Posts by TimCullis

TimCullis

12 Feb 2009

Travel / In the footsteps of the 51st Highland Division (but by motorcycle) [13]

According to gps-practice-and-fun.com/stalag-20a.html the cemeteries are next to forts XI and XVI, "British POWs were buried in the garrison military cemetery (we found cemeteries next to forts XI and XVI), while Russian POWs were buried in a mass grave in the forest near Stalag 312, between Glinki and Cierpice. About 14,000 men are buried there."

Although the cemeteries are undoubtedly there, it seems likely on reading the CWGC records on Malbork that the British war dead were moved there after the war.

I'm planning to visit all the sites anyway.

Tim

TimCullis

10 Feb 2009

Travel / In the footsteps of the 51st Highland Division (but by motorcycle) [13]

Thanks Harry

With a combination of your feedback, other web sites (e.g. www gps-practice-and-fun.com/stalag-20b.html), Garmin Mapsource and Google Earth I've managed to tie down the Malbork and Krakow war cemeteries plus Mamerki. I've also located the two cemeteries in Torun.

Tim

TimCullis

10 Feb 2009

Travel / In the footsteps of the 51st Highland Division (but by motorcycle) [13]

Thanks for the links, Sean.

Wildrover, thanks for the kind offer. I'll be on a BMW GS but I might be with a Harley-riding friend! I've been reading some of your other posts and I guess you must be near Dobroslaw?

I'm getting really excited about this now and need to factor in a trip to Scotland to interrogate (!) my father-in-law about places he might remember. At 90 years of age he runs up and down the stairs several times each morning to keep in shape.

Tim

TimCullis

10 Feb 2009

Travel / In the footsteps of the 51st Highland Division (but by motorcycle) [13]

Hi guys, this is my first post here.

I'm sketching out a four week motorcycle trip to Poland for late May/early June 2009 and would appreciate suggestions on 'must see' places to visit. I had a look at the Michelin maps (set of four) for Poland and was disappointed to find they don't have the green edges for scenic routes. Normally I would try to incorporate many of these, so I'm running blind.

During WWII my wife's father was in the Gordon Highlanders and was a POW from 1940-1945 in Stalag XX-A in Thorn (modern day Torun), so obviously I will spend some time in the area.

As the Russians approached in Jan 1945 Hubert was marched along with many thousands of other POWs through blizzards 450 miles to Stalag XI-B at Fallingbostel on the Lunenberg Heath, so this will determine my return route which will be roughly Torun > Borzyslaw (Stalag Luft IV) > Swinoujscie > Hamburg.

My sketch plan for the outbound journey is
> Zagan (Stalag Luft III)
> Wroclaw
> Bledow Desert
> Auschwitz-Birkenau
> Krakow (Castle, Schindler Factory, Wieliczka salt mine)
> Kazimierz Dolny
> Canal Lift south of Elblag
> Malbork Castle and Stalag XX-B Marienberg
> Gdansk
> Torun.

As you might already deduce, my interests are general history, WWII history and natural beauty. I thought I would miss Warsaw in favour of Krakow. I'm planning to take a tent for fair weather camping so campsite recommendations plus details of cheapish accommodation are also welcome.

So... suggestions welcome.

Tim