Czech Soldiers Suspended for Nazi Insignia

(AP)  Two Czech soldiers were suspended along with their commander Monday after the soldiers were seen wearing Nazi insignia on their helmets while serving with the NATO-led force in Afghanistan.

Defense Minister Martin Bartak said it was "unacceptable" that two soldiers had reportedly worn symbols of World War II Nazi SS divisions on their helmets while serving in Logar province, in central Afghanistan.

In an interview with the Mlada Fronta Dnes daily, one of the men in question said his behavior was silly and caused by stress. He was shown in a photo wearing a helmet painted with the letter H and a sword on it, an emblem of the Hohenstaufen SS division.

Their commander was suspended for allegedly knowing about the incident but failing to report it.

According to newspaper reports, the scandal was discovered by a diplomat who complained about it back in Prague.

Czech Republic has a 480-strong unit that serves with the NATO-led force in Afghanistan.

"I am sorry this casts a shadow over the entire unit which otherwise is doing a great job," Bartak said.

In a separate case, another professional Czech soldier was fired from the army Monday for belonging to a right-wing extremist group, said Andrej Cirtek, a defense ministry spokesman.

[YrStillWrong]

I'm surprised that the swastika isn't as popular in Aghanistan as it is in Palestine and Gaza. After all, Hitler's favorite Grand Mufti came from the region (which the Grand Mufti considered part of Syria.)

[6591Hou]

Nazi sympathizers continue to disregard history and keep trying to reanimate the decayed corpse of the third reich - a stupid and self-destructive period where Germany marched lock-step with a madman into complete chaos and ruin and gained absolutely nothing.

[krmopilci]

There is a city in Serbia (Kragujevac) where Germans killed 7.000 man and boys as a retribution for 70 dead German soldiers,in October of 1941.I have been at the hills made of their bones(surrounding is flat).They still have a traffic sign at the entrances to the town: "Germans not welcome".

[babooph]

This will get shut up if they are sent home-US guys not getting out may try it too!

[scubbasteve01]

Somebody might want to educate these FOOLS about crimes against humanity and how those crimes still occur in these days and times. HELLO?

[toldyouso21]

Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The fact is, to wear something like that is akin to an affiliation with like sentiments. it is not just about being sensitive or respectful, if a person is not for the wholesale obliteration of races just because they are different, then they don't indulge in anything like this. The fact that some actually belonged to right wing extremist groups says it all--these are probably closet Nazis, who wanted to cause a sensation by wearing such horrible uniforms.And no the Nazis never had the best looking uniforms ever--that is just the tripe of a sycophant--they simply had uniforms which still inspire horror, dread and terror based on what they did not only to the Jews but to everyone including other Germans. Mejordelahistoria appears to admire mayhem and evil--such as it was and if some like these soldiers have their way--could be again. Sickening.

[krmopilci]

I still see symbols of slavery in the South.Many people wear those 'south flag' bandanas or stickers on their trucks.I know that nazism was million times worse,but it is still an insult to people of color.(I am white,by the way)

[mejordelahistoria]

the nazis had the best looking uniforms and the best insignias ever.

[RedWings_ninety_one]

The swastika used to mean peace and prosperity until the Nazi's got a hold of it. I belive if they hadn't had the SS symbol, then they should've been fine. Mabe even try to restore what it used to represent.