was there a historical basis to the NAZI salute ?

did the typical NAZI salute of outstretched arm and klicking heel have a basis in any historical salute of a predecessor empire ??

it seems reminiscent of a Roman Legionnaires salute - at least what i believe one to be based on movies etc.

and while i'm asking - what is the origin of the US Military salute, British salute, etc ?

which militaries have the strangest salutes ??

In the case of the Nazis, it is logical to assume that they copied the Italian fascists, who of course were trying to replicate the Roman Empire. Clicking the heels was the usual German army way of saluting, as well as that of several armies in Europe. The origin of the British salute(and consequently the US, as well as most armies in Europe) is that when Sir Francis Drake's ships were inspected by queen Elizabeth, she noticed the sailors would put their hands to their front. When she asked Drake why this was, he answered that the men were trying to shade their eyes from the brilliance coming from Elizabeth's whole body and head. (This guy was a real brown-noser...) As a result, this practice seems to have spread to other navies and eventually to other armies. On this too, and following the thread of why the Nazis sometimes saluted with outstretched or other times with semi-raised arms, it is not unusual in the US army to have soldiers or subalterns salute sharply, whereas a colonel or general barely raises his hand to his forehead. Probably a way of showing who is boss...

He took if from the Italians. I don't know where they got it, but maybe they did get it from the Romans? The Roman salute was to hit the chest, than throw the hand out straight, palm outwards (Funny thing, I think the Klingons from Star Trek use a salute close to that..

: it seems reminiscent of a Roman Legionnaires salute - at least what : i believe one to be based on movies etc.

: and while i'm asking - what is the origin of the US Military salute, : British salute, etc ?

The story I heard was the American and British salute came from Knights lifting the eye piece of the helmet, so show they were friendly, but that could be a myth.

: which militaries have the strangest salutes ??

Mike V.

: He took if from the Italians. I don't know where they got it, but maybe : they did get it from the Romans? The Roman salute was to hit the chest, : than throw the hand out straight, palm outwards (Funny thing, I think the : Klingons from Star Trek use a salute close to that..

: : it seems reminiscent of a Roman Legionnaires salute - at least what : : i believe one to be based on movies etc.

well, the NAZI salute seemed quite similar to that of the Romans which is why i mentioned it

that leads me to ask what was the symbolism of the Roman salute ??

what if any salutes did the Greeks and other empires have ??

It could also derive from the salute of the Zulu warriors: arm oustretched and lifted, with spear attached...

From what I understand, the Nazi straight-arm salute was derived from that used by the Italian Fascists under Mussolini, who, in turn, had derived it from the Roman salute.

Hope this helps, George Hopp