A New Era for Thuringia's Home Defense Company in the German Army
Thuringian Home Defense Corporation Switches Leadership - Thuringian Home Guard Company receives new command.
"Let history serve as our guide, and our future be shaped by fortitude."
That was the message from Colonel Siegfried Zeyer during the swearing-in ceremony of the Thuringia Home Defense Company under the German Army's Home Defense Regiment 5. The event took place at Ehrenstein Castle in Ohrdruf, Thuringia, 80 years after Nazi Germany's defeat in World War II.
Zeyer highlighted the day's emblematic quality, stating, "We stand here not just to commemorate the past, but to prevent it from repeating itself." He stressed the need for a strong defense to safeguard Germany from any potential military threats. "The devastation wrought in the last war should never be allowed to occur again, and we must remain ever vigilant against aggression," he added.
The Home Defense Company was previously under the command of the State Command of Thuringia but has recently been incorporated into the Home Defense Regiment 5, which also hosts three companies from Hesse and one from Saxony. The ceremony also welcomed the Saxon company to its new ranks.
Ohrdruf, famed for its large military training area, serves as the regiment's headquarters. Nine new recruits took their oath of allegiance to the Federal Republic of Germany during the ceremony.
The formation of home defense forces in the German Army is a response to Russia's assertive moves in Eastern Europe, particularly its intervention in Ukraine. These troops, consisting largely of reservists, will only be mobilized in a defensive scenario and will protect vital infrastructure such as power plants or railway facilities within the Federal Republic, while assisting in relocating NATO troops to the alliance's eastern frontier.
Thuringia's Minister-President, Mario Voigt (CDU), addressed the soldiers at the ceremony. "As soldiers of the Federal Republic, you embody a critical pillar of our democracy, a beacon of hope in an increasingly uncertain world," he said. Voigt emphasized that the Home Defense Regiment 5 symbolizes more than just a military unit: "It represents our commitment to our nation, to our security, and to our shared values of freedom and democracy."
- German Army
- Ohrdruf
- Thuringia
- Germany
- World War II
- Russia
- Home Defense
- NATO
In the shadows of modern-day conflicts, the formation of home defense units signifies a willingness to safeguard national territory and democratic values. These units serve as the first line of defense during times of crisis, deterring potential adversaries, and supporting the main forces. As we look to the future, the Home Defense Regiment 5 stands as a symbol of fortitude, determination, and unity, ready to protect and serve.
- The Home Defense Company, previously under the command of the State Command of Thuringia, has been incorporated into the Home Defense Regiment 5, which is based in Ohrdruf, Thuringia.
- The German Army's formation of home defense forces is a response to Russia's assertive moves in Eastern Europe, signifying a willingness to safeguard national territory and democratic values.
- Thuringia's Home Defense Company under the German Army, now part of the Home Defense Regiment 5, represents a commitment to the nation's security and shared values of freedom and democracy, much like the Wehrmacht did in a different era.
