Smuggled Panzer Tank

[sachem]

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm...=news.quirkies


So, He already smuggled one tank. Which one of you guys has it? Also, don't you just love how just by collecting you become a Neo Nazi to the media?

[james m]

The reporting in that article was so off course on who collects 3rd Reich regalia that I emailed them a correction.
Jim

[Adrian Stevenson]

Thanks for posting that article.

Theodor, one of our Bulgarian forum members has told some horror stories of how many of these Pz IV's have been cut up for scrap in the past.

Cheers, Ade.

[Bjørn]

Stigmatizing collectors


It is clear that the Person that wrote the article has no clue what so ever of what he or she is writing about. Anyway, it is possible to send a complaint to the publisher for stigmatizing a large group of people (collectors) as neo-nazis.
Of course we do not symphatize with neither extreme right wing groupings or thieves. (In relation to the stolen tank.)
I'm filing a complaint to the author/editor of that article right away.
A annoyed
Björn

[behblc]

Goverments are often very silly - cutting up what should at least be sold for good money .
Ah well , I am off to polish my neo nazi jack boots and to press my Hitler youth armband for parade tomorrow.
BTW Does anyone have anything related to the war because as a "neo nazi", "right winger" I am Mad for it".

[Bjørn]

Thanks for posting that article.

Theodor, one of our Bulgarian forum members has told some horror stories of how many of these Pz IV's have been cut up for scrap in the past.

Cheers, Ade.

Yes, I have also heard stories about german tanks that are being scrapped. It is very sad that these tanks are being destroyed. As the article in mention states, these tanks are "worthless to the army"
I would like to see these tanks being preserved/restored and put in museums for public display, but stealing them is not the way to do it.
Kind Regards
Björn

[Bjørn]

Bad judgement

Here's a copy of the e-mail that I just sendt to corrections@ananova.com :


[Hello. I'm writing to you, as I just read the following article on your website:

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm...=news.quirkies

I am most disappointed to see that collectors of german ww2 items are generally being judged as Neo nazis and I quote:

[A huge black market in war-time memorabilia exists, fuelled mainly by the neo-Nazis who want to get their hands on anything connected with the Third Reich.]

This is a very unfortinent choise of words, and really a very bad connection between collectors, thieves and right wing extremists.
I think I speak for 99,99% of the collectors, when I say that these connections being made in the article are absolutely false, and has nothing with to do with reality.
With a military historical interest, I myself collect german ww2 related items, but I am not a neo-nazi, nor a thief because of that, and I find the connections made rather offending.
I do not support the stealing of tanks, but it is clear to me that the person that wrote this article has very little knowlege of what he or she is writing about.
And to the editor that actually rewieved and publically posted this article: BAD JUDGEMENT!
Kind Regards
Björn A. Ilstad
Norway ]

[Don D.]

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm...=news.quirkies


So, He already smuggled one tank. Which one of you guys has it? Also, don't you just love how just by collecting you become a Neo Nazi to the media?

It would look good parked outside their trailer homes. Right next to the plastic pink flamingos.....

[Dr. Strangelove]

Town Idiot Authors Article

What a Baboon. The narrow mindedness of some people never ceases to amaze me. Anything for attention. Wish I had that first tank though!

[organix]

and mine.....I was on a roll!!

Hi,

I am writing to you regarding the following article:

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm...=news.quirkies

I am sorely sorely disappointed that whoever wrote the article was very ignorant. The collecting market for ww2 items, and indeed that of the market for German ww2 items has nothing to do with Neo Nazis. It is simply people with an interest in the military collecting German items, as they were amongst the most innovative of their kind and ahead of anything else at the time. It bothers me that the media is given free reign to be as ignorant as they want and publicize what amounts to stereotyping and slander, and be allowed to get away with it. There is simply no need to publicise comments such as these set out below to try and make the story more appealing and to give it a nasty twist to entice readers and make a good story :

"Although worthless to the army the ancient tank is worth a fortune to collectors, especially to far-right extremists who are keen to snap up anything to do with the war."

"A huge black market in war-time memorabilia exists, fuelled mainly by the neo-Nazis who want to get their hands on anything connected with the Third Reich.

I along with many others who share an interest in ww2 equipment and history am livid at this grossly inaccurate, unfounded, unresearched "article"

The story of a man trying to smuggle a tank was interesting enough without the inclusion of the above quotes. As somebody who has experienced racism and extreme views from both sides due to the colour of my fiancee, I have spent a good few years fighting racism and far right viewpoints. I do not need to now be attacked for the very thing I stand against by the media. Let alone the suggestion that I am involved in some seedy underworld of crooks.

I suggest you review your "journalists" writing and research capability in future or put them through a better interview screening process.

Regards

A Steel

[paddywhack]

A huge black market in war-time memorabilia exists, fuelled mainly by the neo-Nazis who want to get their hands on anything connected with the Third Reich.

since when was there a black market in collecting 3rd reich collecting?? total bollox !though not surprizing though~!would love to hear what the guys say back if they do at all!!

[SurvivingPanzer]

I wish he had got it out of the country to a private collector. The army will probably either scrap it or drop it on a shooting range for thirty years..... and after they shoot the living hell out of it scrap it. I'd rather have it go to a collector who would at least preserve it in its current state if nothing else.

[Adrian]

Here's my complaint, wonder if any of us will get a reply?

Dear Sir/Madam,
I am not usually the type of person to complain about the ignorance of others however I find myself compelled to do so due to the misguided and quite frankly, insulting comments contained within this article: http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm...=news.quirkies
The following is taken from the story:
Although worthless to the army the ancient tank is worth a fortune to collectors, especially to far-right extremists who are keen to snap up anything to do with the war.
As a collector myself and most certainly not a far right extremist I wonder how long your reporter spent researching the type of person who collects Third Reich militaria, because he/she would have found out that the statement above is grossly inaccurate and insulting.
Again, I quote from your article:
A huge black market in war-time memorabilia exists, fuelled mainly by the neo-Nazis who want to get their hands on anything connected with the Third Reich.
There is no 'huge' black market for wartime memorabilia and therefore not fuelled by Neo-Nazis. I object to the manner in which this story unfairly reflects and wrongly stereotypes upon anyone who collects items from the Third Reich era.
The comments above are misguided, unprofessional, unresearched and reek of sensationalism to try and put an extra twist into a story that didn't really need it.
I object in the strongest possible terms to being bracketed with 'far right extremists' and the 'Neo Nazis' and would like to hear your thoughts and comments regarding this matter and whether you can substansiate the claims made in the report.
I look forward to your reply and retraction of the incorrect statements made in your article.
Regards,

[Jack T]

Anybody notice anything strange about this news article? There is no author nor affiliation with a news wire like the usual legitimate articles?

Also I did a quick google and could find no other articles about smuggling a tank except the Ananova one. As catchy as that headline is you would think the legitimate news wires would pick up that story. Ananova, an off shoot website, known for it's odd stories is the only one to publish it??

Something doesn't smell right.....

[Will Brown]

Anybody notice anything strange about this news article? There is no author nor affiliation with a news wire like the usual legitimate articles?

Also I did a quick google and could find no other articles about smuggling a tank except the Ananova one. As catchy as that headline is you would think the legitimate news wires would pick up that story. Ananova, an off shoot website, known for it's odd stories is the only one to publish it??

Something doesn't smell right.....

Take your pick

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=...rman+tank&meta=

I have been going thought them trying to find one showing a picture of the tank in question but alas, no luck.

And if you want something more legitimate, try "The Australian"...

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...-12377,00.html