A couple things I think about alot with the German bow:
The mechanics are very similar to the way the French works. You are effectively guiding the thing through the air, relatively parallel to the floor, preferably using as little tension as possible, and transferring the natural weight of the arm through the bow as comfortably as possible.
Make sure you are pulling the sound rather than pressing, which sounds forced, makes things hurt, and just plain sucks.
Ideally the motion is starting from the elbow, as the bicep/tricep distorts the figure and creates back pain MUCH less than using the deltoid and lat/pec. The wrist stays relatively loose and works in combination with the fingers to vary all the fun nuances of double bass playing.
The balance point is really important. At the frog, the weight is naturally there. At the tip, the weight is comfortably achieved by extending the arm fully keeping it relaxed and heavy. If you have to press to initiate a stroke at either end, just make sure you're rosined up and check in a mirror to see if part of your arm is lifting (tense.) Your arm is heavy enough when relaxed and extended. Pressing with the hand and forearm while lifting at the shoulder or bicep cancels out much of the weight you need to start the bow from the tip.
Think about the function of the different elements involved. The middle finger supports the bow, the 1st and thumb create the natural transference of weight, and many folks claim the 3rd and 4th are just hanging out. This is very similar to how the French bow works- The 1st supports, and the 2nd and thumb have the power. On either bow, finger sensitivity is paramount.
This by no means the only way to deal with the thing. The link above is AMAZING in scope, so why not try all the different ones til you find a good teacher?
FWIW, #8 and slight variations thereof is used more than anything else I've personally seen in the US. YMMV. The thumb across the stick is often associated with L. Streicher, and really needs to be taught 1 on 1, FME.
Whatever your school of thought, sound is the most important thing! If you can't comfortably fill a room with sound, your technique might need some booster shots...
Wishing I didn't have neighbors sleeping downstairs so I could shed this stuff right now...
Hello, im just barely starting to learn how to play the double bass and It just so happ i have a german bow. now my main question is, how do i hold it ??? 
