TO SALUTE OR NOT TO SALUTE

On May 14th, 1938, there was one of the most infamous images in English football history, although the teams' salute to  the Nazi Party in 1938 was afforded little attention. Months before the beginning of World War Two, English footballers, staff and supporters travelled to The Olympic Stadium in Berlin to play football. Goebbels, Hess and Von Ribbentrop made up the German "dignitaries". It was hot and sweltering day. 

The Guardian newspaper two days later noted how the Stadium was dressed in swastikas flown from poles all around the ground. With Hitler and his entourage in the "celebrity box", the English team and officials, on agreement, gave the Nazi Salute, as the German band played "Deutschland uber Alles" before the kick off. The English team saluted making a good impression to the crowd and dignitaries. Captain Eddie Hapgood ensured that his team did the correct thing! Some say that this gesture inspired the English players.

The German Government had annexed Austria two months previously and the German  dignitaries had expected a  strong response from their team, but England playing in blistering heat played blistering football and Cliff Bastin, from Arsenal, scored the first of six goals. By half time England were 4-1 up and Hitler not pleased.

Hans Presser, an Austrian by birth, had scored his team's only goal and relations on the pitch were genial. 

Who called for the Nazi salute is not clear although rumour has it the English officials had told their players to just do it and saved any tension! The FA Secretary at that time was the very reliable Stanley Rous (later Sir Stanley). He diplomatically left the players to decide what to do as they lined up before the game and the players saw it as a bit of showmanship and fun with no particular "reference" to politics. Defender, Stan Cullis, after the match had insisted that the English officials had visited the English changing room reminding their players that it would be "courteous" to do what the German crowd would expect. 

Several English players objected, knowing what they knew, but nevertheless followed orders. Cullis said that information from the dignitaries was interpreted as if they did not follow orders, they would not be chosen for future English matches!! 

England did not play Germany again until December 1954, when all "War" was resolved. Germany was World Champions having played in the World Cup that season, when they beat Hungary (much favoured with Puskas and Co in the ranks). 

England had beaten Germany 3-1 in Switzerland  at Wembley but had only featured three members of that team playing in the "Miracle of Berne". Stanley Matthews, who had scored in Berlin and who gave the Nazi salute, was Man of the Match.

The day before, Aston Villa, on tour, had played a "German XI" and beat them 3-2, without going through any of the  official salutes before kick off.It is not clear if this was the players' decision or given orders from their "back room" staff!! A report from the Observer  Sunday October 15th:

England easily defeated Germany by 6 goals to 3 at the Olympic stadium in the late afternoon here today. There was no question as to who was the better side and the margin of victory was well deserved. There were about 110,00 spectators.

The goals for England were scored by Bastin in the sixteenth minute, Robinson in the twenty sixth, Broome in the twenty ninth, Matthews in the forty second, Robinson again in the forty ninth, and Goulden in the Eighty fifth. GermanyÕs goals were scored by Gellesch in the twentieth minute, Gouchel just as the whistle blew for half time and Peffer, the only Austrian player in the side in the eighty fifth.

England's chief superiority was in the forward line, the Germans being slow, disjointed and finishing poorly. The English forwards on the other hand were fast, combined splendidly, being cleverly led by Broome, and they did not fail to take advantage of every opportunity which came their way. The English half-backs and backs rendered invaluable support being accurate with their passes and very sound in defence. Woodley was as safe as usual but he did not have a great deal to do. Jakob was kept busy throughout and did not have much chance with the shots that beat him.

Germany: D H Jakob (Jahn, Regensburg), P Janes (Fortuna Dusseldorf), R Muenzenburg (Alemania Aachen), A Kupfer ( F.C Schweinfurt 05), L Goldbrunner ( Bavaria FC, Munich) A Kitzinger ( FC Schweinfurt 05), E Lehner ( Schwaben, Augsburg), R Gellesch ( FC Schalke 04), J Gouchel (Coblence), F Szepan ( FC Schalke 04) (Captain), J Peffer ( Rapid FC Vienna)

England: D Woodley (Chelsea), Sprotson (Leeds Utd), Hapgood ( Arsenal) (Captain), Willingham (Huddersfield Town), Young (Huddersfield Town), Welsh (Charlton Athletic), Matthews ( Stoke City), Robinson (Sheffield Wednesday), Broome ( Aston Villa), Goulden (West Ham United), Bastin (Arsenal) 

Referee Ð J. Langenus (Belgium)