The full dress uniform of the navy is indeed the best looking of them all.
This memorial
https://billedbladet-prod.imgix.net/...=imgixjs-3.4.0
Is located in the town of Nexø, that was also bombed.
The DRF had made sure a wreath had been placed there, but today's event took place in Rønne.
A lot of history is emerging regarding Bornholm.
As you may recall the island was taken by the Soviets and it was far from sure they would leave again.
There was and still is a good deal of bitterness from the islanders towards the politicians in Copenhagen, who seemingly did nothing.
They did actually do something.
The first was to appeal, desperately, to the British of sending just one officer to Bornholm to whom the Germans could surrender.
Apparently that went as far as general Eisenhower, who did not want to annoy the Soviet Union - and risk an episode.
And there was still a war to be fought in the Pacific.
For the same reason no Danish troops were send to Bornholm - the fewer soldiers there, the better.
Instead the Soviet garrison commander, Soviet diplomats and politicians - were officially treated as much loved liberators - and wined and dined in Copenhagen. - Something the Soviet propaganda machine could really use. Because the reputation of Soviet troops in Eastern Europe and especially Germany was bad! - We are talking rape on a massive scale later sexual exploitation, open plunder of private homes especially in Germany, but certainly also in Poland and Czechoslovakia. In Poland with the added history of the 30.000 Polish officers being liquidated in the forest of Katyn. The uprising in Warzsawa getting no support at all, despite the Soviet army having reached the river Vistula right next to the capital. As a result that uprising was crushed by German forces with a cruelty that would have been shocking even in medieval times! - It actually only ended when the German regular army pressured Himmler to withdraw the notorious SS Dirlewanger and Kaminski brigades in particular. After which Polish partisans captured were treated as prisoners of war, protected by the Geneva convention. Rather than being killed in all sorts of barbaric manners.
After the war, non-Communist partisan groups, in particular in Poland, were rounded up and disarmed - but some were imprisoned or executed.
Poles and Czechs who returned after fighting for the Western Allied were hardly welcomed either!
For the same reason the Western Allied did not include Polish units in the main victory parade after the war. Because Stalin did not approve of Poles and Czechs seen having fought anywhere else but in the Red Army.
It is often forgotten how much Poland suffered during WWII.
So, the Soviet Union had every interest in being seen as popular and welcome liberator! Hence the good behavior of their troops on Bornholm.
And finally, gradually, softly, ever so softly the Danish government got around to say: "Thank you for Liberating Bornholm, but we are now ready to take over. When do you plan to leave BTW?"
The answer was surprising: A month later.
So the Soviet troops left in 1946 - and a sigh of relief was heard all over Bornholm!
always enjoy the history lessons Muhler. Thank you.
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