Bid to restore Iron Cross awakens Germany's angst

[nhboy]

"BERLIN: The German Army today has no awards for courage, only for attendance. The painful debate over reviving the famed Iron Cross to fill that gap underscores how distant Germany remains from normality when it comes to the military.

At a time when allies, including the United States, are pressing Germany to send more troops into the most dangerous parts of Afghanistan, the country is only beginning to reconnect with the basic trappings that go hand-in-hand with armed deployments. Not only does the Bundeswehr lack medals for valor, it does not have an award comparable to the Purple Heart for wounded U.S. soldiers.

Georg Martin, 83, a private during World War II, received the Wound Badge in Silver for the three times he was severely wounded, as well as an Iron Cross for fighting as part of a machine gun crew during the Battle of Kharkov in what is today Ukraine. In fact, he has two of each of them."

Bid to restore Iron Cross awakens Germany's angst - International Herald Tribune

I'd like to see the original (WW I) iron cross come back. It's part of their history.

 

[huntr1]

I'd like to see the original (WW I) iron cross come back. It's part of their history.

So is the WWII Iron Cross.

 

[nhboy]

So is the WWII Iron Cross.

You are right, a bit like our Confederate flag.

 

[huntr1]

You are right, a bit like our Confederate flag.

Nope, not really. The Confederate Battle Flag (I assume that is the flag to which you are referring) was the battle flag of a defeated nation. It is not now, nor was it ever, a symbol of the United States of America.

The WWII Iron Cross vs. WWI Iron Cross and historical reference to them would be more appropriately compared to the WWII Army Airforce logo vs. the U.S. Air Force logo. Or WWI U.S. Army uniform Vs. WWII U.S. Army uniform.

 

[ImnoMensa]

You are right, a bit like our Confederate flag.

Your ignorance is showing.

 

[nhboy]

Your ignorance is showing.

How so?

 

[itsbob]

I don't have a problem with using the Maltese Cross for valor, gallantry of courage. it is not a symbol of the third Reich, but a military symbol given to soldiers following orders of those appointed above them.

 

[huntr1]

I don't have a problem with using the Maltese Cross for valor, gallantry of courage. it is not a symbol of the third Reich, but a military symbol given to soldiers following orders of those appointed above them.

 

[nhboy]

I don't have a problem with using the Maltese Cross for valor, gallantry of courage. it is not a symbol of the third Reich, but a military symbol given to soldiers following orders of those appointed above them.

I agree. I also think they should bring back a wound badge.