Bf 109 G-4 WNr. 14946

[Sokol1]

 

http://forum.il2sturmovik.ru/topic/4319-najden-bf-109-adolfa-fon-gordona-rajone-novorossij/?do=findComment&comment=412892

 

 

 

 

[Feathered_IV]

It's a shame they haven't heard of proper archaeological process.   Though some remarkable artifacts managed to survive despite being ripped and torn out of the ground by these vandals.  Was that the remains of the pilots gloved finger they were poking at before liberating the gold signet ring?  Should fetch a pretty penny on ebay.ru

[=362nd_FS=Hiromachi]

It doesn't look that bad in Poland, its a bit more professional as such groups usually contain few archaeologists but mostly it still involves a private groups. Problem is that proper archaeological process is usually a method of operation of public institutions or corporations involved, neither dedicates time to digging every bit of a ground. Without action of guys like them, those items would be lost forever. And this way they may find who the pilot was and put a cross in that place where his remains are, as well as they can contact family and inform of that fact. 

Sometimes it means one less MiA. And I think every family above all would like to know where their relatives are buried. 

 

Though I agree, they should do so without heavy equipment literally tearing though the remains of the pilot and the machine. 

Edited May 5, 2016 by =LD=Hiromachi

[Brano]

They are no vandals. It is registered public/civil organisation called Краснодарская краевая общественная поисковая организация focused on searching places of the final rest of fallen pilots during Great Patriotic War. They are active in vast area from Barents Sea to Black Sea with main focus on Krym and Kuban area.Their deeds were rewarded many times by goverments of Russia,Belarus,Armenia and other republics of former Soviet union. Thanks to them,over 5000 fallen soldiers and officers remains were found and buried with all military tributes. It cooperats with long established ДОСААФ and grants from Russian goverment.

 

There is warning in video (6:02) about specifics of such searchings. The body of the pilot has been preserved in technical fluids as cabin of messer has been flodded with antifreeze and hydraulics fluid.It is a dirty job,yes,but calling this people vandals is a strong wording.

 

http://kubpoisk.ru/

[Feathered_IV]

Thanks for the explanation Brano, I appreciate it. Without translation the video looks like looting.

[Brano]

It might be confusing for people that don't understand Russian.No problem FIV. There are several such organisations supported by government. Their main goal is search,exhumation,identification and proper handling of fallen soldiers remains. There are still thousands of missing military personnel and such searchings are ongoing. Some in very harsh environments like Pripjat marshes. Russian officials are in touch with German organisation that take care about military graveyards in foreign countries. Because such site as this is first of all military grave,not an archeological site. Near my hometown,where my father was born, is German military cemetery. Local people take care of it with help of German funds. It's well preserved and good place to contemplate about war and its horrors. I stop by every time I pass around.

 

Edit: here is a link to the site where this German cemetery is described. Its near village Važec (vazhets to pronounce) with beautiful panorama of High Tatras mountains. Its in slovak language but pictures are nice and describe the area very well. I think it is placed on dignified site and my uncle as former mayor of Važec village told me that german relatives visiting the site were positively surprized about how well the area looks like.

 

http://www.valka.cz/11239-Nemecky-vojensky-cintorin-vo-Vazci

Edited May 6, 2016 by Brano

[SCG_Space_Ghost]

-snip-

 

proper handling of fallen soldiers remains

 

-snip-

 

 

Yeah... About that...