The bronze sculpture was recovered off the coast of Uruguay after it sunk on board the Grap Spee in World War 2.
The huge propaganda symbol weighs a whopping 300 to 400 kgs and would have sat on the ship’s prow, striking fear into the hearts of the enemies.
After it was recovered, the eagle has since been kept in a heavily guarded warehouse as authorities decided what to do with it.
But the Supreme Court has decided that the Uruguayan state, where the eagle was recovered is the piece’s rightful owner.
Its discoverer, Alfredo Etchegaray, will also receive half of the profits when the huge statue is sold on.
He believes this will net him £5 million, with the other half going towards funding the Uruguayan armed forces.
The German embassy had previously urged for the eagle to not be put on display for fears it could glorify the Nazi regime.
German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle told the BBC: “We want to prevent wreckage from the ship, in particular the Nazi symbols, from landing on the market for military insignia.”
The Grap Spee was sunk soon after the Battle of the River Plate in 1939.
Captain Hans Langdorff committed suicide shortly after it sunk for fears that if captured, the British would steal information about its state of the art technology.
Disclaimer: This video is intended for informational purpose only. This may not be construed as a news item or advice of any sort. Please consult the experts in that field for the authenticity of the presentations.
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Source: Daily Star
