War memorials desecrated in Saarland, Germany

Unknown perpetrators have desecrated two war cemeteries in the Merzig-Wadern district of Saarland, Germany. The thefts occurred at the Reimsbach cemetery in Beckingen and a memorial site in Weiskirchen.

In Reimsbach, between October 13 and October 20, thieves stole twelve bronze grave crosses bearing the names of fallen soldiers. Investigators believe the perpetrators used tools to dig the crosses out of the ground, taking them along with their heavy concrete foundations.

At the Weiskirchen cemetery on Trierer Straße, two large bronze plaques were removed from a sandstone memorial wall. These plaques commemorated the victims of the 79th Infantry Division from the Second World War.

Police are investigating the incidents as aggravated theft and disturbance of the peace of the dead. Authorities are seeking information from the public regarding any suspicious activity in the Reimsbach or Weiskirchen areas.