[Evgeniuz]

In russian this is called "General's effect", where general is an army general. Basically, something is working as long as a higher rank official is present and not working otherwise.

[southerndrift]

That's the opposite. The soldiers make it work for the general whereas the German word would be used if it works 'in general' but doesn't when it's demonstrated to the general during an inspection.

[schoen]

So it works in general, but not for generals.