Flagpole at the Somme American Cemetery Chapter XI

Home , Aisne, Aisne (river), Oise (river)

AMER! CAN MILITAR Y CEMETERIES IN EUROPE

HERE are eight permanent Ameri- Cemetery. The other American ceme- can military cemeteries in Europe. teries are located on the battlefields of TThese have been developed by the France and Belgium and have been in- United States Government into places of cluded in the tours described in this book. distinguished be auty and no American The cemeteries were originally estab-

Map Showing Location of American Military Cemeteries in Europe

Cemetery indicated by symbol} lsoMMEI Thus: GHENT and na me of a near-by town. BONY

\ IFLANDE:RS FIE:LDI 50 75 Miles i YPRES 0 WAEREGHEM \ BRUSSELS \ \ . N LILLE MONS ( \ \ /: î lsOMMEI / AMIENS [!]OBONY ( QUENTIN / LUXEMBURG 1.AON \ i .. .. \ SOISSONS MEUSE-A RGONNE: ROMAGNE FERE. -EN-TARDENOIS REIMS VERDUN BELLEAU ST. METZ AISNE-MARNE~HÂTEAU·THIERRY MIHIEL PARIS CHALONS

ESNES BAR·LE·DUC SURESNES NANCY who travels in Europe should fail to visit lished by the War Department. They are as many of them as his time will permit. now (1937) under the jurisdiction of the The cemeteries are conveniently located American Battle Monuments Commission, with respect to the routes which travelers which has erected in each one an appro- normally follow. From the center of priate memorial chapel and has added Paris it is only 5 miles to the cemetery at the additional architectural and land- Suresnes, and from London it is less than scape features necessary to make all of an hour by train to the Brookwood them outstanding in beauty and dignity. (457) 458 AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERIES IN EUROPE

General View of the Headstones at the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery

The development of each cemetery is at this national shrine, where, as the forma! in character and this formality is representative of bis comrades, he receives emphasized by the regular rows of white daily the bornage of a grateful people. marble headstones which mark the graves The "unknown dead" whose bodies of the soldiers buried there. The head- were not found consist mainly of soldiers stones are of two designs, a cross for those who were buried hurriedly during battle of the Christian faith and a six-pointerl without suitable markers on their graves star for those of the Jewish faith. or with markers which were obliterated Every soldier now buried in an Ameri· by shellfire, men who were blown to can military cemetery who lost bis life pieces by high-explosive shells, and during the World War and whose body prisoners who died without their identity bas been identified bas bis name, rank, being recorded. Through the misfor- organization, state and date of death tunes of war these men have thus been carved on the headstone over bis grave. denied the honored burial which bas These men are called the "known dead" been given to their comrades in death. to distinguish them from the "unknown Others who have no identified graves dead" whose bodies have not been found are the soldiers and sailors whose resting or, if found, have not been identified. place is the sea. This group includes With one exception, al! "unknown men who died at sea and were buried dead" whose bodies have been found are there, as well as those who lost their lives now buried in the cemeteries in Europe, at sea due to the action of the enemy. each resting in a separate grave marked The Commission early decided that with a headstone bearing the following each of these "unknown dead" should inscription: "HERE RESTS IN HONORED have bis name, rank, organization, state GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN and date of death inscribed in one of the BUT TO Gon". The single exception is chapels in the American cemeteries in that of the "Unknown Soldier" who was Europe. As a result, in the chape! of buried in a superb tomb bearing the same each battlefield cemetery are inscribed inscription at the Arlington National the names of the "unknown" soldiers Cemetery near Washington, D. C. This who lost their lives in that region. In soldier, selected from the unidentified dead addition, on panels of the chape! in the of the A. E. F., was returned to America Meuse-Argonne Cemetery are recorded and buried with full military honors the names of the "unknown dead" of the AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERIES IN EUROPE 459

Services of Supply and of the American al! members of the American forces whose Expedition to N orthern Russia. The bodies remain in Europe exceptas follows: "Unknown Soldier" who is buried at the 42 men whose bodies were left in their Arlington National Cemetery is therefore original graves outside the cemeteries at among the soldiers whose names appear the request of relatives; 18 who are buried on the walls of one of the chapels in the beneath the Lafayette Escadrille monu- American military cemeteries in Europe. ment at Garches, near Paris, where 21 of The names of the "unknown" soldiers their former comrades of the Escadrille and sailors whose bodies were lost or are also buried; those whose bodies were buried in European waters are recorded in released to relatives for private inter- the chapels at Suresnes and Brookwood. ment, and those whose remains have not Of the 81,067 American soldiers, sailors been found. and marines who gave their lives in A brief description of each of the Europe and European waters during the American cemeteries is given on the fol- war, the number who still remain "un- lowing pages. The photographs accom- known" is 4,431. This number includes panying them will give a good idea of the 1,643 who are buried in unidentified appearance of the different cemeteries graves in the permanent American ceme- and the small maps will be found useful teries in Europe, 1,537 whose grave is the by the tourist in locating a cemetery after sea, 1,250 whose remains have never been he arrives in its general neighborhood. found, and the "Unknown Soldier" who An information bureau is maintained is buried at the Arlington National at the European Office of the American Cemetery. Battle Monuments Commission, located At the time of the Armistice there were in the American Government Office approximately 2,400 places in Europe in Building, 2 Avenue Gabriel, Place de la which American dead were temporarily Concorde, Paris, where locations of par- buried. After hostilities ceased, provi- ticular graves and information concern- sion was made for the permanent burial ing the cemeteries may be obtained. of these bodies in accordance with the An American superintendent is on duty expressed wishes of the nearest relatives at each cemetery to give information and concerned, and the eight permanent other assistance to visitors. Reception American cemeteries in Europe were es- rooms are available at the cemeteries for tablished. These cemeteries, with their the comfort and convenien ce of tourists. 30,902 burials, now contain the graves of All distances in this chapter are air line.

Airplane View of the St. Mihiel Cemetery Meuse-Argonne Arnerican Cernecery Near Romagne-sous-Montfaucon MEUSE-ARGONNE CEMETERY NEAR ROMAGNE-SOUS-MONTFAUCON

HIS is the largest and most im- T pressive American cemetery in Europe. It contains 14,240 graves. Most of those buried here

gave their lives during the Meuse- TO

Argonne offensive, the greatest CUNEL battle in all American history. The cemetery is located just in rear of the Hindenburg Line in a small valley between Romagne and Cunel. Its size and the harmony of its architectural de- MEUSE-ARGONNE velopment make it rank high AMERICAN among the beautiful cemeteries of CEMETERY the world. The immense field of O 500 1000 Yds. white marble crosses arranged in long regular rows on the slop- ing hillside, with the chape! silhouetted of the men who are buried in the cemetery. on the crest above, is a sight which, once The cemetery is about 18 miles north- it is seen, will not quickly be forgotten. west of Verdun, which is a tourist center A more complete description of this and easily reached by train. Good hotel cemetery is given on pages 247- 248. accommodations are available in the city A hostess house, which has facilities to and automobiles can be hired there. Both provide rooms and meals for a limited the cemetery and the Meuse-Argonne number of visitors during the summer American memorial on Montfaucon are months, is now maintained at the ceme- included in most of the regular tours of tery for the convenience of the relatives the battlefields which start from Verdun.

Romagne Entrance, Meuse-Argonne Cemetery

( 461 ) OISE-AISNE CEMETERY NEAR FÈRE- EN-TARDENOIS

N a battlefield where many of Amer- The pink and gray sandstone chapel and O ica's bravest sons met their death, walls give color at all times but perfection near Fère-en-Tardenois, is located the is reached in .the spring when the roses Oise-Aisne Cemetery, the second largest and fiowering shrubs are in full bloom. American cemetery in Europe. It con- The cemetery is about 14 miles from tains 6,012 graves. The majority of the Château-Thierry and Soissons and slightly battle dead who sleep there are from more from Reims. Good train service is divisions which fought in the vicinity available to each of those places, where and to the north as far as the Oise River. hotel accommodations can be obtained In 1922 a considerable number of bodies and automobiles hired. The main railroad were moved to this cemetery from the line between Paris and Reims passes close general area to the southwest of Paris. to the village of Fère-en-Tardenois. The quiet surroundings now give no For further information concerning this indication of the confiict that raged in cemetery and its features see pages 75-76. this region while American soldiers were The American cemetery near Belleau fighting here for the Ourcq River heights. and the American memorial on Hill 204 The cemetery itself is a peaceful har- just outside of Château-Thierry are each mony of landscaping and architecture. about 14 miles away to the southwest.

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- 500 1000 Yds. (462) ST. MIHIEL CEMETERY NEAR THIAUCOURT

HIS is the third largest of the Ameri- seen from the cemetery on a clear day. Tcan military cemeteries in Europe and The cemetery is less than 26 miles contains 4,152 graves. It is located on from Nancy, Verdun and Metz. There ground restored to France, after more than is good train service to these places, and four years of German occupation, by the at each of them hotel accommodations are great offensive of the American

First Army which resulted in N reducing the St. Mihiel salient. The cemetery contains many works of art and architecture in commemoration of those who t died on this field of honor. The interior decorations of the chape! and museum, which include an inlaid marble map picturing the American fighting 0 500 in the vicinity, are of special - interest. For a more complete description of this cemetery and the available and automobiles may be hired. features located in it, see pages 147- 149. Thiaucourt is on the main railroad line The American memorial on Montsec, between Paris and Metz and a few of commemorating the St. Mihiel operation the trains stop there. The town is four and other American fighting in the region, hours by train from Paris. There are, is 8 miles to the southwest and can be however, no good hotels at Thiaucourt.

St. Mih ie l Cemetery Near Thiaucourt

(463) 464 AMERICAN MILITAR Y CEMETERIES IN EUROPE

AISNE-MARNE CEMETERY NEAR BELLEAU

HIS cemetery lies at the foot of the the hillside is of French Romanesque T hill upon which stands Belleau Wood. style of architecture. The natural set- It contains 2,288 graves, mainly those of ting of the cemetery and chapel, and the American soldiers who fought in the near perfection of detail of the architectural vicinity or in the Marne River valley. and landscape development, all combine The imposing chapel standing against to give this historie spot an atmosphere of exceptional beauty and dignity. The cemetery is 45 miles from Paris and about 5 miles northwest of Château- Thierry, which is on a main railroad line running east from Paris. Fair hotel accommodations are available at Château- Thierry and automobiles for a visit to the battlefields may be hired there. A more detailed description of this cemetery is given on pages 49-52. A visit to the cemetery will give the tourist an opportunity to see Belleau Wood, which adjoins the cemetery, and the Aisne-Marne American memorial which is on a hill above Château-Thierry. SOMME AMERICAN CEMETERY NEAR BONY

HIS cemetery, located about halfway on the road between TSt. Quentin and Cambrai, is just southwest of Bony and contains 1,833 graves. Its style of architecture expresses the spirit of rugged determination which in- spired the American soldiers in their repeated assaults across the neighboring fields while ad- 0 500 1000 Yds. vancing to attack the Hinden- burg Line in front of Bony. The men buried here are mainly those St. Quentin, which can be reached by who lost their lives while serving with train from Paris in two hours. Hotel the British Armies in France or in the accommodations are available and motor operations of the lst Division with the transportation may be hired there. French Army near the town of Cantigny. For a more complete description of The chapel is remarkable for its cross- this cemetery consult pages 387-388. shaped window of crystal glass above the The American monument north of Belli- altar, the harmony of its interior decora- court which commemorates the services of tions, the beauty of its bronze doors and all American troops who fought with the its interesting carved exterior decorations. British Armies in Europe during the World The cemetery is about 9 miles north of W ar is one mile away to the southeast.

Chape! at the Somme American Cemetery Near Bony

(465) SURESNES AMERICAN CEMETERY NEAR PARIS N the slopes of Mont Valérien, 5 fields of white marble headstones, and O miles from the heart of Paris, is from its terrace a fine panorama of a located the Suresnes Cemetery containing large part of the city of Paris is obtained. 1,541 graves. The men buried there are Inside the chape! is an artistic marble mainly those who

IAdditional names of those men who have no grave except the sea are given in the Brookwood chape!.

(466) FLANDERS FIELD CEMETER Y NEAR WAEREGHEM, BELGIUM

HIS cemetery, located about . Thalfway between Brussels and TO Ypres, contains 368 graves. The cRUYSHAUTEM men who rest here are mainly those who gave their lives during the American fighting in Belgium. The beautiful chape! at the center of the cemetery is surrounded on four sicles by the fields of white marble headstones. The landscaping gives an impression of quiet harmony and the whole development forms a fitting resting place for the American heroes who are buried at this place. Additional information concerning this cemetery and the features in it is given on page 399. 0 The American monument in the - town of Audenarde is 7 miles away on the direct road to Brussels. The cemetery is 17 miles southwest of road station, which is in the village of Ghent, 24 miles northeast of Lille and 39 W aereghem, can be reached by fast train miles west of Brussels. The nearest rail- from Paris in approximately five hours.

Flanders Field American Cemetery Near Waereghem, Eelgium

(467) American Cemetery Near Brookwood, England BROOKWOOD CEMETERY NEAR BROOKWOOD, ENGLAND

HIS cemetery, located near the village evergreens which form a perfect setting Tof Brookwood about 25 miles south- for the chapel, a graceful building of west of London, contains 468 graves. classic design decorated with features of Adjoining it is a British World War cem- both religious and patriotic interest. etery in which are buried many of the The interior of the chape] is of brown dead from their colonial forces. Both of stone, soft in coloring. Small stained- these burial areas form part of a very glass windows, remarkable for the beauty large and beautiful British cemetery that of their designs, light the altar and the was established privately many years ago. carved cross above it. On the walls are The American soldiers who rest in the inscribed the names of American soldiers Brookwood Cemetery were brought there and sailors whose grave is the sea.1 In- after the Armistice, from various places laid in the fioor is a large bronze coat of throughout England, Scotland and Ire- arms of the United States; and high above land, and comprise those members of the the altar, carved in relief on the wall, is American Expeditionary Forces who lost an eagle with the inscription below it, their lives in Great Britain or its sur- WITH GOD IS THE IR REW ARD rounding waters during the war. They A visit to the cemetery can not fail to include many of the victims of the S. S. bring a feeling of satisfaction to the

Tuscania which was sunk by a German American visitor that these soldiers who submarine on February 5, 1918, not far

Altar of Chape! Altar of Chape! in the Somme Cemetery in the Brook"ood Cemetery

Lioe of Crosses in the Brookwood Cemetery Bronze Gares at the Somme Cemetery Enrrance, Brookwood Cemetery

Mosaic and Altar of Chape! Altar of Chape! Monument in the in the St. Mihiel Cemetery in the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery St. Mihiel Cemetery

Mosaic and Altar of Chape! at the Suresnes Cemetery A Corner of the Flanders Fidd Cemetery