Medal - Inauguration of the Stalag 1A National Monument Chaudfontaine
1963 year| Brass | - | 42.14 mm |
| Location | Belgium |
|---|---|
| Type | Commemorative medals › Inauguration medals |
| Year | 1963 |
| Composition | Brass |
| Diameter | 42.14 mm |
| Thickness | 3.46 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Updated | 2024-11-12 |
| Numista | N#431585 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
5-line inscription over star in a circle of thorns.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
EN SOUVENIR
DE L'INAUGURATION
DE LA PLAQUE
DES P.G.FRANÇAIS
LE 15 SEPT. 1963
★
Edge
Plain
Comment
"Stalag 1A, the Prisoner of War Camp, was located in East Prussia. The central camp was at STABLACK, where in 1940, 23,000 POWs were registered and distributed among the following kommandos: Angerapp - Bartenstein - Ebenrode - Gerdauen - Gumbinnen - Heiligenbeil - Heinrichswalde - Heydekrug - Insterburg - Königsberg - Labiau - Memel - Eylau - Schlossberg - Tilsit - Wehlau. Sadly, many did not return from these sinister places. Some were struck down by illness, anguish or lack of medical care, others by bombing. Once the war was over, it was hoped that these sacred remains could be collected. This territory is now located on Soviet soil and, despite repeated efforts, it has been impossible to visit a single grave or repatriate a single body. It was therefore a pressing duty for the fellow prisoners to erect a memorial on Belgian soil to the memory of the 484 prisoners of war from Stalag 1A who died or disappeared.
The monument was inaugurated on September 18, 1960, and is 25 m long, 7.50 m high and 5.30 m wide. This work of art offers families a place of contemplation and consolation, and for the veterans of STALAG 1A, it is a tangible sign of their homage and remembrance.
An urn contains sacred soil taken from the site of the Stablack camp cemetery by the Russian veterans' association. It was sealed in stone on September 21, 1969."
Text and photos: https: //bel-memorial.org/cities/liege/chaudfontaine/chaudfontaine_mon_stalag_1A.htm
The monument is located rue des Thermes, on the banks of the Vesdre river in Chaudfontaine. Chaudfontaine (Walloon: Tchôfontinne) is a village and commune in the province of Liège (Walloon region of Belgium). Situated on the banks of the Vesdre river, some fifteen kilometers from Liège, the village is known for the quality of its waters, which have made it a renowned spa resort.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaudfontaine
