For respective days now, social media has been circulating information that white crosses painted on Ukrainian military vehicles were a mention to Nazi tank markings during planet War II. This communicative is besides promoted by authoritative Russian institutions. It aims to incite resentment towards the Ukrainian army and is in line with the propaganda that the Kremlin has been moving for years, that Nazis regulation in Kiev. However, there is no evidence of specified claims, and the analysis indicates that markings may have deeper historical meaning.
No evidence
More about our evaluation system:Especially eagerly the communicative about Nazi inspirations in vehicle marking promoted accounts known for spreading pro-Russian propaganda. An account can be utilized as an example Oil in Head on the Telegram. akin content can besides be found on Polish-speakingTwitter. A akin message is visible in the same average besides in English. Shortly thereafter, akin narratives began spreading to Russian state institutions, specified as the Russian Federation embassy in the UK, which in Tweet compared the appearance of Ukrainian markings to Balkenkreuz, an equilateral cross utilized by Wehrmacht.
Source: Twitter.comSymbol of the Equilateral Cross in Ukraine
The most crucial part of the above issue is what a white, equinomial cross matters to Ukrainians. This may be where the answer to the mystery of why the Armed Forces of Ukraine decided to usage this symbol. There is no evidence that the Ukrainian white crosses came from the markings utilized by the Wehrmacht.
Logistics and pragmatism
It is worth noting from the outset that even if there is simply a deeper meaning behind this sign, the fact of choosing specified a form alternatively than another form is most likely due to factors related to logistics. The parallel cross is very easy to paint with a form and does not require much effort. White paint is widely available, so you can easy and rapidly arrange large amounts of paint. This sign besides favors fast and easy recognition of vehicles, which is crucial during the offensive and not only. It besides differs sufficiently from Russian markings (“V”, “Z”, “O”) so that there are no mistakes. During the war pragmatism is highly important, so it can be the main reason for the choice of specified a designation by the personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Historical significance
The parallel cross is an crucial part of the symbolism of the Ukrainian state, which dates back to Cossack times. It was part of the crest founder the first Cossack Siča, Dmitri Wiśniowiecki, called Baja, the coat of arms of Korybut. It was on The banners of Zaporoška Się in the form of a white, equilateral cross whose arms extend at the ends.
I'm sorry. Source: Commons.wikimedia.orgA very akin cross can besides be seen on Cossack flag from the mid-17th century. It was captured by hetman Janusz Radziwiłła in 1651.
Cossack illness from the mid-17th century. Source: ArmémuseumThe parallel cross was besides an component of a discrimination received by soldiers of the Ukrainian People's Republic for their participation in the And the winter walk at the turn of 1919 and 1920. It took place under the command of Mikhail Omelianovich-Pawlenka, and its goal was to decision to the rear of the Red Army to begin guerrilla activities there. The troops were successful, and the full march is an crucial part of Ukrainian history. Here. You can see what this award looks like.
Cossack Cross in the emblems of Ukrainian institutions
The parallel cross is besides widely utilized in symbols of various institutions in the territory of Ukraine. Cossack cross (parallel with expanding arms at the ends) is used, among others, in the coat of arms Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, Armed Forces, Land troops, Navy and Air Force. It is so powerfully linked to military symbolism. Therefore, it should not be amazing that its requested version is placed on vehicles belonging to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Identification of Wehrmacht vehicles
It should be noted here that the communicative about white crosses spread on the Telegram does not mention precisely to the same cross (Balkenkreuz) which was presented by the Russian embassy. This is why we will discuss erstwhile German troops utilized circumstantial markings and what historical context they have reproduced photos from planet War II.
White Crosses
As we explained earlier, it is doubtful that Ukrainian troops usage a white cross in mention to markings on German tanks. The link is most likely unintentional, and the usage of this mark by Wehrmacht continued very briefly and is not commonly known in general consciousness, unlike Balkencreuze, who is clearly associated with Wehrmacht. There are many indications that the white cross was utilized due to historical connotations, reaching far deeper than planet War II. As discussed above. The claims about alleged Nazi roots of the symbol play with the propaganda narratives created by the Kremlin.
We entry on the Telegram, shared by the account Oil in Head, we can see a photograph of the German tank behind which the infantry is hidden. According to the author of the post, the photograph is from the large Patriotic War.
Source: telegram.orgIn fact, it is not true. photograph was done during the Warsaw fight in September 1939. We see Wehrmacht soldiers utilizing the Panzerkampfwagen II tank as a shield. full white crosses were painted on German vehicles only during the execution of the plan Fall Weiss (translated by the White Option), that is the invasion of Poland by the 3rd Reich. Below we besides present another Example its usage in September 1939. In later stages of the war, German land troops began to usage Balkenkreuz, giving up a one-colour white cross. You can see this on the second of the following photographswhich came from the invasion of France in May 1940 (plan Fall Gelb — crowd. Yellow variant).
German armored troops over Brda, early September 1939. Source: Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-1976-071-36/CC-BY-SA 3.0
Panzer II (visible Balkenkreuz) and Panzer I in May 1940 during the invasion of France. Source: Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-382-0248-33A Böcker CC-BY-SA 3.0Great Patriotic War
The word large Patriot War, which is utilized to spread these narratives, refers to the war between the 3rd Reich and the USSR (June 1941 – May 1945). It is primarily utilized by Russian historiography and has a strong propaganda dimension. This would point to the fact that the duplicate content is linked to the Cremlow propaganda.
The word large Patriotic War was created by russian propaganda on the basis of what used against Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812 (National War). Dr. hab. Grzegorz Berendt, associate prof. at the University of Gdańsk and manager of the Museum of the Second planet War in Gdańsk during his interview for Wprost magazine:
“Beyond Russia, it is widely assumed in historiography that planet War II began in September 1939, with the German attack on Poland. This word is not a convenient period in the Russian historical narrative, as the Soviets joined the attack on Poland on 17 September. Thus, the 3rd Reich's aggressive actions towards the russian Union began on 22 June 1941. The word "Great Patriotic War" was coined by russian propaganda to guarantee that this oppressed nation – or, more specifically, a multinational society – tried to unite under 1 banner, i.e. the slogan "homeland". The love of the homeland was intended to cover the memory of the crimes committed by the Bolsheviks on their own society from the fall of 1917 until the summertime of 1941 and at the same time to cover up national conflicts."
Balkenkreuz and Ukrainian tank
W Tweet available by the Russian embassy in large Britain, we can see a photograph of planet War II. It is most likely from Operation Barbarossa, or the invasion of the 3rd Reich in the USSR. We can see the Panzerkampfwagen III tank with the crew on it. The red ellipse is marked Balkenkreuzwhich indeed resembles the marking on the Ukrainian tank.
Source: twitter.comThis cross performed in several versions, and it was modeled on markings Luftwaffe. Its most celebrated form is an equinomial black cross with a white border, not taking place on its end. It was this version of the sign, not full white, that was utilized during Operation Barbarossa (invasion in the USSR) and later stages of the war. The example can be seen below Photo.
German armored troops in Latvia during Operation Barbarossa, July 1941. Source: Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-009-0882-04 Schröter CC-BY-SA 3.0However, looking at the cross on the Ukrainian tank, we can rapidly draw attention to what kind of surface there is. It is not painted on uniform material, but on ankles reactive armour. There are clear gaps between them, making it impossible to paint a uniform marking. On another surfaces, the cross is simply completely white, without any ornaments. Watching Balkencreuse on vehicles of Ukrainian armed forces requires a considerable amount of sick will and indicates an effort to discredit the soldiers of our east neighbour. The following will be a fine example photo on which you can clearly see the effect on the painting of the cross the surface where it is placed.
Ukrainian tank column during the Cherk offensive, September 2022. Source: Mil.gov.uaSummary
Attempts to link markings on Ukrainian military vehicles with Nazi symbolism are part of a wider trend in slandering the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Russian propaganda centers have been campaigning since 2014 to prove that the Nazis are the main political force in Ukraine. However, there is no clear evidence that vehicle markings are linked to those utilized by Wehrmacht. The parallel cross has a long tradition of usage in Ukrainian troops, dating back to Cossack times. So there is nothing peculiarly amazing that for this reason, as well as for pure pragmatism, specified alternatively than another markings were utilized by Ukrainians during the Cherk offensive.
Sources
Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine: http://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CZ%5CA%5ChaporizhiaThe.htm and http://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CW%5CI%5CWintercampaigns.htm
The fresh York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/10/arts/design/museum-of-the-second-world-war-in-poland-debate.html
Straight ahead: https://history.wprost.pl/10711834/what-is-great-war-home-prof-berendt-tlumaczy.html
Photos
Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-1976-071-36 / CC-BY-SA 3.0
Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-382-0248-33A Böcker CC-BY-SA 3.0
Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-009-0882-04 / Schröter / CC-BY-SA 3.0
Mil.gov.ua / CC 4.0
commons.wikimedia.org / CC 3.0
Armémuseum / CC 4.0
.jpg){kind=link}
