Finishing up the section of the museum dealing with the Second World War today, first we have this Sherman tank, one of the best all around tanks ever built. Canadian troops used this one during the Normandy campaign.
As this section of the museum concludes, there's a small tile on display, a tile from Hiroshima.
And another end of the war display. This captured Nazi flag, the symbol of evil itself walking the earth, contrasts sharply with the newspaper headlines and photos around it that rang out victory in Europe in 1945.
Tomorrow we conclude our look at the War Museum, running up to the current day. Then it's time to move onto other things.
Symbols can evoke a strong response. I cringed when that last photo, even though it's just a photo of an exhibit and half a century removed from the horrors of Nazi Germany.
ReplyDeleteI think the vast majority of people alive today- aside from those who believe in those racist ideas- feel the same way about that flag. It's the first time I photographed that wall, and perhaps the last time. Nazi beliefs constitute humanity at its most evil.
DeleteAll these artifacts remind me of the British War Museum in London. It's fascinating stuff, but very grim too.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is. That's another museum I'd like to see for myself.
DeleteHiroshima and Nagasaki, I shudder at the thought...
ReplyDeleteI remember Gerhard Schröder saying that it had been the liberation of Germany too (well, maybe not for the Russian part...)
It's such a small artifact, but I tend to shudder looking at that tile.
DeleteIt's actually a fair concept. We don't think about it too often, but there was resistance in Germany, as there was through the rest of Europe.
The Nazi flag is just as scary today as it must have been in the 30s and 40s. Sure Hitler is long gone, but there are still individuals today who share his disgusting thinking.
ReplyDeleteI remember some months back, walking into a public library for a computer booking, and seeing the screen as I settled in, where the guy booked ahead of me was still on. He was looking at a hate site. I felt disgusted. Someone like that would respond to that flag not with repugnance, but with pride.
ReplyDeleteThat tile gives me chills. Looks like quite an amazing exhibit, with some serious subjects!
ReplyDeleteVery much so.
Deletecollin just told me Anonymous hacked a neo-Nazi site and found a transcript of a conversation between their leader and Ron Paul....
ReplyDeleteWhy does that not surprise me?
DeleteThe fragment from Hiroshima sends chills up my spine. I think the debates over whether the ends justify the means are as relevant as ever.
ReplyDeleteThey are.
DeleteA sobering post for many reasons today, William.
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
DeleteI must show this series to my husband. You have documented well the exhibits. Back tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteHow I wish all war mementos were in museums and not still being made!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately they still are.
DeleteThe tile and the flag make me shudder, each in their own way.
ReplyDeleteAs they are meant to.
DeleteHave just found your blog and followed (A Bit about Britain) - looks great. Interesting museum pictures and comments - odd to think the swastika started as a symbol of good! Hope you make it to the Imperial War Museum in London one day.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I hope to as well.
Delete