bmac Posted 29 May , 2003 Share Posted 29 May , 2003 Last year I visited the small German cemetery at Achiet le Petit to find it vandalised. Cross had been smashed and the books burnt. Visited there again on Monday and nothing has happened to clear up/repair. I am not sure who is responsible locally for maintenance of German cemeteries but I have emailed the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge with the information. Hopefully they will deal with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph J. Whitehead Posted 30 May , 2003 Share Posted 30 May , 2003 Even after all of these years the German cemeteries are given second class status. They have few visitors and while most I have seen are in good condition I am not surprised by the lack of interest. Ralph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 30 May , 2003 Share Posted 30 May , 2003 Ralph and Bill, as an active member of "Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgraeberfuersorge", I took the matter to them in my native language and asked for investigation. I will report back upon answer from VDK! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john w. Posted 30 May , 2003 Share Posted 30 May , 2003 Whoever, wherever a cemetery is a place of rest and such acts constitute vandalism against those buried in it, respect to all John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 30 May , 2003 Share Posted 30 May , 2003 Exactly John, well said! It is also worth noting that Adolf Hitler made a decree to his Army before the invasion of France in 1940 that any soldier desecrating an allied War cemetary would be severely punished. In the end only 2 acts of vandalism occured which resulted in one Wehrmacht Lt being shot. Hitler had the greatest respect for the British soldiers of WW1. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hedley Malloch Posted 30 May , 2003 Share Posted 30 May , 2003 ... (snip) ...I am not sure who is responsible locally for maintenance of German cemeteries ... (snip) The German cemetery near me has a notice on the door of the equipment hut giving details of a local person who is responsible for keeping an eye on the cemetery. I don't know if this is standard practice. I find that registers and visitors' books are withdrawn from cemeteries over the winter months to save them from the weather. Often they are slow to be returned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Parker Posted 30 May , 2003 Share Posted 30 May , 2003 Ian I'm curious, what act of vandilism did the LT commit get shot Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Mackenzie Posted 30 May , 2003 Share Posted 30 May , 2003 I vaguely remember reading about a German officer who was shot for urinating against the Menin Gate - but then again I may be completely wrong and I cannot remember where I read this to check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 30 May , 2003 Share Posted 30 May , 2003 Geoff, The Lt concerned didn't actually physically do anything, he was charged with 'incitement' and then failing to stop the men under his command from doing the deed. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 10 July , 2003 Share Posted 10 July , 2003 Ralph and Bill, as an active member of "Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgraeberfuersorge", I took the matter to them in my native language and asked for investigation. I will report back upon answer from VDK! As promised I want to report back on the vandalism issue at Achiet-le-Petit cemetery! I received an official answer from VdK explaining the situation. They say, it was NOT vandalism but claim a storm, that made a large tree fell on the high cross and several gravestones. This fallen tree had been removed last year. For subsequent repairs they issued a request for proposal. Unfortunately the offer was way too high in cost. They still try to find a less expensive solution, but promised to bring the cemetery back in shape within this year. Remains the issue with the burned registry. I will call the VdK referent tomorrow, since it’s too late today (7 hrs time difference from here). Note: It is important that we inform each other on such matters, in order to resolve them by all means, nationally and internationally! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 19 September , 2003 Share Posted 19 September , 2003 Unfortunately the damage still hasn't been repaired, due to exceeding costs from local French companies. I will enquire again at VdK per telephone on Monday. This is a photo I took 2 weeks ago!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted 22 September , 2003 Share Posted 22 September , 2003 Egbert Good luck with your enquiries. That is a very sad sight. Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 22 September , 2003 Share Posted 22 September , 2003 Thank you for your interest Michael, I had contact this morning with responsible VdK- representative: he promised me that they take the Achiet issue very serious and also said that he will investigate in person next week at the occasion of a TDY trip to France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 17 May , 2004 Share Posted 17 May , 2004 Now after nearly 1.5 years, I am glad to report back to interested pals, that the destroyed entrance area of Achiet-le-Petit German War Grave site indeed has been repaired. The German War Grave Commission today informed me of this finally succesful work. It was a painstaking process because GWGC was earlier offered overprized repair contracts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark A Posted 17 May , 2004 Share Posted 17 May , 2004 That's great Egbert, thanks for letting us know and congrats on keeping tabs on this. Good to see it back to its best. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spike10764 Posted 17 May , 2004 Share Posted 17 May , 2004 Yes it's a relief to see, after all this time, the repairs done. Well done egbert and bmac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 17 May , 2004 Share Posted 17 May , 2004 Excellent news - shame its taken so long Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Barker Posted 17 May , 2004 Share Posted 17 May , 2004 Well done to all those Pals who helped here. Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyHollinger Posted 18 May , 2004 Share Posted 18 May , 2004 Count one for "our" side... Thanks to all involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted 18 May , 2004 Share Posted 18 May , 2004 Well done Egbert. Your new nickname is ' The Terrier ' 'cos they don't let go either! Aye Malcolm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
healdav Posted 18 May , 2004 Share Posted 18 May , 2004 There has been a general edict issued in France since the great storm of 1999, that in the 'winter' all cemetery registers are withdrawn to the local mairie for safekeeping out of the damp, etc. I don't like it, but there it is. Anyone wanting to see a register can do so at the appropriate amirie whenever it is open (that may be the problem). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul guthrie Posted 18 May , 2004 Share Posted 18 May , 2004 I assume you mean CWGC cemeteries and French authorities could not do this has to be CWGC, right? And how in hell do you know which Mairie? Is that posted where register was? This is real bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Denham Posted 18 May , 2004 Share Posted 18 May , 2004 This is a new one on me. I have not found a register missing during the winter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Saunders Posted 18 May , 2004 Share Posted 18 May , 2004 A job well done by Egbert and all involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 18 May , 2004 Share Posted 18 May , 2004 Thanx guys for the positive responses. This is the stuff that motivates me and others to stay engaged for the sake of the common heritage! P.S. "The Terrier"? Yes what a coincidence, this is what they call me on duty for the very same reason Any objections from Chester-famous messenger dog? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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