Is This the Tannenberg Memorial?

[Megadux]

seahawk11 wrote:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is also the same place where the Teutonic Knights met their demise. The Poles call it Grunwald, the Germans Tannenberg.

This is and, at the same time, is NOT the same place as Grunwald. The so called '1st battle of Tannenberg' took place ca. 15 km. south-west off the town of Hohaltstein (Olsztynek) in a triangle between three villages: Stembark (in German: Tannenberg), Lodwigowo and Grunwald. The so called "2nd Battle of Tannenberg" obviously was not an event that could be linked with any particular place as the battle front extended over 200 km. from north-east to south-west, leaving the village of Tannenberg away from the main theater of war. Hindenburg and the pan - German ideology wanted those two historical events to be conveniently associated with the same locality so as to wipe away the shamefuly excrutiating smashing the Tutonic Knights suffered in 1410 at Grunwald from the Polish-Lithuanian-Tartar-Belorussian army. Thus the victory in 1914 was supposed to serve as the symbol of revenge they got on the Slavs, whom they had always had in low regard. This monument was also supposed t serve as a testimony of the Germanic 'cultural mission' in the east. We all know too well how great ideas like the one embodied in the Tannenberg Mmorial, come to a sad and tragic end.

That's correct. Supposedly an ancestor of Hindenburg's had fallen at the battle in 1410, and thats why he chose the name for the battle.

This is very romantic but untrue.

rys[/quote]

Grunwald = Grunfelde
Stebark = Tannenberg
Olsztynek = Hohenstein

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grunwald

[b14ck]

Here's a picture of the entrance door.... anyone want to translate?

[Moltke d. J.]

Hi,
left wing:
date of birth
Not acclaim by the general public was decisive in my life and actions, but [my] own conviction, duty and conscience.

right wing:
date of death
Until my last breath the resurrection of Germany will be my only concern, the content of my worries and prayers.

Hope this helps

Moltke d. J.

[Beek]

If my memory serves me correct, Hindenberg along with his wife and a couple of other famous figures were found in a salt mine. They had been placed there for safe keeping. Richard Wagner might have been with them also. I have a photo someplace and will have to find it.

[Geoff Walden]

Many good photos of the Tannenberg Memorial can be found at http://www.bildindex.de/rx/apsisa.dll/i ... %3Alang=de& (search for Tannenberg in Orte or Locations - then click on Tannenberg - Kreis Osterode Ostpreussen).

Including this interesting one, taken during the dedication in 1928. Notice the swastika banner, front and center of the crowd.

Geoff Walden


(Foto Marburg Collection)

Foto Marburg

tannenberg1928.jpg (81.48 KiB) Viewed 5086 times

[ghostsoldier]

Excellent resource, Geoff! Thanks for the link!
Rob

[däne]

Here is a newsreel from Hindenburgs funeral at Tannenberg. Recorded 2.8.1934. (Source: Deulig Ton Woche 137/ 1934)

[sylvieK4]

Hindenberg's casket is escorted inside the Memorial:


KM Sailors and HJ visit the Memorial:

(online auction)

[b14ck]

[sylvieK4]

Another period postcard:

(Online auction.)

[sobel]

Looks like it, however slightly puzzled by the Russian Orthodox Cross in the foreground. If this is a Russian soldier buried there then by the time the Russians got there the monument didn't exist.

regards

Sobel

[Annelie]

If this is a Russian soldier buried there then by the time the Russians got there the monument didn't exist.

Could also be a Greek Orthodox cross? Either way does religion make a difference when one is German?

[Von Odine]

...slightly puzzled by the Russian Orthodox Cross in the foreground. If this is a Russian soldier buried there then by the time the Russians got there the monument didn't exist.

I could be a mass grave of Russians killed in the 1914 battle.

Edit: It appears to still be there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrXH19oaNSc

[Von Odine]

Some brave soul seems to have hit the jackpot while metal detecting at Tannenberg... a treasure trove of relics, mostly from the WWI battle, but also stuff "lost" during the NS era (a party badge, an HJ belt buckle, etc.). I would have been too afraid of getting blown to bits by an unexploded shell!

http://www.youtube.com/v/yrPn81HvZ1A&hl=en&fs=1

[sylvieK4]

SA visit to the Memorial

1.


2.


3.


4.

(All four photos from online auction.)