German defense minister vows clear army break with Nazi past

Germany’s defense minister is announcing reforms to rid the armed forces of links with the Nazi-era Wehrmacht, responding to a scandal around a far-right attack plot within the military.

Two soldiers and one civilian have been arrested over an alleged conspiracy to kill pro-refugee politicians and — having created the fake identity of a Syrian refugee — make it look like an Islamist attack.

Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen announced a series of reforms including a review of its 1982 “decree on traditions” which allows the display of Wehrmacht memorabilia within its “historical context.”

The current rules “include many good points but allow for back doors,” she says, following revelations that Nazi-era army steel helmets, weapons and pictures were on open display in some army barracks.

Amid the scandal, debate has flared on why a Wehrmacht item can be shown in a glass display but not in an officers’ mess, and why several barracks are still named after World War II field marshal Erwin Rommel, dubbed the “Desert Fox” for his North Africa campaign.

— AFP