In it's charter, the VdK states that "political organisations" (ie.the SS) will not be recognised on their headstones with either an equivalent army rank being shown or the rank being shown without it's political designation (ie. Hauptsturmfuhrer or Hauptmann as opposed to SS-Hauptsturmfuhrer). Going through some of my old snapshots this morning , I rediscovered this piccie...what happened here then? A pretty blatent SS headstone if you ask me! Dave
Dave, Would this have been a private headstone? You know what I mean, in that there are for instance some Regtl. / family memorials etc in cwgc cemeteries, not to be removed, by express wishes of family ... Could this be one of these cases here? Or is it the same as others next to it? dbf <TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Nachname:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">Speck </TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Vorname:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">Friedrich </TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Dienstgrad:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">Grenadier </TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Geburtsdatum:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">29.03.1926 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Geburtsort:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">Planitz </TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Todes-/Vermisstendatum:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">23.09.1944 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Not here, dbf...every grave marker is the same, with, if I recall correctly, quite a large number of SS graves (it's referred to locally as the "SS Cemetery" and Ronald Reagan caused a stir there quite a while back by laying a wreath on a SS grave). Dave... Father and son?
Not here, dbf...every grave marker is the same, with, if I recall correctly, quite a large number of SS graves (it's referred to locally as the "SS Cemetery" and Ronald Reagan caused a stir there quite a while back by laying a wreath on a SS grave). Dave... Thanks Dave, I had thought that this one had 'slipped by' then, but this is obviously not the case... Found refs to Reagan's visit, wasn't aware of this, thanks. http://www.vlib.us/amdocs/texts/reagan051985.html “This visit has stirred many emotions in the American and German people, too. I've received many letters since first deciding to come to Bitburg cemetery; some supportive, others deeply concerned and questioning, and others opposed. Some old wounds have been reopened, and this I regret very much because this should be a time of healing.” http://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/06/international/europe/06REAG.html "President Reagan presided over a wreath-laying today at the base of a brick cemetery tower looming over the graves of nearly 2,000 German soldiers, including 49 SS troops." dbf
Regan really would not known much about the significance of Bitburg.One would have thought that the State Department officials would have known what was there before the visit to the cemetery was arranged. Perhaps it was the nearest WW2 German military cemetery to Bitberg AFB
Regan really would not known much about the significance of Bitburg.One would have thought that the State Department officials would have known what was there before the visit to the cemetery was arranged. Harry, Wouldn't disagree with you about that; hardly going to have time to check out his own itinery. Thought it was interesting as 'diplomatic' cock-ups go, and really don't remember hearing anything about it from the time ... dbf
