John Walker - Russian Cemetary

On behalf of John Walker - Len (Ciphers)

Of course what you should have done John is call out a Scaley Field Line Det.
Len -


Gents.

Thought I would post these photos up.
You see here photos of a very good friend of mine WO 11 Dave Holland RDG and myself.
I was visiting The Regt and Dave asked me had I ever been to The Russian war cemetery about 30 mins drive from York Barracks.Munster.
No Sir I have not. OK so he very kindly arranges a trip out for me.
Off we go the next morning, he and I and of course the driver .
As we get into the wooded area where this cemetery is I note there had been a lot of rain over the previous days.
Just before the fenced off cemetery I see the driver is about to go though a very large deep hole. Whoa !!! I say that is not going to work.
I said this as I do have to say I feel I am a good cross country driver and could see the problem ahead !!. Now with respect the driver was quite new at the job and said he would chance it.
OK I say but you will have a problem !!! THE REST IS HISTORY.
In it went.........and that is where it stayed. David teled the REME(LAD) for help. OK they would be there ASAP.
In the meantime a German Officer (Army) was passing in a German Army jeep.
He could see the problem and said he would help.
I kid you not within about 20 mins two German Army tricks came and sorted out the situation.
In the meantime David took me to the Russian Cemetery where I payed my respects. Must say a very sad place.
I will not dwell on the story as to why this cemetery is there. Many of you will know anyway.

So as you will see The German Army got us out and all was well. The German Officer said it was also good experience for his Soldiers too.
David then cancelled the REME call out. So back to Camp. Up to the wash down. Pleased to say no damage to the L/Rover only the drivers pride was hurt.
Over all was a good experience for us all.

Thank you David Sir.

Photo 4 = WO-11 D Holland and myself...not really too worried !
A few more photos tomorrow showing The German Army truck etc.

Regards to all looking in.

John.
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I was in Munster for two years John, 1952/54 and never heard of it.

John

A fascinating anecdote, I too spent three years in Munster but never heard of this graveyard. Presumably it must contain the unidentified bodies of Russian POW who were used as slave labourers in the area during WW2.

John

Forgot to ask, trust your driver paid the customary fine of a crate of beer to the recovery crew rescuing his bogged vehicle.

Münster is the Garrison town of the German /Netherlands Corps - so lots of troops, and transport around.

The Stadt Münster makes no secret of their War Graves and the Stadt has won prizes for the layout, appearance and high maintenance effort at their cemeteries - Lauheide especially. Commonwealth War Graves Commission looks after British Graves in Münster and there are number of places where other nations troops, prisoners, forced labourers and Displaced Persons are buried :

http://www.stadt-muenster.de/umwelt/friedhoefe/kriegsgraeber.html

Kriegsgräber (War Graves) befinden sich auf den folgenden Friedhöfen:
(Apologies if tabulation doesn't work out but essentially one cemetery per line!)
Friedhof Anzahl der Kriegsgräber Nationalitäten der Toten

Waldfriedhof Lauheide 1135 Deutsche, Polen, Niederländer, Belgier, Ungarn, Rumänen, Franzosen, Jugoslawen, Serben, Kroaten, Tschechen, Litauer, UDSSR/Russen, Unbekannte

Haus Spital, Am Gievenbach 816 UDSSR/Russen
Zentralfriedhof, Robert-Koch-Straße 574 Deutsche
Ehrenfriedhof Dorbaum, Standortübungsplatz Handorf
150 UDSSR/Russen
Hiltrup, Friedhofstraße 23 Deutsche, Polen, UDSSR/Russen
Angelmodde, Alt Angelmodde 12 Deutsche, Polen, Niederländer, UDSSR/Russen
Nienberge, Altenberger Straße 12 Deutsche, Polen, Ukrainer
Albachten, Dülmener Straße 11 Deutsche
Mecklenbecker Friedhof, Dingbängerweg 59 11 Deutsche, Kroaten
Ehrenfriedhof Gasselstiege 10 Deutsche
Roxel, Tilbecker Straße 8 Deutsche, Polen, Unbekannte
Amelsbüren, Davertstraße 7 Deutsche, Polen, Niederländer, Belgier,DSSR/Russen
Sprakel, Haselstiege 4 Deutsche
Kommunaler Friedhof Wolbeck, Eschstraße 33 2 Deutsche
Kommunaler Friedhof Angelmodde, Homannstraße 58 1 Unbekannter
Gelmer, Fuestruper Straße 1 Pole

other links (in German)

http://www.stadt-muenster.de/fileadmin//user_upload/stadt-muenster/67_umwelt/pdf/friedhoefe/lauheide_broschuere.pdf

http://www.stadt-muenster.de/umwelt/friedhoefe/waldfriedhof-lauheide.html


740 British Graves from Spring 1945


Betreuung des Englischen Friedhofs (Münster Heath War Cemetery):
Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Northern Europe Area, Elverdingsestraat 82, 8900 Ieper/Belgien (ie Index of names)


164 Soviet Graves where names are known chiselled into commemorative stone


77 Polish Graves

John

Was it the Dorbaum site. this would explain the presence of the German officer and his vehicles?