A deathcard and a grave

[Edelweiss]

A new thread initiated for Luca ; here's what he says :

"I have some death cards, and one of these is about a grenadier buried in Pomezia, who died during the heavy battle for the Anzio-Nettuno beachead. I went to the cemetery (near Rome) and I have found his grave... Here are the pics..."

[Edelweiss]

2.

[Edelweiss]

3.

[Greg Sebring]

3.

Chris,

Are there two soldiers buried at that marker?? It looked like two different names listed.

Greg

[Edelweiss]

Yes. It's often the case, as I noticed it for the first time in the german cemetary of "La Cambe", in Normandy.
The one from the death card is the second named on the cross.

[Greg Sebring]

Yes. It's often the case, as I noticed it for the first time in the german cemetary of "La Cambe", in Normandy.
The one from the death card is the second named on the cross.

Thanks Chris,

...makes you wonder if the soldier has any living relatives and if they know where his grave is located. It's like going back to another time when the puzzle pieces fit together to tell a story.

Greg

[Mark Holden]

A very poignant piece of research putting a face to a grave. There are actually 3 soldiers buried here the first is identified only as a german soldier. In la Cambe you have as many as 4 to a plot.

Cheers

Mark

Yes. It's often the case, as I noticed it for the first time in the german cemetary of "La Cambe", in Normandy.
The one from the death card is the second named on the cross.

[WalterB]

sorry for double post, please see below.

[WalterB]

A very poignant piece of research putting a face to a grave. There are actually 3 soldiers buried here the first is identified only as a german soldier. In la Cambe you have as many as 4 to a plot.

Cheers

Mark

Man, it looks like the poor guy died at the age of 19 (two months short of his 20th). I look back to when I was 19 and I realize that had I stopped living then, I would have missed the most significant part of my life (I mean, its only after high school that you truly start living and developing as an individual). Very sad. May he rest in peace.

[Edelweiss]

There are actually 3 soldiers buried here the first is identified only as a german soldier. In la Cambe you have as many as 4 to a plot.

You're right, Mark : an unknown one and 2 named here. In "La Cambe" yes, each stone plot mark the grave of 4 german soldiers ; did you feel there the same heavy atmosphere as I did ? And the central "tumulus", with its dark statue is also very impressive. A visit I recommend, if possible short after the visit of the amrican cemetary of Omaha : the comparison is astounding...

I'll try to post here some photos of La Cambe, if I manage to put the hand on them in a reasonnable time.

[Luca]

Hallo guys!!I am Luca, Thanks Chris indeed I was just joking ...
Very IMPRESSIVE thread!!!!!isn't it?
I 'll post another death card of a FJ buried in pomezia as soon as possible (It's travelling from Germany to my house...it's not here yet !

About graves: in Pomezia and Cassino every grave contains the remains of 6 soldiers!!!3 names for side!

any toughts are welcome...

[Mark Holden]

Hi Chris,

yes La Cambe is a sombre place. I found the American Cemetery at St Laurent equally moving. However my Bias is with Commonwealth Cemeteries, which I have visited all over the world, and still find the most moving of all, but being British you would expect nothing less.

Regards

Mark

[Jan B]

If I'm correct there's a major grave-tombe of around 15 young ( the oldest was 17 I think) german soldiers too at the 'La Cambe' cemetry. Most of which died shortly after the war in captivity.