I just had a deutsche europlate made "Luftwaffe"

BMW0 · 02-12-2007, 03:53 AM

It means "Airforce." What do you guys think?

Oh that other pic, its the roundel on the trunk.

ehhhwik · 02-12-2007, 04:11 AM

how about Messerschmitt?

Paul330d · 02-12-2007, 07:14 AM

As a Brit, I'm afraid I find that pretty offensive. You do know what the Luftwaffe got up to 60 years ago, don't you?

Masheen · 02-12-2007, 07:18 AM

The bastards did bomb the hell out of Norway, though.:mad:

Robin_NL · 02-12-2007, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul330d

As a Brit, I'm afraid I find that pretty offensive. You do know what the Luftwaffe got up to 60 years ago, don't you?

Agreed, here in EU and in my country it doesn't sound 'politically correct', though you got to do what you got to do.

Fraggy · 02-12-2007, 11:04 AM

Over the years everyones military has done something offensive, even countries that are now peaceful have had disturbing pasts.

BayerischeMW · 02-12-2007, 11:14 AM

Luftwaffe as a word sounds good, but the reference it shows is pretty bad.

daKaiser · 02-12-2007, 11:22 AM

i think there is no problem

the german airforce was always named "luftwaffe".
i think this word isn´t infamous...
even we germans haven´t any problems with this and this say a lot!

- Paul - · 02-12-2007, 11:26 AM

In German usage the word Luftwaffe can also be a generic term, so "die Britische Luftwaffe" would mean "the British Air Force"

Lifted from wiki - hence why the Germans don't have a problem with it....

E90T · 02-12-2007, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul330d

As a Brit, I'm afraid I find that pretty offensive. You do know what the Luftwaffe got up to 60 years ago, don't you?

For sure, might as well put Gestapo.

bronco · 02-12-2007, 11:54 AM

What....why are you people so insecure???? I find nothing wrong with the word and I think it is polically safe. There are a lot more offensive words that people put on their plates.

Patman · 02-12-2007, 11:59 AM

you're right ... it is simply meaning "Air Force" ...

BMW über alles !!!!

Nikki · 02-12-2007, 12:01 PM

I don't have problem with it, but I can see how it might offend some people.

E90T · 02-12-2007, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikki

I don't have problem with it, but I can see how it might offend some people.

Yes Luftwaffe means airforce, but it is synonymous with the Nazi Air Force. not really a huge deal, but some might find offensive.

Shäferhunde · 02-12-2007, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90T

Yes Luftwaffe means airforce, but it is synonymous with the Nazi Air Force.

The German government must be unaware of the how their language is being interpreted. Perhaps a tactfully worded letter to the German embassy is in order to clear things up.

http://www.germany.info/relaunch/pol...luftwaffe.html

King335i · 02-12-2007, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90T

For sure, might as well put Gestapo.

You've got to be kidding me?

Saebb · 02-12-2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul330d

As a Brit, I'm afraid I find that pretty offensive. You do know what the Luftwaffe got up to 60 years ago, don't you?

And you know what the Royal Airforce did to Dresden etc.? So, this were bad times on both sides and I think it is time not to accuse Germans nowadays (also not the soldiers.) As you mentioned it is 60 years ago. Keep in mind, British bombers are flying attacks against (sometimes not so) innocent Iraqi people. In my oppinion, you have to look forward and not backwards all the time. Have you been directly involved in German attacks during the WWII? I guess not.

I don't know either why he choosed this. I wouldn't cause it is too aggressive for me in general but please stop complaining about WWII all the time.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to forget about it cause so much families have had to suffer by the consequences and it was and still is horrible but there have been several black points in the history of any european country.

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90T

For sure, might as well put Gestapo.

Very childish. Luftwaffe means Airforce, nothing more nothing less. It never has been a political or ideological institution like the Gestapo (Geheime Staats Polizei) or the SS (Schutzstaffel) or the SA (Sturmabteilung). Gestapo, SS and SA were directly subordinated to the NSDAP. Luftwaffe is and has been a unit of the armed forces.

cm3rc · 02-12-2007, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikki

I don't have problem with it, but I can see how it might offend some people.

+1

baltik · 02-12-2007, 02:37 PM

to 95% of non Germans Luftwaffe is synonymous with the nazi war machine, airforce isn't really a word you would learn in a foreign language unless you were very advanced, but if you watched war movies or taken a WWII history course you would immediately recognize the word in this context.

Putting that on your license plate would be similar to calling people that are in a good mood gay. Both terms technically correct but both terms much more likely to be taken out of context and likely taken offensively.

Not making a moral call on either term but merely suggesting that your car will be inevitably vandalized.

shragon · 02-12-2007, 03:08 PM

i don't take any offense to it, but i do see how it could be taken the wrong way.

mike138 · 02-12-2007, 03:10 PM

stop ......... .......

King335i · 02-12-2007, 03:22 PM

Sure, airforce isn't a word you would learn in a language unless you were at least fairly advanced in its dialect, but in this case the Luftwaffe gained its notoriety because it was part of a villified nation.

That makes sense and all, but wouldn't it then be offensive if I put USAF on my car because the united states air force both fire bombed dresden, and dropped 2 atomic bombs on civilian cities? Funny, I seem to see people putting USAF stuff on their car all the time..

The only reason people would get flustered about this is because of their own insecurities and ignorance about history. I agree the the word Luftwaffe has its negative connotations but if you have any education whatsoever you will probably know that it simply means 'airforce'. Also, it is hilariously ironic that some people would take offense to this, but not the fact that BMW was a major contributer to the Nazi war machine, and their very emblem symbolizes their beginnings in Nazi aviation as well.

I'm not saying you should or shouldn't do it, but in my opinion people shouldn't find it offensive. They probably will though.

If you think it will get vandalized then you should probably buy this. Now.
http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/africa/9812...e.thrower.car/

02-12-2007, 03:53 AM	#1
BMW0 Colonel Drives: AW E90 330i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 2,059 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	I just had a deutsche europlate made "Luftwaffe" It means "Airforce." What do you guys think? Oh that other pic, its the roundel on the trunk. Attached Images __________________ 330i 6MT l 255 HP @ 5900 rpm 214 lb-ft Torque @ 3500 rpm l Alpine White l Beige l Aluminum l ZSP l 494 l PDC "Freude am Fahren" = "Joy to Drive"
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02-12-2007, 04:11 AM	#2
ehhhwik Brigadier General Drives: 09' BMW 335d, 07' BMW E92 328i Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 3,432 iTrader: (5)	how about Messerschmitt? __________________ Current: 09' E90 335d - Titanium Silver/Black Leatherette/Sports Package/6AT Paddle Shift/USB Integration/19" Staggered Breyton GT Gloss Black Retired: 07' E92 328i (Jet Black)

02-12-2007, 07:14 AM	#3
Paul330d Torque junky Drives: Remapped e90 330d Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: France (UK expat) Posts: 1,689 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330d [0.00] 2005 Fiat Panda 4x4 [0.00]	As a Brit, I'm afraid I find that pretty offensive. You do know what the Luftwaffe got up to 60 years ago, don't you? __________________ www.greenkeepers.fr - spécialiste des tondeuses à gazon hélicoïdales atco qualcast ransomes lawnflite

02-12-2007, 07:18 AM	#4
Masheen I'm An F18 Bro Drives: 08 E93 320iA M Sport. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: At The Set Of #AngerManagment. Posts: 972 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008. BMW 320i. [3.70]	The bastards did bomb the hell out of Norway, though.:mad: __________________ E93 320i M Sport. Fully loaded at the factory in Germany. And: BMW M Sport suspension, GP thunders 8500K fog, BMW 225M winter wheels. BMW Performance 313 summer wheels. Black BMW Performance grill. BMW Performance back exhaust, BMW Performance stripes, BMW Performance mirror caps in carbon, BMW Performance rear diffusor, BMW Performance splitters, BMW Performance alu pedals and LUX Angel Eyes.

02-12-2007, 11:04 AM	#6
Fraggy Brigadier General Drives: 2007 e90 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 3,239 iTrader: (11)	Over the years everyones military has done something offensive, even countries that are now peaceful have had disturbing pasts. __________________ Step--Premium--Sport--Nav--20% Tint--Blacklines--18" Beyern Mesh--Michelin Super Sports--Bastuck Exhaust--M3 Steering Wheel--BMW Performance Springs--Koni--M3 Front/Rear Sways--

02-12-2007, 11:14 AM	#7
BayerischeMW Man with No Name Drives: '07 E92 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Norway Posts: 443 iTrader: (0)	Luftwaffe as a word sounds good, but the reference it shows is pretty bad. __________________ *E92 335i coupe March 2007*

02-12-2007, 11:22 AM	#8
daKaiser Second Lieutenant Drives: ... Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Germany Posts: 204 iTrader: (0)	i think there is no problem the german airforce was always named "luftwaffe". i think this word isn´t infamous... even we germans haven´t any problems with this and this say a lot!

02-12-2007, 11:26 AM	#9
- Paul - Major General Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK Posts: 7,226 iTrader: (5) Garage List 2005 320D SE [5.00] 2005 645 [4.50]	In German usage the word Luftwaffe can also be a generic term, so "die Britische Luftwaffe" would mean "the British Air Force" Lifted from wiki - hence why the Germans don't have a problem with it.... __________________ My Photos

02-12-2007, 11:54 AM	#11
bronco Colonel Drives: e92 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,103 iTrader: (0)	What....why are you people so insecure???? I find nothing wrong with the word and I think it is polically safe. There are a lot more offensive words that people put on their plates. __________________ SaaS - The world of tomorrow is already here...www.saaschronicles.com

02-12-2007, 11:59 AM	#12
Patman First Lieutenant Drives: E91 Touring 320d Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tavannes, Switzerland Posts: 376 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 E91 320d [0.00] 2006 E91 320d [0.00]	you're right ... it is simply meaning "Air Force" ... BMW über alles !!!! __________________ E91 320d Touring (2010) - Alpine White III - Sport & Performance Matte Black M5 replica (made in Italy) \| KW V2 coilovers \| Matte Black Headlights \| BMW Performance front bumper \| QUAD exhaust tips \| Engine Remap 213HP/487Nm (stock 177HP/390Nm) Remember my old SG E91 ...

02-12-2007, 12:01 PM	#13
Nikki Major General Drives: del Sol VTEC Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Malibu Posts: 6,368 iTrader: (9)	I don't have problem with it, but I can see how it might offend some people. __________________ Nikki

02-12-2007, 02:37 PM	#19
baltik Lieutenant Drives: porsche 944 turbo Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 407 iTrader: (0)	to 95% of non Germans Luftwaffe is synonymous with the nazi war machine, airforce isn't really a word you would learn in a foreign language unless you were very advanced, but if you watched war movies or taken a WWII history course you would immediately recognize the word in this context. Putting that on your license plate would be similar to calling people that are in a good mood gay. Both terms technically correct but both terms much more likely to be taken out of context and likely taken offensively. Not making a moral call on either term but merely suggesting that your car will be inevitably vandalized.

02-12-2007, 03:08 PM	#20
shragon Moderator Drives: 2006 325i SG Sedan Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 27,448 iTrader: (6)	i don't take any offense to it, but i do see how it could be taken the wrong way. __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/shragon

02-12-2007, 03:10 PM	#21
mike138 Private First Class Drives: 335i (c) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: your moms house Posts: 187 iTrader: (0)	stop ......... ....... __________________ i do hate that enter key Last edited by mike138; 02-12-2007 at 10:31 PM. Reason: cause

02-12-2007, 03:22 PM	#22
King335i Captain Drives: '11 CTS-V Coupe, '11 Jeep GC Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 718 iTrader: (1)	Sure, airforce isn't a word you would learn in a language unless you were at least fairly advanced in its dialect, but in this case the Luftwaffe gained its notoriety because it was part of a villified nation. That makes sense and all, but wouldn't it then be offensive if I put USAF on my car because the united states air force both fire bombed dresden, and dropped 2 atomic bombs on civilian cities? Funny, I seem to see people putting USAF stuff on their car all the time.. The only reason people would get flustered about this is because of their own insecurities and ignorance about history. I agree the the word Luftwaffe has its negative connotations but if you have any education whatsoever you will probably know that it simply means 'airforce'. Also, it is hilariously ironic that some people would take offense to this, but not the fact that BMW was a major contributer to the Nazi war machine, and their very emblem symbolizes their beginnings in Nazi aviation as well. I'm not saying you should or shouldn't do it, but in my opinion people shouldn't find it offensive. They probably will though. If you think it will get vandalized then you should probably buy this. Now. http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/africa/9812...e.thrower.car/ __________________ 2007 E92 335i--SG, Fully loaded, minus the dead weight..err..iDrive and Active Steering.

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