Florence American Cemetery and Memorial

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Panoramic view of the military cemetery

Florence American Cemetery and Memorial is an American military cemetery with a memorial near Florence ( Italy ). There are 4,402 graves of American soldiers and women who fell in World War II during the conquest of Rome and the advance on the Alps . At the memorial the 1409 missing persons are remembered. The war cemetery is located about 7 kilometers south of Florence in the municipality of Impruneta and San Casciano in Val di Pesa and has a total area of ​​28  hectares . It is crossed by the river Greve .

History of origin

Most of the fallen and missing were members of the 5th US Army , which was deployed between Rome and the Alps and on the battlefields of Tuscany until Italy surrendered on May 2, 1945 . The military cemetery was built by the American Battle Monuments Commission and is looked after and economically maintained by them to this day. The first makeshift cemetery was laid out on August 3, 1944 by the 6th US Armored Division and later taken over by the 5th US Army. The work was completed in 1956.

general description

Behind the entrance to the memorial, which is separated by two buildings, there is a large bridge that leads to the grave fields. These are set up on a hill in a symmetrically arranged field, which is divided into two large halves. At the end of the grave fields a high stone column is built, on which a guardian angel is enthroned , this symbolizes the spirit of peace and protects those who are at rest. On the column is the dedication:

1941 - 1945 In proud memory of the sons and in humble humility to the victims
this memorial was erected by the United States of America

The architects were McKim, Mead and White from New York and the landscape architects Clarke and Rapuano, also from New York.

The memorial

Statue "Mourning Soldier"

The memorial has two open courtyards that are connected by a wall, the names of 1409 missing people are listed here. Some of the names are decorated with a rosette , indicating that they could later be found and identified. At the top of the wall it is engraved:

"Here the names of the Americans are listed who gave their lives to serve their land and rest in unknown graves"

In front of both forecourts are rectangular water basins, in the northern forecourt there is a map relief depicting military operations , troop movements and larger combat areas. In the southern forecourt there are five inscription tablets, on which psalms and prayers are engraved. Various military badges are shown on a roundel between the boards . Above the front door is a carved figure depicting “the spirit of American youth”, and above the second plaque there is a bald eagle , the heraldic animal of the United States, carved in stone .

The chapel

Interior of the memorial

After entering the chapel , through the bronze door, the central aisle leads to the altar made of black Belgian marble . A mosaic rises behind the altar , on the depicted cloud stands an angel-like figure who is holding a few white lilies in her arms . A sword with a helmet appears in front of the feet, this picture is framed by fresh crocus buds . A window is incorporated above the mosaic, which emits different light conditions onto the mosaic.

In the two side rooms there are large maps showing the liberation of Italy, the troop badges are reminiscent of the major American units, these are: 5th Army , 12th and 15th Air Force Squadrons , II and IV Corps , 1st Panzer Division , 10th Mountain Division , 34th , 85th , 88th , 91st and 92nd Infantry Divisions .

The tombs

The tombstones

A total of 4,398 tombstones were erected for American soldiers. In addition, the honor is paid to some of the dead from the Philippines , China , Turkey , Spain and the Columbia District .

The horticultural design

The area is framed by raised ramparts that have been reinforced with massive walls. Italian pines and cypresses were chosen as the trees and bushes , but also trees such as cypresses and cedars from the Orient complete the vegetation. Oleander , laurel cherry , jasmine and myrtle dominate the bushes . Lawn was planted between the rows of graves and there are isolated other flowering shrubs.

Web links

Coordinates: 43 ° 41 ′ 30 ″  N , 11 ° 12 ′ 33 ″  E