Germany Hails First Invite to D-Day Ceremonies; "so-called D-Day landing"

Reuters ^ | 01/02/04 | Philip Blenkinsop

[Pikamax]

Germany Hails First Invite to D-Day Ceremonies Fri January 2, 2004 11:15 AM ET

By Philip Blenkinsop BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany Friday hailed its first invitation to attend ceremonies for the D-Day landings 60 years ago, when Allied forces stormed ashore in northern France in World War II.

"It is a sign of enormous significance 60 years after the so-called D-Day landing of Allied forces in Normandy that not only the victorious powers, but also the former adversary, should be invited," government spokesman Thomas Steg said.

Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will be the first German leader to attend a commemoration of the June 1944 D-Day landings after being invited by French President Jacques Chirac.

The ceremony marks the Allied campaign launched at dawn on June 6, 1944, to storm the Normandy beaches at the start of the campaign to drive Nazi forces from France.

Thousands were killed in the operation, but the invasion, led by Americans, British and Canadian troops, hastened the end for Hitler's armies, already reeling before a Soviet onslaught.

France refrained from inviting then Chancellor Helmut Kohl to the high-profile 50th anniversary.

"You will recall the discussions 10 years ago after Germany was not invited," Steg said. "It is a sign that times have really changed."

He said the gesture was a further sign that the post-war era was being consigned to history.

A spokeswoman for Chirac said the invitation reflected a spirit of reconciliation and peace.

Germany was also pleased the other former Allied powers in World War II appeared to welcome Schroeder's presence, he said.

Ties between the German and French leaders have warmed in the past year, affirmed by their joint opposition, along with Russia, to the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

A year ago, German MPs visited France for 40th anniversary celebrations of the Elysee Treaty which sealed their post-war reconciliation.

This year's D-Day anniversary will take place shortly after Schroeder's own 60th birthday. Born on April 7, 1944, he was two months old when the Allied landings took place. He never knew his father, who was killed in action in Romania not long after he was born.

[Chi-townChief]

It seems like France and Germany are overdue for another D-Day to knock some sense back into them.

[Wissa]

Is France going to be using the ceremony as an opportunity to denounce British and American aggression?

[pepsionice]

I'm betting that France uses the chance to 'build bridges' and denounce ugly thugs who attempt to take over countries (hitting on Hitler, but also slaming GW at the same time). While it may be a golden media opportunity....I think at least 5,000 Americans will be there and this may turn into a booing session with Chirac in shock that no French men stood up against the Americans.

[Gritty]

Actually, this is the second time Germany was invited to D-Day Ceremonies.

The first time, in 1944, they didn't get to stay very long.

[Savage Beast]

The Germans should be invited to the D-Day celebrations. It marks the beginning of the liberation of Germany from the hideous scourge of Naziism, which today's Germans have overwhelmingly repudiated.

A significant number of Germans opposed the Nazis when they were in power. Marlene Dietrich comes to mind.

A German woman stayed in our home during the war. She had fled the Nazis, and repudiated them then. My mother said to her chldren: "There are many good Germans who hate Hitler." The woman agreed.

[wvnavyvet]

Actually, France is going to use the occasion to announce to the world how they have conquered modern day Germany. It should be very interesting to watch the Germans do as the Frence tell them. If the Soviet Union ever rises up they can count on having a satellite along the English channel. That's another issue, since France is larger than England, it should the Frence Channel or Bay of Frogs.

[CWOJackson]

"Germany Hails First Invite to D-Day Ceremonies"

Actually, I think we invited them to the original ceremonies.

[wvnavyvet]

Yea, but they were rather beligerant then too.

[CWOJackson]

The French or the Germans?

[wvnavyvet]

I was thinking the Germans but now that I think about it, it's hard to say. The thing about the Frence is they wait until it almost too obvious which side is going to win before they choose sides. I guess that's what Frence resistance means.

[CWOJackson]

But in all fairness I'm sure it will be a touching ceremony for the old comrades. There will be French veterans of the Waffen SS Charlemagne Division standing next to their German comrades recalling their defense of Berlin, French veterans of the North Africa landings where they valiantly defended their German allies flank from our invasion...what could be more special then the bonding of old war allies.

[wvnavyvet]

I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it; imagine them waving the Frence flag in one hand and Nazi Germany flags in the other.

[Hugin]

I thought they invited themselves.

[CWOJackson]

I think you're right...we were just party crashers.

[maxwellp]

Marlene Dietrich wanted to be buried in Germany. When her coffin arrived there it was covered with an American Flag.

[Billthedrill]

Both the German and the French governments had better be very, very careful about this most explosive issue. The actual veteran attendees are rather unlikely to appreciate modern-day political antics being performed on this solemn and hallowed ground, and I'm thinking that the French veterans and the French citizens of Ste. Mere Eglise are far more likely to lynch a few insensitive politicians than even their American, British, and Canadian guests.

[sheik yerbouty]

They have formed "The Pact of Quiche".

[Prodigal Son]

"so called D-Day landings"

Effing Reuters!

[Smartass]