The use of 'Hun' or 'Huns' as an offensive nickname for the Germans was popularized by British Propaganda and sections of the British media in World War 1.
On 27 July 1900 Kaiser Wilhelm II delivered a speech at Wilhelmshaven to the German troops about to embark for China to help put down the Boxer Rebellion. As so often with his speeches, he didn't consult the Chancellor or any other politician beforehand, and towards the end of his speech he said:
As you well know, you are to fight against a cunning, bold, well armed, cruel foe. When you are face to face with them, remember: Mercy will not be shown, prisoners will not be taken. Just as a thousand years ago, the Huns under Attila won a reputation of might that lives on in legends, so too may you assert the name of the Germans in China in such a way that no Chinaman will ever again dare so much as to pull a face at a German.The politicians present were aghast. The Kaiser had blundered again, and in a big way.
Barbaric
The Huns were viewed as barbaric and brutal. Comparing the German troops to a the Huns painted them as barbaric as well. Made it easier to hate them.
The term actually came from the Kaiser's own words. During the Boxer Rebellion, he instructed the German troops to behave like Huns and have no mercy on the Chinese: "let the Germans strike fear into the hearts, so he'll be feared like the Hun". British Propaganda simply took the Kaiser's own words and used them to instill fear and hatred.
The Marines in World War 2 were called Jarheads, Devil Dogs, leathernecks. Germans were referred to as Jerrys and Huns.
German soldiers during World War I were called "Huns" by the American soldiers. The Germans called their soldiers "The Bosch" during World War I.
the main names they called the Germans were the "krauts" which was the main one and some called them the "huns" as well
Certainly the French called them the 'Boche' and to the British they were 'Huns'.... I think this is a good Q, which means I don't know the answer !
British soldiers- Tommies German Soldiers- Krauts, Jerrys, Huns, Tedeschi (Italian term) Teds (British abbreviated form of above) Japanese Soldiers- Japs, nips, slants (the term slants reffers to the Japanese people's eye shape.) American soldiers- G.I.'s (Government Issue) Or For the Real Green soldiers, draftees, Joes, Mac (USMC only) Italian soldiers- Eye-ties, Goombah (Even though the term was more widly used after the war to reffer to Italian thugs) French soldiers- Frogs Polish soldiers-the polls Russia-Reds, Ruskies, Commies, Ivan.
Barbaric
Yes, British propaganda during World War I did depict Germans as barbaric "Huns" to vilify and dehumanize them in the eyes of the British public. By using images and stories that exaggerated German atrocities and painted them as savage invaders, the propaganda aimed to garner support for the war effort and demonize the enemy.
Germans were depicted as brutal aggressors, often shown as menacing or evil-looking figures, to rally support for the war effort. Huns were also characterized as barbaric invaders, with exaggerated features and violent actions, to generate fear and demonize the enemy in propaganda posters.
Germans wer often called "Huns" by their enemies in World War I
The Marines in World War 2 were called Jarheads, Devil Dogs, leathernecks. Germans were referred to as Jerrys and Huns.
The reference to Huns made Germans seem barbaric.
no they were called huns or bosche
Germans wer often called "Huns" by their enemies in World War I
Celts, Germans, Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Huns, Vandals, Venetii .......
The derogatory term "Huns" was used by Allied soldiers in World War I to demonize and dehumanize the German army, comparing them to the ravaging and barbaric Huns of ancient history. It aimed to portray the Germans as ruthless and uncivilized aggressors.
The Huns or Jerry or Krauts
German soldiers during World War I were called "Huns" by the American soldiers. The Germans called their soldiers "The Bosch" during World War I.