OP, thank you so much for your pictures. It is so jaw-dropping and emotional to see such an excellent array of artifacts.
I do need to say that I am utterly horrified that many of these artifacts are dug up and sold off like pieces of insignificant meat. I wouldn't go as far as some here and call you a grave-robber, but I do find it a bit unnerving to disturb these areas and profit off fallen soldiers. Areas this rich in artifacts, in my humble opinion, should be marked as sacred plots and properly researched by archaeological authorities. Unlike amateur digger/collectors, professional archaeologists use the scientific method to not only document such finds, but try to create a greater picture of the events that occurred. I can totally understand metal-detecting in parts of Stalingrad, or Omaha Beach, etc and collecting random shell casings, or patches, or cups etc.. but these dig sites seem extremely rich with history and should be preserved, not prostituted off to greedy collectors. It's too bad (though I'm not surprised in the least) that a country like Russia does not preserve these lands for professional investigation.
That being said, I respect you Mr. OP. In fact, I would probably be doing the same thing you are if I had these sites near me (and it was legal to dig). As a lifelong student of history and a WWII fanatic, I would be in my element digging and discovering such beautiful relics. I am not perfect by any means and understand 100% why you do this, but if I were doing this, the last thing I would do is sell them off. If I had to get rid of them, I would donate them to a museum. Morally, I couldn't live with myself to profit off the dead. But you can and I totally understand why, so please don't think I'm trying to disrepect you.
I know I am in the vast minority with this view, especially on a website dedicated to digging and selling relics, but I just wanted to say my point. Good luck in your digging and profiteering.
My heart goes out to the fallen Russian and German soldiers. May they rest in peace.
Respectfully and with no animosity whatsoever,
Drewski Von Yankee-Dweller
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