Remnants of Chojnice Fortifications Found

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henryk
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Remnants of Chojnice Fortifications Found

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Post by henryk » 03 Feb 2016, 20:42

http://scienceinpoland.pap.pl/en/news/n ... ]Landscape spoke about the history of World War II

07.09.2015
Perfectly preserved trenches. Photo by Dawid Kobiałka

Several hundred meters of trenches, mortar position with the accompanying ammunition storage site and the remains of two wood and earth shelters from World War II have been discovered by archaeologists from Poznań near Chojnice (Pomerania). These relics have never been subjects of scientific analysis. Field studies took place in June. Reconnaissance was preceded by the analysis of ALS - airborne laser scanning images. On this basis, archaeologists selected potential sites, where they expected to discover relics of almost 80 years old fortifications. During a few days June, researchers walked through densely forested area from Lake Śpierewnik to the village Rytel, along the river Brda.

"We were surprised by a very good state of preservation of earthen fortifications that were clearly visible in the landscape" - said Dr. Dawid Kobiałka, who led the study together with Mikołaj Kostyrko and Filip Wałdoch from the Institute of Prehistory, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. All ground structures discovered by archaeologists should be associated with the Polish preparations before the German attack in 1939. Nearby Chojnice was attacked by German troops at dawn on the first day of the war. Later that day, in the afternoon, Polish soldiers from the Army Pomorze began to retreat toward Rytel. Fortifications discovered by archaeologists were part of the defence line, the purpose of which was to protect the retreating soldiers. Unfortunately, the area lacked natural barriers, so the command decided to build earthen fortifications. However, due to the predominance of German troops many soldiers were killed or taken prisoner.

The belt of trenches was occupied by the 1st, 2nd and 3rd companies of 81 Infantry Battalion of national defence, "Tuchola". Archaeologists have identified three adjacent belts of fortifications, with lengths of 250 m, 120 m and 350 m - all were on the west side of the river. "We have also stumbled upon traces of battle in the form of mortar craters" - added Dr. Kobiałka. Remains of trenches recorded by the researchers today form up to 30 cm deep recesses, but their original depth is estimated at approx. 1.3 m. The recesses were additionally protected by so-called parapet, banked earth on the lip of the trench.

Detailed analysis of images created based on laser scanning, combined with field reconnaissance, allowed the researchers to discover the remains of wood and earthen bunkers. This is indicated by the size and shape very similar to known structures of this type, as well as the current terrain form of these objects. Clearly visible are also recesses, which are presumably the result of collapse of the wooden structure. "The shelters of this type have the advantage over concrete structures, because the raw material required for their construction, wood and earth, was easily accessible. This shortened the process of building this type of fortifications, and reduced the cost" - said Dr. Kobiałka.

Location of the suspected shelters in the contemporary landscape seems to suggest that their builders tried to take advantage of small hills. These facilitated both masking shelters from the west, and convenient location of the entrance from the east. In addition, allowed to increase the field of view of soldiers in the shelter. "In our opinion, this system of fortifications was designed to slow the march of German soldiers to the east. The bunkers were supposed to be the points of resistance delaying the attack, while the main opposition was to be placed in an area where the fortifications were more elaborate and based on the river Brda" - archaeologists believe.

According to Poznań archaeologists, despite the fact that more than 70 years has passed since the end of World War II, still there are still many relics on Polish territory that have not been surveyed and subjected to scientific analysis. This is often the case with objects with their own field form, including field fortifications. Researchers focus on structures made of concrete and bricks, and often ignore the structures visible in the landscape - miles-long trenches. "This category of heritage is underestimated in Poland, and still very rarely noticed by scientists. And yet it offers a unique - and still, as shown by the archaeological practice, under-appreciated - opportunity for World War II archaeology fieldwork, which documents and analyses the various remnants of the last global conflict" - said Kobiałka.

In Western Europe and Scandinavia, the study of landscapes transformed by the World War II is popular. These countries have separate archaeological institutes dedicated to the study of contemporary armed conflicts. "In Poland, this direction is still underestimated" - concluded the authors of the project.

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