Following a recent thread about the song "We're Gonna Hang Out
the Washing on the Siegfried Line" (and the startling confirmation
of six degrees of separation demonstrated by the news that Kevin
McElhone's Great-Aunt was married to the famous British variety
artist Chesney Allen), reference was made to a German version of
the song.  I can confirm this: I have it, on a vinyl LP re-issue.

Along with a number of pro-Allies songs, this was the subject of a
rather heavy-handed attempt at parody, issued by Dr. Goebbels' propa-
ganda machine.  Stated to be played by "Charlie and his Orchestra",
this was in fact a studio or session recording group.

The recording of the song, sung in German and English, has the
"Tommies" crying as they try to hang out their washing.  It's a
fascinating glimpse of the attitudes prevalent a generation ago,
at the height of the Second World War.

Michael Woolf
New Zealand

 [ The British Tommies sang propaganda songs, G.I. Joe sang 'em too
 [ (or so the sheet music covers imply); that sets me wond'ring:
 [ what were the German troops presumably singing about the Allies? :-)
 [ -- Robbie