La Cambe German war cemetery, La Cambe
Facts and practical information
The La Cambe German war cemetery, a somber memorial and final resting place for thousands of German soldiers from World War II, is located in the small village of La Cambe in Normandy, France. This military cemetery is a poignant reminder of the cost of war, and it offers visitors a space for reflection on the events of the past.
Established in 1944 as a temporary war grave site by the American Battle Monuments Commission, the cemetery was later transformed into a permanent resting place for German soldiers. In 1954, the German War Graves Commission took over its care and maintenance. Today, it is the largest German military cemetery in Normandy, spread over an area of 21.5 hectares.
La Cambe is the final resting place for over 21,000 German military personnel. The cemetery is characterized by its dark, flat gravestones laid out in rows across the manicured lawns, a stark contrast to the white headstones commonly found in Allied war cemeteries. At the center of the cemetery stands a large tumulus, topped with a dark cross, where 207 unknown and 89 identified soldiers are interred.
A visit to La Cambe German war cemetery is a moving experience. The site encourages contemplation of the reconciliation between former enemies and the shared human cost of the conflict. The cemetery is open to the public daily, offering a solemn but essential historical perspective to those touring the Normandy battlefields.
Normandy