Nazi salute ignorant, say vets

Northland WWII veterans say an ignorance of history is behind the Nazi salute that sparked an all-out brawl at a sports match.
The 20-minute gang-related fight broke out after Saturday's Kaikohe Lions vs Wairoa Bulls match in Kaikohe.
Spectators and players were involved in the fight, which the Northern Advocate understands was triggered by a Nazi salute.
Whangarei war veteran Alan Yates, 83, who served in Italy during WWII , said people seemed to have forgotten why the war was fought, even though it was only 60 years ago.
Mr Yates was also posted to Palestine after the war, so the use of a Nazi salute had particular relevance to him.
"We saw the Jews coming in and just grounding the ships. We were supposed to stop them entering Palestine, but when we saw what they looked like and what they'd been through - the officers looked the other way and we just let them in."
Air force pilot George Barclay, 85, bailed out over France when his bomber was damaged by a German fighter.
He was injured, captured and sent to a Prisoner of War camp, but managed to escape to Holland.
Mr Barclay found it hard to imagine young New Zealanders would understand the significance of a Nazi salute.
But he said he "would like to kick them in the backsides".
"When I heard about the incident, I thought to myself - do they know what they're doing? I don't think so. They'd wake up if they saw a few bullets and realise it's not funny."
He said Neo-Nazism is more a European problem and New Zealand gangs only wear swastikas to shock and draw attention.
Northland Returned Services Association president Archie Dixon said he hopes the salute was made through a lack of understanding of the 11,625 New Zealanders killed in WWI.
Mr Dixon said it was almost certainly an isolated incident. In his experience, many young New Zealanders were keen to learn about history. The numbers at Anzac Day services grew each year.
Whangarei and Districts Rugby League chairperson Sharon Bird is investigating the fight, which has also been denounced by Northland Labour MP Shane Jones. Mr Jones warned "gang infiltration of rugby league will serve to drive young Northland talent to Australia".
A witness had told the Northern Advocate that the two teams exchanged apologies after the match.
But the Dargaville team's bus was stopped as it left the grounds.
A man had boarded the bus and apologised again, but reportedly told the bus passengers the area was their gang's territory and the rest should keep out.
What do you think about gangs brawling over a Nazi salute and gang turf?
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