WWII Eastern Front Relic Hunting At The Former Kustrin Bridgehead (Video)

In this video, we follow Polish excavators who search for second world war relics that have been hidden for over 70  years. They are searching in the woods of Kostrzyn nad Odrą where they discover battle relics in the former frontline positions of the Soviet Army.

Then they move on to the remains Kostrzyn of which almost 95% of its buildings were destroyed during the Second World War when it was still called Kustrin an der Oder.

In the last months of the war it was the  last German bridgehead on the east bank of the Oder and very heavy fighting took place here during the Battle of the Oder-Neisse and the Battle of the Seelow Heights.

The town was finally taken by the Soviets on March 11, 1945.

The remnants of the old town within the fortress walls, including the castle in which the young Frederick the Great had been imprisoned, were razed after the war and the bricks used to rebuild Polish cities elsewhere.

Please note that the search has been conducted with the full knowledge of the Museum of Kostrzyn and all relics found have been handed over to them.

Joris Nieuwint

Joris Nieuwint is a battlefield guide for the Operation Market Garden area. His primary focus is on the Allied operations from September 17th, 1944 onwards. Having lived in the Market Garden area for 25 years, he has been studying the events for nearly as long. He has a deep understanding of the history and a passion for sharing the stories of the men who are no longer with us.

@joris1944 facebook.com/joris.nieuwint