The Spirit of Potsdam

Date of original report 28 July 2003
Translated 2nd August 2003

POTSDAM near Berlin may well become headquarters for worldwide military operations under EU leadership within the facility of the German "Operational Leadership Command" . This location is a symbol of Prussian militarism and of Germany's climb to the status of a Great European Power.

The "Operational Leadership Command" has been established in Potsdam-Geltow near Berlin since July 2001. It plans and controls operations of all German fighting forces, whether national or international, and so corresponds to the earlier German "General Staff"(*1). Amongst other things it houses the German-Dutch Operations and Coordination Centre for the International Protection Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.

According to the wish of the German military, the Headquarters of the future EU Rapid Reaction Force would be in the old buildings of the Operational Leadership Command and the Bundeswehr would have a more modern operational centre. There are current EU operations in Macedonia and the Congo. Next year the EU will take over in Bosnia Herzegovina and military operations in Moldavia are presently under consideration.

"VALHALLA"

The likely site of the future EU military Headquarters is a symbol of Prussian and German militarism. After the "Wars of Liberation"(*2) at the beginning of the 19th century and the "Reich Unification War" of 1870/71 (*3), the Potsdam garrison church received the dedicated war trophies of the Prussian army (amongst them some 200 French, Danish and Austrian standards and regimental colours(*4)) and so was developed into a sort of "Valhalla" of the Prussian-German ascent to world power status. In 1914 the garrison church became the symbolic point of farewell for the departing troops.

Because of the Prussian myth of Potsdam it was chosen as the place for the founding of the Third Reich. The Nazis used the "spirit of Potsdam" to place their movement within the Prussian tradition and those of middle class Conservatism.

Notes

(*1) After the First World War, Germany was forbidden to have the "Great General Staff" which had been so potent in aggressive militarism. Its functions were disguised under the name "Truppenamt" - literally "Troops' Office". The new title appears to be in this tradition.

(*2) Against the French under Napoleon Bonaparte.

(*3) Known outside Germany as the Franco-Prussian War

(*4) Whilst old regimental colours are often laid up in British churches, they are not places for the display of captured enemy colours. This shows the difference in tradition.

SEE ALSO
(On www.german-foreign-policy.com in German)
Erstmals nach 1945: Deutscher Generalstab in Aktion (First time since 1945: German General Staff in Action)*
EU Stratgie "Preventivkriege" weltweit (EU Strategy "Preventive Wars" worldwide) *
Testlauf fuer europaeische Militaermacht (Test run for EU Military Power)*
Bundeswehr: Beteiligung am Kongo-Einsatz (Bundeswehr participation in Congo Operation)*
Berlin uebernimmt taktische Fuehrung der Afghanistan- Schutztruppe (Berlin takes over tactical command of Afghanistan Protection Force)*
Deutscher Diplomat fordert Ausweitung des Mandats (German diplomat demands widening of mandate)*
Denkmal fuer Preussiche Militaers;" Die Baende des Vorurtiels loesen "
(Memorial for Prussian Military: dissolving the bands of prejudice)*

SOURCE

GELTOW UNDER CONSIDERATION AS EU HEADQUARTERS; Maerkische Allgemeine 16.7.2003