Since the Israeli 1948 War of Independence, Israel was in dire need of replacements for their aging Sherman and AMX 13 tanks. The most viable options were the British Centurion and the US M48 Patton tank. Israeli Patton tanks were first used in combat in the Gaza strip and in the Sinai during the Six Day War in early June 1967.  After many years of negotiations, the US finally agreed to sell Patton tanks to Israel in the early 1960s. However, it was not possible to sell them openly from US stocks. Therefore, a deal was struck between West Germany, the US and Israel where Germany was to deliver 150 M48A1 and M48A2C tanks to Israel. From 1960 to 1964, Israel received 40 M48A1 and M48A2C tanks from Germany. However, the deal had to be abandon after press leaks and a political outcry over the purchase from Germany. Since Germany was no longer able to supply the tanks, the US administration decided to supply the remaining 110 M48A1 tanks to the Israelis directly and added an additional 100 M48A2 tanks. All the tanks were armed with the 90mm main gun and powered by gasoline engines. They were old and used tanks requiring an amount of work to make them combat ready. Magach was the Israeli designation for the US M48 Patton tanks (and later M60 tanks). Contrary to a popular belief, "Magach" is not an abbreviation but a Hebrew word meaning "battering ram", “Strike with a Ram” or “Strike with a Horn”. Magach VersionsMagach 1: Magach 2: Magach 3:
Video: Magach: The Israeli M48?! | Part 1 Video: Magach: The Israeli M48?! | Part 2 A Magach 1 tank training in the Negev desert in southern Israel in the mid 1960s. Note the curved front fenders and that there are no tactical markings, only the registration number 818480 on the front hull.  The Magach 1 tanks that originally arrived from Germany and the USA were removed from active service and transferred to a reserve training unit or to storage and they were replaced by M48A2s that arrived from the USA. All the Magach 1 tanks were eventually upgraded. A month or more before the outbreak of the Six Day War, Israeli ordnance workshops worked long hours to make the Magach tanks combat ready. They were only able to ready enough tanks to equip two tank battalions with 90mm Magach 2 tanks and one company equipped with 105mm Magach 3 tanks. 84th Armoured “Tal” Division – General Israel Tal 79th Tank Battalion, 7th Armored Brigade - Ehud Elad
46th Tank Battalion, 401st Reserve Armored Brigade
The 46th Tank Battalion was attached to the Israeli 35th Paratrooper Brigade. Tactical MarkingsThe direction of the chevrons on the turret represent the company in the battalion. A Company used a "v" chevron (pointing down), B Company "<" chevron (pointing forward), C Company "^" chevron (pointing up) and D Company ">" chevron (pointing to the rear).  During the Six Day War, the Magach tanks carried white stripes on the main gun barrel which also represented the company in the battalion. Since there were only two Magach tank battalions, there was no need to identify the battalion number at that time. In each company, the platoons' tanks were marked with numbers 1, 2, and 3. In each platoon, the Platoon Commander's tank was marked only with the platoon number while the individual tanks in the platoon were marked with the combination of the platoon number and the Hebrew letters, "Alef", "Beth", "Gimel" and "Dalet". In some units, the size of some companies were increased and a 4th Platoon was added with tactical markings starting with number 4. From left to right are the Hebrew letters "Alef" (A), "Beth" (B), "Gimel" (C), and "Dalet" (D).  This Magach 2 tank is from the 79th Tank Battalion during training. The 4 stripes on the 90mm barrel and the chevron pointing to the rear on the left side of the turret indicate that this tank belonged to the 3rd Platoon commander of D Company. However, on the right side of the turret the chevron is pointing forward. The soldier who painted the markings on this tank before the outbreak of the war incorrectly painted "3>" on both sides of the turret. On the right side, "3>" indicate it belongs to B Company. The markings on the right side of the turret should been "<3".  Six Day WarFrom 16 May 1967 to the outbreak of war in early June 1967, the Magach tanks of the 79th Tank Battalion were positioned in the Kibbutz "Mashabei Sadeh" in the Negev desert. A few days before the war began, they were moved closer to their initial objective, which was Khan Yunis in the Gaza strip and stationed in Kibbutz "Gvulot" located in the north western Negev desert in southern Israel. The Magach tanks of the 46th Tank Battalion were positioned in the cooperative village "Dekel" near the border of Egypt before the outbreak of war while D Company was training in the Negev training grounds with their new Magach 3 tanks armmed with 105mm guns.  After the code name "Red Sheet" was broadcasted on the radios on 5 June 1967, the Magach tanks of the 46th Tank Battalion and the 79th Tank Battalion quickly advanced from Dekel and Gvulot towards the border of the Gaza strip. In the 79th Battalion area, B Company commanded by Captian Avigdor Kahalani, was moving on the main road, with the Battalion commander Major Ehud Elad in the lead. As they arrived at the front line they advanced towards Khan Yunis and then from there moved southwest to Rafah, which was their first major objective.  79th Tank BattalionMoving through the populated areas of the Gaza strip was not as easy as expected. The Egyptians anticipated such a maneuver and dug ditches across each road or street and placed other obstacles such as “dragoon teeth” that were all protected by gun fire, tanks and artillery. The Magach tanks were forced to navigate around the ditches or take alternate streets that were too narrow for the tanks or was a dead end, and all of this was while under constant fire which included sniper fire, machine guns and anti-tank weapons. The advance of the 79th Battalion companies was slow due to enemy fire. In many areas, tanks were stuck and the formation of the companies and platoons were dispersed since tanks lost their positions in the streets and were mixed with other units. Major Elad and the company commanders took the lead and tried to break in to the front and organize the force as much as possible while each company commander “adopted” tanks from other companies. The mixed companies then moved forward and crossed the city as fast as possible to reach the railroad tracks outside the populated area which was a landmark that would lead them to Rafah and Rafa Junction if they were followed. While crossing the streets, several tanks were hit and officers and tank commanders standing exposed in open hatches were either KIA or WIA. The Palestinian forces of the two brigades that protected the Gaza strip fought well with courage faced the Israeli tanks at close range, firing bazookas and throwing grenades. In the narrow streets of Khan Yunis, a constant fire hit the Israeli tanks from all directions, from trenches, houses, roofs, yards, and alleys. As the result of the slow advance of the 79th Battalion, the 82nd sister battalion with Centurion tanks was sent to assist with the assault on Khan Yunis. Then a combined force of Magach and Centurion tanks charged through the streets of Khan Yunis with Palestinian and Egyptian soldiers shooting at them with all kinds of weapons. After a long hour, they were able to cross the city and move towards Rafah and its army bases which were quickly overrun. The enemy defenses started to collapse and hundreds of enemy soldiers posted at the bases retreated towards the sea and sand dunes, dropping their weapons and equipment as they fled. A Magach 2 tank marked with Hebrew letter "Gimel" on a canvas panel belongs to B Company moving up for an attack. Note the mountain ridge and the Jeeps and other vehicles in the background. Only the tank commander is standing in his open hatch.  This is the same Magach 2 tank in the above photo later after the company has attacked an Egyptian army base in which heavy smoke is raising into the air in the background. Three of the crew are now standing exposed on top of the turret. The hull registration number of the tank is 817648.  This Magach 2 tank is firing at enemy positions inside a Rafa army camp. The orange identification panel on the back of the turret storage basket can be seen.  Around noon, the tanks of the 79th Battalion stood in front of their main objective, the Rafa Junction. The Egyptians were already aware of the Israeli attack and had been on full alert. A full Egyptian Brigade was dug in at the junction area and was well camouflaged, waited for the Israeli tanks to approach and enter the killing zones of their anti-tank guns and tanks. The Magach tanks charged the enemy positions with Major Elad’s tank leading along the main road in a direct attack, while other companies was flanking the junction and Centurions of the 82nd Battalion lead by the 7th Brigade charged from the other direction. The Israeli tanks hit the Egyptian tanks/guns and crushed enemy positions, including enemy bazooka teams, under their tracks. With the assist of Magach tanks from the 46th Battalion from the south, the 7th Brigade forces were able to clear the area. This Magach 2 tank is marked as 3 and Hebrew letter "Beth" with a D Company chevron which is pointing to the rear. The 2 stripes on the gun barrel would probably mean that the chevron on the left side of the turret is pointing forward indicating B Company. In the foreground is an Israeli M38 Jeep with a 106mm Recoilless Rifle from an infantry anti-tank company providing fire support. This photo was captured from a film frame which is why the quality is poor.  Not all of the Magach tanks were lucky. A number of Magach tanks were knocked out by Egyptian guns. This is a Magach 2 tank with three return rollers.   When the Magach tanks were hit, the Israelis found the tank was consumed by fire at a tremendous speed. The flames sped to the turret where the ammunition was stored. Whenever the turret was hit, the crew usually do not survive. The Israelis called the Pattons "Goznikim", a Hebrew slang for the primitive torches they used to mark targets and paths at night. Also, they were not enthusiastic about the 90mm gun compared to the British 105mm gun. Captain Avigdor Kahalani had experienced being on fire when his tank was hit and he survived the ordeal. His tank company was ambushed by Egyptian forces near Sheikh Zuweid. While observing the terrain, his tank was suddenly hit. The turret was engulfed in flame. Badly burnt and in fierce pain, he managed to climb out of the commander's hatch, being the only survivor of the crew. He climbed down onto the tank's engine deck and leaped from the hull onto the sand behind the tank. He landed on the ground, climbed to his feet and began to run with whatever strength he had left. Running only aggravated the flames, making him a human torch. Quickly realizing this, he dropped to the ground and began rolling in the sand trying to smother the flames. Most of his uniform was burnt off leaving him almost completely naked. He flagged down one of the tanks in his company and signaled that he wanted to come aboard. He climbed aboard and was transported to an aid station. He sustained burns over 60% of his body and spent a year in recovery, undergoing 12 plastic surgeries. In the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Lieutenant Colonel Kahlani commanded the 77th Tank Battalion equipped with Centurion tanks which fought on the Golan Heights and he was awarded the Israeli Metal of Valor for excellent conduct during numerous armored battles. After the tanks and half-tracks of the 79th Battalion had a bloody fight with Egyptian forces, a helicopter was called in to airlift the wounded soldiers to the hospital. While the helicopter is banking to come in for a landing, crewmen and infantry soldiers are standing on a Magach 2 tank watching it as well as scanning the area for any enemy forces that could shoot down the helicopter.  This is a close up of the helicopter landing. It is a French built Sud Aviation SA 321K Super Frelon heavy transport helicopter. The Magach 2 tank in the foreground has markings 1 "Beth" of C Company.  This is one of four SA 321Ks belonging to the IAF 114 Squadron "Night Leaders" based at Tel Nof Airbase and during the Six-Day War this squadron flew 41 sorties. Note the rear loading ramp of the helicopter is lowered. The gun barrel of the Magach tank in the foreground has one stripe for A Company.  The 7th Brigade forces then advanced southwest to Sheikh Zuweid, where they were able to take a short break and rest for the first time since the outbreak of the war. The rest stop was cut short when the tanks of the 79th battalion was called to assist the paratroopers of the 35th Brigade who had been cut away from their support tank companies of the 46th battalion that were in a fight against Egyptian tanks to the south. Meanwhile, the Centurion tanks of the 82nd Battalion advanced along the coast to the southwest, towards Jiradi pass. Jiradi Pass was a 14 km (8.7 miles) long defile along the coastal road, lead northwest into the south side of El Arish. A reinforced Egyptian infantry brigade was dug in with three lines supported by barbed wire emplacements, minefields, fortified pillboxes and dug-in tanks. At 1430 hours, Centurion tanks of the 82nd Battalion rolled down the center of the defile, past the unaware or unbelieving Egyptians. Only at the last minute, the defenders opened fire on the tail end of the Israeli column as it raced past, inflicting only a few casualties despite the overwhelming Egyptian numbers. Other elements of the Israeli 7th Brigade did not follow the 82nd Battalion to "mop-up" and clear the pass. At 1630 hours, Magach tanks of the 79th Battalion approached Jiradi pass and met heavy resistance. Unable to use their advantages in maneuver, the Israelis had to come head-on against dug-in Egyptian tanks and infantry and suffered heavy losses in fierce fighting that lasted into the night. The Israelis finally worked their way around the Egyptian positions. Outflanked, the Egyptians failed to counter-attack but fought to the death to hold their positions, and Tal had to commit his reserve, a crack brigade of paratroopers, who helped the armor and mechanized infantry clear the pass in hours of bitter hand-to-hand fighting. Ehud Elad (Eidelman)While leading the 79th Battalion during the assault on Rafa Junction, Major Elad was wounded but continued to fight and commanded the battalion. Later near Sheikh Zuweid, his Magach tank was hit by two cannon shells and again he was wounded on his hands and face. Although wounded, he continued on to the Jiradi pass where his tank took another direct and fatal hit. While standing in his turret with half of his body exposed to enemy fire, he was killed in action. Praised by the Israeli Chief of Staff for his courage and devotion to duty, he was posthumous promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. The 82nd Battalion Centurion tanks and the remnants of the 79th Battalion Magach tanks setup a night laager in the outskirts of El Arish. Since the Israeli forces were moving fast and left roaming enemy pockets behind them, the supply columns could not reach the tanks until the main roads were cleared of the enemy. On the morning of June 6, the supply trucks finally arrived and the Israeli tank crews were able replenish their tanks with fuel and ammunition. Magach 2 tanks lined up are refueling and rearming. The chevrons show the surviving tanks from the A, B and C companies in the same formation. Beside the tanks is a column of support vehicles.   The tanks of the 79th and 82nd Battalions then charged onto El Arish and after heavy street fighting captured the city, the capital of the Sinai Peninsula. Later, the combined forces of the 79th and 46th Battalions continued and overrun other Egyptian bases and posts such as the El Arish airbase. From there, they continued south to Bir Lahfan, which was quickly captured with the help of the 82nd Battalion. This Magach 2 tank had broken down and its crew waits for the repair crews to reach them. It is marked as 1 and Hebrew letter "Beth" next to a small chevron pointing forward for B Company in contrast to the 4 stripes on the gun barrel for D Company. Probably another incorrectly marked tank. Note that both the main weapons are in an elevated position to ensure that if a round is ejected or fired by mistake it would not hit any nearby Israeli forces.  46th Tank BattalionAt the outbreak of the war, the 46th Battalion C Company was the first unit to cross the border into the southern area of the Gaza strip and was the first that engaged the Egyptian anti-tank guns and tank forces which hit the leading Magach tank killing the Company commander. A few minutes later, the half-tracks of the 35th Paratrooper Brigade, supported by the other companies of the 46th Battalion, crossed the border. Each Magach company supported a battalion of the Paratrooper half-tracks, which also included D Company equipped with the 105mm Magach 3 tanks. A Magach 2 tank marked 2 "Alef" of the 46th Battalion C Company moving forward descending down a hill.  Although the area was considered by the Egyptians to be un-crossable sand dunes, the Magach tanks quickly moved toward the Raja Junction and Kfar Shen (the location where the Egyptian artillery was concentrated) while surprising and hitting several Egyptian posts and tanks from behind. Magach tanks of 46th Battalion A Company break in towards the Rafa Junction area from the southeast and turned north in a pincer attack together with the 7th Armoured Brigade that was advancing down from the north.  This is my close up of the above photo. The tanks has their main guns pointed in different directions with a round loaded. Each tank was ready to fire at any enemy tank which could pop up from any direction. Note the Sabra cactus bushes along the side of the road. In some areas, these cactus bushes were so thick and dense that the tanks and other vehicles had difficulties driving through them.  As the Egyptians recognized the new threat to their rear, they immediately deployed a battalion of Josef Stalin IS-3M heavy tanks armed with 122mm guns to support the defense positions at Rafa Junction. As the Magach 2 tanks of the 79th Battalion arrived in the area from the north, these heavy beasts attacked them. The same happened in the south area of the junction when elements of the 46th Battalion were attacked by another group of Egyptian Stalin tanks. During these engagements, several Magach 2 and Magach 3 tanks were hit but by quick responses and fast maneuvering the Magach tanks destroyed all of the Stalin tanks. Magach 3 tanks of the 46th Battalion charging forward to engage the Egyptian IS-3M tanks. Note the 105mm gun and the boxed air filters on the side fender. These newly modified tanks are based on the M48A1 with 5 return rollers and still have the M1 commander cupola.  A Magach 3 tank of 46th Battalion D Company in the Rafa Junction area. It has a black color marking of 1 "Beth" outlined with a thin white color painted on a canvas panel. Note that the M1 Commander's copula had the .50 Cal machine gun removed. In the forground is a half-track of the 35th Brigade with a winch mounted on the front bumper and an aerial identification stripe painted on the front fender.  This knocked out IS-3M tank is in an open field of sand dunes with small bushes. Its light, sand-yellow camouflage fitted and blended very well with the desert surroundings. But in the case of this tank, it did not help much.  The 46th Battalion B Company Magach tanks that charged the junction found themselves in lower topographic positions during an attack by Egyptian tanks and artillery. A Company commanded by Amos Katz came to assist them and together they were successful in defeating the enemy and destroying multiple enemy tanks. This Magach 2 tank marked 2 "Alef" of 46th Battalion B Company had just hit an Egyptian T-34/85 tank which started to catch fire. The tank crew had turned their gun and are looking for any other enemy tanks in the area. The registration number of this tank is 817922 on the left rear fender.  Israeli soldiers examining a knocked out Egyptian T-34/85 tank. The burning rubber on the road wheels created the piles of white ash.  Since the Magach tanks moved faster towards the enemy positions while the half-tracks had more difficulty driving in the sand dunes with their narrow tracks, the contact with the supporting tanks was quickly lost and the paratroopers ended up assaulting the enemy fortifications alone. Meanwhile the 46th Battalion Magach tanks were busy fighting as they moved northward, they did not pay attention to their major mission which was to support the paratroopers. As the battle continued, the Paratrooper half-tracks were attacked by a force of T-34/85 and IS-3M Stalin tanks from the 16th Egyptian Brigade, inflicting on them heavy losses. After the Magach tanks of the 79th Battalion had finished their mission in the north area of the Rafa Junction and took a short rest in the Sheikh Zuweid area, they were ordered to assist the paratroopers, however there was no need to since the 46th Battalion Magach tanks, after defeating the Egyptian tanks, returned back to assist the paratroopers with their mission of clearing enemy fortifications. On their way to help the paratroopers, the remnants of the A and B Companies spotted Egyptian tanks, including IS-3M Stalin tanks, while they were engaging the paratroopers. In a scary battle, the faster Magach 2 tanks with their less powerful 90mm guns were able to maneuver and position themselves at the flanks and rear of the heavier Stalin tanks and hit them in their most vulnerable areas and penetrated the thinner armor. Knocked out Egyptian IS-3M Stalin heavy tanks.   After Rafah and Rafa Junction were secured, the 46th Battalion was split. A Company and the 35th Paratrooper Brigade then moved to the northeast to capture and clear the rest of the Gaza strip of enemy forces including the main populated area of Gaza city, while the rest of the 46th Battalion companies joined the 7th Brigade and advanced southwest towards El Arish. The Egyptian 20th Infantry Division known as the "Palestinian" division was defending the northern areas of the Gaza strip. Magach tanks of the 46th Battalion A Company supported by half-tracks of the 35th Paratrooper Brigade advancing along main street of Gaza city. The Magach tank on the right side of the photo is marked as 4 "Beth".  Two days later, as the Gaza strip was cleared, A Company advanced along the coast, while fighting the enemy day and night with other forces reached the Sinai area. Several Magach tanks were sent to the sea shore of Gaza to secure the beach area as well as to verify that no Egyptian forces had landed from the sea as rumored. This Magach 2 tank carrying paratroopers passes local fishing boats on the beach. The rear left side fender of the tank has the Hebrew letter "Alef" applied to all tanks of the 46th Battalion and on the rear right side fender is the registration number 818641.  The Magach tanks of the 79th Battalion together with the rest of the companies of the 46th Battalion, advanced southward and then to west Sinai to fight along side the 31st Division Armor Brigades and assist them in capturing the whole center of the Sinai. During the last four days of the war, several tank battles occurred along all the front areas of the Sinai Peninsula between Magach tanks and the best Egyptian armor battalions that were operating modern Soviet built T-54 and T-55 tanks and all the battles ended as Israeli victories. The whole Egyptian army was in a state of collapse and was retreating west towards the Suez Canal to try to stabilize a second line of defense. The rapid Israeli advance caught the Egyptian army in the middle, and with the Israeli Air Force which bombed the enemy columns, the Egyptian army was defeated. After the various Israeli forces reached the Suez Canal and the Red Sea Shores, the Six Day War in the south ended. Magach tanks racing along west through the Sinai towards the Suez Canal. On the horizon are burning Egyptian vehicles.  A Magach 2 tank from C Company marked as Hebrew letter "Alef" and number 4 (painted on canvas) near the Rafah-El-Arish road (today Route 40). In the foreground is a burning Egyptian vehicle.  A Magach 2 tank passing an abandoned or knocked out Egyptian T-54A tank and a burnt out GAZ (Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod) truck.  This is a close up of the Magach 2 tank in the above photo. Its markings is for the 2nd Platoon commander's tank of B Company (forward pointing chevron and two stripes on the gun barrel). The number 2 is painted on a dark canvas tied down on the turret side. On the mantlet above the 90mm gun is a large round French made searchlight painted in French olive drab. It is the same searchlight used on the M50/51 Shermans. The tank's hull registration number is 817726 and the turret registration number is 6080.  TodayYad La-Shiryon is the IDF Armored Corps Memorial Site and Museum at Latrun, Israel. It is Israel's official memorial site for fallen soldiers from the armored corps, as well as one of the most diverse tank museums in the world. The cornerstone for Yad La-Shiryon was laid on 14 December 1982. A Magach tank with a low profile commander's cupola and a .50 Cal MG mounted above the original 90mm gun.  This Magach 3 tank has a low profile commander's cupola and is armed with a British 105mm L7 cannon.  The tactical markings on the two Magach tanks above are not correct for the Six Day War. The Chevrons indicate C Company and the gun barrel has one stripe for A Company. These tanks were probably upgraded after the Six Day war and as the number of Magach tank battalions increased, the stripes on the gun barrel later indicated the battalion number. The Israelis captured this Egyptian IS-3M Stalin heavy tank intact during the Six Day War.  Egypt received Czech built T-34/85 tanks from the Soviet Union in the 1950s. The Israelis captured this one in the Sinai during the Six Day War. Note the missing center road wheel. The Egyptian crew spiked the 85mm gun barrel to prevent the Israelis from using it against them.  Walk around: Latrun Museum, Israel Model kits and Decals1/35 Star Decals 35-C1227 Israeli AFVs # 10. M48 Magach. 1/72 Star Decals 72-A1058 Israeli AFVs Magach and Six Day War markings |
Montag, 27. Januar 2025
Israeli Patton Tanks 1967
Samstag, 25. Januar 2025
Omas für Vergewaltiger oder Omas für Kindermörder?
Gute Laune bei den Grünen 3 Tage nachdem ein 2jähriger Junge in Aschaffenburg abgeschlachtet wurde. Grüne Verkommenheit... will man sowas im Deutschen Bundestag sehen? Sie haben die Wahl. Dies könnte der Laschet-Moment der Grünen sein.
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| Die Freude über freigelassene israelische Geiseln? Nein, die Trauer über die Ermordung eine Kleinkindes... |
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"Cheese..." - Verkommenheit hat ein meist grünes Gesicht |
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| KGE: "Und die AfD trauert doch tatsächlich um den Jungen..." "Diese rechten Deppen" |
Freitag, 24. Januar 2025
Trump, Dekrete und Drogen
von Thomas Heck
Donald Trump ist erst seit einigen Tagen im Amt und die Dekrete in einer Geschwindigkeit, dass einem schon schwindlig werden kann. Ob dabei alles sinnvoll ist, vermag ich nicht mal im Ansatz einzuschätzen. Bei den Abschiebungen illegaler Migranten bin ich 100% bei ihm und sowas würde auch Deutschland gut zu Gesicht stehen, lebten dann nämlich noch Mitbürger, die wie zuletzt in Aschaffenburg abgeschlachtet wurden. Gleiches gilt für die Einstellung der Finanzierung der WHO, der Weltgesundheitsorganisation, der UNWRA, dem terroristischen Palästinenser-Hilfswerk, bei die UN geht auch schon die Angst um und das sollte sie auch, zumal jetzt ans Tageslicht kam, dass israelische Geiseln in UN-Einrichtungen gefangengehalten, vergewaltigt und gefoltert wurden. In anderen Bereichen ist Trump vielleicht etwas übers Ziel hinausgeschossen, wie man am Beispiel der Drogenpolitik sehen kann. Doch lesen Sie selbst, machen Sie sich selbst ein Bild und fällen Ihr eigenes Urteil.
Trump poltert. Für viele ist schwer abzulesen, was tatsächlich dahintersteckt. Eine kleine Realsatire für diejenigen, die wissen wollen, wie Trump tickt.
Das Bayer-Stammwerk in Wuppertal-Elberfeld ließ sich 1898 den Markenname für das Husten- und Schmerzmittel Diacetylmorphin schützen: Heroin. Da Opiate schon seit tausenden Jahren als Schmerzmittel genutzt wurden, hatte man nach einer Möglichkeit gesucht, es chemisch als Extrakt herzustellen. Später wurde es zur Linderung der Beschwerden beim Entzug von Kokain genutzt und auch Schwangeren empfohlen.
Da das Geschäft lief, entwickelten zwei Chemiker an der Uni Frankfurt Oxycodon, das als Opioid ebenfalls als Husten- und Schmerzmittel unter dem Namen Eukodal vermarktet wurde. Hitler ließ sich von seinem Leibarzt Theo Morell angeblich regelmäßig Oxycodon spritzen. Es wirkt nicht nur Stimmungsaufhellend, sondern auch schmerzstillend. Und es hat damit sowohl ein psychisches, als auch ein körperliches Abhängigkeitspotential.
Purdue und das Marketing
Das traditionsreiche Pharmaunternehmen Purdue ist seit seiner Gründung 1892 im Besitz der Familie Sackler. Es hatte sich im Laufe der Zeit auf Schmerzmittel spezialisiert. In den 80ern brachte es bereits ein Morphin heraus, dessen „Patent“ abgelaufen war: MS Contin. Die Sacklers kamen so auf die großartige Idee, das auch mit Oxycodon zu machen und nannten es „OxyContin“.
Bei der Zulassungsbehörde FDA (Food and Drug Administration) saß ein Dr. Curtis Wright und versauerte mit seiner guten Ausbildung in einem Büro. Er begutachtete OxyContin und lies es zu. Was er genau begutachtet hat, ist bis heute nicht so ganz klar. In jedem Fall nahm er die Nachweise von Purdue an, obwohl es keine vorgeschriebene „Langzeit-Untersuchung“ gegeben hatte. Das Abhängigkeitspotential lag laut Purdue bei unter einem Prozent. Später würde er behaupten, er habe nie mit jemanden von Purdue persönlich gesprochen. Dann sagte er, er habe nie alleine mit jemandem von Purdue gesprochen. Dann zeigten Terminplaner, dass er alleine mit Purdue gesprochen hat.
Dann schickte Purdue seine fleißigen Bienchen aus. Junge, dynamische, zumeist gutaussehende und weibliche Vertreterinnen, die durchs Land fuhren, ein enormes Budget zur Verfügung hatten, Ärzte zu Essen einluden und ihnen OxyContin schmackhaft machten. Sie sollten es bedenkenlos verschreiben. Ein großer Deal war, die Gesundheitsfürsorge für Veteranen überzeugen zu können.
Es sind Summen, bei denen es nicht mehr auf ein oder zwei Millionen ankommt. Bis 2017 hat Purdue mindestens 35 Milliarden Dollar mit OxyContin verdient. Das entspricht etwa dem Staatshaushalt von Marokko. Der Wert von Purdue wurde „nur“ auf 13 Milliarden geschätzt, dem widersprechen aber viele Bundesstaaten. Curtis Wright verließ 1997 die FDA und bekam im darauffolgenden Jahr einen Job bei Purdue; für 185.000 Dollar pro Jahr.
Die Krise
Familienväter, Hausfrauen, Sportler, Schmerzpatienten wurden abhängig von OxyContin. Die Krankenkassen zahlten das Medikament aber nur über einen bestimmten Zeitraum. Und so ging die Opioidkrise in den USA los. Die inzwischen etwa eine halbe Millionen Menschenleben gekostet hat. Die Crack-Epidemie der 80er und 90er ist ein Witz dagegen.
Da OxyContin schwer zu bekommen ist, mussten viele auf andere Mittel zurückgreifen. Die meisten auf Fentanyl. Das ist ein synthetisches Opioid, es wird im Labor hergestellt. Und die Nachfrage ist enorm.
Die mexikanischen Drogenkartelle haben durch das Fentanyl inzwischen die Koksbauern Südamerikas weit hinter sich gelassen. Und den Umsatzrückgang durch die Legalisierung von Marihuana konnten sie leicht ausgleichen. Im mexikanischen Drogenkrieg sind in den vergangenen Jahren weitere Hunderttausende gestorben.
Coolio, Prince, Michael K. Williams, Jesse Jane, sie alle hatten bei ihrem Tod Fentanyl im Blut. Doch wir sprechen hier vor allem von Menschen, die sich nicht einfach zum Spaß einen reinziehen wollten. Sondern die durch ihre Ärzte auf Schmerzmittel gesetzt wurden, und dann nicht mehr davon loskamen. Weil der Entzug nicht nur psychisch schwer ist, sondern mit Schmerzen und anderen Symptomen einhergeht. Und unbeaufsichtigt auch zum Tod führen kann.
Es war ein langer Weg, das vor die Gerichte zu bringen. Oder besser gesagt, das überhaupt aufzudecken. Denn nur sehr langsam kamen immer mehr Details ans Licht, die zeigten, dass Purdue bzw. die Familie Sackler bewusst gehandelt hatte. Beispielsweise hatte es gar keine „Langzeitstudie“ gegeben und die angeblichen ein Prozent Abhängigkeitspotenzial waren schlicht ausgedacht.
Viele Bundesstaaten und Privatkläger gingen gegen Purdue vor.
Die Serien „Painkiller“ und „Dopesick“ arbeiten dies auf, die Netflix Serie „Der Untergang des Hauses Usher“ vermischt Motive von Edgar Allen Poe geschickt mit der Familie Sackler.
Donald Trumpf und die Sacklers
Donald Trump steht im Ruf ein „Selfmade Man“ zu sein. Das bringt ihm vor allem in den USA viel Achtung ein, wo ein ungezwungenerer Umgang mit Reichtum herrscht. Tatsächlich war aber sein Vater der Macher, er selber hat so gut wie alles geerbt und vieles in den Sand gesetzt. Es gibt Geschäftsleute, die sagen, er sei ein beschissener Geschäftsmann. Seine Großeltern hießen übrigens noch „Trumpf“ und sind aus Kallstadt in der Pfalz in die USA ausgewandert. Friedrich Trumpf hat während des Goldrausches ein Vermögen gemacht, sein Sohn Fred, Donald Trumps Vater, wurde Bauunternehmer. So etwas hallt in einer Familie nach.
2017 war Trump auch mit dem Versprechen angetreten, die Opioidkrise zu bewältigen. Dabei herausgekommen ist etwa so viel, wie Mexiko für die von ihm angekündigte Mauer bezahlt hat.
Als die Familie Sackler vor einer Flut von Klagen stand, hat das Justizministerium unter Trump 2020 einen Deal ausgehandelt. Zumindest auf Bundesebene bekennt das Unternehmen sich für schuldig in drei Punkten, unter anderem der Verschwörung zum Betrug. Dafür müssten sie Purdue auflösen, können aber bis 2024 eine neue Firma gründen. Über den Zeitraum von 18 Jahren sollte das Unternehmen knapp sechs Milliarden Dollar an die Hinterbliebenen und Opfer zahlen. Dafür wären sie gegen Zivilklagen immun.
Das Privatvermögen der Sacklers wäre nicht angerührt worden.
Dr. Kathe Sackler, Vizepräsidentin von Purdue, wird während einer Anhörung zugeschaltet vereidigt. Dezember 2020
Ich möchte das nochmal deutlich machen: Die Familie verdient mit einer Art Heroin 35 Milliarden Dollar. Das kostet etwa eine halbe Millionen Menschen das Leben. Davon soll sie aber nichts zurückzahlen, ihr Privatbesitz bleibt unberührt und sie sind vor Zivilklagen geschützt.
Unter Biden beantragte die Bundesstaatsanwaltschaft beim obersten Gerichtshof das Insolvenzverfahren auszusetzen. 2024 entschied der Gerichtshof knapp (fünf zu vier Stimmen), das Insolvenzverfahren zu verwerfen. Weil die Summen nicht ansatzweise an das herankommen, was die Firma und die Sacklers persönlich mit OxyContin verdient hatten.
Die Dekrete
Bei der Amtseinführung zu Trumps zweiter Amtszeit standen sie in gelöster Stimmung mit auf dem Podium: Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Sundar Pichai (Google, Alphabet), Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX). Man kennt sich, man grüßt sich.
Und gleich am ersten Tag haute Trump ein Dekret nach dem anderen raus. Öffentlichkeitswirksam unterschrieben vor laufenden Kameras. Dabei war unter anderem die Ausrufung des Notstandes an der Grenze zu Mexiko. Dadurch kann dort auch das Militär eingesetzt werden. Die Kartelle, die sich am Fentanyl eine goldene Nase verdienen, wurden zu Terrororganisationen erklärt.
Man muss sich das vergegenwärtigen: Die Familie, die Opioide als Medikament verkauft und damit überhaupt erst eine Drogenwelle lostritt, soll geschützt werden. Dem Wähler wird suggeriert, man würde etwas gegen die Drogen tun, indem man diejenigen bekämpft, die im Grunde genau das gleiche verkaufen. Auf einem Markt, den andere überhaupt erst geschaffen haben.
Business ist in Trumps Welt alles. Es gibt nur Schwarz und Weiß, alles ist in Zahlen und Umsätzen messbar. Es bleibt jedem selber überlassen sich vorzustellen, wie das Welt- und Menschenbild eines Trump aussieht. Die Frage ist nicht, ob Trump Rassist ist. Sondern ob er Sozialdarwinist ist.
In einem weiteren Dekret hat er das Verbot von TikTik gestoppt und will den Konzern dazu bringen, dass die USA mit 50% einsteigen. Was das für Jugendliche bedeutet, ist völlig gleichgültig. Gleichzeitig ist er aus der globalen Mindestbesteuerung ausgestiegen. Mit diesem schwer zu erreichenden Abkommen hatten 140 Staaten der Welt vereinbart, dass Unternehmen überall mindestens 15% Steuern zahlen müssen. Um Steuerdumping zu vermeiden. Auszusteigen bedeutet, dass die USA sehr interessant für Unternehmen werden. Hinzu kommen die angekündigten angeblichen größten Steuerentlastungen aller Zeiten.
Das sei doch gut, werden einige jetzt sagen. Aber ist es das? Wer wird wohl mehr davon profitieren: die Familien, die nach wie vor auf das Geld von Purdue warten, weil ihre Angehörigen in der Drogengosse nach einer Überdosis am Atemstillstand verreckt sind, oder die dort auf der Bühne der Amtseinführung fröhlich applaudiert haben?
Weitestgehend unbemerkt bliebt Trumps Widerruf der „Executive Order 14087“. Damit hatte die Biden Regierung angeordnet, dass die Zuzahlung für Medikamente gedeckelt wird. Für Insulin beispielsweise monatlich bei 35 Dollar. Durch den Widerruf wird nun befürchtet, dass die Preise durch die Abgabe der Verantwortung der Krankenkassen und die Reaktion der Hersteller um 5000% steigen könnten. Während es den Schmuggel von Fentanyl aus Mexiko gibt, wird wohl der Schmuggel von Insulin aus Kanada und Mexiko auch wieder aufleben.
Es bleibt spannend zu sehen, wie lange die US-Amerikaner brauchen, um das zu verstehen. Oder ob. Rechtspopulismus wie aus dem Lehrbuch. In einfachen Botschaften erklären, wer der Feind ist. Und während alle beängstigt in die Richtung gucken, machen sich einige wenige die Taschen voll.
Gestern willigte die Familie Sackler gegenüber 15 Bundesstaaten ein, 7,4 Milliarden Dollar zu zahlen. Was sie dann aber nicht vor weiteren Klagen anderer schützt. Zumindest, bis Trumps Regierung einen neuen Deal vorschlägt. Denn das muss noch von einem Gericht abgesegnet werden.
Sonntag, 19. Januar 2025
Baerbocks verbrannte diplomatische Erde...
von Thomas Heck
Die Bundesregierung unter Bundeskanzler Scholz und einer unfähigen und ideologischen feministischen Außenministerin Annalena Baerbock hat in den vergangenen Jahren viel außenpolitisches Geschirr zertrümmert. Deutschland hat es sich dabei mit nahezu allen Partnern verscherzt, in Europa mit Frankreich und Polen, die sich in wichtigen strategischen Fragen lieber an Partner wenden, auf die Verlaß ist. Israel wurde in den letzten Jahren permanent an den Pranger gestellt, Baerbock und der deutsche Botschafter Steffen Seibert mit widerlichen antisemitischen Narrativen vorneweg.
Und während sich den Unrechtsregimen der Welt zugewandt wird, z.B. Iran und Afghanistan und das knappe Steuergeld an Terroristen weltweit verteit wird, wie kürzlich an die Hamas, die israelische Babys als Geiseln hält, wird kräftig an einer Strategie der verbrannten Erde gearbeitet, die das Ziel zu haben scheint, Deutschland weiter internationel zu isolieren. Anders ist es nicht zu erklären, weshalb kurz vor der Inauguration Trumps der deutsche Botschafter in den USA gegen Trump wütet und von Massendeportation und Vergeltung schwafelt. BILD liegt hierzu ein geheimes Papier aus Washington vor. Und Trump sicher auch.
Die Ministerin und ihr Motz-Botschafter: Annalena Baerbock (44, Grüne) im Juli in Washington mit Botschafter Andreas Michaelis (65)
Eines sollen Botschafter im Ausland nicht tun: Stinkbomben zünden. Deutschlands oberster Diplomat in den USA, Botschafter Andreas Michaelis, hat nun genau dies getan!
In einer geheimen Botschafts-Depesche (liegt BILD vor) an seine Außenministerin Annalena Baerbock (44, Grüne) ledert der Diplomat kurz vor dessen Amtseinführung gegen den neuen US-Präsidenten Donald Trump (78).
Dabei ist klar: In Washington liest der Freund mit!
Das Verschluss-Papier („VS nur für den Dienstgebrauch“) grenzt an Höllenmalerei: Als wolle Trump die USA in einen Unrechtsstaat verwandeln. Michaelis, früher Sprecher von Grünen-Außenminister Joschka Fischer (76), kabelte Dienstag unter der Überschrift „Trumps Spielraum zur Neudefinition der verfassungsrechtlichen Ordnung“ nach Berlin. Getrieben sei er von Rachegelüsten. Trump wird in dem Schreiben als „T.“ abgekürzt.
Das schreibt der deutsche US-Botschafter über Trump
► Trumps Agenda „der maximalen Disruption, des Aufbrechens etablierter politischer Ordnung (…) sowie seine Rachepläne bedeuten letztlich eine Neudefinition der verfassungsrechtlichen Ordnung: maximale Machtkonzentration beim Präsidenten zulasten von Kongress und Bundesstaaten“. Exakt das ist die Beschreibung einer Einführung einer Diktatur.
► „Demokratische Grundprinzipien (…) werden weitestgehend ausgehebelt.“
► Trump strebe nach „Massendeportationen“ (gemeint: Abschiebungen) und „Vergeltung“.
► Die übliche Neubesetzung von Chefposten bei FBI und Justizministerium (DoJ) wird zur Verschwörung: „Mit der Nominierung einer hochloyalen DoJ-Spitze, der angedrohten Kündigung vermeintlich illoyaler Staatsanwälte und Mitarbeiter sowie der unüblichen Auswechslung des FBI-Direktors durch einen ‚Deep State‘-Gegner stellt T. sicher, dass das Ermittlungsermessen möglichst für seine Ziele und Person ausgeübt wird.“
► Trump schaffe „faktisch die Unabhängigkeit strafrechtlicher Ermittlungen ab“.
► Trump und Super-Milliardär Elon Musk (52) wollten die – in den USA heilige – freie Rede einschränken: „Die Meinungsfreiheit gilt v.a. für das MAGA-Wort, gegen Kritiker und nicht kooperierende Medienunternehmen gehen T. und Musk bereits vor.“ MAGA meint die Trump-Bewegung „Make America Great Again“.
► Dann ein Rassismus-Vorwurf: „Durch weitere Einschränkung partizipativer Minderheitsrechte (…) wird T. die MAGA-Vision des (weißen) amerikanischen Volkes vorantreiben.“ Beleg: Trumps Plan, den „automatischen Staatsangehörigkeitserwerb für irreguläre Migrantenkinder“ abzuschaffen.
Ein hoher deutscher Ex-Diplomat zu BILD: „Es steht auch Richtiges drin – aber es ist ein rein ideologisch geprägtes Papier.“
Botschafter Michaelis kann es egal sein: In Deutschland wird neu gewählt – und er selbst kann in Pension gehen, er ist schon 65 Jahre alt.
Aus dem Auswärtigen Amt heißt es, man äußere sich „grundsätzlich nicht zu internen Papieren, Analysen oder Botschaftsberichten“. Klar sei: „Die USA sind einer unserer wichtigsten Verbündeten.“
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