Germany’s army is so under-equipped that it used broomsticks instead of machine guns

[FriendlyFire]

Germany’s army is so under-equipped that it used broomsticks instead of machine guns

The German army has faced a shortage of equipment for years, but the situation has recently become so precarious that some soldiers took matters into their own hands.

On Tuesday, German broadcaster ARD revealed that German soldiers tried to hide the lack of arms by replacing heavy machine guns with broomsticks during a NATO exercise last year. After painting the wooden sticks black, the German soldiers swiftly attached them to the top of armored vehicles, according to a confidential army report which was leaked to ARD.

The awkward revelation on Tuesday came at the worst possible moment for Germany's defense ministry. The same day, Ukraine's army was about to suffer a defeat in the town of Debaltseve, putting a renewed focus on the question whether Europe's NATO allies would be able to manage the crisis militarily – without an American intervention, if necessary.

To make matters worse, the broom-equipped German soldiers belong to a crucial, joint NATO task force and would be the first to be deployed in case of an attack. Opposition politicians have expressed concerns about Germany's ability to defend itself and other European allies, given that even some of the most elite forces lack basic equipment.

The lack of equipment does not come as a surprise to close observers of the German army. Last year, the parliamentary defense committee was informed that out of 89 German fighter jets, only 38 were ready for use. The list of damaged items also included helicopters, as well as a variety of weapons.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...-it-used-broomsticks-instead-of-machine-guns/

Not sure if too much schnapps or German is becoming too peaceful ?
Is of shameful, each year Germany has new years resolution which is the same as last year, of not starting another world war.

Germany should just build a few nuclear bombs and leave the army as weak and small, rather then re militarize.

And despite sniping from Washington and European powers that Germany should raise military spending, many Germans insist that, if they did, Berlin would only rekindle old fears. Already the dominant economic player on the continent, an expanded military role would perhaps cross an unspoken line.

Stop sniping at Germany please !

 

[Borachio]

I, for one, am not keen on seeing a well-equiped German, or Japanese, military. Some people are just too good at some things for their own good.

But of course circumstances are different today from how they were 80 years ago.

 

[Yeekim]

Germany prepares to brush enemies aside.

 

[Phrossack]

I, for one, am not keen on seeing a well-equiped German, or Japanese, military. Some people are just too good at some things for their own good.

But of course circumstances are different today from how they were 80 years ago.

Very different. There's no genetic German or Japanese ability to make war, and Germany today is quite pacifistic and anti-nationalistic to a degree that even I think is going a little too far. It's no threat to anyone.

Germany prepares to brush enemies aside.

...okay, I smirked.

 

[thecrazyscot]

A well-equipped Mongolian army would have you shaking in your boots, then.

 

[Samez]

I don't mind if Germany's military is small and has only small capacities as the German Force should be primarily defensive.

But Germany is spending the 3rd highest total amount of money in the EU but is still incapable of fulfilling it's primary role...
Most stuff is really absurd.... E.G. they had to refit the air filters of the PUMA as it violated work place regulations for pregnant women.
It is not possible to get the Eurohawk drone due to civil airspace regulations.
The delivery of the Tiger helos is still delayed as the requirements changed so often, with the result that there was no German attack helo support in the whole Afghanistan campaign.
The NH90's requirements/tasks were changed so often it is not possible the use the ramp in the back to load the helo, cause the ramp is not strong enough and so on....


All the politicians are doing is talking about replacing the G36 combat rifle due to a supposed lack of precision.
And the lack of kids daycare for the soldiers families...

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

I think they took the way an MG3 (cyclic ROF = 1200 RPM) would sweep away the opposition too literally.

 

[JollyRoger]

Hopefully they remember where the dustbin of history is located.

 

[Borachio]

"A new broom always sweeps clean".

I had one particular broom for over 30 years. In all that time it was never any trouble. I only ever had to replace the head occasionally, and the handle from time to time.

It was a largely decorative broom though. I used it mainly for leaning on, in my leisure time.

 

[Akka]

I, for one, am not keen on seeing a well-equiped German, or Japanese, military. Some people are just too good at some things for their own good.

I'm sad to be the one to tell you, but Japan actually already have a pretty big and well-equiped army.
Only usable on self-defense (for now, they are actually trying to expand the definition), but already well-equiped.

 

[classical_hero]

They are all witches.

 

[Samez]

And they spend about the same amount of money as Germany per year... Japan ~$48,6bn Germany~$48,8bn for 2013

 

[Narz]

Maybe they need a charismatic leader to get them up in arms...

 

[Traitorfish]

I'm suspicious. If you were secretly expanding your army, what better way to disguise than to fake an arms-shortage this embarrassing?

I expect Alsace-Lorraine to be in German hands by the end of the year.

 

[Tahuti]

I'm suspicious. If you were secretly expanding your army, what better way to disguise than to fake an arms-shortage this embarrassing?

I expect Alsace-Lorraine to be in German hands by the end of the year.

At least they refrained from calling their armoured vehicles 'Agricultural tractors'.

 

[kronic]

Germany should just build a few nuclear bombs and leave the army as weak and small, rather then re militarize.

That's what I've been saying for years.

 

[Oerdin]

How the mighty have fallen.

 

[gay_Aleks]

Maybe they need a charismatic leader to get them up in arms...

Angela Merkel with a plastic operation!