Nazi London

On a recent trip to London I was surprised to find two “memorials” to Nazis in prominent locations in the city. The first “memorial” was a bust of Hitler which was in the White Tower at the Tower of London. This bust of Hitler (pictured below) was kept company by a corresponding bust of Mussolini.

The second “memorial” was far more interesting. In Carlton House Terrance, at the top of the Duke of York Steps there is a small grave stone in front of a tree. The grave stone commemorates a dog known as “Giro” (sometimes reported as an Alsatian and in some instances, as a Terrier), who belonged to Dr Leopold von Hoesch. Hoesch was a well-respected diplomat under both the Weimar Republic and then the Nazi Government. Giro is reported to have died in 1934, killed by accidental electrocution, having apparently chewed through a live wire. The inscription on the grave stone reads Giro - Ein Treuer Begleiter! (Giro - a true companion!).

Even though Giro is often referred to as a Nazi dog, in actuality this is probably an unfair descriptor. Even though Hoesch served in the Nazi Government and was afforded a burial ceremony in London, draped in a Nazi flag and with military honours, it seems that he was far from in agreement with Hitler and his actions!

Pictures, London (May 2012).