Cimetière

Who is actually buried here?

Pays-Bas

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A cemetery in Oosterhout contains 30 fallen Polish soldiers. In 1965, however, a shocking discovery was made that raised many questions.

After the end of World War II, soldiers buried in Oosterhout, both Allied and German, were transferred to larger war cemeteries. That is all except the 30 Polish soldiers, whose names were read with reverence at the annual commemoration of the dead. However, in 1965someone discovered that one name was wrong, and then another, and another. In the end, twelve graves turned out to bear the wrong names. The question arose: how can this be and what is going on? In the end, there seemed to be a simple explanation.

During the war, large parts of Poland had been incorporated into the Third Reich. These Germans, against their will, were called Volksduits. Young men in these Polish areas were forced to serve in the German army. Some died in German service, others were taken prisoner of war by the Allies and faced with the choice of remaining prisoners or joining their countrymen in the British army. Many chose the latter and were happy to fight for their freedom. To avoid endangering their families in occupied Poland in case they fell into German hands during battle, the soldiers were given pseudonyms. This also proved to be the case for some of the Polish soldiers buried in Oosterhout.

Fortunately, the men now have their real names back so that their families can find their grave, and they are also called by these names at the commemoration of the dead.

Adresse

Veerseweg 40, 4901 ZE Oosterhout, Nederland, Noord-Brabant