A.P. Herbert
When Rome, and Rommel, disappoint the foe
The Nice Kind German is again on show.
On go the sheep-skins, and the wolves protest
Milk is their diet and they love us best;
While flabby folk compassionately view
A fellow-being just the same as you.
But when the random death patrols the sky,
When ‘London burns’ and ‘Victory is nigh’,
The Nice Kind German rollicks with the rest
And gloating hate commands the lamb-like breast.
Here’s no surprise—and nothing for regret:
There was a danger that we might forget.
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Analysis (AI Assisted)
The poem presents a sharp commentary on the complexities of human nature during wartime, particularly the tendency to idealize or dehumanize the “enemy” based on shifting circumstances. The work grapples with the contrast between the “Nice Kind German” and the brutal reality of wartime violence. Through its tone and imagery, the poem critiques both the fickle nature of political alliances and the human inclination to soften the image of one’s adversary in times of peace, only to revert to vilifying them in times of war.
The opening lines, “When Rome, and Rommel, disappoint the foe,” set the stage for a historical context that juxtaposes the actions of famous figures like the Roman Empire and the German general Erwin Rommel. The reference to “Rome” likely alludes to the idea of empire, power, and conquest, while “Rommel” brings the narrative to a more immediate, modern context — specifically, World War II. The term “disappoint the foe” could imply that these forces, once seen as formidable, have now become sources of frustration and disillusionment for the enemy. The poem then transitions to the portrayal of the “Nice Kind German,” a figure that contrasts with the harsh, villainous stereotype typically assigned to the enemy in times of war.
The “Nice Kind German” is described as wearing “sheep-skins,” a symbol of gentleness and meekness, suggesting that, under certain conditions, this “enemy” is presented as harmless or even amicable. This shift in perception is contrasted with the previous warlike imagery, where Germans were depicted as cruel or dehumanized. The line “Milk is their diet and they love us best” further builds on this softened image, portraying them as benign, almost domesticated. The image of “flabby folk compassionately view[ing] / A fellow-being just the same as you” reinforces the idea that in times of peace, we are quick to see our enemies as “just like us,” blurring the lines between “us” and “them” in a misguided attempt at empathy.
However, the tone quickly shifts in the second stanza. “But when the random death patrols the sky” brings the reader back to the harsh reality of wartime, where death is not a mere concept but an ever-present threat. The reference to “London burns” alludes to the Blitz, the sustained bombing campaign carried out by Nazi Germany against Britain during World War II. The dramatic shift in tone here is intentional — it moves from the placid, idealized image of the “Nice Kind German” to the grim and hostile world of war, where the same figure becomes a part of the machine that causes destruction and suffering. The “Nice Kind German” now “rollicks with the rest” — those who partake in the gloating, hate-fueled actions of war.
The poem’s power lies in its ability to convey the cyclical nature of wartime hatred and its effect on both the individual and society. The line “gloating hate commands the lamb-like breast” is particularly striking. The image of the “lamb-like breast” evokes innocence, vulnerability, and purity, but here it is corrupted by “gloating hate.” The “lamb” now represents a dangerous naiveté, suggesting that even the most innocent and well-meaning individuals can be swept up in the tide of violence and hatred during wartime.
The closing lines, “Here’s no surprise—and nothing for regret: / There was a danger that we might forget,” add a note of grim resignation. The poet suggests that this cycle of idealization and vilification is almost inevitable — something that history teaches us repeatedly. The danger, however, lies in forgetting the lessons of the past, in overlooking the fact that wartime propaganda often distorts our understanding of the “enemy,” shifting between extremes of vilification and unwarranted sympathy. The line suggests that while this emotional fluctuation may seem natural, it is ultimately dangerous and leads to a failure to remember the true costs of war.
The poem is a critique of both the human tendency to oversimplify enemies and the political expediency that manipulates these perceptions. It speaks to the fickle nature of national identity and the tendency to swing between compassion and hate. The “Nice Kind German” is not so much a specific person as an idea or an image, a symbol of how easily we can alter our perceptions based on convenience, politics, or changing circumstances.
Overall, the poem forces the reader to confront the unsettling reality that the dehumanization of the “enemy” during wartime is not only inevitable but often encouraged by those in power. Through its shifts in tone, vivid imagery, and subtle critique, the poem encourages the reader to reflect on the ways in which humanity is willing to forget, forgive, or vilify the “other” depending on the situation at hand — a reminder of the dangers of war, the volatility of public sentiment, and the need for historical awareness.