Bilka removes model set of German general from shelves after criticism. Bilka has removed a model set of the German general Erwin Rommel from their online store after criticism on social media. Rommel, known as “The Desert Fox” for his role as the leader of the German Afrika Korps during World War II, was noticed by radio host Dan Rachlin, who shared a picture of the figure on Facebook. Rachlin wrote: “Bilka has a nice offer for children and childlike souls. Top Nazi Rommel as a doll. The many, many people he killed do not come with the doll.”
According to the World War II Foundation, Erwin Rommel was never a member of the Nazi party and is believed to have been involved in an assassination attempt against Hitler in 1944. The US Holocaust Memorial Museum describes him as a general who was not a convinced Nazi but supported common goals. B.T. attempted to get expert assessments of Rommel’s role during the war but did not receive a response before Salling Group, the owner of Bilka, responded.
Claus Frederiksen, marketing manager at Bilka, stated that the figure of Rommel has been removed from the shelf. “The collector’s sets are not new, and we have been selling sets related to World War II for a long time. We will continue to do so. However, it was not the intention to have figures as specific as in the specific case from that side of the war. If one wishes to engage so intimately, it is certainly possible elsewhere but no longer at Bilka,” explained Frederiksen.
In addition to the Rommel set, a ‘Famous General’ set featuring figures of Rommel, Bernard Montgomery, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and George S. Patton has also been removed from Bilka’s online store.
Dan Rachlin is pleased with Bilka’s quick response. “There are those who are more historically knowledgeable than me, who state that he was not a Nazi, but I note that he worked in the German army during World War II and was significantly involved, and therefore Bilka should obviously not have Rommel as a figure, a kitchen paper holder, a New Year’s Eve decoration, or anything else,” he said.
Rachlin believes that Bilka could remove all goods related to war. “Would I have reacted the same way if it was a figure of Winston Churchill? No, I probably would not have. But without being ready to be offended, I don’t think it is appropriate for Bilka to have goods in that category of war heroes. And if in any way I have contributed to its removal, then I am happy,” he concluded.