War, war, war

Today we are particularly struck by just how much of the time we spend passing signs of war. This holiday we started with the cold war, then WW1 prisoners of war and then both WW1 and WW2 fronts. Our previous trip through the Vosges and then Alices continuation across the low countries was also full of the evidence of war with front line military cemeteries from both wars and forts and shrapnel and memorials to brave lieutenants. So much of it.

Today our first ever mass grave and remnants of the 1991 Serbian Croatian war. 52 names, we ponder the 3 pairs of identical named people who died. Close by houses riddled with bullet holes.

Now we stay with people whose lives have been displaced and reshaped by these recent happenings.

(Added later from Bosnia). 1992-95 memorials, this time muslim themed, each with a list of soldiers and another of civilians. More bullet holes in houses, more mine warnings. Bosnia still appears to be licking its wounds. It is all so recent, it feels too close to home.Read more