Almost 68 years have passed since the end of the Great Patriotic War, but archaeologists continually discover evidence of the sad events taking place at that time. Excavations of German dugouts, trenches and other engineering barriers still reveal interesting findings to the world.
The vast territory on which military events took place stretches for thousands of kilometers. The “black”, “white” and “gray” trackers seek to find valuable historical evidence of the everyday and army way of life of both Soviet troops and enemy troops.
Excavations near the village of Kamenskoye
Of greatest interest to the public are well-preserved household items and leisure of soldiers, their guns and uniforms. So, excavations of German dugouts in the area of the village of Kamenskoye (Tula region) brought to the district museum several rather valuable exhibits. On the territory of this settlement there was an offensive zone of the 113th and 338th infantry divisions of the enemy. The search squad "Patriot", which conducted excavations near artillery positions, found many gunshot shells and several guns.
Excavating German dugouts, military archaeologists expected a little surprise: at a shallow depth a whole glass bottle of Hennessy brandy was found. Despite a long time in the ground, no damage was found on the vessel, and its contents were perfectly preserved. The gas mask, helmet, stainless steel shell tape and many other fragments of uniform and equipment found there took a worthy place in the museum's exposition.
Printing values
Ironically, in many former places that terrified the Soviet population during the war, museums are now located. An example of such a “regrouping” is the former Nazi Gestapo in Novgorod. Now here is the Museum of the Great Patriotic War. It is divided by a passage into two flanks, each of which shows visitors a certificate of either Soviet (on the left side) or German (on the right side) uniforms, life and equipment.
Recent excavations of German dugouts near the city gave the museum new valuable exhibits. Archaeologists have discovered the remains of printing material belonging to the enemy army. Now the charred sheets with German reports, orders and lists have found their shelter in the walls of the building. Under the onslaught of the army of General Vlasov, the German divisions hastily left their positions and set fire to the military documentation. However, due to the lack of oxygen, thick binder sheets did not burn out, but only charred. It was in this state that the trackers of the Guard detachment found them. The total amount of material found is amazing: about 1,500 sheets of personal letters, military documentation, newspapers and photographs - such a find can only be made several times in the history of excavations.
Military archeology in Belarus
Active archeological work is also underway in the Republic of Belarus. In April 2012, excavations of dugouts were successfully carried out in the village of Malye Kozlovichi (Zhlobin district). During the conduct of hostilities in the territory of this settlement, a defense line ran through. It is difficult to determine to whom exactly the engineering barriers belonged: dugouts now and then passed from the side of the Soviet troops into the hands of the enemy. A large number of firearms were discovered on the territory of the artillery buildings, half of which belonged to working combat units.
Currently, more and more people are eager to get to the excavation of German dugouts. Photos and videos of the ongoing process are posted on the Internet not only by official groups of trackers, but also by their “black” colleagues. The latter is driven by a thirst for quick profit, because implements and wartime items are highly valued on the black market.