Ridiculous History Episode Summary: "CLASSIC: Why British Soccer Players Saluted the Nazis"

Release Date: January 11, 2025
Hosted by Ben Bolin and Noel Brown
Produced by iHeartRadio

Introduction to the Episode

In this compelling episode of Ridiculous History, hosts Ben Bolin and Noel Brown delve into an astonishing historical event: why British soccer players saluted the Nazis during a match in the lead-up to World War II. This episode intricately weaves the intersection of sports, politics, and propaganda, offering listeners a detailed exploration of how a seemingly innocuous soccer game became a significant moment in history.

The Power of Sports as Propaganda

Ben Bolin initiates the discussion by drawing parallels between modern instances of sports being used for propaganda and historical precedents:

"Sport has always been a powerful tool to manipulate the minds of the people."
[02:32] Ben Bolin

They explore how sporting events have long served as platforms for nations to project soft power and influence public perception. Drawing from their recent work on the World Expo and a series on sports washing, Ben and Noel underscore the enduring role of sports in diplomatic and propagandistic strategies.

Historical Context: The Rise of Nazi Germany

To fully understand the events surrounding the 1938 soccer match, the hosts provide a thorough backdrop of the political climate of the time:

• Rearmament and Aggression: In 1935, Nazi Germany publicly announced its intention to rearm, defying the Treaty of Versailles. This move exacerbated tensions across Europe, contributing to the aggressive expansionist policies of the Nazi regime.

• Policy of Appeasement: British Prime Ministers, including Neville Chamberlain, Ramsay MacDonald, and Stanley Baldwin, adopted a policy of appeasement toward Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1939. This approach aimed to avoid another devastating conflict like World War I but ultimately failed to contain Hitler's ambitions.

"The appeasement policy is often pointed out as the worst decision that Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain ever made."
[09:04] Ben Bolin

The hosts emphasize how appeasement was not only applied to Germany but also to Italy under Mussolini, highlighting the broader European reluctance to confront fascist regimes directly.

The 1938 Soccer Match: A Symbolic Clash

The episode centers on the soccer match held on April 3, 1938, between Austria and Germany in Berlin's Olympic Stadium, which became a stage for political symbolism and propaganda.

Austria's "Wonder Team" and the Nazi Invasion

• Matthias Sindelar: Known as the "Mozart of football," Austrian star player Matthias Sindelar led the national team, famously referred to as the "Wonder Team." Sindelar vehemently opposed the Nazi regime and refused to cooperate with their attempts to merge Austrian and German football clubs.

"Sindelar refused to go along with it and did not look like he was trying very hard. He made it very clear that he was just shaking his head in disdain."
[17:24] Noel Brown

• Anschluss and Suppression: Following Germany's annexation of Austria (Anschluss) in March 1938, the Nazis attempted to suppress Austrian cultural and sporting identities. Sindelar's resistance made him a target, leading to his untimely and suspicious death later that year, likely orchestrated by Nazi officials to eliminate a symbol of defiance.

"According to Nazi rules, a person who had been murdered or who has committed suicide cannot be given a grave of honor."
[20:51] Noel Brown

The British-German Match and the Infamous Salute

On May 14, 1938, British soccer players traveled to Germany to play against the German team. Despite the rising tensions and Nazi aggression, the match was intended as a gesture of appeasement. However, both teams performed an unexpected act that would leave a lasting mark on history:

"The German and the British players raise their arms in the infamous Nazi salute."
[29:10] Noel Brown

• Symbolic Gestures: The British team, under Prime Minister Chamberlain's directive, saluted the German Nazi salute alongside performing their own gestures. This act was designed to showcase camaraderie and normalize relations, despite the underlying political tensions.

• Outcome and Reaction: England won the match 6-3, a result that was celebrated by the British but viewed critically in Germany. The British press, resistant to media manipulation efforts to garner support for appeasement, expressed outrage over the salutes, questioning the sincerity and implications of such gestures.

"Neville Chamberlain's and Britain's appeasement policy did not work. It was just a little more than a year before tensions broke and war began."
[37:30] Ben Bolin

The Legacy of the 1938 Match

The episode concludes by reflecting on the broader implications of using sports as a medium for political messaging:

• Undermining Propaganda: The match demonstrated the limitations of appeasement and the use of sports in political propaganda. The shared gestures between British and German players did little to mask the growing animosity and impending conflict.

• Historical Lessons: Ben and Noel draw parallels between the past and present, cautioning against the manipulation of sports for political ends. They highlight the importance of recognizing and resisting such tactics to prevent history from repeating itself.

"What you're witnessing is the realization that sports can be just as intertwined with politics and power as religion and war."
[36:05] Ben Bolin

Conclusion

In this eye-opening episode, Ridiculous History uncovers a lesser-known yet pivotal moment where sports intersected with the dark tides of political propaganda. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Ben Bolin and Noel Brown illuminate how a soccer match became a battleground for ideological display, offering valuable insights into the complex relationship between sports and politics.

Listeners are left with a deeper appreciation of how historical events can be masked in seemingly trivial actions and the enduring impact such moments can have on the course of history.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ben Bolin, [02:32]: "Sport has always been a powerful tool to manipulate the minds of the people."

• Noel Brown, [09:04]: "The appeasement policy is often pointed out as the worst decision that Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain ever made."

• Noel Brown, [17:24]: "Sindelar refused to go along with it and did not look like he was trying very hard. He made it very clear that he was just shaking his head in disdain."

• Noel Brown, [20:51]: "According to Nazi rules, a person who had been murdered or who has committed suicide cannot be given a grave of honor."

• Noel Brown, [29:10]: "The German and the British players raise their arms in the infamous Nazi salute."

• Ben Bolin, [36:05]: "What you're witnessing is the realization that sports can be just as intertwined with politics and power as religion and war."

Final Thoughts

"CLASSIC: Why British Soccer Players Saluted the Nazis" offers a profound exploration of how sports can serve as a vessel for political narratives and propaganda. By revisiting this historical event, Ridiculous History not only educates but also invites listeners to reflect on the enduring power of sports in shaping societal and political landscapes.

For more insightful and entertaining historical tales, tune into Ridiculous History on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.