As demand for Nazi war memorabilia soars, Russian grave-robbers are cashing in
Introduction
Russian grave robbers have turned “trawling” second world war cemeteries and battlefields into an organised and lucrative business. With demand for Nazi army memorabilia rising, and millions of tonnes of the war’s detritus still rusting in the fields of Russia, the ancient industry of grave-robbing has given way to a highly organized trade.
The Lucrative Trade
Nazi insignia, rusting belt buckles displaying the SS motto “Meine Ehre heisst treue” (My honour is loyalty), SS daggers, and Wehrmacht decorations retrieved from mass graves now command high prices on the main war memorabilia circuits of Germany and the United States. In Russia, where average monthly earnings do not exceed £75, this trade can yield significant profits.
Sources of War Memorabilia
Old bunkers, filled-in trenches, and thousands of mass graves of German, Italian, Hungarian, and Romanian soldiers killed on the Russian steppes are the main sources of the war memorabilia trade. The desecration of these war graves has become a common occurrence.
The Ruthless Grave Robbers
The “black searchers,” as the grave robbers of north and central Russia style themselves, are a ruthless bunch. They employ various tactics, including decapitating skeletons to extract gold teeth, and rely on computer-enhanced battle charts and databases to locate promising war graves.
Organized Crime Syndicates
The organized Nazi memorabilia trade in Russia is divided among a number of specialized crime syndicates. Collectors act as the main grave robbers, employing local scouts to dig for them. Middlemen then transport the salvaged war relics to the main markets in Russia's big cities. The trade is also expanded through representatives working in western Europe and the US.
The Risks and Consequences
While grave robbers profit from the trade, the soaring demand for war memorabilia puts the mortal remains of millions of soldiers at risk. Historic battlefields and war graves are being despoiled, endangering the memory and legacy of these fallen soldiers.
Hotels to Explore Scotland's Rich History
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