Remnants of Wehrmacht Soldiers

The journey of writing a book is never a solitary one; it is a collaborative effort that involves the support, guidance, and engagement of many esteemed colleagues and friends. I am deeply grateful for the encouragement and assistance I received throughout the challenging journey of exploring this intricate topic.

First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my PhD supervisor, Norbert Fischer, at the University of Hamburg, whose invaluable advice and continuous encouragement nurtured the seeds of my research idea. I am also indebted to my defense committee, with special mention to Monica Rüthers, whose insights made both the subject and the defense process more accessible, spurring me onward in my academic journey.

I must express my appreciation to the numerous colleagues I encountered at various conferences, who posed thought-provoking and sometimes controversial questions that enriched my perspective.

I extend my sincere thanks to the dedicated staff of the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge e.V. in Kassel, Moscow, Kursk, and Voronezh. They not only offered support but also took me to remote gravesites, patiently answered all my inquiries, and generously opened their archives for my research. Special mention goes to Peter Pässler, Arthur Berger, Peter Lindau, and Dimitri D. Chapij from the Volksbund Moscow office. My Russian colleagues, including Oleg Tschistik, Yuri Nikolajevič Kažkin, the Organization of Ingria, Father Vyatsheslav, the parish in Sologubovka and the Church of the Mother in Sphalernaya Ulitsa, St. Petersburg, deserve heartfelt thanks as well – Сердечное спасибо! И спасибо за чай!

I would like to acknowledge my former colleagues at the Bundesarchiv in Freiburg, Christiane Botzet and Thomas Menzel, for their invaluable tips and their commitment to supporting my research. Their encouragement played a pivotal role in my academic journey.

My sincere gratitude goes to my colleagues at the Institute of History at St. Petersburg State University, whose support and connections in Leningrad Oblast were instrumental in my research. I extend my thanks to Natalia Timofeeva at the Institute of High Technology and Institute of Oral History in Voronezh, for her invaluable contributions.

I wish to express my deep appreciation to the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies (AICGS) at John Hopkins University in Washington, D.C., and Lily Feldman for their generous support and sponsorship. Additionally, I am grateful to the Academic German Exchange Service (DAAD) for funding my research in Russia and the United States.

I would like to acknowledge Olga Nikonova and Oxkana Nagornaya at South Ural State University Chelyabinsk, whose critical comments and advice proved immensely valuable.

My newer colleagues who shared their thoughts and ideas for this manuscript, especially Machtheld Venken, deserve special mention. Machtheld encouraged me to expand my readership abroad and undertake the translation of the manuscript into English.

I am filled with profound gratitude for my incredible parents, whose constant support and encouragement have been my guiding light, even during the darkest moments. They never hesitated, even when I made the unconventional decision to leave a permanent job for a battlefield safari as a researcher. Their belief in me and my determination to tread this challenging path in academia, facing both the battles of peer reviewers and critics (who, of course, have played a pivotal role in shaping and refining my work), has been determined. Thank you for being my pillars of strength and for always inspiring me to reach higher.

I am also immensely thankful to my marvellous sisters, who provided comfort, distraction, and relentless presence. Special thanks to Irene, who diligently read the chapters during times when I could barely string a sentence together.

I want to dedicate a special and heartfelt mention to Alessandro, whose determined support illuminated even the darkest evenings and weekends, offering solace during moments of frustration and in times of stress. Your thoughtful gestures, whether it was bringing coffee, gently reminding me to take a break for a run, or simply indulging in moments of joy by playing with our cats, were like beams of sunshine. Your contributions to this journey have been immeasurable, not just as a supporter but as a cherished companion whose love and care made all the difference.

I also want to acknowledge your incredible patience and willingness to dive into the world of my research. I forced you to read the chapters, bombarded you with stories from my Russian journey, and subjected you to my morbid fascination with battlefields and cemeteries. Your enduring support and enduring smile throughout it all have been my greatest blessings. Thank you for being my rock and my confidant, and for the many hugs that carried me through this journey.