The ferry M/S Isabelle was a large ship and had some nice bars and resturants where I got a bit tipsy with all the pensioners taking the cruise over to Riga. I also spent some time on the outer deck scouting for subs but never saw one. Next morning we arrived Riga harbour and I drove straight to the farm of Legendas boss to park my car and get a lift back into Riga.
At the little hill the other guys had found a single fallen soldier on the bottom of a trench. The rest of the trenchline was opened and searched but no more remains was to be found.
In total we had exhumed 106 soldiers from the massgrave and one from the trenchline. None of them had any medals or ways to identify them but in the digging process two sections of an aircraft fuselage had been found, and on them was names of the fallen inscribed so there is hope we can find these names in the archives with a complete list of the fallen soldiers.
On the way back in the afternoon we stopped by a small museum meters away from the Lithuanian border and we also stopped by the Saldus War Cemetery paying our respect.
Beloved father, I have found you after 70 years. We were and still are full of sorrow, because You had to give your young years to the nazis. You and Georg Elser have always been my heroes for being resistance fighters. Goodbye, Helga
P.S. You gave two great grandsons. At least we have freedom for 70 years now.
The other guys had a bit more luck than us regarding finds. They had dug some good signals and found something very eerie. Three helmets with skulls inside, but no other bones. The rest of their bodies was no where to be found. What had happened here will be a mystery but it was a very creepy and strange find.
Both Viktors and Ainars had birthday, so in the afternoon we had some cake which was wonderfull. Many of the diggers was tired by now and sat around in groups chatting, while some was still roaming around the trenchlines searching and soon it was time to head back to Radi for a big dinner, sauna and a party which lasted till long after midnight. Matt once again entered his role as DJ Legenda and kept the music blasting until the very end.
The trip had been amazing and emotional and some new friendships had been forged. All the new guys this year was wonderfull people which I am sure we ll see again soon. Thanks to everyone taking part on the expedition and a special thanks to the ones making it possible through all research and paperwork.
Until next time, Stay muddy and keep Smiling...