Wearing Nazi symbols in Afghanistan

I understand that these were not kids but trained soldiers. I also have known people who are my age (34) who are immature enough to do something like this bc it "looks cool", that is what I was trying to get to. Age unfortunately doesn't equal maturity, nor does it mean sensitivity to what others will perceive, and even worse is how little most people are taught about the cruelty that units such as these committed. I would put very good money that if you were to take the unit symbols and walk into the street in any city or town in N.A. (and most likely EU) and show people these symbols the soldiers were wearing maybe 1 in 100 people would even know it. I'm saying this not to condone what the soldiers did but to put emphasis on how poorly taught on the history of WWII that 98% of the people are.

Mark

 

Perhaps these officers thought that the law in the Czech Republic wouldn't apply to them when they are in Afganistan? Remember this section?

Even today, it is a crime to boast their emblems in the Czech Republic as well as in most European countries, Bartak said.

I would guess their being sacked would be a good indication that this was a BAD IDEA! They must have had some idea that there was a historical reason for those symbols in particular were BANNED in their nation.

I'm not condoning thier actions either, I also don't think it was ignorance of the reasons for the bans that brought this about either.

 

simples..if your in uniform you are improperly dressed with a swastika unless your axis and your in ww2 now get it off or face the rules your nations services have..if its on my mobsyour about to meet an imovable force..a58 ..get the bloody hose.

 

Hehe I like your response Urqh, very true but we all know that soldiers will put things on their uniforms. I wonder if anyone knows if the Czech army or any army in the EU informs their soldiers which symbols are banned or if its up to the soldier to find out for themselves. Some of course are self evident ie swas and ss, sa but how about things like the H and swords is it up to the soldiers and commanding officers to just know this is wrong?

 

well if your in brit army ..you may get away with something in the field...until someone like me sees you..unless its changed that much. however i may turn a blind eye if your top button is undone..this once..if you wear anything not issued..be prepared to face the consequnces..a badge? if its not the bloody vc then get it off..if it is the vc then well done that man..oh and your on a bloody charge still .

 

Allied forces would have Axis "souvenirs" on them and vice versa, most were even able to take them back home when the war ended by smuggling them back or paying a small fine (the 101st Airborne and the silk maps of France for instance, "if you don't return them, you owe us $70", very few returned them).

 

Good point, granted the individuals wearing the badges/insignia are as wrong as can be; but, the chain of command is also culpable for letting them wear them and have their pictures taken.

Back in the days when the kevlar pots replaced the steel ones there was always some numbskull who broke out the sharpie marker and added lightning bolts to his helmet.

After attending Mountain Warfare School in Bridgeport, Ca. Our Company Gunny had T-shirts made up with an Adleweiss that said Gebirgsjaeger with the First Mar. Div. Those lasted one PT session.

 

I really don't get why there is a discussion on the incident. There are laws and laws have to be followed. It is in no way an excuse when you don't know about those laws.

 

The SS runes were never such a big deal for us. Parachute wings and skull & crossbones were the most popular items. "Death Before Disco" was a popular choice too (it was in the late 70s). One newby a$$wipe got polluted in town one night and stumbled into a tatto parlor with what was left with his paycheck. He got a swastika with parawings tatto'd on his upper arm, and when we fell out for PT the next day and saw it, the entire company from the 1st Sgt on down got in a lick on it. The officers turned their backs and let the NCOs handle this one their way. The old man, the XO and one platoon leader were West Pointers, so they understood the need for swift and just punishment. When the swelling and bruising dissapated, Mr. Funnyman was escorted back into town and got some proper parachute wings tatto'd over it.

Now that is military justice, no paperwork, no appeals, nothing but learning and pain....

 

and a hose when necessary..although i think we are SUDDENLY the older generation..

 

losers then losers now. instant dismissal no questions.

 

What a bunch of morons.

 

amai ..stupid carreer move ..
On the other hands does most NAZI repro crap items come from that area too , so wouldnt surprise me when they just picked those up in a local souvenir market . Bet that crap will be available by the bucket all around there

 

Good point

 

I'm not really surprised that they were wearing Swastikas. We are guilty of doing it too. American soldiers used the swastika as their symbol early in World War I, and up to 1941. The symbol was used by Americans in the French Escadrille Lafayette, by the 45th Infantry Division, and on Boeing P-12 planes.