Thread: German Troops

Reading the following, please keep in mind it's from the German perspective.

First troops arrived in Afghanistan to attend UN Peacekeeping Mission

We had quite a long and heated discussion about this here in Germany:

Send troops to Afghanistan ?

Actually it is obvious that a peacekeeping force is needed. We supported all the other UN or NATO peacekeeping missions with either money or non-fighting forces. On the balkans, we sent armed forces for the first time since World War II. Well, even paramedics or helicopter pilots carry sidearms, but this time, it's a force of soldiers. No assistants, medics, chefs or staff. A fighting crew. This is the first time since the war that we send armed forces to a country outside NATO. Which means we are leaving the territory we acknowledge as our defensive position. We are sending our troops 'out'. Which the founders of the Federal Republic of Germany vowed never to do again. Never ever would we wage a war outside our borders again. Actually, fighting a war is illegal here. It's a law that Germany may never fight a war again. Not that laws apply to acts of state controlled murder anyway, but it clearly shows the intention.

We do have a military force that is perfect for smoking out terrorists, called the KSK. You'd call it special forces command. They are drilled to a point where they resemble the best the world has. I think it ........ed the military off quite a bit to have to ask Belgium for assistance to get out our diplomats of some african civil war last time. Mighty Belgium... please help us. I guess that stung. So now we have half a thousand guys clad in black ready to kick serious ass. Does that help ? Does it help to see dark, german soldiers marching again ? We are quite concerned about this. What is an outsiders oppinion on this ? What would you think if you saw armed forces with a German flag on CNN tomorrow ?

So germany is doing the same thing as japan.

>Japan

As far as I know, the Japanese don't have forces outside their islands at all. Not for peacekeeping, not for defensive alliances. Just not at all.
Germany did have forces outside it's borders, but still in territories that we would consider our defense base. That includes the NATO territories. We wouldn't think twice about sending troops to help our allies on their ground. But this time, we have to send them to a country that cannot be seen as our own defensive room. This is an agressive mission. Though you don't really have another choice against terrorists, the fact still remains: this is not a defensive mission like we used to be prepared for.

>LOL is that ironic

I hope you don't mind, but that was exactly the way it was intended... no offense meant

>as long as it isn't the "old " German flag if you know what I mean

I know what you mean, and no, you won't see it. Unlike other states, Nazi propaganda and symbols like the swastika are forbidden here. You can get punished for just having one. In fact I doubt you would see a flag at all, we aren't that good in flying our colors. You'd probably just get some guys in black looking away from the camera, and an officer with the usual "no comment" comment.

>>They are drilled to a point where they resemble the best the world has

Oh...you mean the SAS

>>What is an outsiders oppinion on this ? What would you think if you saw armed forces with a German flag on CNN tomorrow ?

It's not as if there could be much of a German military presence in the scheme of things. More probable that we will soon assemble a Europe Wide military force.

Personally, I have no problems with Germany having a visible military function. I'm more concerned with other war machines around the world, than the laughable possibility that Modern Germany will start WW4.

>I hope you don't mind, but that was exactly the way it was intended... no offense meant
none taken. It is funny when a big country like Germany would ask something like that to a small country like Belgium

>as long as it isn't the "old " German flag if you know what I mean
that wasn't exacty ment as a question. I know it is forbidden to use nazi propeganda in Germany. I think it is the same in Belgium. And that is a good thing. It was meant as very bad joke. Sorry for that

>You'd probably just get some guys in black looking away from the camera, and an officer with the usual "no comment" comment
I don't think that is neccasery. It almost sounds like you are a shamed to have a German army? No need for that. Like I said the past is the past. and there are totaly different leaders now.

>> usual "no comment" comment.

LOL.

Being of German descent (not born there though), I have always had a big admiration for Germany (not the Nazi years). My friends may be going over there as part of a support team... I could think of no better people to be protecting them than the German soldiers.

Thank you Germany!!!! Stay safe.

And the post above is mine... Must've forget to log in...

>As far as I know, the Japanese don't have forces outside their islands at all. Not for peacekeeping, not for defensive alliances. Just not at all.
Germany did have forces outside it's borders, but still in territories that we would consider our defense base. That includes the NATO territories. We wouldn't think twice about sending troops to help our allies on their ground. But this time, we have to send them to a country that cannot be seen as our own defensive room. This is an agressive mission. Though you don't really have another choice against terrorists, the fact still remains: this is not a defensive mission like we used to be prepared for. <

As stated in Articale 9 of there constion. Jappan's millitary is only for self defence. That is changeing.

I say send them in. It doesn't even really matter if they are the killing machines you say they are. Hell, it doesn't matter if they don't do anything but play cards. Since most of the ground fighting's done anyways, it really doesn't matter a whole lot. However, it isa very nice show of support for America's actions (besides just saying "Oh, yeah... Go America. Go kill 'em dead" like some nations have done). The more nations we can actually get to support this, the quicker we can end it.

Also, I really don't think Germany's past matters a whole lot in this case. Yeah, what happened in WWII was atrocious, but there's no reason to believe that by putting German troops into battle again would immediately cause another Holocaust. Every country's got more than its share of skeletons.

> I am much more likely to see the old German flag here in America than you are in Germany. People are allowed to fly it here all they want. Now that's Ironic.

No, it's disgusting. Problem is, it's also an "undeniable right". Freedom of speech shouldn't extend to hatemongers like the KKK, neo-Nazis, or any groups like them that preach them same sorts of ass backwards "thought".

You have the wrong idea CollegeGirl...

The troops are going in to help maintain the peace that has been established and uphold a working government.

Local police cannot be trusted to do so... because they have none.

It has turned into policing operations... and I hope that the afganistans look toward it as protection from terrrorism and not an enforcement of values.

They need to set up a government and provide for their people. They need to stop fighting amongst themselves with weapons and start compromising with words.

This is the intention now... and I support that.

The other is to find Bin Laden and $%&^ his world up! I support that as well... but I am not one to let bygones be bygones when retribution hasn't been paid. Everyone needs their hand slapped when they reach into the cookie jar. Bin Laden isn't an exception.

Death or Capture or both? What do you guys think? Should he be killed on sight (most likely will happen if he is seen... reality) or caught and put in prison, or caught and put to death?

>>As stated in Articale 9 of there constion. Jappan's millitary is only for self defence. That is changeing.<<

As an Australian I'm horrified to see Japan being allowed to be involved. We have never received a formal apology for their torture, abuse, and murder of our troops who were enslaved to work on the Burma Railroad and other P.O.W camps they set up (e.g. - Changi).

I'm sorry to say I'm not that pleased to see German armed forces on the move either. Don't get me wrong, I don't think that in this day and age that the German government would want to take over the world or anything, but it's very hard to forget the past. Perhaps if only a very small number were allowed to go, but otherwise I don't think it's right.