Last German World War I Veteran Dies
THE last German WWI veteran is dead:
The last surviving German army veteran of World War I is reported to have died in Hanover, aged 107. No official confirmation was available nor is it ever likely to be. Germany keeps no official records on its veterans from the two world wars.
Dr. Erich Kästner, who was born on March 10, 1900, died on January 1, 2008, according to an announcement posted by his family in the Hannoversche Allgemeine newspaper.
Bernhard Chiari, spokesman for German army’s Military Research Institute, says: “Any form of commemoration of military events is seen as problematic here. Our veterans only take part in public ceremonies when they are invited abroad to join commemorative events with veterans from other countries. World War I is seen as part of a historical line that led to World War II. You can’t equate the two but there is much debate about it.”
Posted: 23rd, January 2008 | In: Reviews Comment (1) | TrackBack | Permalink
