This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8202210.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Mass Polish reburial of war dead | Mass Polish reburial of war dead |
(4 days later) | |
The remains of more than 2,000 people discovered in Poland's largest mass grave from World War II have been reburied in a military cemetery. | The remains of more than 2,000 people discovered in Poland's largest mass grave from World War II have been reburied in a military cemetery. |
Polish and German officials presided over the ceremony at a cemetery for German soldiers in north-west Poland, near the border between the countries. | Polish and German officials presided over the ceremony at a cemetery for German soldiers in north-west Poland, near the border between the countries. |
The victims are believed to be German civilians who died in the last months of the conflict, in early 1945. | The victims are believed to be German civilians who died in the last months of the conflict, in early 1945. |
The mass grave was discovered in the Polish city of Malbork last October. | The mass grave was discovered in the Polish city of Malbork last October. |
Because no-one was prepared to pay for expensive DNA testing, the historians' best guess is that the victims were German civilians caught up in the Red Army's assault on the city. | Because no-one was prepared to pay for expensive DNA testing, the historians' best guess is that the victims were German civilians caught up in the Red Army's assault on the city. |
At the time Malbork was Marienburg, a German city. | |
No recriminations | No recriminations |
The first skeletons were unearthed by workmen digging the foundations of a new hotel near the city's medieval castle. | The first skeletons were unearthed by workmen digging the foundations of a new hotel near the city's medieval castle. |
In the end, more than 2,000 skeletons were discovered, two-thirds of them belonging to women and children. | In the end, more than 2,000 skeletons were discovered, two-thirds of them belonging to women and children. |
There were no accompanying documents, clothing or personal items except for one pair of child's spectacles. | There were no accompanying documents, clothing or personal items except for one pair of child's spectacles. |
Issues over the war have often divided Germany and Poland in the past, but not in this case. | Issues over the war have often divided Germany and Poland in the past, but not in this case. |
Neither side voiced recriminations and they worked together to finally give the victims a dignified burial. | Neither side voiced recriminations and they worked together to finally give the victims a dignified burial. |
Previous version
1
Next version