german cemetery la cambe

EdF831

Always important to see and feel both sides of the story, having been to the American cemetery , we felt we needed to pay respects to the young Germans who also fought inNormandy . Different type of cemetery , but with the same effect , never forget

204PaulR204

We found this cemetery by accident while on the back from Sainte Mere Eglise after seeing all the trees outside it. This site holds in excess of 21,000 German soldiers aged from 16-72 many killed during the D Day invasion and beautifully kept by volunteers. This cemetery is different to those of the British War graves commission in as much as all the headstones are black and many hold two dead! It is a cemetery that all should visit so as to realised that it was just allied soldiers and civilians died during this conflict.When we are in the area again, we will most probable go again.

MeanderingMike1

It is striking to see the differences in the ways that German dead were buried at this cemetery. The drive in to the cemetery is lined by trees, each dedicated to a fallen German soldier. The repeated grouping of 5 saxon crosses provide their own stark reminder of death. Many soldiers were buried two to a grave site. The single door entry is supposed to replicate one's passage from the living into death. Worth a visit.

E9023KYmikec

A fitting reminder that many young German men were sacrificed by an evil regime. They were solders like our solders and were killed here in France with thousands of other young men in a terrible waste.

nigela929

This a a dignified and somber memorial with rank upon rank of memorial slabs interspersed with arrays of small, stubby crosses. The text by the entrance rightly reminds us that many, probably most, who are interred here did not choose the fight nor accept the ideology: they were young men conscripted who paid so great a price. Also quoted are the profound words of Albert Schweitzer: "The graves of soldiers are the most eloquent advocates for peace" - standing in this place one can only say "Amen".

dinahb

Very different atmosphere from the American, Canadian and British cemeteries. Most of these young men weren't Nazis, they were conscripts forced to fight for something they may not have believed in, but they did it for their country and their fellow soldiers. The oak trees and lawns with gravestones laid flat, each marking a grave of at least 2 soldiers, give a dark and sombre atmosphere. Having visited several cemeteries, at least in the Allied ones you know they fought for something worth fighting for. But ordinary German boys, fighting for the ideology of a maniac? What a terrible waste.

AnnG557

Over 21,000 German soldiers are laid to rest here. Well kept. Different in appearance from the US. Next to the highway unlike the US which is next to the ocean.

NigelJWHall

I found the German War Cemetery to have a completely different atmosphere to the British and American one. Somehow more sombre. To think that most of those fallen soldiers probably didn't really believe in the Nazi ideology, but were conscripted and gave their lives - for what? When I was leaving an old lady was being wheeled into the cemetery, I wondered if she lost a boyfriend, husband, brother all those years ago? Moving.

TravelingBikerdoc

A chilling and sobering site. Very solemn. It leaves a lasting impression. All should remember there were 2 sides of soldiers who fought on these beaches. Both sides were mostly teenagers and young scared men. Many German soldiers died during battle as well - many more than on the Allied side. Americans should visit here - especially those with children. Impress on them the ages of many of these young men, and the sheer numbers that were killed. These soldiers were not fighting for a National Socialist or racist agenda - they were also fighting primarily for their fellow soldiers and because their country asked them to.These young men deserve to be remembered and respected.

Korvettenkap

Cemetery is well looked after it is very moving. The best time to go is in the evening when it is quiet. There are over 22000 men buried here, more than any other cemetery in Normandy.

arizona223

We visited most of the military cemeteries in Normandy and this one was definitely the biggest one. It's made even more clear when you see that some markers are for 2, 3, 4 or even 5 soldiers, often without names. If you are going to visit the American or British cemeteries, you should find the time to visit this one as well. It is good to remember just home many lives were lost on both sides.

SnellingsY

If you are visiting Normandy for its history, this is definitely one of the sites you have to see. We went to see the American cemetery first, followed by this one. It's really nice to see the contrast between the two.

ScoutDubna

Rating a cemetery as an excellent attraction is quite out of place but it was a chillling experience to realise that 26,000 Germans, many unknown are buried or remembered here.I would say that if you are going to the Normandy Beaches you must include this cemetery to realise how many people gave their all.

JTTurner3

Do not think of this as a tribute to the German War Machine- honestly, I didn't want to visit the German cemetery. I had several family members killed during WW2 and prior to visiting the La Cambe, I hadn't really thought about families losing sons, fathers and brothers on the other side. Not all German soldiers were the die-hard, Hitler followers; instead fighting for love of country or by threat, never to see home again. There is a huge mound with cross where many unknown German soldiers are buried. Very few crosses and headstones are scattered about when a soldier could be identified. In spite of the Germans being the aggressor and cause of the carnage, I was pleased to see that the soldiers who died on the battlefield were given honor in death.In the visitor's center of the cemetery, there is a great map of the D-Day invasions. The map is a great introduction to the different battle areas you will probably visit. Less than one hour should be enough time for most to visit the cemetery- I was there for about 45 minutes.

TriumphTim

At the German Cemetery in La Cambe, France, here almost 22,000 German soldiers are buried and most head stones have at least two names on them with one or both being unknown. The mound in the middle is a mass grave with the names of the deceased inscribed on plaques around the edges of the mound. I saw many German soldiers that were 16 - 18 years old. How sad to never have a life. There were quite a few people here which is good to honor the soldiers that wanted no part of this political mess!