When you have a museum whose exhibits essentially show nothing but war, you can have a problem. Or maybe not, because with the increase in conflicts in the world after 1989 – and thus the end of the post-war period – the topic becomes more interesting again and gains public importance. Military history has something to convey and can be instructive, which was long denied. The German Tank Museum in Munster seeks, for this reason – and of course because it has to operate economically – to reach the public. The fact that the legendary Tiger tank, probably the top exhibit of the Munster museum, is used as the motif on the poster, caused irritation (see the encounter of the posters at a subway station in Hannover at the end of the article) and controversy (HERE a very good article from the Neue Presse). Ralf Raths, the museum director, goes on the offensive, engages in the debate, and emphasizes the importance of modern military history. We at SPARTANAT document the text:

Dear Fans,

I am Ralf Raths, Director of the German Tank Museum.

Today, I personally address a few words to you: To our loyal fans, the "hardcore users," the Facebook community, but also to all others who are interested in the following topic – in general, as the British say, To whom it may concern. Everyone may feel addressed in the following, who wants to.

It is important to me to address a topic that has been on my mind for several years: In everyday museum life, at conferences, in conversations with colleagues, visitors, friends, and also in many other comments on numerous posts in recent years, and especially again in the comments on the NP report today, the same two arguments have been made over and over again. They roughly go like this:

"Typical, when you are interested in weapons, you are immediately labeled Nazi/idiot/criminal!"

or

"The idiots! No idea about the topic, but still talking!"

This self-pity is not necessary in 2015! For a long time, military history in Germany was the black sheep, met with rejection and ridicule, mockery and belittlement. That's true. It was tough. But those times are over; it's getting steadily better.

Of course, we still have to deal with reservations, skepticism, raised eyebrows and scornful smirks, silly remarks and jokes.

For example, the DPM is equally well perceived and portrayed in the world and the taz, on RTL and NDR, on Deutschlandradio and all around. In the professional world, the museum has a good reputation, our articles are published and our staff are invited to give lectures, and the visitor numbers are ENORMOUS for a museum in the middle of the heath. No one puts us or our visitors in "the brown corner." Military history in general is becoming increasingly acceptable, there are more and more books, TV shows, and conferences on the subject, and in general, the sensitivities of the Cold War are drastically receding. Even Mr. Nebendahl in the NP expressly welcomed and endorsed the museum's work; we only discussed ONE detail of an advertising campaign. That's not a problem. We are one of the most visited museums in the republic and attract tens of thousands to the heath with our events. “Niche” really looks different.

Of course, we still have to deal with reservations, skepticism, raised eyebrows and scornful smirks, silly remarks and jokes. But fans of other topics and objects often face the same. Overall, it has been getting better for us year after year for a quarter of a century!

It is a trend among fans of military technology and history to comfortably place themselves in the victim role and whine.

And yet, it is a trend among fans of military technology and history to comfortably place themselves in the victim role and whine, as if everyone were always unfair to them: the Greens, the Left, the spirit of the times, the media, and probably even the Pope, Apple, and Santa Claus. Especially on social media, there is a lot of whining, griping, and grumbling.

It is truly annoying and embarrassing how often without backbone and willingness to discuss, a comfortable snail shell is taken and every debate with people who could be convinced is avoided with bunker mentality. At the same time, insults and derogatory remarks are often directed towards those who are not yet very interested in military history.

Do you think the DPM has dispelled the stereotypes about itself through such behavior? Do you think people from foundations, from left-wing parties and groups, from churches and the cultural sector automatically embraced the Tank Museum? Do you think they flocked to the museum on their own volition to get to know us better? Preferably because we were also dissolved in self-pity over their injustice and whined and complained? Or even because we insulted them?

Good military history is important, it can be conducted objectively and scientifically; it is fascinating and diverse, instructive and enlightening.

No, the DPM has earned a good reputation because we have repeatedly explained that good military history is IMPORTANT; that it can be conducted objectively and scientifically; that it can be fascinating and diverse; that it can be instructive and enlightening; that it can be reflection and conducted in lively discussion.

This is how you convince people, and this is how those interested in military technology and military history should behave in public when faced with criticism: Friendly, open, constructive, CONVINCING. Regardless of whether this public is real (circle of friends, pub) or digital (Facebook, forums).

The stubborn sulking and name-calling, the insults and silly remarks – all of this only plays into the hands of those who claim that military history is a subject for simple-minded people who just want to be thrilled by weapons.

Not only does such behavior not improve anything, it even halts a positive trend for us because people discovering our Facebook page are put off by this self-pitying bunker mentality. Users may think they are showing strength and backbone, but for the "rest of the world," this portrays military history fans as exactly the incapable whiners who prove that engaging with military history leads nowhere.

Let's show that engaging with historical war and military is a meaningful occupation.

Let's prove the opposite! Let's show how exciting and interesting, how diverse and instructive military history can be. Let's show that engaging with historical war and military is a meaningful occupation.

Please share, copy, and distribute this post as often as you like to your military history circles, forums, clans, reservist associations, wherever. Let's start a discussion. Discussion is not only necessary, it is also good!

Best regards

Ralf Raths
Director, DPM

The German Tank Museum on the internet: www.daspanzermuseum.de

Subway in Hannover: When posters talk to each other ...