The discovery of the remains of 4 Polish civilian POWs murdered in the first months of the war and a Red Army soldier who died in 1945, the acquisition of nearly 14,000 monuments are only a fewer of the achievements of the planet War II Museum archaeologists who summed up the 11th phase of investigation on Westerplatte. What else have they found and will we be able to identify Polish victims?
A squad of archaeologists from the planet War II Museum in Gdańsk will shortly begin the 12th phase studies on Westerplattewhich have been conducted there since 2016. Meanwhile, a summary of the 11th period of work was published at the end of February, which lasted from 10 May to 7 November 2024 in an area of 1708 m2. A full of 24,999 m2 were covered by bomb-related works connected with the search for monuments under archaeological supervision. Since 2016, the Polish Army and experts from private companies have systematically cleared further parts of the peninsula from the unexploded. Items with combat features, after being cataloged by scientists, are exported to the ground and neutralized. The bombarders then issue a certificate certifying that the area has been examined at an average depth of 30 cm. That's the procedure.
The most crucial and unexpected discovery made late on Westerplatte was uncovering the remains of 4 Polish civilian prisoners who, as scientists believe, were shot by the Germans during the first months of planet War II. Anthropological analysis shows that the victims were men aged 25–45. 2 of them most likely crouched or knelt at death. The layout of the remains of the next 2 suggests that they may have died in a lying or standing position. A bullet from the Mauser strategy was found under the skull of 1 of the victims. The remaining skulls were dismembered, but archaeologists found close 4 scales of the German strategy produced in 1922 and 1924.
Filip Kuczma, Head of the Department of Archaeology of the MIIWW, confirmed that in accordance with the procedure following the execution of archaeological documentation the remains were taken by an anthropologist, then transferred by the IPN prosecutor for further detailed investigation to specialists from the Department of Judicial medicine of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin. – These studies are to confirm the preliminary assumptions about the shooting of people whose skulls were heavy dismembered. The collection of genetic material will let further investigation to be carried out to identify the victims," explains Kuczma.
He adds that MIIWŚ archaeologists are presently working on drawing up a list of POWs executed at Westerplatte from 1939 to 1941. The Germans utilized them for demolition and order work on the peninsula. – On the basis of available papers and memories we have respective indications. I fishy that the complete list of Polish civilian prisoners murdered at Westerplatte will never be able to be drawn up. But of course the chances are always there, and that's why you gotta effort to get to the truth," Kuczma emphasizes.
These efforts include genetic investigating of the found remains and trying to scope surviving relatives to compare DNA material. The head of archaeologists from MIIWŚ points out that thanks to this method it was possible to identify Polish soldiers defending Westerplatte, but at that time it was not possible to exhume the corpses of relatives. The best comparative trials were taken from the deceased siblings and parents of the westerners.
The fact that we are dealing with Polish prisoners of war here is evidence of, among another things, objects found on the remains. Men were dressed in civilian clothing, preserved by leather shoes, fabric fragments and hat sweater with the inscription “Bydgoszcz”. The victims were carrying glasses, combs or pencils with signature of Podwarszawski maker Stanisław Majewski. In addition, it is known from the accounts of prisoners performing forced labour on Westerplatte that the Germans murdered Polish civilians and buried them in the area of the Ingredients (the last discovered remains were in the pits after the undressed shelters). The victims were most likely killed in the early September 1939s, suggesting a light dress, chestnut found at 1 of the skeletons and shell casings from the old ammunition stores (production from the 1920s), which German soldiers could usage during the first phase of the war.
During the 11th period of investigation on Westerplatte, archaeologists besides discovered remains of a man aged 20–30 who was buried in an intentional grave. Based on the ammunition he found on the Russian repetitive firearm Mosina calibre 7.62 × 54 mm saw him as a russian soldier who died during the conflict for the peninsula in March 1945.
From May to November 2024 archaeologists acquired almost 14 1000 monuments, of which more than 6.3 1000 were considered objects of advanced exhibition and technological value. These included artifacts from the Prussian period and the Napoleonic War (guns, musket shells), ceramics from the resort's time of operation, lead seals of the Military Transit Component and PKP, elements of the Polish uniformation and equipment of the components buildings or many fragments, including the ballast of the German SC 250 bomb. For neutralisation, 356 explosive and dangerous items of military origin were transferred: 20–88 mm-caliber artillery missiles, rocket missiles, hand grenades and mortars, as well as weapon ammunition components.
During bomb operations (cleaning of the area with an area of 24 999 m2 of explosives and dangerous materials), 174 items, including a 150 mm Nebelwelfer missile, were transferred to neutralisation.
Archaeologists besides examined the funnel after the detonation of the German air bomb and located the position of the Polish field cannon in 1902 ca. 76.2 mm. Unfortunately, they inactive failed to find the remains of the legionary Mieczysław Krzak, 1 of 3 missing Westerners whose search in the area of the "Fort" facility has been ongoing since 2021. – As long as there is simply a chance of uncovering them, investigation should continue. They simply deserve to be buried alongside their comrades in arms and commander," Kuczma said during the 11th period of research.
The final phase of archaeological investigation was closely related to the investment made on Westerplatte. Excavations were carried out, among another things, at the place where the fire road to the fresh pavilion was to run Westerplatte Museum and War 1939, i.e. precedence investment of MIIWŚ in Gdańsk, financed and supported by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The exhibition pavilion will be located under the square with the inscription “No more war” close the monument of the Coast Defenders. The museum building with a permanent exhibition is to be commissioned in 2027. Construction works will be preceded by further investigation and archaeological excavations.
