German WWI graves smashed in France on peace anniversary

metalangel · 07-08-2012, 07:18 AM

BBC News - German WWI graves smashed in France on peace anniversary

Quote:

The graves of 40 German soldiers who died during World War I have been vandalised at a military cemetery in northern France, officials say.

Wooden crosses were pulled up from the Saint-Etienne-a-Arnes cemetery and some were later used for a camp fire.

France condemned the "terrible desecration", launching an inquiry.

It happened shortly before the leaders of France and Germany met to mark the 50th anniversary of the formal post-war reconciliation.

French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are attending the main ceremony in the city of Reims, about 40km (25) east of where the grave attack happened.

The German soldiers whose graves were vandalised were all aged between 14 and 18, French officials said.

"An inquiry is under way and all means are being employed to find those responsible for this terrible desecration," the interior ministry said in a statement.

A spokesman at the local prefecture said it was not immediately clear whether the it was a "determined action" or the work of "irresponsible people", the AFP news agency reports.

**Bottesini** · 07-08-2012, 08:33 AM

http://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/c...context=histhp

CrazyPaul · 07-08-2012, 12:58 PM

My question is why were German soldiers buried in France instead of Germany where they came from?

caz12 · 07-08-2012, 01:10 PM

because they were just boys and when dead or prisnor of war then not enermy anymore respect is given as human.many american buried in japan and malayer...they come under international society called 'WAR GRAVES'and where ever they are the burial plot is looked after,all equal in death

**Reba** · 07-08-2012, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalangel

Desecrating graves is disgraceful.

caz12 · 07-08-2012, 01:13 PM

terrible thing to do

**Reba** · 07-08-2012, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bottesini

http://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/c...context=histhp

Just an aside. Connecticut College is where my mom and step-dad worked for many years, and I worked for a couple of summers. Small world.

The paper is about WWII. The graves that were desecrated were WWI. I'll bet the vandals weren't even alive during the second war much less the first one.

**Reba** · 07-08-2012, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyPaul

My question is why were German soldiers buried in France instead of Germany where they came from?

During earlier wars, it was common for soldiers to be buried where they died. It wasn't an easy thing to ship back bodies to home countries during a war, and they had no way to preserve them for long times.

There are many, many Americans buried in France and other countries, too.

caz12 · 07-08-2012, 01:26 PM

we had vandles in my local cemetary all childrens graves these mindless evil creatures desercrated.....we got polish and candian war graves in it aswel young lads of 19.i walk pass them and so upset and say to them you should be my dad or grandad yet i talk to them as my sons..you notice all war graves stones are the same

**Reba** · 07-08-2012, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caz12

we had vandles in my local cemetary all childrens graves these mindless evil creatures desercrated.....we got polish and candian war graves in it aswel young lads of 19.i walk pass them and so upset and say to them you should be my dad or grandad yet i talk to them as my sons..you notice all war graves stones are the same

Yes, that is sad.

airportcop · 07-08-2012, 07:36 PM

No respect for the dead and those that served in war. Disgraceful! I really hate vandalism of any kind but desecration of graves really bothers me. Several years ago several youth desecrated a Jewish cemetery here. Disgusting and vile! How would they react if someone vandalized their families graves or their property?!

07-08-2012, 08:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bottesini Joe's Friend Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: With Owl Sock Posts: 37,524 Blog Entries: 1	http://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/c...context=histhp __________________

07-08-2012, 01:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
caz12 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2,822	because they were just boys and when dead or prisnor of war then not enermy anymore respect is given as human.many american buried in japan and malayer...they come under international society called 'WAR GRAVES'and where ever they are the burial plot is looked after,all equal in death airportcop likes this.

07-08-2012, 01:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
caz12 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2,822	we had vandles in my local cemetary all childrens graves these mindless evil creatures desercrated.....we got polish and candian war graves in it aswel young lads of 19.i walk pass them and so upset and say to them you should be my dad or grandad yet i talk to them as my sons..you notice all war graves stones are the same airportcop likes this.

07-08-2012, 07:36 PM	#11 (permalink)
airportcop Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 1,088	No respect for the dead and those that served in war. Disgraceful! I really hate vandalism of any kind but desecration of graves really bothers me. Several years ago several youth desecrated a Jewish cemetery here. Disgusting and vile! How would they react if someone vandalized their families graves or their property?! __________________ Romans 12:12 (NIV) Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

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07-08-2012, 12:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
CrazyPaul Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 2,976	My question is why were German soldiers buried in France instead of Germany where they came from?

07-08-2012, 01:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
caz12 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2,822	terrible thing to do