Monday - February 22, 2010

more history but ONLY for those intelligent enough to appreciate the subject. others may pass.

First, thanks again to RICH K who reminded me by sending the following which I find of interest. And since I can’t please everyone, I’ll have to make do with pleasing myself along with those of like interests who manage to spend their time doing more then contemplating their naval. Poor lonely ppl.

There have been offers made to buy this relic as high as $26 MILLION.

Quite honestly I have a problem with those who foolishly believe the swastika that’s attached to the eagle is some kind of insult. It went with the ship and down with her as well.  How much more do the hand wringers want?  And why isn’t there the universal condemnation of Soviet Communism which had a much higher toll?  I am not getting into a who was worse argument here. Just saying that history should not be altered by those who feel, “offended” or by those who feel “offended” on behalf of others. 

Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Uruguay-Germany Rift

It appears that the saga of the Graf Spee isn’t over:

In 2006, divers salvaged the huge bronze eagle with the swastika at its base from the waters off the Uruguayan capital. It’s the swastika that is causing the trouble. The German government, as represented by its ambassador in Uruguay, is opposed to the display of the eagle with the Nazi cross. Germany, understandably enough, is sensitive about the ultimate symbol of National Symbolism. Public display of it is generally illegal in Germany although exceptions are made for historical and educational purposes.

There now seems to be some uncertainty about the ownership of the eagle. Germany believes the ship to be part of its cultural heritage. According to Uruguayan law, sunken ships predating 1973 in their waters are generally considered property of the Uruguayan state. Uruguayan businessman Alfredo Etchegaray has the rights to salvage the wreck and he doesn’t believe that Germany even has the right to express an opinion on the matter. He points out that Germany has its own share of historical relics from other countries, including the head of Nefertiti which Egypt would very much like back. Uruguayan newspaper El Pais notes that Germany contributes money to the preservation of concentration camp Auschwitz, in modern-day Poland.

While the idea of refloating and restoring the wreck seems far-fetched, I think that I would feel almost compelled to visit if the project ever came to fruition. Other German World War II vessels have been turned into tourist attractions, and the wreck of Graf Spee is not a war grave. Nevertheless, the technical challenges of restoring a ship sunk seventy years ago in shallow seawater would be extraordinary.

Any suggestion that Germany is unilaterally opposed to the memory of the Nazi period is bizarre; surely no other country has been as concerned with apologising for and commemorating its past crimes.

GRAFF SPEE SOURCE

GRAFF SPEE LAUNCH GALLERY

THE SPEE GUNS

Posted by peiper     on 02/22/2010 at 01:23 PM   
Filed Under: • History •  
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