Here’s my favorite New York Times headline of the
week:
France: German Troops Welcomed
It was placed atop this
AP blurb:
STRASBOURG, France (AP) — For the first time since World War II,
German combat troops are being stationed in France, part of a
conscious effort to show the two EU powers have forever buried
former hatreds.
A German battalion in a French-German military brigade
officially took up arms Friday at a symbolism-rich ceremony in
eastern France attended by the two countries’ defense
ministers.
The 6,000-strong French-German Brigade was created in 1989. But
until this year German combat troops had never been stationed in
France, though French ones had been posted at bases in Germany — a
legacy of the allies’ postwar occupation.
Yes, well, the legacy. But that was then, this is now.
Good luck with the ongoing rapprochement, nations!
toadold| 12.14.10 @ 10:50AM
After watching that youtube vidio of an Austrian BOZ politician doing a takedown of the Turkish ambassador in the Austrian legislature, it might be that Germany is forming an alliance with France to stave off an invasion and takeover by Austria. You'll know it is serious if Austria forms and alliance with Hungary and Italy.
solidground| 12.14.10 @ 11:22AM
And so it's come to this: France deports Gypsies and invites in the Germans. Apparently, rich cooking has brought about a disruption in blood flow to France's national brainpan.
irish19| 12.14.10 @ 11:30AM
"But until this year German combat troops had never been stationed in France"
At least not recently.
Eric Cartman| 12.14.10 @ 11:34AM
This should work out well.
Grzmlyk| 12.14.10 @ 1:07PM
Gee, wasn't that the headline in Le Monde on May 10, 1940?
Je me rends à nouveau.
Deja vu, s'il vous plait.
paul| 12.14.10 @ 4:15PM
Does Grzmlyk meant : "I keep my brain on my bout ."?
Paul| 12.14.10 @ 4:19PM
BTW Le Monde did'nt exist in 1940 , show of your perfect knowledge of what you are talking about...as usual with your lot.
njcommuter| 12.14.10 @ 1:48PM
What good will it possibly do to put German troops in France? Put them in Afghanistan along the Pakistani border. Put them in South Korea on the tripwire (as long as we keep it up). Put them in Iraq on the border with Iran. Put them in Haiti, for heaven's sake and let them plant some trees and protect them from charcoal-burners. But don't send them on what is effectively a holiday in France!
Lullabys, Legends and Lies| 12.14.10 @ 6:21PM
"For the first time since World War II, German combat troops are being stationed in France",... five minutes later the French surrendered!! How things change, and yet the stay the same.
Pelligrino| 12.15.10 @ 12:45AM
njcommuter, best post of the day. You win the award! Seriously.
It is a major funding and logistical effort even to move facilities, vehicles, the necessary maintenance equipment, and so on. No small undertaking. Great expense.
And, you are pretty close to the mark for that part of France as a vacation zone. It is! Some of the best weather you can find. And the best of both lands, right on the border.
But that is not what a military is to do.
It dulls a trooper's mind and skills REAL fast. (if he ever had them to begin with)
The Germans AND French need to put far more skin in the game. Yes, Germans need to be on the South/North Korean border. They have a lot of experience with a divided nation. And the Italians, Dutch, Belgians, Danes, Portugese, Spanish...? Greeks?
They enjoy 65 years of freedom, liberties, and every opportunity to prosper...due to US/Brit overwatch. Longest period of peace in Europe's history.
Do they not think it time to return that favor to others? Or are they that shallow?
We really do have terrific allies.