German Burials for 1940

Owen, can't find him on the German wargraves site.

 

Actually I was wondering whether German Cemetaries were on the receiving end of much vandalism especially after the war. Given the circumstances I wouldnt be surprised if this was a common occurence.

 

No, they were pretty much left alone. The reason why the German Wargraves have no trace of him is either his grave was lost in later combat (unlikely) or his remains were repatriated to Germany either during or just after the war. As such, if he is in a family grave they will have no trace of him online.

 

Actually I was wondering whether German Cemetaries were on the receiving end of much vandalism especially after the war. Given the circumstances I wouldnt be surprised if this was a common occurence.

That's a good point. Likewise do they suffer from the odd bit of vandalism today that you sometimes (very rarely I must add) read about CWGC cemeteries in France

 

Yes Steve. Unfortunately they do, but not so much in the WW2 cemeteries, many of (the larger of) which have an on-site warden.

dave.

 

Actually I was wondering whether German Cemetaries were on the receiving end of much vandalism especially after the war. Given the circumstances I wouldnt be surprised if this was a common occurence.

As Paul has said, the cemeteries were pretty much left alone. However, German memorials have always (well, as far back as 1871 anyway) seemed to have been seen as fair "game" to some, with many of these bearing witness to the scars of a passing farmer's gun if not worse. (it's not too long ago that I actually witnessed a farmer blasting a German (1870) regimental memorial with his shot-gun!)

dave.