PoW Wahn South Camp

"Koelner Jungs". PoW guards made up of elderly Koelsch (Cologne) originals.

This is a view towards Nordlager after it was rebuilt with then modern buildings in the 1930s. All wooden barracks are gone and substituted with stone built barracks (see the 2-story bldgs on ex Nordlager grounds in ca 300 meters distance)

Hi Egbert, I have just read your post from start 2006 to today, great stuff Peter

Thanx Peter.
This is a photo from Wahn artillery firing range, most likely pre war

Postcard from Wahn artillery range a stone throw away from the PoW camps

Egbert,

Just found this thread. Well done. Excellent photographs

Anth

Thank You Anth.
This one from Wahn firing range

This year's Volkstrauertag (German Remembrance Day), 16th of November, on Wahn Air Force Base included a wreath laying ceremony to honor the PoWs buried here. Wreaths were laid by the Base Commandant and representatives from the City of Koeln (Cologne)

Egbert,

Just noticed your post - was away on holiday last couple of weeks.

Thanks for this.

Wie ghet's mein freund?

Ian

Alles klar Ian!
Appreciate your response -thanx!

Thanks, Egbert, as ever, for posting pics of this year's floral tributes at Wahn on Volkstrauertag. Artificial poppy wreaths are enduringly symbolic, but the German tradition of beautiful fresh flower wreaths is very moving indeed.

Yes true Mick, but unfortunately the beauty withers too soon.....

No, Egbert, I think that the transience of fresh flowers (they bloom and in time they fade) is very fitting. Perhaps next year you should also post a pic from the other side - showing all the people who gather for this annual ceremony.

Thats a very true statement Mick. Will try to get a pic from base photographer next week

Thanks Egbert for posting all these photos and information. You've done a great job. What a beautiful thing that all those lost people are still remembered after all this time.

Indeed SuziQ; had been there this morning -lonely graves in great shape despite no NOK remembrance anymore. For the Russian PoW graves I doubt there were ever any known NOK

Lonely PoW graves on AFB Wahn at -20 Celsius

been said already, but great photos.

Mick

Hello Egbert,
Once again you have amazed me with the great photo's you have access to. I notice there was no Australian POW in your photo's and am wondering why.
John

The cemetery today comprises of Russian , French and German graves only. The fact that no Austrialians were mentioned in the pictures lies most likely in the fact that all British, to include dominions, were universally addresses as "Englaender" by the Germans

Today I saw a demolition crew destroying a house dating back to even pre GW. This is the original picture


Then

...and Today

.....

......gone, gone, done

Lauter Wahn-sinn ...

That's what I say each day working in Wahn

Then
This was the building with Brit RFA 1919

Sorry it has taken me so long Egbert, but this photo is meant to be Wahn barracks. Men of the 4th Royal Sussex Regiment there in 1919.

Paul, the bldg in the background suggests to be one of those from Nordlager as seen here in 1919

Thanks - the 4th were stationed there for most of 1919 before returning to the UK.

Egbert

As always you have a great collection of interesting photographs.

Keep posting please.


Tony

This is another of the 4th Bn in 1919.

Last Sunday was German Remembrance Day and the small cemetery within Wahn A.F.B. saw the annual ceremony with wreath laying service

German Armed Forces wreath

City of Köln wreath

The great fighter pilot Gunther Rall, when asked why he had fought in the second world war replied, " My country, right of wrong". I believe this is why most soldiers fight. And even if some were enemies in wartime, those soldiers who survive should remember all those who died. This is what the great Attaturk did after the WW1. To-day, the Turks see to the graves of all their former enemies. I salute all who do this.