The mass grave in Villeneuve-Loubet, full details

[XEN]

Fantastic job and an absorbing thread.

[Jean-Loup]

Thanks to all those who showed interest.
Not that I am particularly grapling for attention, and I know there was already thread about this grave; but when I see that about 10 people replied to this thread after 1200 people have looked at it, it makes me wonder if it is worthwile spending any time posting stuff like this, particularly the history part.
A mint SS helmet thread would have had more replies after one hour. It shows how strong the supposed interest in history is amongst our community. I guess the veteran interviews are to long and boring to read...
Putting some of the info in this thread on a public forum is giving away hard earned information for free. Some people may use this info without asking me, and for goals that may go against my interests.
If I am giving this info away and most people enjoy it, then I am happy. If people dont care, then I should keep the info to myself, and at the same time avoid the risks that go with giving out information for free in public.

JL

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi JL, I would not worry about the number of replies. I think the number of views is telling

Easy to say "Oooo ah" etc about a decal or something, but this kind of thread brings home the real reality of what we collect. People often become a bit tight lipped when faced with what it all means.

Cheers, Ade.

[jehato]

I agree, do not worry about the number of replies. Great thread and I really did enjoy the historical background, it gave me a greater appreation of what all of those men must of endured. GREAT JOB.

[teltec01]

Hello Jean-Loup,... I wouldn't worry too much about the amount of replies your thread has attracted. I think all of the people who have read your enthralling and detailed account are very impressed with your discovery, you should be very proud. Not only have you preserved a bit of history, you have also ensured that the relatives of the fallen soldiers will finally find closure,... well done,...Gerry

[M. A. Miller]

thanks

Jean-Loup,
Definately do not take to heart the the number of replies. most of the 2000 readers are just speechless and jealous. This is something that most of us could only dream of. I collect historical artifacts because I'm interested in history. Historical archaeology/anthropolgy is something I dreamed about a kid but was never able to follow. I was lucky enough to volunteer on a small historical dig in my area years ago. Very tedious, but rewarding. I read this whole article and was fascinated by it. I have to say I would have been one of the non responders because I'm not comfortable writing comments and my typing sucks. As most of your readers are men, we are always being accused of not talking or showing our feelings, so don't concern yourself by the response. As I can sense by your enthusiasm ,you enjoy what you do , so keep up the good work. I will be waiting for future response by you to this thread.
Regards,Mitch

[MJC]

JL,

To echo our colleagues, very nice job. I had the interesting experience of uncovering a wartime corpse and I found it very moving and fulfilling. I began to feel like I had a responsibility to him and his relatives, to know his experiences, to see what he saw. Perhaps you feel them same.

Very nicely done, and please continue to keep us informed.

Mike

[NavyFCO]

JL-

Very cool thread! Having seen a lot of stuff dug from the Russian countryside in the early 90s, this has always been an interest of mine.

As for the replies... Don't sweat those too much. I tend to be one who reads a thread and appreciates it without posting. Chances are, I'd send you a PM to say how cool I thought it was before posting in the thread. I always try to not be one of those guys who just posts the "wowzie" or "very cool" post.

Thanks again for posting it, and please, please keep us posted on further developments.

Dave

[Jim Mooney]

Nice work JL did you have any luck ID'ing the soldiers? Have they been buried yet?

[regular122]

JL,

I am as impressed with your research on the actual fight in town and how these men died as much as anything else. Finding graves is one thing, but learning how the soldiers got there is just fantastic historical research and analysis. Thanks for educating all of us on an often overlooked front of the war.

May God bless those families that finally learn the fate of their loved one through your dedicated work. Until now, I am sure they lived only with the 'missing in action, persumed dead' category. Our gratitude should go out to you for this selfless service you are providing. Mine does. Steve

[Peter Wiking]

Jean-Loup
I have great respect for you and your work after reading this thread.

Peter

[Jean-Loup]

Thanks a lot guys for all your kind replies. I really appreciate them, and I am now reassured about the interest that this thread provoked. I though nobody was even bothering to read the historical part! I guess most of the "answering enthusiasm" was used up on the first thread, so people didn't bother to reply to this one.

"I began to feel like I had a responsibility to him and his relatives, to know his experiences, to see what he saw. Perhaps you feel them same. "

Yes Mike, this is exactly the way I feel, and I dont want to leave any stone unturned in my quest for information about what happened to these men, and who they were.

Here is something I had not posted yet. I found it by inspecing the dirt pile we made around the grave. We didnt see it as we were digging (it is very small), so threw it away without seeing what body it was with. This is what the object looked like when it was already partialy cleaned.

[Jean-Loup]

This is the same object after beeing cleaned. It is sad to think that whoever was wearing this, and especialy whoever gave this to the soldier, maybe a girlfriend, was probably hoping it would keep him out of harms way. Instead, he was buried with it in an unmarked grave for 62 years.
My mother commented to me that this was surely being worn by a Polish soldier, not a German. This is very probable as about half the "Germans" fighting at Villeneuve were actualy Polish, and the Polish are mostly catholic. Maybe this was being worn by that Polish soldier who was shot in the back by his officer.

[Suber]

That is a very poignant find with that pendant. Brings a very personal element to these individuals finality. It cleaned up very well too.

[Jean-Loup]

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