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| By: Associated Press |
| Published: April 12, 2006 |
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A Jewish leader on Tuesday protested plans to honor German aviation pioneers Willy Messerschmitt and Claude Dornier, saying their role under the Nazis should disqualify them.
Authorities have included the pair among more than 20 scientists to be honored with plaques listing their achievements in a new subway station at Munich's Technical University.
"With their arms firms, Messerschmitt and Dornier supported the National Socialist regime and exploited thousands of forced laborers and concentration camp inmates," said Charlotte Knobloch, deputy leader of Germany's Central Council of Jews.
"It would be a provocation and an insult to all the victims of Nazi rule if these arms makers are honored in the way that is planned," she said.
Hannelore Gabor, deputy mayor of Garching, the Munich suburb where the university is located, said officials were considering including information about the two men's wartime role and employment of slave labor on their plaques.
Messerschmitt developed the Messerschmitt Bf 109, which became the most important fighter in the Luftwaffe as Germany re-armed prior to World War II.
Dornier was best known for developing bombers. |
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