Reply to post: Re: "hysterical shit about Prince Harry "dressing as a Nazi","

Re: "hysterical shit about Prince Harry "dressing as a Nazi","

I find it best on the whole to avoid either making people prisoners of their history or otherwise stereotyping them.

As the old saying goes, those that ignore history are condemned to repeat it. Or sometimes try and ignore it. Like Ukraine's far-right problems, which may have influenced the Chernobyl show if they were relying on Ukraine's co-operation given I think it's still illegal in Ukraine to show Russia in a positive light. And it's also currently fashionable to demonise Russia, so it's all good. Or as the interview with the Russian General showed, just exagerated for dramatic effect. Naked, sweaty miners being one example, but presumably producer's choice.

German (and Russian) history during Hitler & Stalin's time being important parts of the whole 'never forget' thing.. Like the rivalry/animosity between the professional and traditional Wermacht and the NSDAP's goon squads. Or how the NSDAP resolved internal differences, ie the Night of the Long Knives where the SA were elimated. Or how the SS morphed from being a bunch of thugs & prison guards detaining undesirables 'for their own protection' into having it's own tank regiments, and priority over Wermacht units.. Which is another of those odd historical parallels, ie Ukraine's 'militias' being folded into Ukraine's official military.

Or the old adage about not interfering when your enemy's making mistakes. The allies were helped by Hitler and his cronies ignoring advice from more professional & experienced commanders.. But hindered by Stalin's Great Purge of his officers & NCOs. Replacing competent commanders with more politically reliable ones wasn't the greatest strategic decision. Or smaller decisions, like the sad tale around Oskar Dirlewanger. Having a bunch of poachers-turned-jaeger troops might have seemed like a good idea, but not when it was commanded by Dirlewanger, who met and exceeded any definition of 'evil'.. Given the Wola Massacre though, explains why Poland isn't too keen on Ukraine's paramilitaries who regard Dirlewanger and other Nazis as 'heroes'. Politics is strange like that, as is figuring out why Dirlewanger's boss wasn't executed for obvious war crimes.

But such is history.. It's written by the victors, and re-imagined to ignore the heroism and sacrifices made by the people involved in dealing with the Chernobyl disaster. Interesting times for Ukraine's new President though.