Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial

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Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial ( German : American cemetery with memorial in the Ardennes) is a military cemetery built and maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission for 5,328 American soldiers who died here in World War II . The war cemetery is west of the Belgian town of Neupré , also known as Neuville-en-Condroz, and about 20 kilometers southwest of Liège .

History of origin

The Americans buried here lost their lives in the fighting during the Battle of the Bulge from December 16, 1944 to January 25, 1945. Soldiers from the 1st , 3rd , 7th and 9th US Army took part in this battle . A temporary cemetery for the fallen was laid out on February 8, 1945 near the town of Neupré. After the end of the war, the bereaved asked for an appropriate resting place, after which the remains were identified and registered. The commission finally approved the plan and determined the architectural design.

general description

From the entrance to the military cemetery, the view falls on a large cube-shaped building with a stepped base. In the extension of the visual axis there is a flagpole with an oversized American national flag hanging from it . The cemetery extends over 36 hectares , the grave fields are arranged in the shape of a Greek cross . The area is delimited by several rows of trees and is mostly overgrown with lawn. The architects Reinhard, Hofmeister & Walquist from New York City took over the building work, the landscaping and the design were carried out by Richard K. Webel from Roslyn , Long Island . The artistic design of the monument was carried out by C. Paul Jennewein from New York City. The construction of the cemetery and memorial was completed in 1962.

The memorial

The memorial

The cenotaph , made of Portland stones, is built in the form of a large cuboid that stands on a pedestal to which seven granite steps lead. On the south side there is a relief that shows the heraldic animal , the bald eagle . The sculptures incorporated next to him symbolize justice, freedom and truth. Thirteen stars, which symbolize the United States, are incorporated under the eagle and the sculptures. On the outside of the memorial, the names of 462 soldiers are recorded on twelve granite slabs, whose remains could never be recovered or identified. On the back wall of the cube, grouped around a helmet, are the arms of the major units that were involved in the Battle of the Bulge. The following text has been engraved underneath:

TO THE SILENT HOST
WHO ENDURED ALL AND GAVE ALL
THAT MANKIND MIGHT LIVE
IN FREEDOM AND IN PEACE
TO THE DUMB HOSTS
THE MUCH endure HAVE AND ALL GAVE
MANKIND MAY
IN FREEDOM AND PEACE OF LIFE

The entrance doors to the memorial are made of bare steel and bear the dates 1941–1945, the walls are equipped with large maps on which the military operations are shown. The tactical movements were incorporated into bronze letters and mosaics , and the Ardennes offensive is described in English, French and Flemish on other panels.

Burial sites and horticultural design

Grave site with cross and reference to the holder of the medal of honor

The cemetery is divided into the shape of the Greek cross, which in turn is divided into individual plots . On the crosses made of marble, the name, rank , unit , state and date of death are engraved. In special cases, a gold star is incorporated into the upper bar of the cross for the wearer of the “ Medal of Honor ”.

Rows of graves arranged in a cross shape

Thick rows of trees frame the Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial and close it off from the outside, the terrain slopes slightly to the north. Thus, the memorial with the chapel stands on a small hill, from here you can get an overall impression of the size of the site. The oak , beech and ash trees were chosen as the trees , while linden trees are predominantly found on the street side.

The chapel

The chapel is built in the northern area of ​​the cube complex, in the interior on the west wall the years 1941–1945 and the following text are incorporated:

IN PROUD REMEMBRANCE OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF HER SONS
AND IN HUMBLE TRIBUTE TO THEIR SACRIFICES THIS MEMORIAL HAS BEEN ERECTED BY
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
IN THE PROUD MEMORY OF THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR SONS
AND HUMBLE HUMILITY TO THE VICTIMS WAS THIS MEMORIAL
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ESTABLISHED

On the opposite wall, an abridged prayer by Cardinal Newman has been engraved:

O LORD SUPPORT US ALL THE DAY LONG
UNTIL the shadows lengthen
AND OUR WORK IS DONE
THEN IN THY MERCY GRANT US
A SAFE LODGING AND A HOLY REST
and Peace AT THE LAST
O Lord help us all day
until he incline
and our work DONE IS
FILL US WITH GRACE
GIVE YOU A HOLY CALM
AND PEACE UNTIL THE END

See also

Web links

Coordinates: 50 ° 32 ′ 51 ″  N , 5 ° 27 ′ 55 ″  E