German president wants 'Luftwaffe' off official aircraft (WHITEWASH ALERT)

Ananova | December 23, 2002 | Ananova

[MadIvan]

Germany's president wants the word Luftwaffe removed from official aircraft used on government business.

Johannes Rau believes the word was once a symbol of the country's proud military past and is tarnished by its Second World War associations.

Instead he wants Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Federal Republic of Germany) written on the fuselage of official Airbus planes.

Mr Rau's inspiration is the US president's plane, Air Force One, which is emblazoned with the words United States of America rather than US Air Force.

German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has also reportedly expressed a wish to depose the tradition of identifying VIP aircraft with the Luftwaffe.

For many it conjures up images of Nazi air chief Hermann Goering's aerial force which reduced many cities throughout Europe and Russia to rubble.

But while the political will seems to be there, the real obstacle appears to be money. Military chiefs warn the costs of repainting airplanes would be "prohibitive".

[MadIvan]

It only took them 57 years to figure out this change might be a good idea. I suppose it will take them another half a century to figure out that socialism doesn't work either? ;)

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[Poohbah]

I remember when they proudly announced that the Luftwaffe was going back into combat for the first time in 54 years...bombing Belgrade (again :o)

[Desdemona]

I suppose it will take them another half a century to figure out that socialism doesn't work either?

Ivan, get real. It'll take longer than that. This is the country which produced the world's leading rocket scientists and has no manned space program.

[Sparta]

Ivan, this is a country that still can't get rid of some of the "greatness" of the Third Reich.

[mhking]

"Hold muh beer 'n watch this!" PING....

If you want on or off this list, please let me know!

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

[Monty22]

Germany now is so insignificant it is killing them. Not to mention they are only go to get smaller and eventually go full islamic.. With much of Europe too.

[Calvin Locke]

No "European Union"? No "United Nations"?

Tongue in cheek, How about "The Country formerly known as..." or "Property of the Air Force formerly known as the Luftwaffe"?

[dljordan]

Yawohl! Herr Obergruppenfuhrer!

[finnman69]

They have the wrong cross and paint scheme on the plane. It looks more like this

[Arkinsaw]

Sort of stupid. The Brandenburg gate was also a symbol of that time, why not tear it down also. Why not eliminate every German word ever spoken by a Nazi. Burn all the Volkswagens?

I do however think its interesting that the "great postwar German economy" can't manage to produce enough paint to erase a word off a few airplanes.

[Mark Felton]

"This is the country which produced the world's leading rocket scientists and has no manned space program."

This is because those rocket scientists were shipped out to the USA and Russia. The German scientists formed the foundation for our space progams. Werner von Braun is considered by many to be the father of the US missile and rocket programs. Huntsville AL has a large German population due primarily to the post-WWII German scientists and their families.

[Desdemona]

This is because those rocket scientists were shipped out to the USA and Russia.

Uh-huh. Basically, because we actually had the money and drive to do it.

Well, and the test pilots. Although, that wasn't a popular move I understand.

[LibKill]

Oh those goofy socialists! :)

Germany is destined for permanent mediocrity.

[KellyAdmirer]

I see, and the gothic cross on the plane that conjures up images of two world wars is like inoffensive? This guy own stock in paint companies?

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

I suppose you're offended by HMLA-169s Iron Cross insignia as well.

[chilepepper]

Nice Junkers Ju-52!!

[vetvetdoug]

I'd take some of the German women if they would learn to shave their armpits and legs. Otherwise, there is no use for Germany.

[Publius6961]

I suppose it will take them another half a century to figure out that socialism doesn't work either? ;)

Well, it might work...

It's not National Socialism, this time.
He he he he he he