Subdeacon Joe Posted September 7, 2014 Share Posted September 7, 2014 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2376475/German-soldiers-perfectly-preserved-trench-buried-alive-Allied-shell.html#ixzz2aSgcNOFJ A troop of 21 German soldiers found entombed in an perfectly preserved First World War shelter have been given a full military burial nearly a century after their deaths. Not a single member of the men's families attended the moving service at a war cemetery in northern France. The soldiers were buried alive in 1918 when a huge Allied shell exploded above the shelter causing it to cave in. Guests paid their respects by laying white roses at the foot of the graves. Fritz Kirchmeier, spokesman for the German War Graves Commission, said: 'The service was very simple but dignified and moving. 'Around 150 people attended the service including dignitaries from France and Germany and there was a very friendly atmosphere. 'There were two prayers read and then a trumpeter played the German equivalent of the Last Post. 'We wrote to three or four families who we could track down but sadly there were no family members at the funeral. 'The great granddaughter of one of the men wrote a letter which was read out at the service, however. 'Unfortunately the First World War is almost forgotten in Germany - it is almost entirely overshadowed by the Second World War. 'It was very important to have this funeral for the purpose of closure. 'For these soldiers the book has finally been shut 95 years after their deaths.' The dead soldiers were part a group of 34 from the 6th Company, 94th Reserve Infantry Regiment buried in the blast. After all the years..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted September 7, 2014 Share Posted September 7, 2014 Young men victims of old men's folly. May they now rest in peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowhouse Sam # 25171 Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 The common soldier is oft forgotten. Glad these got at least some recognition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Dan Troop 70448 Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Young men victims of old men's folly. May they now rest in peace. Well said, and again, May they now rest in peace. MT If you never heard the German equivelant of Taps, here's the song played "Der Gude Kamerad", "The Good Soldier". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1cKNcf1mpk Here its dedicated to all the fallen soldiers, of all nations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ab0v0KaRNk Here's its played in a moving bagpipes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYRCgK85PtQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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