Lord Haw-Haw

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I have question about Nazi British collaborator, who broadcast propaganda program to English Speaking audience.

I wonder where it comes from his nickname "Haw-Haw"

I think the name Haw Haw came from his mocking laugh, and over all sarcastic manner.

-Bill, otherwise known as Kraichgauer

I thought it was because 'haw haw' was the way upper class people laugh, and he had that posh voice.

William Joyce was actually American. He falsely held a UK passport.

Its kinda vague.


According to Wiki a british radio critic dubbed him that because of the broadcaster's brash pushy way of talking- but the critic was actually talking about his predecessor on the Nazi english language propaganda radio show "Germany Calling".

But when william joyce took over as the voice of Germany Calling the moniker transferrred to him-and then became synonomous with just him.

And he became famous as the voice for most of the war.

Even though the name was meant to be an insult - it bacame his brand name -forcing the Germans themselves to capitize on it on the air: " coming up next is William Joyce, better known as "Lord Haw Haw".

Lord Haw Haw referred to a bunch of people at first, they sort of settled on Joyce later on. Joyce was Irish. He was with the British Union of Fascists.

I thought this said Hee-Haw at first, then I lost interest.
Hardly the way the upper crust laughed

I wonder on what basis Brits judged him for treason, though he had never been a British subject, he was citizen of USA and had German citizenship granted to him by Hitler, so if anyone should judge him for treason, this should be America not Britain.

He held a British passport.

He has British passport, but he wasn't British per se.

According to Wiki at his trial the defense argued (more or less) what you're saying- that he wasnt a British citizen-therefore he cant be charged with treason.

The prosecution prevailed by arguing what Tequila said - that he carried a British passport- plus other factors.

Essentially- he made a career out of palming himself off as being a British citizen so he owed allegience to the crown. Thats the arguement that the prosecution won with. He got the benifits- so he is liable for penalties as well.

Makes sense to me.

If the defense had won- would he have been liable for treason against the USA?

Interesting question.

Does helping an enemy nation undermine an allied nation (but not directly our own nation) constitute treason? Probably. But then you cant try a person twice for the same crime. So we could not have legally indicted him upon his hypothetical aquittal by the brits ( I suppose).

But - if you want to expend sympathy toward someone- spend it on the girl labeled 'Tokyo Rose', and not on Lord Haw Haw. She was more of a real scapegoat than was Lord Haw Haw. But thats another can of worms.

If he had been tried in the U.S., he probably got the death penalty, probably by the electric chair, it might be better for him that the British hanged him

Never understood that either--why electricution was considered by Americans to be a more "humane" way than any other means of execution. Whats so humane about being turned into a piece of toast?

But why are you so interested in Lord Haw Haw?

Lord Hee Haw was Roy.

-Bill, otherwise known as Kraichgauer

Taint many here old enough to remember Roy Clark, or the Hew Haw show.

Actually- according to Wiki there was a lesser known American turncoat broadcaster for Nazi's who was briefly known as "Lord Hee Haw". But the public confused the him with Haw Haw.

As a kid, my parents watched Hee Haw, so I had little choice but to watch it, too.

-Bill, otherwise known as Kraichgauer