La cambe.
Towards "10.00"pm.
Towards "10.00"pm.
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La cambe.
The cross and religious figures on top of the mound, getting these heavy figures up and building them must have been quite a complex operation , not to say a bruising experience.Comment
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La cambe.
Figures and cross.Comment
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La cambe.
The mound as seen from the "floor" of the cemetery.Comment
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La cambe.
A view from "5.00pm looking towards the steps to the top of the monument / burial mound.Comment
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La cambe
The grave of Eugen Prinz a RK holder .Comment
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La cambe.
The font of the cemetery has been planted with trees , most of which have been planted in memory of lost relatives.Comment
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La cambe
The way out , a door which never seems to be closed.Comment
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La cambe.
Pillars in the garden of peace , the name given to the tree plantation which lines the front of the entrance.
A path way through the trees leads you from one to another .
the German cemetery is very understated and simple in its layout and presentation , I find this a total contrast to the huge statue at the American cemetery which in my opinion (and I would apologise to American members for saying this) is hard to relate to and appears out of place.Comment
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Thanks much for showing the photos. The tree dedication is interesting; it wasn't there when I was last at La Cambe in 1995.
I got to several several war cemeteries while travelling in Normandy in 1994. It seemed to me that the three main nations' cemeteries produced very different "feelings." While all of course honored the sacrifices of those buried there, the Normandy American cemetery fills one with awe thinking about the thousands of dead there but appears almost stark. I went to several German cemeteries and they all seemed to give a very solemn but lower-keyed expression; maybe more a feeling of reverence.
I personally liked the British and Commonwealth cemeteries best for the feelings I got there - the way they're laid out and the touching messages from family members on many of the grave stones seemed to give a much more personal and intimate memorial to the dead soldiers.
Best,
GregComment
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As viewed from the top in the twilight those standing crosses look almost like honor guards. Just need flags.
Looks like a very moving place. Thank you for the pictures.
BLast edited by Biber; 06-05-2007, 11:31 AM.Comment
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American cemetery
The main American cemetery , seeing some young American soldiers turning , stand to attention and salute when "taps" was played certainly bridged the gap between then and now and made me mindful of the potential dangers these lads , youngsters compared to an "old man" like myself might find themselves in at short notice.
The American cemetery at St. James is perhaps the most peaceful and beautiful of the militray cemeteries in Normandy.
All in all the overwhelming sense of loss and the utter waste of young lives ( to me) is absolute.Comment
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I've been to the German cemetary in Luxembourg and Recogne and it is markedly different. The gravestones are german crosses above ground at both sites. Very interesting pictures.Comment
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