The SS was seen by Russian speakers
A Facebook user recently pointed this out. He posted a photo on his account, in which the building with an unusual design was photographed from above.
Its shape seems to resemble four connected stylized lightning bolts or two SS marks.
“Design of NATO headquarters near the Vatican.” Doesn’t it remind you of anything?” – gracefully commented internet users.
Screenshot from Facebook/Internet users saw the abbreviation SS on the form of the NATO headquarters
Although he didn’t say it directly, it was clear that he was referring to the letters SS – protection Squad (German Protection Squad) abbreviation of the name. It was a paramilitary organization born out of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler’s volunteer bodyguard unit, and eventually who carried out the Holocaust.
Similar photos and comments can also be found in other social networks, on various websites. For example, the Russian one established in Greece page Athens News in the English version. “In a way, the design is reminiscent of something painfully familiar,” the short message begins.
Ji quoted and on the Russian website Moldova News. Both texts are illustrated by the same photo, in which a part of the building’s roof is colored red to highlight the alleged letters SS, and which was shared by the aforementioned Lithuanian.
“Athens News” provided some information about the construction of the headquarters: it took place in 2010-2015, the cost of the works grew up from 750 million up to 11 billion euro, building inaugurated in 2017and the project was overseen by the Belgian Ministry of Defense and army engineers, “who were clearly inspired “Flemish SS Legion”.
The Moldavian page develops this narrative more. Reminded that “Armed SS” a military unit made up of Belgian volunteers participated in World War II on the side of Nazi Germany, fought on the Eastern Front, and suffered heavy losses.
NATO has been looking for Nazis for a long time
Similar interpretations have been shared for some time. There are them after denying fact-checking website Snopes. Commemorating the Nazis along with NATO is a favorite propaganda narrative.
Also read: Despite ties to the Nazis – to important positions: how did these individuals rise to the top?
More than one year on the Internet various collages are distributedwhich show people in Nazi uniforms, sometimes even standing next to Adolf Hitler, and the same people who are understood to be in important positions in international or other organizations.
Belonging to the Nazi German army and participating in the war did not prevent these individuals occupy important positions In NATO and other international organizations, such a message accompanies the photos.
Also read: Before the NATO event – the myth about the Nazis in the Alliance: why the soldiers of the Wehrmacht had such a career
Connections are actively being sought at the present time in Europe and in the wars taking place next to it. By showing images from Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Afghanistan, NATO is juxtaposed with the Nazis.
The post tries to create the impression that NATO was created by the Nazis
Also read: Did not count in biographies: again looking for Nazi figures among the people who created NATO
But these parallels are misleading. Although the people in the collages did indeed fight in World War II on the side of Nazi Germany, they only served in the army and did not belong to the party. One of them joined the army thinking about the path of a scientist, another even sought to kill Adolf Hitler, the third managed to hide his past for many years.
Therefore, it is impossible to state unequivocally that Nazis were appointed to important positions. Understanding and appreciating the twists and turns of these people’s careers requires a context that is not usually provided.
The image depends on the angle
The same applies to the NATO building (here you can take a virtual walk around the interior) – it is shown photographed from a certain angle and highlighting what you want to see.
Photo by Marc Detiffe. / nato.int/New NATO headquarters
New headquarters construction was planned at the turn of the century. Buildings of various designs were offered. Competition won Project developed by SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill) and + Assar Architects (British, American and Belgian consortium).
True, the image of the building in the drawings was somewhat different. It was supposed to consist of parallel elongated blocks – four longer ones and three shorter ones connecting them.
The idea of the project was kept, but in its entirety building form how much has changed – in the end, eight identical blocks lined up opposite each other and connected by a zipper appeared.
Their computer model was made public back in 2010. after making construction contract. This picture is also distributed, on the roof except broadcast SS.
A supposedly lightning-shaped SS can be seen when looking at the building from above at a certain angle. Otherwise, the structure from above may resemble, for example, a zipper, the tines of a fork, etc.
NATO representatives according to, the shape of the headquarters resembles interlocking fingers. It symbolizes organizational unity and cooperation.
15min verdict: missing context. The new NATO headquarters is not SS-shaped – these letters are only visible when looking at the building from above at a certain angle. The organization’s alleged ties to the Nazis is a popular propaganda narrative.
The publication was prepared in 15 minutes in partnership with Metait aims to stop the spread of misleading news on the social network. More about the program and its rules – here
Source: www.15min.lt
