World War II Database

Construction workers digging the foundations of a planned luxury hotel in Malbork, Poland unearthed bodies, including women and children. The first bodies were found in late Oct 2008, which halted work for several weeks as prosecutors investigated. When work resumed several weeks later, they found hundreds more. Including the most recent find dated 12 Jan 2009, the total estimate of bodies found at this site has risen to about 1,800. The bodies were thought to have belonged to Germans who disappeared 60 years ago during the Soviet military's advance toward Berlin. All bodies were found completely stripped of any clothing, glasses, false teeth, or any other possession. Some skulls were found with bullet holes in them, suggesting possible executions. Once further forensic tests are conducted, the bodies are likely to be laid to rest either in Malbork or a German military cemetary in Stary Czarnow, Poland.

For more information: Poland: Workers find WWII mass grave of Germans (AP, via Google); page no longer exists as noted on 17 Feb 2009.

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