This memorial square commemorates the fallen victims of World War Two in Karlshagen en Trassenheide. The rectangular paved square is situated in a forested environment next to the War Cemetery of Karlshagen. On the northeastern side of the square is a three-part mosaic wall designed in 1969 by the Usedom artist Klaus Rößler. To the right side is a stone plaque commemorating the fallen victims of World War II from Karlshagen and Trassenheide”.
During the 60’s, on the southside of the Peenemünde village cemetery a mass grave was discovered containing 56 dead. Some of them had bullet holes in their skull, indicating that they had been executed. It is presumed these victims were slave labourers or prisoners of war, who were forced to work on the construction of the Peenemünde installations. The ceremonial reburial of these dead took place on 30th of may 1968 when they were placed next to the 2000 bomb victims of the air raids on Peenemünde and Karlshagen in August 1943 and July 1944.
The plaque reads:
“Also seid ihr verschwunden aber nicht vergessen
Niedergeknuppelt aber nicht widerlegt
Zusammen mit allen unverbesserbar weiterkämpfenden
Hier ruhen slachtopfer des faschismus”.
I took the liberty of translating it to English:
“Even though you have disappeared, you are not forgotten
Struck down but never refuted
Together with all who continued to fight without doubt
Here rest the victims of fascism”.
Visit the Ehrenmal in Karlshagen
You can find the War Memorial on the right side of the road to Karlshagen. The memorial square is freely admissible.
