Union remove SS insignia from Bierkeller headline

Bungling Union staff have removed morbid Nazi insignia from their Bierkeller Facebook event.

The original event description, posted on Thursday night, had the symbols for the SS, otherwise known as the Schutzstaffel or Furher’s bodyguard.

The Tab received a complaint from a concerned student about the use of the morbid symbol, which not only offends German students but the vast majority of undergraduates at Aberystwyth.

The Nazi Schutzstaffel, or SS in short, was one of the most  brutal sections in the Third Reich, and partly responsible for the Holocaust and extensive crimes against humanity.

The popular Bierkeller events are a wonderfully stereotyped celebration of German culture, and linking it to the Nazi past has been branded “highly insensitive”.

Dark humour? This is just crude.

Final year Abi Leach said: “I think it’s highly insensitive, inappropriate and really stupid. Who thought that was a good idea?”

But not everyone twigged the connection at first.

Nathan, a Politics student, said: “The first time I saw it I just assumed it was lightening bolts to be honest, I didn’t make a connection.”

Anya Davoren added: “I feel a bit bad I didn’t recognise it as insignia. I should have paid more attention in history.”

Tom Reed said: “Although undoubtedly an innocent mishap, an organisation which claims to be a professional establishment should not be making sloppy mistakes like that.

“I’m sure nobody was offended but they need to be more careful.”

The event, which is happening tomorrow night, features a performance from The Amazing Bavarian Stompers, a German oompah and lederhosen band.

The Union soon removed the insignia from its Facebook event.