WWII Battlefields today (in photographs)

Hello, everyone! ))

I have seen this thread 'Russia in colour, a century ago'. So, I decide to make this similar thread. However, these are my photographs, to show how cities in Second World War now are changing from the time of 70 years ago. I have interest in history, photography, and think they are well together.

I am very happy also to give help to people who would like to travel to these places. I do not know if many people will have interest in this thread. So, I will begin only with the famous battlefield of Stalingrad, now it is named Volgograd. If people wish to see more, I can post battlefields of Kursk, Prokhorovka, Belgorod, Kiev, Sevastopol, Leningrad, Minsk, or more.

I have taken history introduction from Wikipedia.

I will begin with photographs and history from Mamayev Kurgan, Memorial park to victory in Stalingrad. It is chosen to be the place of memorial, because this is the highest point of the city.

This statue, The Motherland Calls, is 87 metres tall. Unfortunately, I could not photograph detail of statue with very bright sunshine, I did not have my neutral density filter.



This is the first steps up to the memorial park of Mamayev Kurgan. It says 'For our Soviet Motherland'. I also know, there is 200 steps for 200 days of battle.



Here is my favourite memorial. It is very beautiful. You can see red color banners on the walls, in white names of soldiers who died here. At the center, you can see the eternal flame.



Below, changing of guards is interesting to watch. You also can see this in video, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=RU&hl=ru&v=UeEV2FXMIA0

 

Part 2



I am told these monuments are made with Stalingrad rubble in 1946.



Close to Mamayev Kurgan is hills and large waste land. Here you can find old trenches of war, bullets (if fortunate), and more. There was so many people dead in this battle, it is not difficult to find the human remains. I can not understand why people do not remove them correctly, I found 3 skulls, and were taken by authorities to Volgograd State Panoramic Museum.



This building is called Mill 4. It was left as memorial to show destruction of the city. Behind this is Volgograd Panoramic State Museum and Volga River. In front, a building called Pavlov's House. You can see and read of Pavlov's House and Mill 4 here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavlov's_House



Before I soon post Part 3, I hope people are enjoying this thread! Thank you for reading, so far.

 

Yes,post more please. I enjoy the Russian architecture and the history.

 

Please keep posting them.... Great photos and history lesson to boot.

 

Thank you for your kind words and interest!

Now I will complete this post for battlefield Stalingrad. Maybe next I will post Kursk? It is a beautiful city.

I think, this church maybe is new. I can not remember this from my last visit, but I was 8 years old. ) Volgograd is very hot in summer season! If people may visit, you can find free water in the church.



This Soviet mosaic is entrance to Volgograd Tractor Factory. There is sad stories of German soldiers trapped here in 1943. First, this factory was making tractors (right), but when war started, it was changed to tanks (left). It is 2012, and still this factory is making tractors and tanks.



This statue is so big. In fact, all monuments in Volgograd is so big. This statue is at the front of Pavlov's House and Mill 4.



Last, you can find tanks, locomotives, and aircraft at entrance of Volgograd State Panoramic Museum. The museum is fantastic, you can stay here for the full day.

 

Great thread!

 

great pictures! thank you for sharing

 

Once again Thank You for sharing. I never realized that there were other countires with huge memorials that are awesome.

 

i know its been said before but i have to add to the others, this is a great thread and please post whatever you have. its not often that us people on the other side of the earth get to see first hand info of great structures with the history behind them.

 

What an interesting country. That someone took the time and energy to do that sculpture in the rubble is amazing. I've been in the roofing trade since 1967 and I wonder how my counterparts there do those domes,spires and live to tell about it!!

 

Thanks for posting, great pic's. By chance do you have any of the candy cane looking roofs/towers? Dont know the exact name for them but have seen a few in books. Thanks again for the cool pic's

 

You are welcome. )) Soon I will post more.

Yes, I can guess, please tell me if this is correct!

 

Perfect:2thumbsup:

Looks as if they not only build it, But keep it looking clean and new with great detail. Thanks for the pic's

 

Unbelievable!! Of course I'm thinking of the challenge to my Russian roofing brothers.

 

Beautiful!
Thanks for sharing.

 

looks straight out of disneyland

the first one with the statue in the foreground is just an awesome picture.

 

I am very happy to share. Thank you so much for this kind comments! )))

I now can post a second battlefield, such as Kursk, Prokhorovka, Belgorod, Kiev, these photographs are ready. Is there requests for one city first, or maybe pick a random name? ))

Thank you again, for your interest.

 

Post what ya want when you want dude. Im happy with any you share. I like the now and then pic's that are from a person, Not TV or a mass pic used by all.

Is there anything left from the USSR days?

 

Really beautiful work!

 

amazing!