a swastika on a stone wall during the opening credits (long version) of the 1961 version of Judgement at Nuremberg, Stanley Kramer’s acclaimed film, Wenn Wir Marschieren is a German folk song of uncertain authorship from around 1910. It was not a song written for the Nazis; but they must have played it, as it has the musical qualities favored by the Nazis. Wenn wir marschieren roughly translates as “when we march.” As arranged and sung for the movie, the song strikes the soaring, heroic note so typical of Germanic militarism.
Although songs composed for the Third Reich are still banned in Germany, YouTube is rife with the Third Reich’s marching music set to stills and newsreel footage from World War II.