Discovery of Nazi-era memorabilia being openly displayed at two German barracks, in contravention of a ban, has prompted army-wide inspections.
German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen (C) speaks with Inspector General of the German armed forces Bundeswehr Volker Wieker (R) and Inspector Heer General Joerg Vollmeer (L) during a visit at military facilities of the 291st Jagerbataillon in Illkirch-Graffenstaden, eastern France. Photo: AFP
The defence ministry said the command came from the inspector general of the Bundeswehr (Germany's armed forces).
All barracks will be searched for material linked to the Wehrmacht, the army that served Adolf Hitler.
The move follows a growing scandal over far-right extremism within the army, with an officer accused of plotting an attack where he would be disguised as a Syrian refugee.
The army lieutenant, who had expressed far-right views, was arrested in late April. Prosecutors in Frankfurt said the 28-year-old had a "xenophobic background".
Germany's Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen cancelled a planned trip to the US and travelled to his garrison in Illkirch, northeastern France.
Officials found Wehrmacht memorabilia openly displayed there in the common room, despite a ban on Nazi symbols.
A second barracks, Fürstenberg in Donaueschingen, southwest Germany, was then sucked into the scandal on Saturday after a display cabinet was found containing Nazi-era helmets.
Spiegel online reported that pictures of Wehrmacht soldiers were found on a wall, along with Nazi pistols, more helmets and military decorations.
A Defence Ministry spokesman told Reuters the items found in Donaueschingen did not include Nazi objects punishable under German law, such as swastikas.
However, Ms Von der Leyen said last Wednesday that she would not tolerate the veneration of the Wehrmacht in today's army.
She said the latest scandals were no longer isolated cases, adding that "a misunderstood esprit de corps" had led senior officers to "look the other way".
The minister later apologised for the tone of her criticism, after political opponents accused her of smearing the whole army.
- BBC