GERMANY held its first Veterans Day since the second world war yesterday, as the government seeks to militarise society, supposedly because of the threat posed by Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

Celebrations of German veterans have been taboo for decades because of the atrocities committed by the Wehrmacht in the second world war, although Nazi veterans were incorporated into the West German military and Hitler’s chief of staff Adolf Heusinger even became chair of the Nato military alliance in the 1960s.

German troops started their first permanent military deployment abroad since World War II last month, in Lithuania bordering Russia. They have formed part of coalitions fighting wars on behalf of the United States in recent years, including in Afghanistan.

Army-themed events were held across Germany. New National Veterans Office chief Lieutenant Colonel Michael Krause told the Financial Times, “There won’t be tanks and there won’t be fighter jets. We’re not there yet. But we’re taking a really good first step.”

Former BSW MP Sevim Dagdelen told the Morning Star: ”The Veterans Day has nothing to do with honouring veterans, but is rather part of a mental preparation for war. The federal government aims to transform Germany into a military state through rearmament and the reintroduction of compulsory military service. 

”According to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the Bundeswehr is to become the ’strongest army in Europe.’ It is no coincidence that Veterans Day is being officially commemorated for the first time since World War II, and that this is happening right now.”