MvR & Bertangles

DU-DOCH-NICHT · 1 June 2015, 07:56 AM

Being in the neighborhood, I visited with an aerofriend this weekend the
Bertangles communal cemetery where initially MvR was buried.

The characteristic brick entrance gate as can be seen on pictures of his
burial, has unfortunately vanished and will be replaced by a modern one.
Two pictures in attachment.

Regards

sator · 2 June 2015, 12:50 AM

Thanks for the update, always wanted to visit the site.

snowbird · 3 June 2015, 09:38 PM

Sure glad I went there in 2002, when I had the chance. Those gate posts are classic.

Tony

'14-'18aviationcollector · 3 June 2015, 10:30 PM

It's a real shame that the gates have been removed. Their significance was obviously not realised.

DU-DOCH-NICHT · 3 June 2015, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '14-'18aviationcollector

It's a real shame that the gates have been removed. Their significance was obviously not realised.

I think the significance of these gates was realised by local authorities.
In relation to Von Richthofen these pre-WW1 gates were one of the most photographed spots in Bertangles.
Perhaps locals got sick and tired of growing MvR-tourism in recent years.
Strangers from all over the world walking around on their cemetery, taking pictures of an empty spot of a grave from a former enemy that isn't buried
there anymore. Only remaining these gates to be photographed.
And meanwhile, in their eyes, disturbing the eternal rest of their deceased relatives. If that is the case, we have to respect that too. But indeed, from
historical point of view it is a pity.

'14-'18aviationcollector · 4 June 2015, 05:08 AM

All very valid points, DDN, and being French I am sure that you have a much better idea than most of us who are not French have. You could very well be right about the aspect relating to what is basically an invasion of a town and it's most sacred place - the cemetery. I still can't help thinking, though that the gates could have at the very least been relocated. They would have been an ideal memorial to MvR, no matter where they might have been relocated. After all, I was told by someone who would know, since he was a fastidious researcher that the chimney near MvR's crash site was relocated. I am sure that this causes a lot of confusion, since the chimney is the most prominent land mark used to locate the crash site.