Editing German Mechanic

{{Nickname}}
{{Infobox Character
|character name = German Mechanic
|image = [[File:272.jpg|250px]]
|gender = Male<ref name="RotLA">''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark]]''</ref>
|death = [[1936]]<br>[[Tanis]], [[Egypt]]<ref name="RotLA"/>
|nationality = {{Nat-Nazi}}<ref name="RotLA"/>
|profession = *[[Nazi]] [[Sergeant]]<ref name="Raiders Sourcebook">''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark Sourcebook]]''</ref><br>
*Chief mechanic<ref name="Raiders Sourcebook"/>
|allegiances = [[Nazi]]s<ref name="RotLA"/>
|}}
A '''German Mechanic''' and [[Sergeant]] in the [[Wehrmacht]] served as part of the [[Nazi]] effort to locate the [[Ark of the Covenant]] in the [[Well of the Souls]] at the [[Tanis]] digsite outside [[Cairo]], [[Egypt]] in [[1936]], an enormous mountain of a man with a shaven head. Serving under [[Colonel]] [[Herman Dietrich]], [[Major]] [[Gobler]], [[France|French]] [[archaeologist]] [[René Emile Belloq]] and [[Gestapo]] agent [[Major]] [[Arnold Ernst Toht]], the mechanic was assigned to help prepare for the transportation of the Ark from Tanis to [[Berlin]], [[Egypt]] aboard the jet plane ''[[Flying Wing]]'' following the Nazis' locating of the relic. However, [[United States of America|American]] [[archaeologist]] [[Indiana Jones]] and bar owner [[Marion Ravenwood]] intervened. Highly skilled in boxing, brutally strong and able to soak up and deliver blows that should have felled any man, the muscular sergeant was able to best Jones in hand-to-hand combat before he was inadvertently torn to shreds by one of the airplane's propellers.

== Biography ==
=== Early life ===
A man of [[Germany|German]] descent, he grew up in [[Bavaria]], [[Germany]], where he became a prizefighter. As an adult, he became a [[Nazi]] [[Wehrmacht]] [[Sergeant]]<ref name="Raiders Sourcebook"/> as well as a military mechanic. Large and tough, he was bigger than most of his superiors, with a shaven head and powerful physique. While in [[Egypt]], the man preferred to work with his shirt either unbuttoned or completely off in the sweltering heat.<ref name="RotLA"/>

=== Tanis, Egypt ===
[[File:Flying_Wing_airstrip.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The [[Germany|German]] mechanic was placed in 
charge of an airstrip housing the jet plane ''[[Flying Wing]]''.]]
In [[1936]], the German mechanic was assigned to the Nazi digsite at [[Tanis]] outside [[Cairo]], Egypt for the [[Ark of the Covenant]] in the [[Well of the Souls]], serving under [[Colonel]] [[Herman Dietrich]], [[Major]] [[Gobler]], [[France|French]] [[archaeologist]] [[René Emile Belloq]] and [[Gestapo]] agent [[Major]] [[Arnold Ernst Toht]]. He served as a Sergeant and Chief mechanic at an airstrip housing the German ''[[Flying Wing]]'', in charge of an subordinate [[Second German Mechanic|mechanic]].<ref name="RotLA"/>

When [[United States of America|American]] [[archaeologist]] [[Indiana Jones]], his friend [[Sallah Mohammed Faisel el-Kahir]] and several [[Arab]] excavators including Sallah's brother-in-law [[Omar]] located and infiltrated the Well of the Souls and unearthed the Ark, Belloq and Dietrich, upon spotting the unauthorized dig, surrounded and detained the intruders, taking the Ark from them. Jones and his associate [[Marion Ravenwood]] were sealed inside the well, whilst Sallah was to be shot and the rest of the diggers were released thanks to Sallah's lies. However, Sallah ended up being released, and shortly afterwards Jones and Ravenwood managed to break out of the cave.<ref name="RotLA"/>

Meanwhile, it was arranged for the Ark to be transported from Tanis to [[Berlin]], [[Germany]] to [[Adolf Hitler]] via the ''Flying Wing''. As the ancient relic was readied to be loaded onto the plane, Major Gobler and his driver were sent by Colonel Dietrich and Belloq to inspect the airstrip and report back to his superiors. But, Jones and Ravenwood snuck onto the airstrip just as Major Gobler and his driver left following an inspection, the Americans planning to take control of the ''Flying Wing'' and depart with the Ark. Just as Jones prepared to take the airplane, he was spotted by the inferior mechanic who was working on the plane, forcing him to engage in a fight with the mechanic behind the oblivious pilot.<ref name="RotLA"/>

=== ''Flying Wing'' brawl and death ===
[[File:Mechanic_walking.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The mechanic was summoned to the ''[[Flying Wing]]'' upon [[Indiana Jones]] and [[Marion Ravenwood]]'s intrusion.]]
Jones landed the first kick on the other mechanic's face from the roof of the plane, sending the Nazi stumbling backwards. As the American leapt down from the jet, the German attempted to fight back with his metal wrench, but the archaeologist was too quick. Despite the mechanic's greatest efforts to defeat the intruder, all of his attacks were quickly proven to be futile. Jones managed to knock the soldier to the ground, the mechanic hitting the side of the plane on the way down and being knocked unconscious, but at around the same time, this mechanic came out of his hut, menacingly removing his cap and shirt.<ref name="RotLA"/>
[[File:Mechanic_calling_out_to_Jones.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The mechanic calling out to [[Indiana Jones|Jones]].]]
Laughing smugly and marching over to the plane, fists raised, the mechanic called out to Jones, also alerting the pilot to the archaeologist's presence. Jones exasperatedly signaled compliance, turned around and stepped down from atop the plane, just as, at the same time, Marion removed the bricks holding the jet's wheels in place. As Jones and the Sergeant prepared to brawl, the archaeologist distracted the mechanic by staring briefly at something on the ground next to him and pointing to it, before suddenly throwing a kick at his groin (which didn't even phase him) and then a punch at his chin, but in return the mechanic swiftly delivered a single punch to his attacker, which was enough to cause his legs to buckle, sending Indy to the ground.<ref name="RotLA"/>
[[File:Indy_on_the_floor.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Jones, knocked to the floor by the mechanic.]]
As the plane's pilot drew his gun, the mechanic dragged him up as he gasped in pain, only being released from the larger man's tight grasp when he bit his opponent's bare arm, causing him to drop the intruder. As the two large men continuously brawled and struggled, the pilot attempted several times to shoot and kill the American attacker but the mechanic kept entering his line of fire, blocking Indiana from him. Eventually he was knocked out by Marion using two wooden blocks, inadvertently causing him to lean on the controls and make the vehicle begin turning around.<ref name="RotLA"/>
[[File:Jones_biting_the_mechanic.jpg|thumb|250px|left|[[Indiana Jones|Jones]] resorting to biting the mechanic.]]
The plane's wing smashed against a nearby oil tanker attached to a truck, which set into motion the first in a chain of unlikely events which ultimately lead to the destruction of the ''Flying Wing''. As Jones and the Sergeant fought, the oil leaked, slowly streaming under the plane and awaking the other unconscious mechanic, who fled the scene. At the same time, a troop carrier arrived to reinforce the mechanic, but Marion managed to shoot down everyone inside - and also inadvertently blow up several explosives nearby, which also contributed to the explosion of the plane when the fire from the explosion spread to the oil.<ref name="RotLA"/>

But, as all of these other events occurred perfectly consecutively, Jones beat the mechanic's face until he bled. However, once again overpowering his opponent, the mechanic knocked Jones to the ground after punching him several times. Finding the challenge all too easy, the mechanic ordered the archaeologist to get up and fight back, unaware that the rotating plane was drawing the propellers ever closer. Noticing something was wrong after seeing Jones ducking for safety, the mechanic turned around to look behind him and was immediately shredded by the propeller, not having any time to get away.<ref name="RotLA"/>

After the Sergeant's death, the plane and oil tanker exploded, killing the pilot and delaying the transportation of the Ark to Berlin, forcing Dietrich to choose to [[The Desert Chase|transport the Ark]] by ground instead.<ref name="RotLA"/>

=== Legacy ===
[[1939|Three years later]], when Indiana Jones fought against another imposing opponent, Jones recalled his encounter with the mechanic, observing that the experience had been quite messy.<ref name="SoK">''[[Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings]]''</ref>

== Personality and traits ==
[[File:German_Mechanic.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The ruthless [[Germany|German]] mechanic.]]
A large [[Bavaria]]n man, the [[Germany|German]] mechanic rarely wore his uniform while working at the [[Tanis]] digsite, usually walking around shirtless and showing off his large muscles and broad shoulders.<ref name="Raiders Sourcebook" /> The mechanic was bald, but larged-framed and formidable.<ref name="TTS:IJ">''[[Top Trumps Specials: Indiana Jones]]'' {{C|Card: German Mechanic}}</ref>

The German mechanic loved boxing and was quite experienced in the sport.<ref>[[Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (junior novelization)|''Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark'' junior novel]]</ref> He kept in shape via a punching bag located in the mechanics' shed and through sparring with his fellow soldiers.<ref name="Raiders Sourcebook" /> When he witnessed [[Indiana Jones]] fighting against [[Second German Mechanic|one of his fellow workers]], he saw the opportunity to beat up the [[United States of America|American]] and demonstrate his skills,<ref name="RotLA" /> forcing Jones into a fight in which he would be clearly out-brawled.<ref name="TTS:IJ" /> Unfortunately for the mechanic, however, the fight turned out to be his last.<ref name="RotLA" />

== Behind the scenes ==
The [[Germany|German]] Mechanic was portrayed by the late actor and professional wrestler [[Pat Roach]] in ''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark]]''. In addition to the mechanic, he also played the [[Giant Sherpa]] in the same film<ref name="RotLA"/> and later went to portray the [[Chief Guard]] in ''[[Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom]]''<ref name="ToD">''[[Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom]]''</ref> and the [[Gestapo (individual)|Gestapo]] in ''[[Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade]]''.<ref name="TLC">''[[Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade]]''</ref> Despite being credited as "1st Mechanic", Roach's character is actually the ''second'' of the two mechanics to appear onscreen.<ref name="RotLA"/>
[[File:Mss18d.jpg|thumb|220x220px|left|The German Mechanic's defeat and subsequent death as depicted in the [[Raiders of the Lost Ark (comic)|comic.]]]]
In [[Campbell Black]]'s [[Raiders of the Lost Ark (novel)|novelization]], this mechanic is described as being a young man with tattoos, thought of as a kid by [[Marion Ravenwood]]. He is not as tough as he is in the film, but is nonetheless persistent in his fight with [[Indiana Jones]]. Although in the film he overpowers Indy and knocks him to the ground before being killed by the ''[[Flying Wing]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki> propellers, Indy punches him into the propeller in the novel, reflecting an earlier version of [[Lawrence Kasdan]]'s script.<ref name="Novel">[[Raiders of the Lost Ark (novel)|''Raiders of the Lost Ark'' novel]]</ref> In the [[Raiders of the Lost Ark (comic)|comic book adaptation]], the German Mechanic's demise is notably different. There he is knocked out by the chocks of the Flying Wing, firing his gun into the plane's fuel tank which causes an explosion which kills him and [[Second German Mechanic|his companion]] in the process.<ref name="Comic">[[Raiders of the Lost Ark (comic)|''Raiders of the Lost Ark'' comic]]</ref>

In ''[[Indiana Jones' Greatest Adventures]]'', the plane fight is omitted, but the German Mechanic still appears in [[Cairo]] as an end of level boss in the streets at night, which occurs before Indy finds the [[Well of Souls]]. As the player jumps on a horsecart, the mechanic hops on and kicks away the player's gun, and the player is forced to have a fist fight with the mechanic. It's possible for Indy to defeat him without getting hurt, unlike Indy's confrontation with him in the film. When he dies, the level is accomplished.<ref name="IJGA">''[[Indiana Jones' Greatest Adventures]]''</ref>

In the ''[[Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!]]'' at Disney World, the second mechanic is absent from the plane fight scene. The German Mechanic is thus the one who spots Indy while working on the plane's wing, and is also directing traffic for the ''Flying Wing'' as it prepares to land. Roach reprised his role as the mechanic until his death in [[2004]]. The mechanic's death alternates in different performances of the show; he either meets his film demise of being killed by the ''Flying Wing''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s propellers, accomplished through a trapdoor, or is accidentally shot by Marion with the ''Flying Wing''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s gun.<ref name="StuntSpectacular">''[[Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!]]''</ref>

The Mechanic appears with the name of "'''Enemy Boxer'''" as an end-of-level boss in ''[[LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures]]'' who can only be defeated when the player is carrying an anvil. Like in ''Greatest Aventures'', it is possible for Indy to defeat him without getting hurt. After he is defeated, he is accidentally beheaded by the propellers and in a comical way, his headless body tries to recover his head, which jumps around on the floor.<ref name="LEGO1">[[LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures|LEGO ''Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures'']]</ref> Although playable in [[LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues|the game's sequel]], the mechanic is absent from the story along with the ''Flying Wing'' sequence.<ref name="LEGO2">[[LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues|LEGO ''Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues'']]</ref>

In ''[[Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings]]'', the [[German Desert Commando|German Desert Commandos]] have Brutes among them who look and act in a very similar way to the Mechanic, both being large, imposing, German bald men who fight against Indy in the desert. They only appear in the [[PlayStation 2|PS2]] and [[Wii]] versions of the game as the [[Nintendo DS|other]] [[PlayStation Portable|versions]] don't have a sections that take place in [[Sudan]].<ref name="SoK" />

== Appearances ==
*[[Raiders of the Lost Ark (novel)|''Raiders of the Lost Ark'' novel]] {{Fa}}
*''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark]]''
*[[Raiders of the Lost Ark (comic)|''Raiders of the Lost Ark'' comic]]
*[[Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (junior novelization)|''Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark'' junior novel]]
*''[[Indiana Jones' Greatest Adventures]]''
*''[[Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings]]'' {{C|Indirect mention}}
*''[[Indiana Jones: Traps and Snares]]''

=== Non canonical appearances ===
*''[[LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures]]'' {{C|As "Enemy Boxer"}}
*''[[LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues]]'' {{C|As "Enemy Boxer"}}

== Sources ==

* {{Topps|set=Raiders of the Lost Ark (trading cards)|sformat=''Raiders of the Lost Ark'' trading cards|cardname=A Mountain Of Muscle}}
* {{Topps|set=Raiders of the Lost Ark (trading cards)|sformat=''Raiders of the Lost Ark'' trading cards|cardname=Spectacular Brawl!}}
* {{Topps|set=Raiders of the Lost Ark (trading cards)|sformat=''Raiders of the Lost Ark'' trading cards|cardname=Where There's Smoke, There's Indy!}}
* ''[[From Star Wars To Indiana Jones - The Best of the Lucasfilm Archives]]''
* {{IJ|url=raiders/bts/news/f20060818/index.html|text=Around the World with Indiana Jones}}
* {{Topps|sformat=''Indiana Jones Heritage'' trading cards|cardname=Fist Fight on the Tarmac|set=Indiana Jones Heritage}}
* [["You Call This Archeology?"]] - [[Indiana Jones: The Official Magazine 3|''Indiana Jones: The Official Magazine 3'']]

== Notes and references ==
{{Reflist}}[[ja:ジャーマン・メカニック]]
[[de:Nazi-Mechaniker]]
[[pl:Bokser]]
[[ru:Немецкий механик]]
[[Category:Athletes]]
[[Category:Characters appearing in Raiders of the Lost Ark]]
[[Category:Deceased]]
[[Category:Germans]]
[[Category:Martial Artists]]
[[Category:Nazi military personnel]]
[[Category:Nazis]]
[[Category:Sergeants]]
[[Category:Toughs, Musclemen & Hired Goons]]
[[Category:Wehrmacht]]