Farbentruppen and Hollywood
When it comes to getting things wrong, there's none better than some of the clowns in Hollywood. Most of Hollywood (with some now ageing exceptions) has no practical experience with the military. Producers and directors are counting on the audience knowing less about military matters than the average potted plant. They also go for the close enough rule. If it can fool the casual observer at 10 feet, then it's spot on. When productions do make the effort, the results can be astounding. When they don't, it's either insulting or hilarious.
Besides, how many people leaned a little closer to the screen when the mock-Panzers arrived in Saving Private Ryan? After seeing zillions of Pattons, Pershings, and Chaffees given a quick spray of gray paint and a couple of dozen Iron Crosses and called Panzers, the Ryan Panzers were amazing.
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I'm one of the ones they warned you about. . .
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