This is most definitely an old story at this point, but it randomly just popped into my head and I realized I never posted it. Veterans Affairs bungles VE-Day video by showing Nazis
Unclear if any Canadian troops visible amid footage of German forces
It’s since been fixed and apologized for, but if anyone from the government has offered an explanation for how it was able to happen in the first place, I haven’t heard it.
Veterans Affairs Canada quickly deleted an online video it posted — on Wednesday, to celebrate the 74th anniversary of VE-Day — upon realizing it showed images of the German Wehrmacht, the unified Nazi forces in the Second World War.
On Twitter, the message said: “74 years ago, crowds celebrated Victory in Europe (V-E) Day across the Allied nations. Today, we remember the service and sacrifice of those who fought for peace and freedom during the Second World War.” The war in Europe ended on May 8, 1945.
Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay appears on screen to present the short video explaining that “more than a million Canadian men and women served in this bitter conflict.”
The sound of MacAulay’s voice describing the war effort is then played over images of the German troops ending on the line: “Lest we forget.”Walter Dorn, a professor of defence studies at the Canadian Forces College and at the Royal Military College told CBC News it’s unclear if there are any Canadian troops in the footage.
“Some of the images show German uniforms,” Dorn said. “What’s most notable is the eagle just above a Nazi symbol worn just above the right brevet.”
You can see the video for yourself in the linked article if you’d like. I would have embedded it here, but either CBC or my screen reader of choice has screwed up the usual process for that.
I can’t decide if this is more or less ridiculous than that time Stephen Harper sent a congratulatory note to the wrong group of Indians, but at least back then he hadn’t yet become the government.
When Christopher Columbus confused North American natives with East Indians more than 500 years ago, it was a geographical blunder that tripped him up.When Stephen Harper made the same mistake, computer data bases and other high-tech communications equipment were to blame.
The Conservative Party leadership candidate got into trouble when his office sent greetings to a Canadian aboriginal organization on the occasion of Republic Day, which commemorates India’s independence from Britain.
“As you partake in cultural festivities and events, which honour your ancestors and celebrate your heritage, I am pleased to pay tribute to the members of the Indian community in Canada,” the Jan. 26 letter signed by Mr. Harper said.
A red-faced Mr. Harper issued an apology yesterday.
