Battlefield Burials

[cyberia]

German field cemetery outside Leningrad

[cyberia]

Typical German war grave, Russia 1942

A bit more proper burial for two Soldat, East Prussia, 1944

[cyberia]

Burial service for the victims of the Japanese attack on the NAS Kancohe




Hungarian troops bury one of their own, Russia 1943

[cyberia]

Beneath his helmet and weapon, an American solider awaits proper burial in Normandy, 1944

[cyberia]

The grave of a crew member behind the tail of his downed plane

[Jim O]

Originally Posted by cyberia

German field cemetery outside Leningrad

Those appear to be Spanish names on the markers. Likely volunteers from Spain in the The Blue Division (Spanish División Azul, German: Blaue Division), or 250. Infanterie-Division which was engaged in the Siege of Leningrad and also in the Battle of Krasny Bor. The Spanish took heavy casualties prior to their withdrawal in 1943.

[Holly6]

Excellent photos. I know the Russians were/are incredibly respectful of their own dead on the Eastern Front. Have you any knowledge of their actions vis-a-vis their enemy graves?

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by Jim O

Those appear to be Spanish names on the markers. Likely volunteers from Spain in the The Blue Division (Spanish División Azul, German: Blaue Division), or 250. Infanterie-Division which was engaged in the Siege of Leningrad and also in the Battle of Krasny Bor. The Spanish took heavy casualties prior to their withdrawal in 1943.

Sharp eye, Jim, and you are no doubt correct on the unit as the time frame fits.

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by Holly6

Excellent photos. I know the Russians were/are incredibly respectful of their own dead on the Eastern Front. Have you any knowledge of their actions vis-a-vis their enemy graves?

This photo was taken near Kursk three days after the battle and just before the German withdrawal. It shows German troops and medical staff leveling graves to conceal them from advancing Russians.

The Russian often disturbed German war graves but usually out of necessity rather than disrespect. NKVD units would search the pockets of the dead for information about units.

[cyberia]

A German mountain top cemetery in the Caucasus