9900 Lienz
About 40,000 cossaks allied with the German Empire and originating from the Don- and Caucasus-regions fled in May 1945 from northern Italy to East Tyrol. The extradition to the Soviet Union threatened them with death or exile in Siberia. Nevertheless, they became - wheter man, women or children - interned and finally handed out by British troops to the Red Army. Only a few managed the escape.
The cossack cemetery in the Peggetz near Lienz is still reminiscent of the so-called "Tragedy on the Drava".
Memorial chapel open on request: Mrs. Erika Pätzold, Tel. +43 664 75184576