Turko graves in Bienwald
Those were exciting days for the Southern Palatinate around 140 years ago in July 1870. The political situation between France and Prussia came to a head and war became more and more likely. Superficially, the only question at stake was whether a German prince should become king of Spain, as the Spanish parliament wanted. France saw the European balance disturbed by the candidacy of the Hohenzollern Prince Leopold and its interests and honor endangered, as a minister of Napoleon III. expressed. The Ems dispatch - a telegram - from Privy Councilor Abeken from Bad Ems dated July 13, 1870 was published by Bismarck on July 14, 1870 in an abridged version that did not change the wording. The cut was not a forgery, but by shifting the accents, it sharpened the royal rejection (King Wilhelm) of Napoleon III's demands. French excitement triggered France's declaration of war on Prussia on July 19. Much to the surprise of the French government, the southern German states declared their solidarity with Prussia. From the Palatinate, three German armies, led by the Prussian Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm, advanced westward. The deployment was accelerated by the Maximiliansbahn Neustadt - Weißenburg. The first major battle of the war took place near Weißenburg on August 4th. In Bienwald near Schaidt, the "Turko graves" still commemorate the first days of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71. The Turkos were members of colonial troops from North Africa used by the French in that war. Five of them succumbed to their severe injuries in Schaidt. Since they were not Christians, they were not buried in the cemetery but in nearby Bienwald.
1. Ali Buamed, + 30 Aug. 1870, 20 years old, soldier with the French 10th Turkos Reg., from Oran Africa
2. Bodajib Abdhermann, + 20 Sep 1870, 19 years old, soldier with the Turkos Reg., from Oran Africa.
Three more Turko soldiers who died on the way to Schaidt station were also buried here. Unfortunately, your personal data could not be determined. The Schaidt Palatinate Forest Association still maintains this memorial today.