Also an American Indian sun symbol. The 45th Infantry Division (Oklahoma - the former Indian Territory - National Guard) was forced to change its insignia to the Thunderbird just before WWII.
The Waffen SS did have a "Hindu Legion" of ex-POW's for propaganda purposes...some might have actually have had real Aryan ancestors given where the Aryans originated and some migrated to (Punjab and Northen India).
Col Beausaber is right. When I was last in Albuquerque (early 1990s) I was in the old courthouse building. The new courthouse is a 1960s era building done in the then popular "Ugly as all Hell Modern" style. The old courthouse is a product of the Roosvelt Administration WPA, and done in a "Pueblo Revival" style that is beautiful. It is now used to house Federal Bureaucrats of some species or another. (I think it was where the Judges had their offices.)
In any case, inside the atrium, is (or was when I was there) a solid brass railing made in a swastika motiff. It was about waist high and made up of about 3 inch by 3 inch swastikas. Must have been several hundred of them. I admit it was a bit of a suprise to see that in a New Mexico courthouse.
It was a traditional Viking symbol too - that's where the Nazis got it from.
After WWI and before he became a Nazi bigwig, Goering was a sort of peripatetic airborne chauffeur. In the early 20's he was bumming around Sweden gave one Count Eric von Rosen a lift home. Due to bad weather he was forced to stay the night and saw the motif carved into the chimney breast in von Rosen's front room. Finding it had Viking mystical roots (von Rosen was into that sort of thing) he pinched the idea and punted it to Hitler (who was also fixated on Nordic mysticism).
Oddly enough, von Rosen had earlier donated aircraft to the fledgling Finnish Airforce during their war for independence from the Soviet Union. The aircraft were decorated with the swastika because it was von Rosen's personal badge. That's why right up to the end of the second world war Finnish aircraft bore blue swastika roundels on a white background. Even today badges from some Finnish veteran's organisations and medals bear the blue swastika.
Goering later married von Rosen's cousin, Carin von Kantzow, btw.
Well, that's enough historical trivia, someone has to keep the wheels of industry turning, and today, that someone is me.
Goering's nephew, Carl Gustaf Von Rosen, made quite a reputation for himself as an airborne soldier of fortune 1940-1977, possibly in reaction to the Nazi politics of his father, Eric, and aunt(which is how Carl semmed to refer to her).
"Count Carl Gustaf Ericsson von Rosen (August 19, 1909 – July 13, 1977) was a Swedish pioneer aviator. He flew relief missions in a number of conflicts and well as combat missions for Finland and Biafran rebels. His flights for the Biafran rebels were notable for using the small Malmö MFI-9 in a ground attack role."
He entered England in 1940 with the intention of joining the RAF. His attempt was turned do0wn due to security concerns.
I have a copy of Kipling's Barracks Room Ballards from the 1920's that has a distinct Swastica motif in the binding borders. A very indian-English book.
Comments
Buddhist, too.
Posted by: D.W. Drang | November 24, 2009 11:21 PM
We saw them all over the place around Bangalore, in just about all the villages and towns.
I mean the swastika, of course. We KNOW there are a lot of Indians all over the place around Bangalore.
Posted by: Kim du Toit | November 25, 2009 2:33 PM
Indians in Bangalore? Whoda' thunk it?
Posted by: Hauptmann Harris | November 25, 2009 4:15 PM
Also an American Indian sun symbol. The 45th Infantry Division (Oklahoma - the former Indian Territory - National Guard) was forced to change its insignia to the Thunderbird just before WWII.
The Waffen SS did have a "Hindu Legion" of ex-POW's for propaganda purposes...some might have actually have had real Aryan ancestors given where the Aryans originated and some migrated to (Punjab and Northen India).
Col Beausaber
Posted by: beausaber | November 25, 2009 4:17 PM
Col Beausaber is right. When I was last in Albuquerque (early 1990s) I was in the old courthouse building. The new courthouse is a 1960s era building done in the then popular "Ugly as all Hell Modern" style. The old courthouse is a product of the Roosvelt Administration WPA, and done in a "Pueblo Revival" style that is beautiful. It is now used to house Federal Bureaucrats of some species or another. (I think it was where the Judges had their offices.)
In any case, inside the atrium, is (or was when I was there) a solid brass railing made in a swastika motiff. It was about waist high and made up of about 3 inch by 3 inch swastikas. Must have been several hundred of them. I admit it was a bit of a suprise to see that in a New Mexico courthouse.
Posted by: Brendan Kelly | November 25, 2009 8:07 PM
It was a traditional Viking symbol too - that's where the Nazis got it from.
After WWI and before he became a Nazi bigwig, Goering was a sort of peripatetic airborne chauffeur. In the early 20's he was bumming around Sweden gave one Count Eric von Rosen a lift home. Due to bad weather he was forced to stay the night and saw the motif carved into the chimney breast in von Rosen's front room. Finding it had Viking mystical roots (von Rosen was into that sort of thing) he pinched the idea and punted it to Hitler (who was also fixated on Nordic mysticism).
Oddly enough, von Rosen had earlier donated aircraft to the fledgling Finnish Airforce during their war for independence from the Soviet Union. The aircraft were decorated with the swastika because it was von Rosen's personal badge. That's why right up to the end of the second world war Finnish aircraft bore blue swastika roundels on a white background. Even today badges from some Finnish veteran's organisations and medals bear the blue swastika.
Goering later married von Rosen's cousin, Carin von Kantzow, btw.
Well, that's enough historical trivia, someone has to keep the wheels of industry turning, and today, that someone is me.
Posted by: The Remittance Man | November 26, 2009 7:05 AM
Goering's estate was named Karinhall in memory of his wife, who died in 1931.
http://www.rockelstad.se/bilder/karin_goering.jpg
Goering's nephew, Carl Gustaf Von Rosen, made quite a reputation for himself as an airborne soldier of fortune 1940-1977, possibly in reaction to the Nazi politics of his father, Eric, and aunt(which is how Carl semmed to refer to her).
http://dethroner.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/van_rosen.jpg
"Count Carl Gustaf Ericsson von Rosen (August 19, 1909 – July 13, 1977) was a Swedish pioneer aviator. He flew relief missions in a number of conflicts and well as combat missions for Finland and Biafran rebels. His flights for the Biafran rebels were notable for using the small Malmö MFI-9 in a ground attack role."
He entered England in 1940 with the intention of joining the RAF. His attempt was turned do0wn due to security concerns.
Col Beausaber
Posted by: beausaber | November 26, 2009 7:45 AM
I have a copy of Kipling's Barracks Room Ballards from the 1920's that has a distinct Swastica motif in the binding borders. A very indian-English book.
Posted by: Rhys | November 27, 2009 11:18 AM
I never knew the Polish Podhale Rifles wore a badge incorporating a swastika before the war. I bet it was quickly changed.
Posted by: Gallimaufry | November 29, 2009 5:28 PM