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**oldbaldy** · 10-02-2012, 14:06

The bodies of 21 German soldiers entombed in a perfectly preserved World War One shelter have been discovered 94 years after they were killed.

The men were part of a larger group of 34 who were buried alive when a huge Allied shell exploded above the tunnel in 1918, causing it to cave in.

Thirteen bodies were recovered from the underground shelter, but the remaining men had to be left under a mountain of mud as it was too dangerous to retrieve them.

Read more: Bodies of 21 German soldiers buried alive in WW1 trench found perfectly preserved 94 years later | Mail Online

Looks amazing!!

**Praetorian** · 10-02-2012, 15:00

Bodies of 21 German soldiers buried alive in WW1 trench found perfectly preserved 94 years later | Mail Online

Very interesting, but very poignant.

**Bouillabaisse** · 10-02-2012, 15:05

Thanks for the link. Interesting that they can identify the bodies. Anybody know what the German reaction is these days to the discovery of Great Uncle Helmut's remains? Do they do the whole military burial thing that we do?

**re-stilly** · 10-02-2012, 15:07

I think people sometimes forget there were 2 sides to the conflict and the German's still have as many missing soldiers without a place of rest as the rest of the countries involved. At least they will now have a permanent place to be laid to rest.

**Mr_Deputy** · 10-02-2012, 15:27

Article says that a French 'mine' did the job.
Some info on aerial mines etc here. Aerial mines (used on land) - World War 2 Talk

**BiscuitsAB** · 10-02-2012, 15:38

nice link. great archaeology, i rekon the unknown item is a purse with some copper alloy coins and possibly tokens.

**Biscuits_AB** · 10-02-2012, 16:09

Originally Posted by Bouillabaisse

Thanks for the link. Interesting that they can identify the bodies. Anybody know what the German reaction is these days to the discovery of Great Uncle Helmut's remains? Do they do the whole military burial thing that we do?

Apparently so. I've seen footage of the Bundeswehr conducting a military funeral for a previously found WW1 German soldier, but I'm led to believe that this is only at the request of the deceased's descendants.