La Cambe German war cemetery, one of 6 German cemeteries in Normandy
La Cambe German war cemetery stands as a solemn testament to the sacrifices made by German soldiers during World War II, one of six German war cemeteries in Normandy.
Designed in the mid-1950s by Robert Tischler, chief architect of the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge, the necropolis spans 7 hectares and comprises 49 rectangular plots, each containing 400 graves, arranged around a central tumulus.
The graves are marked by funerary slabs laid flat on the ground. Symbolic granite crosses are interspersed throughout, grouped in sets of five amidst the tranquil surroundings of oak and beech trees.
Initially, the American War Graves Service established two cemeteries side by side in La Cambe to bury American and German soldiers who perished between June and August 1944.
While the American soldiers were later repatriated to their hometowns or re-interred in the Colleville-sur-Mer cemetery, the remains of the 8,000 German soldiers remained in the temporary cemetery at La Cambe.
In 1954, the Volksbund assumed responsibility for the cemetery’s upkeep, under an agreement between France and Germany that designated La Cambe as one of the six official German cemeteries in Normandy.
The remains of the 12,000 German soldiers interred in the temporary cemeteries of Calvados and Orne were subsequently transferred to La Cambe.
Over the years, young Germans have actively participated in the maintenance of the cemetery, supported by Bundeswehr soldiers. In 1958, a youth camp organized by the Volksbund transformed the site, leading to the construction of the entrance building and the central tumulus.
The cemetery was opened to the public in 1961, serving as a place of quiet reflection and remembrance.
During our visit to La Cambe German war cemetery on June 7, 2019, following the D-Day 75th Anniversary Commemorations, we were struck by the understated, yet moving atmosphere of the cemetery.
Bunches of white flowers adorned the graves, and several wreaths were laid at the foot of the tumulus, serving as poignant tributes to the fallen.
Today, La Cambe German war cemetery is the final resting place of 21,222 German soldiers, including Captain Michael Wittmann, renowned as one of the most talented German officers of World War II, who fell in action on August 8, 1944.
Jardin de la Paix – Peace Garden – Friedenspark
The 3-hectare Peace Garden, known as the Jardin de la Paix in French and Friedenspark in German, was established in 1996 with the aim of fostering a connection between Americans of German descent and the upkeep of military grave sites. Within this serene sanctuary, individuals have the opportunity to honour the memory of German soldiers who perished in the Battle of Normandy by sponsoring a tree, typically maple, within the garden.
Each sponsored maple tree serves as a poignant tribute to the fallen, with dedications placed at the base of the tree providing information about the donor and their personal connection to one of the deceased soldiers. This gesture of sponsorship embodies the principles of peace and reconciliation between nations, transcending the divisions of the past and fostering a spirit of unity and understanding.
In addition to the trees within the garden itself, sponsored maple trees are also planted along the road leading to the cemetery, encircling the sacred grounds with a living testament to remembrance and respect. Trimmed in the traditional pollarded style, these trees stand as solemn sentinels, watching over the souls of the departed with quiet reverence.
Since its inception, the Peace Garden has flourished, with twenty-one sponsored maple trees planted in 1996. By 2009, the Jardin de la Paix de La Cambe boasted over 1200 trees, serving as a living memorial.
La Cambe German War Cemetery Tumulus
The centrepiece of La Cambe German War Cemetery is undoubtedly the Tumulus, a solemn and dignified collective tomb erected at its heart on May 12, 1958. Rising approximately 6 meters high and boasting a diameter of 24 meters, this imposing structure commands attention with its solemn presence.
At its summit, a striking 4-meter-high basalt lava Cross, supported by two solemn figures on each side, stands as a poignant tribute to the fallen. The Tumulus was crafted by Robert Tischler, an accomplished artist who navigated through the tumultuous periods of the Weimar Republic, the Third Reich, and the aftermath of World War II.
Within its sacred confines lie the remains of 207 unknown soldiers and 89 identified individuals, whose names are engraved into the stone at the base of the monument, ensuring that their memory will never be forgotten.
Situated inland from prominent landmarks such as Grandcamp-Maisy, Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach – Colleville-sur-mer American war Cemetery, La Cambe German War Cemetery is easily accessible from the RN13.
Discover another major German war cemetery: Marigny German war cemetery in La Chapelle-en-Juger near Saint-Lô
Department of Calvados – La Cambe
Coordinates: Lat 49.343157 – Long -1.026603
