What Do the Clones Actually Represent in WWII History?

Most fans are familiar with how Star Wars draws on history for its films. We may first think of Nazi Germany and the Empire. However, we may not be so sure about the historical references for the clones. Do they represent World War II? Yes and no, we can see how they do but also how they reflect larger themes. 

The Empire, Nazis, and World War II

We may well agree with the statement that “the analogies between Nazi Germany and the Galactic Empire are not exactly subtle” in Star Wars. A top analogy is how Palpatine’s rise from Chancellor to Emperor closely mirrors Adolph Hitler’s trajectory to dictator. Their evilness is also mirrored. 

Likewise, the Empire employed the same name as “the paramilitary fighters who defended the Nazi Party—stormtroopers. The stormtroopers of World War II, or Sturmabteilung (SA), were central to protecting the rise of Hitler, as were Star Wars stormtroopers to the forming Empire. The latter took on a more active military role in the movies, but we clearly see the connection.

Stormtrooper weapons also took on World War II elements. The DLT-19 heavy blaster rifle is a case in point, as it looks very much like the MG-34 German machine gun. This article here explores multiple World War II allegories and analogies, including how “Palpatine’s clone army assault on Geonosis” reflected “the German invasion of Norway.”

That reference provides initial support for the idea that the clones represent World War II history. Since we know beforehand that they will materialize into the minion stormtroopers of the Empire, the clones fit into the idea of an advancing Nazi army. 

Clones, Stormtroopers, and World War II

As predecessors to stormtroopers, the clones helped initiate how the Empire drew on World War II. Although they do not transform into instruments of evil until Order 66, we could include them in discussions about the influences of the Third Reich, Reifenstahl’s Triumph of the Will, and the Empire. 

In comparison, one fan here points out the linkage between the 104th “Wolf Pack” Battalion in Star Wars and the 104th US Infantry Division in World War II. In this case, the clones represent American troops, and then perhaps they evolve into German forces later–a dual identity of sorts.

However, others in the above Reddit discussion argue that “Palpatine and the Republic/Empire aren’t just Hitler and Nazi Germany” but a wider depiction of how governments treat common soldiers. From this perspective, clone troopers are not tied to World War II but are part of the larger parallels with “real-world regimes”, including “democratic, capitalist states” and their callous disregard for troops. 

That line of reasoning makes sense because we don’t want to box every topic into World War II history. We can see how the clone troopers were genetically mass-produced to support the presumed Republic but really Palpatine’s endeavors. Clones and stormtroopers have distinctions, but we may see more continuity in that the former were “created to seize power” while the latter were conscripted to maintain it. 

Then again, this continuity seems to figure more into how we can view clones as lead-up troops to Nazi-like stormtroopers. Further, the argument about troop expendability seems to fit more with stormtroopers rather than clones. If we acknowledge some distinctions, we can arrive at a different way of seeing how World War II influenced the clones.

The Clones Troopers and the US Army 

Clone troopers were designated as “highly trained soldiers” that “formed the backbone of the Republic military.” They worked hand-in-hand with Jedi generals and valiantly fought the Separatists, even though greatly outnumbered. 

We can see how the clones attach themselves to World War II through their fighting skills and overall role in the war. Rather than German representations, the clone army may have had more common ground with the US army during the Second World War. 

As this video indicates, the Star Wars 212th Attack Battalion mirrors the US military in World War II. Led by Obi-Wan Kenobi and Commander Cody, the 212th Battalion became known “for its successful tactics and involvement in several major engagements,” including the Second Battle of Geonosis. The US military engaged in central combat in the Pacific, North Africa, and Europe in World War II and used tactics like paratroopers and seizing enemy territory that clones embraced. 

In Star Wars, we have various regiments that reflect specialization that parallels the US military during World War II (and today), like the 7th Aleena Reconnaissance, and highly decorated and well-known ones like the 501st Legion. We can compare them to these distinguished US divisions and the achievements of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

Clones and World War II History

With the clones, we detect World War II influences, but we may see more linkages to the US military. If we think of clone troopers more as antecedents to stormtroopers, we still can see connections to Nazi forces. The clones reflect more than these historical references but, as with other aspects of Star Wars, history informs them.