Lienz DP Camp, Austria

Lienz, Osttirol (capital of Eastern Tyrol), Team 331, (British zone), Slowenians Stadtarchiv, A-9900 Lienz,
Museum Schloss Bruck Tel. (04852) [0043 4852] 62580
Photos, Slovenes

Yugoslav Refugees in Camps in Egypt and Austria 1944-47 by John Corsellis http://www.fmreview.org/

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Exerpt from : A Cossack Homage by Anthony Schlega. In the course of my investigative travel into the history of my father’s WW II journey from Ukraine to England, one might think that with all the available information today, it would be a simple task to analyse his past, link all the facts, and then follow the chain of information back to his hometown in Ukraine. Unfortunately, it’s not so simple. It is amazing how one can be misdirected under the influence of disinformation, or even simply missing a part of the information. In other words, manipulation. For me this pilgrimage all started when I began tracing the towns in Austria shown in my father’s documents, looking for Displaced Persons (DP) camp locations. This is what took me into the Drau Valley, where by chance I happened upon the Cossack Memorial Cemetery in Lienz. Seeing this made me investigate its sad story of a horrific act by Allied forces.

The Tragedy on the Drau, as this incident has become known, and the events leading to the deportation of people at Peggetz, Lienz, over the years has become a confused issue.

A first hint of this type of confusion is the deceptive plaque, written in the German language at the entrance to the memorial cemetery. Translated it says:

“Also, in memory of all the other victims of the XVth Cossack Cavalry Corps.”

I was curious about its wording. Did the victims lying here die by the hands of the Cossack Corps? Doubtful, but then who were these other victims? Where did they come from? Was by any chance my Cossack father also here?

My telephone call with Herr Dieter K, (before he passed away Dec 2009) one of the last living survivors of the XVth Cossack Cavalry Corps, and the last chairman of their veterans association, made me even more curious when he told me that in fact they (the XVth Corps) had really nothing to do with Lienz. “They were NEVER there,” he said.

My reaction was not of astonishment but rather of confirmation. The nagging feeling I had at the back of my neck, which was telling me that something was terribly wrong here, was at last being established.

Dieter went on to explain to me that he believes no one knows for sure how many bodies lie in the Lienz cemetery, and that it is estimated somewhere between 190 – 300 victims are buried there, and at the most that there may be four or five remains from soldiers of the XVth Cavalry Corps which were found much later in other areas, and brought there to be laid to rest.

I have been informed when the graveyard was reconstructed approx 50 - 60 remains could be found.

Cossacks: Surviving Lienz tells a little-known story of treachery, deceit and the brutal murder of Ukrainian Cossacks and their families shortly after World War II. These incidents were perpetrated by those who called themselves the friends of the Cossacks: the British Army. Surviving Lienz contains a first-hand account of one man’s travels through this deplorable segment of mankind’s history, as well as photographs and explanatory notes that clarify this tragedy. For more see: http://www.cossacks-lienz.net/

The Cossacks Last Ride http://www.cossacks-lienz.net/
Every last Saturday in May, a ceremonial (liturgy) Panachyda is held at the Cossack cemetery in Lienz in honour of the perished. In the eighties, it was the Ukrainian Community from Munich that held the ceremony. Now the ROC has taken over with the Don.

Lienz 2012 Photos
Pictures below: is the introduction of the new Lienz Theme Path by Prof. Harald Stadler where each picture tells a historical story of the Cossacks plight and the blessing of the first stone for the new Cossack Chapel that will be built when the funds are raised. http://www.lienz-cityguide.at
Anthony schlega.a@kabelmail.de

27 May 2011 Photos:
The couple you see are Larry and Mavis Warwaruk (an author, Canadian and of Ukrainian descent) who are staying with us this week. The man in the attire is Nick Propov from Australia.

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Lienz 1985 Photos
June 2012
Father Paladi in Lienz Cemetery
Father Paladi Dubitsky was born 05.01.1911 in Polytsi/Volyn, and passed away into the hands of the Lord 26.02.1998 in Munich, Germany.
Memory Eternal.

Father Paladi's choir.

The photo on right is of two unknown Ukrainian Don with Father Paladi in our Ludwigsfeld church. Anybody who recognises them, please contact me.
Anthony

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Lots more information on Austria P-R