Excerpt from Chapter 2 - WHAT AND WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THE MAGINOT LINE?

Political Correctness

The Hitler salute was a physical beast, but much more importantly, it was the cunning psychological beast of political correctness unleashed for the purpose of securing control and power. The occasions often demanded that the arm be held up for long stretches, such as during the singing of the anthem, which had to be followed by the official and mandatory Nazi Party addendum: The “Horst Wessel Song.” That was a long time to hold up one's arm without a break. To use the left arm to support the right was politically incorrect, even for a small boy. That would be a sure sign of disrespect, or worse, a lack of zeal. Mother noticed my dilemma, and after we left the area, demonstrated the military salute of right hand and fingers pointing to the right temple. As far as she was concerned, I could use that one since Father was a soldier. Later, I was to be taught otherwise and in no uncertain terms, that such a salute was not acceptable to the crowd. A natural psychological desire to blend in eventually inspired me to hold up my arm without allowing it to sag or waver. I was becoming a conformist.

Father (r.) and Adjutant (immediately left of him) Inspecting Field Rations‏.

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