Army song troubles Israeli diplomat

Israel's representative to Taiwan yesterday expressed his concern after learning that a popular army song was modeled on a German tank march during the Nazi period

When asked for comment, Menashe Zipori said he knew nothing about the song, but he hoped Taiwan's military would stop the practice if the song is proved to be based on a Nazi march.

The song, Brave Soldiers of Whampoa (黃埔健兒), based on the Panzer Lier (Tank song), has been popular in the army since the late 1960s.

Panzer Lier was composed in 1933. Popular among German tank units, its lyrics lauded the spirit of dying for Germany.

"It is not our life we value, the biggest honor is to die for Germany. ? If a bullet strikes us down, then our tank will give us a metal grave," the lyrics said.

The Chinese-language song encourages soldiers to develop the "Whampoa spirit" that has stood for loyalty to the nation's leader, patriotism and determination to safeguard the security of the country.

The Whampoa Academy was founded in Whampoa, Guangdong Province, in 1924 by the late president Chiang Kai-shek (蔣中正).

A general in the Chinese Military Academy said that the song is popular in the army for its awe-inspiring lyrics and melody.

Zipori said he had never heard these two songs and will try to figure out if the song was indeed borrowed from the German march.

If it is true, he said he hoped the army would abandon the tune.

Taiwan has in in the past sparked controversy for using Adolf Hitler's image and pictures of concentration camps in commercials and public places.

In July 2001, the DPP drew criticism after it included a film clip of Hitler to promote the idea that young people should bravely speak their minds.