Fury of veterans as 'insensitive' Midlands school flies the GERMAN flag on the anniversary of D-Day

Arden Academy in Solihull condemned by members of Royal British Legion

Teachers at the school who lost relatives during war are also 'very upset'

Head defends move - saying he was welcoming German exchange students



A school has provoked outrage among war veterans after flying the German flag on the anniversary of D-Day.

Members of the Royal British Legion condemned the decision by Arden Academy to hoist the black, red and gold flag on the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings.

Teachers at the school in Knowle, near Solihull, are also understood to be angry.

'Out of order': Arden Academy in Kowle in the West Midlands has angered war veterans after flying the German flag on their grounds on the 70th anniversary of D-Day

A source said: 'Some staff were very upset, some lost relatives during the war.

'I think it was extremely insensitive. To put the flag up on D-Day is just appalling.'

However principal Martin Murphy defended the move, insisting the flag was a way of welcoming German exchange students who were visiting that weekend.

Jeff Stocks, who served in the Navy and is now chairman of the Royal British Legion Solihull, was also critical.

'In my personal opinion, they should not have done it, not around D-Day,' he said.

'It’s going to cause a lot of upset and anger, especially with ex-servicemen.'

'Did not intend to cause any upset': Principal Martin Murphy defended the move, insisting the flag was a way of welcoming German exchange students who were visiting that weekend

Courage: Soldiers land on the French coast in Normandy during the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944

Ray Warren, branch chairman of Knowle British Legion said ex-servicemen would be 'disgusted.'

He said: 'Considering there are two celebrations this year - the 70th anniversary of D-Day and the 100th anniversary of the First World War - it's very out of order.

'I think many ex military would be disgusted to see the German flag.

'It is a very unusual step for Arden to take and I am quite shocked.

'We have got very few ex servicemen left now and I think for them to see something like that is out of order.

'These men have suffered enough and there are lads who are still serving their country.'

Mr Murphy, the interim executive principal at Arden, said: 'We did not intend to cause any upset. The flag was there to simply welcome our German exchange students, who arrived at the weekend.

'The flag was put up in time for their arrival. We were celebrating the arrival of our German students, who are really enjoying their time in Solihull at the moment.'