Cimetière Militaire Allemand de Belleau
Cimetière Militaire Allemand de Belleau
Cimetière Militaire Allemand de Belleau
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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EdgarCosset
Brooklyn, NY1,752 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
When you visit the Aisne-Marne American cemetery and memorial, be sure to visit the nearby German interment ground. In a quiet, leafy site just five hundred meters farther west on Hwy D9, lie the remains of 8625 German soldiers almost half “unbekannt” (unknown). The black stone crosses and rounded headstones (for the 15 identified Jewish soldiers) are a solemn contrast to the blazing white field of the US markers, which commemorate a quarter as many graves in at least ten times the space. Such is “victory.” Although many of the German fallen fought at Belleau Wood, the plot was originally established by the French in 1922 as a consolidation point for 123 scattered sites in the area and include remains from other battles as well. The stone memorials we see now were placed in 1972. The plot contains 4308 distinct markers (often with two names each side) and a monumental slab for 4322 in a mass burial. (Totals vary in the few websites commemorating the cemetery to include the entry sign at the site vs. a marker within.) Despite the ironic comparison of size, this is a dignified burial ground, respectfully maintained. Visiting it is a solemn reminder that on the fields of battle, Death favors no one.
Written May 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kieron K
84 contributions
May 2019 • Family
Less than 1km from the grand American cemetery is the German counterpart. Understated it still hits home how these young men died tragically. Touching how the German Jewish graves are marked considering what happened next....
Written May 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jamestB5009YJ
Jerusalem, Israel166 contributions
Dec 2016 • Solo
I came across the German Cemetery in Belleau by accident when leaving the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery. Just due west and in sight of the American cemetery, the German cemetery is much smaller but equally well cared for. The site, with a self-entry gate, is a simple pull-off from the road when departing Belleau heading west, and contains a large cross, rows of gray crosses with each cross representing several soldiers whose names are written, two names per side. A few gravestones with curved tops represent the small number of German soliders of Jewish faith who died serving the Kaiser. Two long raised beds at the other end of the cemetary contain the remains of German soldiers who could not be identified, marked by larger crosses. A low key monument at the far end from the entrance honors the war dead. It was very moving as the sun went down.
Written December 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
3goingon499
Lodi, CA14 contributions
Apr 2021
This makes a nice little side trip if you are going to visit the Aisne-Marne cemetery nearby. Free and just down the road.
Written March 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zHojo
Prague, Czech Republic519 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
Regardless of what side, these cemeteries have young men generally who've never had a chance at a full life. In this small cemetery, over 8000 are buried with four names per headstone, front and back two each. There's even a few Jewish German soldiers who gave their lives. Solemn and sacred, these young men gave their lives to their country.
Written June 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bu67
Wharton, TX693 contributions
Oct 2017
My wife & I were headed from the Chateau-Thierry Monument to Aisne-Marne American Cemetery. Some Americans we had met at Chateau-Thierry had suggested we follow them to Belleau Wood. We didn't know we would also be near this German Cemetery. After they were sure we knew we had reached the American cemetery, they left us. We continued on a short distance and the German cemetery appeared. We decided to stop and take a look.
We had already seen American and British cemeteries in Normandy and were surprised how different this cemetery was. The very plain grave markers are made of grey granite. The markers we saw had different names on both sides of the marker and each one appeared to have from 4 to 6 names. This is very different than the larger white markers in the American and British cemeteries. Those white markers have only one name and have more information about the deceased soldier.
I am still processing trip photos and I will come back and add photos to this review.
We had already seen American and British cemeteries in Normandy and were surprised how different this cemetery was. The very plain grave markers are made of grey granite. The markers we saw had different names on both sides of the marker and each one appeared to have from 4 to 6 names. This is very different than the larger white markers in the American and British cemeteries. Those white markers have only one name and have more information about the deceased soldier.
I am still processing trip photos and I will come back and add photos to this review.
Written October 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John L
Columbia, SC798 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
Less than a kilometer from the American cemetery we had to pay our respects. It is interesting to see how different the German cemeteries are in comparison to the American and British ones. More somber. R.I.P.
Written April 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Faloughi
Providence, RI338 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
This is such an amazing piece of history. You get to walk around and see actual cannons and gun placements. The grounds and the memorial are kept up well. Although it sits in a small town the locals are not to friendly. But if you are a US Marine or any service member then this is a place you must stop and see.
Written December 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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