Cemetery for German WW2 soldiers

[Medic82]

We have a cemetery where 3600 German WW2 soldiers are buried and I have been wanting to take some pictures of the place for some time now.









An unknown soldier


Two unknown soldiers

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Quite sobering isn't it.

[jan.]

The German war cemetery IJsselsteijn

Almost right on the provincial border between Noord-Brabant and Limburg lays hidden in the woody Peel district – on the Limburg side near Venray – the only war cemetery for German casualties of World War II on Dutch soil. Virtually all German military personnel that was killed in action in the Netherlands has been given their final rest at IJsselsteijn, accompanied by a few thousand men that were killed during the dreadful Ardennes and Hürtgenwald battles that took place during the last months of the war.
Creation of the IJsselsteijn cemetery

Virtually immediately after the war ended in May 1945 the new authorities insisted on making inventory of local war graves all around the country, to which all local communities had to contribute. After the inventories had been collected and processed it was decided to allocate one particular burial field for the central collection of German KIA. It was considered practical to allocate foresaid field near the German border. That was not particularly done to facilitate visiting relatives from Germany, but mainly due to reasons of logistic nature. Most German war graves were found in the east and south-east of the Netherlands and locating the German cemetery in the southeast would also considerably shorten the logistic challenges for the around 3,000 KIA to be transported in from the Ardennes and Hürtgenwald battlefields.

The first years of the cemetery-history posed the burial and identification teams by far the most challenges. Around 8,000 German KIA were unidentified. Particularly during the last year of the war, when after September 1944 the Allied formations were continuously in battle with the German occupation of the Netherlands, the Allied care for German KIA had been one of neglect. But also on the German side the long war and its shear endless casualty demand had caused the German army to fall short as it came to casualty administration. As a direct result of both belligerents neglect many of the KIA that fell during the last months of the war were buried without proper identification. It caused the Dutch recovery teams to bear the burden of identifying a mere 8,000 German bodies. Eventually the identification speSmurfpillsts managed to identify around 7,350 of these German John Doe’s, which may be considered a remarkable achievement in the pre-DNA identification era.   

The first German casualties found their final rest on IJsselsteijn in 1946, whereas the official status of German field-of-honour was only formalized in 1948. As off that moment an official Dutch attendant was assigned to manage the burial operations and to take care of the preservation and maintenance of the cemetery. The Dutch army Captain L.J. Timmermans was the first attendant and would remain in that function until 1976. Peculiarly enough, Timmermans had not only fought the German invaders in May 1940, but he had also continued to fight them during the war as a member of the resistance. Nevertheless he considered his assignment honourable and would attend to his duties in such a diligent and respectful way, that after his death the German authorities sanctioned his last request to have his ashes dispersed over the terrain that he had kept so diligently through his life.

IJsselsteijn war cemetery contains the remains of almost 32,000 German KIA of WWII and about 85 of WWI. Of those mere 32,000 men around 25,000 had actually been killed on Dutch soil. Still, occasionally German remains are found during construction projects or aircraft recovery operations. The cemetery is used for the burial of these newly discovered German remains. As recent as May 2010 another batch of identified German KIA was buried in the IJsselsteijn soil and for the first time since WWII the burial went along with a modest military ceremony.
Scenery and location

War cemeteries all around Europe containing the remains of indigenous and Allied military usually breath the atmosphere of contemplation and respect. German cemeteries beyond Germany’s own soil tend to be reflections of the German defeat though. Modestly arranged, often poorly attended and particularly barely referred to in local guides or street pointers. The German cemetery in IJsselsteijn is probably one of few exceptions. It is very well kept, suitably located and although the grey grave stones radiate modesty and soberness, the overall picture of the cemetery doesn’t fail to make a respectful impression.

The cemetery is quite easily found. It is situated near the village IJsselsteijn (Venray region). The cemetery is accessible during regular office-hours and ample parking space is available at the entrance. Should one visit the cemetery in search of a specific grave or section, it may be wise to pick up a cemetery lay-out at the information centre that is situated near the entrance path.

[jan.]

The World War II Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial is the only American military cemetery in the Netherlands. The cemetery site has a rich historical background, lying near the famous Cologne-Boulogne highway built by the Romans and used by Caesar during his campaign in that area. The highway was also used by Charlemagne, Charles V, Napoleon, and Kaiser Wilhelm II. In May 1940, Hitler's legions advanced over the route of the old Roman highway, overwhelming the Low Countries. In September 1944, German troops once more used the highway for their withdrawal from the countries occupied for four years.

The cemetery's tall memorial tower can be seen before reaching the site, which covers 65.5 acres. From the cemetery entrance the visitor is led to the Court of Honor with its pool reflecting the tower. At the base of the tower facing the reflecting pool is a statue representing a mother grieving her lost son. To the right and left, respectively, are the Visitor Building and the map room containing three large, engraved operations maps with texts depicting the military operations of the American armed forces. Stretching along the sides of the court are Tablets of the Missing on which are recorded 1,722 names. Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified.

Within the tower is a chapel. The light fixture in the chapel and the altar candelabra and flower bowl were presented by the government of the Netherlands and by the local Provincial administration. Beyond the tower is a burial area divided into 16 plots, where rest 8,301 of our military dead, their headstones set in long curves. A wide, tree-lined mall leads to the flagstaff that crowns the crest.

The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except December 25 and January 1. It is open on host country holidays. When the cemetery is open to the public, a staff member is on duty in the Visitor Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.
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The World War II Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial is the only American military cemetery in the Netherlands. The cemetery site has a rich historical background, lying near the famous Cologne-Boulogne highway built by the Romans and used by Caesar during his campaign in that area. The highway was also used by Charlemagne, Charles V, Napoleon, and Kaiser Wilhelm II. In May 1940, Hitler's legions advanced over the route of the old Roman highway, overwhelming the Low Countries. In September 1944, German troops once more used the highway for their withdrawal from the countries occupied for four years.

The cemetery's tall memorial tower can be seen before reaching the site, which covers 65.5 acres. From the cemetery entrance the visitor is led to the Court of Honor with its pool reflecting the tower. At the base of the tower facing the reflecting pool is a statue representing a mother grieving her lost son. To the right and left, respectively, are the Visitor Building and the map room containing three large, engraved operations maps with texts depicting the military operations of the American armed forces. Stretching along the sides of the court are Tablets of the Missing on which are recorded 1,722 names. Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified.

Within the tower is a chapel. The light fixture in the chapel and the altar candelabra and flower bowl were presented by the government of the Netherlands and by the local Provincial administration. Beyond the tower is a burial area divided into 16 plots, where rest 8,301 of our military dead, their headstones set in long curves. A wide, tree-lined mall leads to the flagstaff that crowns the crest.

The cemetery is open daily to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except December 25 and January 1. It is open on host country holidays. When the cemetery is open to the public, a staff member is on duty in the Visitor Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites.

[Medic82]

Quite sobering isn't it.

Yes it is, there are even WW2 veterans that come and visit this place to say hello to old friends. We in Norway are thought about the heroes from WW2 and what they did, but walking around the cemetery really put it all in perspective, looking at the date of death and wondering if he was killed in a that sabotage action, if this was the soldier that was killed in the attempted arrest of a famous resistance leader.

[jan.]

I have visit a lot of warcementeries in europ and asia but did not take many pictures of them.
It's maybe a strange hobby because I have no family lost at WWII.
I like it that many countries take care at there war cementries.

[VicX]

(Image removed from quote.)

My favorite, a beautiful picture.

[Medic82]

I have visit a lot of warcementeries in europ and asia but did not take many pictures of them.
It's maybe a strange hobby because I have no family lost at WWII.
I like it that many countries take care at there war cementries.

It’s more that I want to document what is around me and share with the people that I know on the forum that probably never had a clue how Oslo or Norway looks like and most likely never would google Oslo or Norway. I also hope the pictures that I take will still be around in 40 or 50 years and hope that I can have children and grandchildren that can look at.

[edap617]

Talking about WWII cemetery...


Near the Makati Commercial Center here in the Philippines, is a rare oasis of peaceful bliss.

The American Cemetery is apparently the largest such facility outside the U.S. and memorializes the many thousands (including Filipinos) who died fighting during World War II. The cemetery is a walking distance from the bbiggest commercial center and it consists of acres of white marble crosses aligned in neat contoured rows silently marching up the hillside to the memorial. The circular memorial contains the names of those missing in action engraved in marble columns, huge wall mosaics depicting battles of WWII, a small chapel, and has a commanding view of the surrounding landscape.

The American Cemetery is a quiet corner in the Manila metro-area for anyone trying to escape the hubbub or who would like to take in that chapter of history.

Entrance

[edap617]

[J-sews]

Great photos gentlemen, thanks for posting

[Smitty44]

May God bless them all for giving the ultimate sacrifice for there country.

[prime77]

Thank you guys for the amazing photos.

[ducktapehero]

Great but quite sobering and ultimately sad pics. Politics aside, in every war the vast majority of people who fight and die are just normal people who are doing what they can for their country. I don't blame the average German soldier for what happened in WWII. They were just like us, normal guys who were called and they did their job. It's just a shame that the fat old rich men who start wars aren't the ones who have to fight them. I hate war.

[Turnstone]

Beautiful pictures. The light and the autumn colors are just fantastic and they give a special feeling that fits very well to the cemetary  My Grandparents both survived WW2, but they all lost friends and family members.

[VicX]

It's just a shame that the fat old rich men who start wars aren't the ones who have to fight them. I hate war.

I couldn't agree more.

[Dunc]

Thanks for sharing . Makes you sit and think for a bit .

[edcgear]

Zejtinlik WWI cemetery in Thessaloniki Hellas....

Serbian military cemetery....

[edcgear]

Small island Vido near Kerkyra (Corfu) Hellas....

Mausoleum WWI Serbian soldiers, called "The Blue Cemetery" - they were burried in sea near island...

[edcgear]

Gazimestan Kosovo...

The Battle of Kosovo was a battle fought in 1389 on St Vitus' Day, June 15,[8] between the Serbian principality led by Lazar Hrebeljanovic and the invading army of the Ottoman Empire under the leadership of Sultan Murad I. The battle took place in the Kosovo Field, about 5 kilometers northwest of modern-day Pristina. The battle was an Ottoman victory, with heavy losses on both sides.

The Battle of Kosovo is particularly important to Serbian concepts of history, tradition, and national identity.

[edcgear]

1. WWII monument in Belgrade for pilots which lost their lives in 1941 during April's bombing of Belgrade
2. WWII monument in Jasenovac (modern Croatia) for Serb, Gipsy and Jew victim of Jasenovac concentration camp

[edcgear]

Djordje Mihajlovic 3rd generation (after his father and grandfather were) guardian of Serbian Military Cemetery Zejtinlik in Thessaloniki Hellas... He lives there!