Why did the Germans consider American soldiers the most unpredictable opponents?

[thomashogan]

I met an old professor who was a Lieutenant in an American Airborne Regiment. He said American units would plan an attack and schedule it for a certain time, but invariably something would hold them up so the attack would be late or cancelled altogether. He was later told by a German officer that drove the Germans crazy. They were extremely annoyed by the lack of punctuality by the Americans. I suppose it was a bit rude to show up late all the time. Especially if you're expected.

[Joseph-ziz]

War is chaos, and Americans excel at chaos.

[grantstutters]

My grandfather was in world War 1and 2 his diary is chilling and very crazy ! He was a 4stripped army ranger master Sargent artillerie and marksman expert in the army. He trained soldiers for years in the army he was a 3 time golden glove champion in the army. His name was Floyd Marshall tiller. He said in his diary that they were going into Normandy to take out the bunkers before the invasion started. Crazy. He said that they ran as fast as they could to the wall for cover. He said that bodies were dropping all over the place and bullets were flying by his head ! He said the first Germans he had to kill was in the bunkers on the hill side he sniped them out and then they took over the bunkers. They overwhelmed them in there bunkers he said ! But he said that he lost his best friend's there in a dog fight with the Germans. He said that they were trying to get away But they hunted them down and killed them he cut the patches off there uniforme and he put them in his diary with that was for my boys!! I cry every time I read his diary !! It's sad!! My mother and ant didn't know what the patches were so I did the research and found out that they were elite unit patches crazy. He died in 1987. The year I graduated. He was a gunsmith after the wars I still have his sniper rifle and many others from the wars collection along with his recipe and reloaders for all guns. He loved to fight and hunt he only gave me two bullets to hunt with and said if you don't get your deer with those two bullets you don't belong out here hunting.!! He said in the army you miss and soldiers die !!! And he ment it !!! He was very picky !!!! And you clean your guns all the time He was so picky about that !!! And I still am!! Thank gramps Best generation ever !!! ❤❤

[wandrinyew]

American units did not always adhere to the order of battle like the Germans did. This means an American infantry unit might have non-standard equipment attached, like a single tank acquired by theft or loss in a poker game. Drove the Germans nuts.

[MichaelParker-miie]

Several good quotes to remember from generals opposing US forces;
"Even if we had all the textbooks detailing american strategy and warfare doctirine, it would do us no good because americans feel no obligation to adhere to their own rules."
"War is chaos, and the americans practice chaos on a day-to-day basis."

[michaelhurlbut]

WW2 Germans: Why are you not using the proper rules of war?
WW2 Americans: Oh, those aren't rules. Those are suggestions.

[mtman]

Gen. George Wshngton crossing the Delaware in the night thru the ice and snow to capture an entire garrison of professionl mercs...!

[barrywood]

Years ago, I read an assessment by a German vet on American infantry tactics. He stated that Americans were the most unprofessional soldiers they ever encountered. He said that they had no battlefield savy, that they bunched up when fired on, many would freeze in open terrian and some would run in all directions helter- skelter when they weren't hugging the ground.They fired their weapons indiscriminately and attacked with no apparent plan to thier movements when they assaulted a german position . He repeated that they were the "worst soldiers we had ever encountered." He then said what perplexed them the most was that we would by fire reduce American battalions into companies, their companies into platoons, their platoons into squads, the squads into individuals, but no matter. If there was only one or two Americans left, the Americans would always rally and we would find them taking our positions and defeating us. We never could understand that. We always lost."

[AwesomeNinja]

We're paratroopers, we're supposed to be surrounded. - Major Dick Winters

[blazejames]

I’ve read German field documents that state entirely the opposite.
They recognized Americans would only attack if air support and artillery bombardment were heavily utilized and present before any possibilities of American ground attack. They knew that Americans valued their lives individually and were careful to reduce casualties whenever possible, as they did not fight ideologically.
The lack of punctuality certainly true though.

[charlesvanacore]

I would also think that Americans could attack a larger formation of Germans because they pocessed semi-Auto rifles. Makes a huge difference on the battlefield

[ferallion]

During the rescue of the 34th (the lost battalion) the 442nd/100th RCT, exhausted, low on ammo, food, water, and having been awake for 36 hours, charged uphill to assault German high ground positions while under air burst artillery strikes in a forrest.

The charge started when one of the Nisei (2nd generation American of Japanese decent) had had enough and with two M1911’s in hand, informed his men that he charging up that hill and to follow him.
Shortly after that unit rallied and started charging, someone in the formation yelled BANZAI and the entire formation rose up and assaulted that German position under heavy, heavy fire.

The Germans were perplexed and terrified that they were being attacked by the only recorded American banzai charge in the ETO lol.

[saundrahuff]

When I served, I met a lot of survivors of WW2, Korea, and Vietnam. They had the best stories. Almost all of them had the same mentality and out, ok when they knew they were in a bad situation. They would get their orders, understand a lot of casualties will happen, and just get to it, saying g, “well, ok, fuck it then, let’s get it done.” The stories they told were startling

[bryanzam]

Americans fought for whats behind them, and the man standing with them .
God bless those that served !

[luvsilly]

The Abrams story of taking a wrong turn. Instead of skirting the Germans they realized they were heading into the center of the German army. When Abrams was told this he could have turned around and. But he decided to keep going. This panicked the Germans. He broke right through and kept going.

[imonit]

U.S. docterine learned from the Indian Wars. They fought like the Navaho, Cherokee and Seminal. Unpredictable. It's why they did not operate like European militaries.

[JakeLeMonde]

I actually read about an incident where an American officer ordered a squad to take over a house. A soldier walked over to the house and knocked on the door and a German soldier opened it and a group of Germans walked out and surrendered. 😆 A lot of times the Germans found the Americans unpredictable because of raw inexperience.

[ashleymarie]

I wasn't aware that the Germans fought the US in Vietnam. That GI with the cameras was a Vietnam era soldier!

[thomasmaloney]

Back then, a lot of german Americans were fluent in the german language and play radio games with german soldiers. Friends father was an M18 tank destroyer commander. His parents were from Germany. He would talk to the Germans and get them to do dumb things. He could also tell what the Germans were going to do.

[nickhalden]

And Americans having semi auto weapons helped while the German soldiers usually had bolt action rifles so a smaller group of men could lay down more fire