The following snippet appeared in the German newspaper Die Welt on 14 March 2002.
"Scharping agains re-instituting the Iron Cross
Defence Minister Rudolf Scharping is against re-instituting the Iron Cross as a bravery award for German forces serving overseas. This has been revealed in a letter from the Ministry to CDU Member of Parliament Martin Homann. The letter says that the Ehrenzeichen der Bundeswehr can already be used to honour outstanding individual efforts. Homann, who is lobbying for a reintroduction of the Iron Cross, said that the government obviously wasn't ready to take such a step. However, he told Die Welt that "the Cross is definitely on its way". "
This, from one Ulrich F. RĂ¼del (any relation?), was published in Die Welt on 20 March 2002.
"The Iron Cross will return
If Minister Scharping is refusing to re-institute the Iron Cross on the grounds that the Ehrenzeichen der Bundeswehr can already be used to honour outstanding individual efforts, he is undoubtedly correct. According to the regulations instituting this award, "the Ehrenzeichen der Bundeswehr can be awarded for exemplary performance of duty and outstanding individual efforts". In the past, it has often been awarded on such grounds (rescuing someone who was drowning, pulling the occupants out of a burning vehicle etc). But he fact is that you cannot tell from the award whether it was bestowed for exemplary performance of duty in day to day service, or for an outstanding individual effort. It is also a fact that there is a big difference between this and doing what is required while under enemy fire. Only a few years ago, no one would have reckoned on German forces serving on active duty out of area, so the question of an award for bravery would not have arisen. We now need a rethink. I share Herr Homann's optimistic view that the Iron Cross is on its way."
Get in line all you Iron Cross collectors! I'm sure the "rare prototype" will appear on an ebay near you very soon.
On a serious note, do bear in mind that the German forces in Afghanistan have already taken casualties.
"Scharping agains re-instituting the Iron Cross
Defence Minister Rudolf Scharping is against re-instituting the Iron Cross as a bravery award for German forces serving overseas. This has been revealed in a letter from the Ministry to CDU Member of Parliament Martin Homann. The letter says that the Ehrenzeichen der Bundeswehr can already be used to honour outstanding individual efforts. Homann, who is lobbying for a reintroduction of the Iron Cross, said that the government obviously wasn't ready to take such a step. However, he told Die Welt that "the Cross is definitely on its way". "
This, from one Ulrich F. RĂ¼del (any relation?), was published in Die Welt on 20 March 2002.
"The Iron Cross will return
If Minister Scharping is refusing to re-institute the Iron Cross on the grounds that the Ehrenzeichen der Bundeswehr can already be used to honour outstanding individual efforts, he is undoubtedly correct. According to the regulations instituting this award, "the Ehrenzeichen der Bundeswehr can be awarded for exemplary performance of duty and outstanding individual efforts". In the past, it has often been awarded on such grounds (rescuing someone who was drowning, pulling the occupants out of a burning vehicle etc). But he fact is that you cannot tell from the award whether it was bestowed for exemplary performance of duty in day to day service, or for an outstanding individual effort. It is also a fact that there is a big difference between this and doing what is required while under enemy fire. Only a few years ago, no one would have reckoned on German forces serving on active duty out of area, so the question of an award for bravery would not have arisen. We now need a rethink. I share Herr Homann's optimistic view that the Iron Cross is on its way."
Get in line all you Iron Cross collectors! I'm sure the "rare prototype" will appear on an ebay near you very soon.
On a serious note, do bear in mind that the German forces in Afghanistan have already taken casualties.
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