Band of Brothers Notes prepared by Don Schulte Pattonville High School

Shakespeare ß“Band of Brothers” is a line from Shakespeare’s Henry V. It is taken from the famous speech set immediately before the Battle of Agincourt.

Author ß“Band of Brothers” was a book written by Stephen E. Ambrose. ßThe mini-series was produced by Stephen Spielberg and Tom Hanks.

Who? ßBand of Brothers (BOB) is the story of E “Easy” Company of the 506th of the second battalion of the 101st Airborne Division.

What? ß The Airborne are paratroopers. ßParatroopers are elite Army troops with the best possible training.

What? ßParatroopers receive extra pay ($50/month). ßIt takes five jumps to be certified and “get your jump wings”.

What? ßAnyone refusing to jump because they’re afraid would be kicked- out of the Airborne.

What? ß“AGL” = Above Ground Level. ßOn landing they immediately collapse the shoot so they won’t be drug along the ground.

Can Men Quit? ßYes. This is an elite group. Men can “quit” the Airborne but not the Army. They go back to the regular Army.

“Currahee” ßNative American term. ß“We stand alone together.” ßMotto of the 101st Airborne Division.

Companies ßCompanies were labeled by letters. Code names were used so the names could be clearly heard in battle or over the radio.

Companies ßRationale: Companies B, C, D, E, and G all have a long “e” sound and could easily be confused by a listener.

Companies ßA = Able ßB = Baker ßC = Charlie ßD = Dog

Companies ßE = Easy ßF = Fox ßG = George ßH = How

Companies ßI = Item ßJ = Jig ßK = King ßL = Love

Companies ßM = Mike ßN = Nan ßO = Oboe ßP = Peter

Companies ßQ = Queen ßR = Roger ßS = Sugar ßT = Tape ßU = Uncle

Companies ßV = Victor ßW = William ßX = X-Ray ßY = Yoke ßZ = Zebra

Edelweiss ßSmall white flower used as symbol of veteran soldier by the German Army. ßBlithe took one.

Tactics ß“Fire Superiority” is the concept of firing so much, so fast, that the enemy has to keep undercover.

Tactics ß“Fire and Maneuver” or “Shoot and Scoot” ßConcept is to keep fire superiority so men can move while enemy has their heads down.

Tactics ß“Light Discipline” ß“Sound Discipline” ßTerms for ordering the men to have no lights and make no sound.

Slang Words and Phrases ß“P T” = Physical Training ß“4-F” = physical condition rating for someone not well enough to fight.

Slang Words and Phrases ß“C O” = Commanding Officer of a unit ß“X O” = Executive Officer (# 2 in command)

Slang Words and Phrases ß“O P” = Observation Post out front of the line. ß“Kraut”, “Goon” or “Jerry” are slang for Germans.

Slang Words and Phrases ß“Bought the Farm” or “Bought it” refers to a soldier dying and his family getting his insurance.

Slang Words and Phrases ß“stick” = 12 men dropping together. This is an airborne equivalent of an army squad.

Slang Words and Phrases ß“D Plus 1” (or “other number”) refers to number of days after D-Day (June 6, 1944).

Shaving Heads of Women ßMethod of punishing and shaming women who “fraternized” with the Germans.

Medic! ßNot supposed to be shot at according to the Geneva Conventions. ßMedic’s job is to move wounded to aid centers.

Medic Training ßTheir training included advanced first aid including use of blood, injections, immobilizing broken limbs, etc.

Pain Management ßFirst aid included small stirets of morphine. ßSpent morphine stirets were stuck in chest clothing.

Fighting Infection ßSulfa Drugs were the method of treating infection before antibiotics. Usually a white powder.

Mental Wounds ß“Hysterical” disabilities are known to occur. Often blindness (like Blythe had), deafness, loss of leg use, etc.

Wounds ß“Wounded” v “Injured” ßImportant difference for many. A man is wounded in battle; he’s injured in civilian life.

Purple Heart ßGiven to soldiers wounded by the enemy. ßOriginally given to Rev. War wounded by George Washington.