On September 1, the current German President Frank Walter Steinmeier publicly apologized to the Polish victims during World War II at a commemoration ceremony for the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II in Vilon. "I bow to the victims of the Veron attack, I bow to the Polish victims who suffered from German tyranny, and I ask for your forgiveness."
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Polish
World War II fallen war on the European battlefield is believed to have been ignited in the Polish city of Veron. On September 1, 1939, the Nazi Air Force bombed Veron, Poland, and then quickly occupied most of Poland's territory. On September 17 of the following year, 600,000 Soviet Red Army crossed the Soviet-Polish border and divided Poland with the German army. Shortly afterwards, the German army captured Warsaw, Poland fell, and the Polish government was forced to go into exile. Poland then suffered heavy blows during World War II. According to statistics, nearly 6 million Poles lost their precious lives due to the war.
Steinmeier also said at the commemoration meeting, "We want to remember, we will also remember, we will bear the responsibilities entrusted to us by history."
In response, Polish President Duda expressed his gratitude to Steinmeier for his attendance and said, "This ceremony will be recorded in the history of friendship between the two countries."
As we all know, this is not the first time Germany publicly apologized and reflected on the evil deeds of the Nazi war of aggression during World War II. Previously, German leaders have also made a humble attitude of reflection on behalf of the German and German people on many occasions, slowly fading the hatred of the invaders and winning the understanding and respect of the victims and the international community.
Reflection consciousness first emerged
In December 1949, the first Federal German President Theodor House publicly condemned the Nazi crime of massacre of Jews at a post-war rally: "This history is now and in the future a shame for all of us Germans."
Two years later, the first Prime Minister Adenner delivered a speech in the Federal Parliament saying that Germany is willing to "take full responsibility" for this and expressed his willingness to provide compensation to the suffering countries and people to show his firm determination to sever relations with the Nazi crimes.
Kneeling and extinguishing grudges
On December 7, 1970, West Germany Prime Minister Willy Brandt knelt down at the monument to the Jewish Martyrs in Warsaw, the capital of Poland, to represent Germany expressing condolences and confession to the 500,000 Jews killed by the Nazis. Brandt 's "stunning kneeling" in Warsaw caused international surprise. At that time, the media praised "Brand's legs are kneeling, and what stands up is the spirit of the entire German nationality."
"Kneeling in Warsaw" showed a low attitude that greatly calmed down the hostile hatred of the victims of war-time Nazi atrocities towards the German nation, which marked an important milestone in the improvement of relations between Germany and Eastern European countries after the war, and Brandt himself won the 1971 Nobel Peace Prize.
From standing up to liberation
On May 8, 1985, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany Weizzek publicly condemned Germany's crime of launching a war of aggression at the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the end of World War II and reminded the German people not to forget shame.
The turning point of Germany's reflection consciousness is that on the occasion of commemorating the 40th anniversary of the end of World War II, Weizzek made a clear statement: "May 8 is the day of liberation, and we all (on this day) are liberated from the Nazi dictatorship." The cognitive transformation from "defeat" to "liberation" is an important leap for the German nation on the long road of national reflection consciousness.
Continuously apologizes to victims of all countries
In 1994, Federal President Herzok once again confessed his guilt to the Polish people at the Polish meeting commemorating the 50th anniversary of the anti-fascist "Warsaw Uprising". He said: "The Germans are full of guilt for the suffering of tens of thousands of Poles. I ask for your forgiveness for the pain caused to you in the name of the German people."
Then, Federal Prime Minister Kerr also expressed his condolences to the victims of Nazi atrocities in Russia Moscow and expressed his deep apology.
Following Brandt, Prime Minister Cole also became the second German leader to apologize for the invasion of World War II. He fell on his knees in front of the monument to the Jewish victims in Israel, and once again expressed the apology of the German nation.
Remember the past and embrace the future
German leaders have been constantly telling the world in a high-profile manner that Germany will always remember the mistakes of the past, and they bear the mistakes and will never escape.
In June 2004, German Chancellor Schroder said when participating in the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the landing in Normandy: "In Germany, we know who started the war, we recognize our historical responsibility, and we will take on this historical responsibility seriously."
Incumbent German Chancellor Merkel said after visiting the Holocaust Memorial Hall in 2008: "I want to represent the German government and the German people that everything that happened in the Holocaust is a deep shame for us." Merkel also wrote in the guestbook: "People who do not understand the past will not have a future."
On January 27, 2013, German Chancellor Merkel reiterated his country's apology, claiming that Germany is "permanently responsible" for Nazi crimes.
For the aggression in World War II, Germany did not just verbally apologize. They have been paying compensation for victims of Nazi crimes. In August 2000, the German Parliament passed the Nazi Labor Compensation Fund Act, which assumed compensation liability for the victims of the war. On the other hand, they are constantly educating their citizens, cultivating a sense of reflection, and resolutely curbing and combating the rise of Nazism. In 1994, the German Parliament passed the Anti-Nazi and Anti-Criminal Crime Act, which severely investigated neo-Nazi elements and their behavior. In Germany, the use of Nazi signs and slogans is strictly prohibited, Nazi ideas are prohibited in any form, and racial hatred is strictly prohibited.
Until President Steinmeier's apology and reflection speech on Sunday, Germany showed his profound reflection and sincere apology for launching the war of aggression. It won the recognition and respect of the international community for its responsibility as a great power. Its courage to face up to history and its determination to severely liquidate the Nazis made the world admire it.
However, Japan, both as the invaders, committed cruel and atrocities during the war, repeatedly hurt the national sentiment of the victims. Not only did it not have sincere apology and profound reflection, but instead tried to beautify the aggression and cover up the historical truth. The leaders excused the war criminals, visited the Yasukuni Shrine many times, and even tampered with Japanese educational materials. The people were influenced by right-leaning extremists and it was difficult for the people to have a profound reflection on World War II. Their national image has always been criticized on taking responsibility.
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