American and German cemeteries

Both combatants have cemeteries close to Bayeux. The American one overlooks Omaha beach and the German one is somewhat inland close to the N13 road to Cherbourg. They are both very moving and are presented in very different ways. Many of the German graves contain more than one body. Headstones are not used - there are markers of small groups of black crosses which are to signify comradeship in death. There is a large mound or 'ossuary' with many bodies buried beneath it and surmounted by two figures representing mourning parents.

 

 

The American cemetery does look very different - the sheer number of crosses creates a vivid impression. As you walk around the geometry of the lines and the crosses (and Stars of David for Jewish dead) changes and gives sometimes disturbing visual effects - you can look at one cross and behind it, hidden. are hundreds more.

 

There is a large 'Spirit of America' statue overlooking the serried ranks and towards the back a beautiful chapel.

 

 



 

 



Couple of final thoughts on the cemeteries. First is how young the dead are. In both the German and US graves the number of times you see dead who were in there teens or early twenties is shocking. Secondly it was positive to see so many at the American cemetery today from France - it was a Bank holiday and many had chosen to spend time understanding the sacrifices made by so many young men so we can enjoy the freedoms that we do.

 

The German cemetery is regularly maintained by volunteer school children from Germany. This is another positive sign that we can in fact learn from the sacrifices made by this generation.