Bernhard Sulzer Sep 14, 2009:

@writeaway Yes, you are right - this is what the text seems to imply. Not sure why I thought differently. I guess the concept of proving oneself by such activity is far from my mind.

writeaway Sep 14, 2009:

The SS ran the camps and Kameraden is SS speak. up to present day. the text posted by Asker makes it quite clear they are talking about those running the camp. not the prisoners.

Bernhard Sulzer Sep 14, 2009:

German POW camps We are not talking about Germans who ran the camps (or are we?) but their prisoners, right? Comrades or companions might suit here. Expressions like fellow-prisoners, companions in misfortune etc. might be too negative.
http://www.historyonthenet.com/WW2/german_pow_camps.htm

Maximilian Franck (asker) Sep 12, 2009:

The text in which this expression occurs is describing events in a German pow camp during World War II.
The sentence is rather long:
Brennende Vaterlandsliebe und ein patriotisches Herz waren wohl selten die Triebfeder dazu; gewiß, sie sollen als Beweggründe nicht geleugnet werden; viel stärkere Motive aber waren wohl in den meisten Fällen Erlebnishunger, Abenteuerlust, Ehrgeiz und der Wunsch, in einem eintönigen Dasein, in dem man selten Leistungen, dafür aber um so mehr menschliche Schwächen zu sehen bekommt, einmal etwas Besonderes zu zeigen, sich vor den Kameraden zu bewähren.

Bernhard Sulzer Sep 12, 2009:

@writeaway Yes, "Kameraden" has quite a history.

writeaway Sep 12, 2009:

@Berhard Sulzer Not only the communists refer to each other as 'Kamaraden'. Think back to mid-20th century German history.
More context is definitely needed. Who/when/what/where......

Ulrike Kraemer Sep 12, 2009:

Geht es um ... ... eine Mutprobe, Kampfspielchen unter Soldaten, einen Wettkampf unter Kumpels - der Möglichkeiten sind viele, und ebenso zahlreich die möglichen Übersetzungen. Deshalb bitte mehr Kontext und einen vollständigen deutschen Satz, sonst raten wir nur.

David Hollywood Sep 12, 2009:

need more context to be accurate e.g. specify peer group

Bernhard Sulzer Sep 12, 2009:

context additional information might help get the right expression.:)

Bernhard Sulzer Sep 12, 2009:

Usually, "sich bewähren" is "to prove oneself to" as in "prove oneself to your colleagues (friends)" unless your context emphasizes the specific exposure/putting on the spot/in the spotlight of such person by his colleagues/friends/pals/companions/buddies (coll.) as in "in the presence of (all) his friends, he proved himself (worthy); I wouldn't use comrades necessarily, makes me think of the old comrades of the communist party. Another option: to prove one's worth to (all) /in the presence of all... <br><br>