Soviet War Cemetery Altwarp

In 1950, the mass grave was exhumed and the graves were fitted with wooden crosses on which the names and ages of the buried Russian forced laborers were written. These crosses were destroyed. Gravestones were then made of concrete. A star was attached to the top. The gravestones were painted white, the star red. These were also damaged. The stars were reattached and the cemetery was given a new color scheme. To prevent further attacks and destruction, the mayor at the time, in consultation with the community representatives, had the gravestones painted a light blue. The work was carried out by members of the National People's Army. The gravestones were later painted white again. At the same time, the entrance to the cemetery and the area around the large obelisk were redesigned. A memorial plaque that had been attached fell victim to vandals. Today, the military cemetery leads a pitiful existence. The last coat of paint was applied years ago and is said to not meet the specifications; some of the foundations are cracked and broken. There are no grave plants, or rather, they are not viable in the poor soil. In order to prevent weed growth, the grave borders have been filled with bark mulch. It is not a pretty sight, but rather an undignified one. It is surprising why the few juniper bushes between the graves were removed. In our area, juniper is the only evergreen shrub and can cope well with heat and dryness. Source: altwarp.net/sowjet-friedhof

Russian cemetery of honor and branch into the Wacholdertal.

A chapter in itself: the use of Altwarp for the Wehrmacht and the prisoner of war camp in the forest; where the Soviet war cemetery now lies.